As you start the college application process, you’ll have to gather relevant information about yourself to show colleges your unique qualifications. Students must submit SAT/ACT scores, grades, and descriptions of their courses and fill out info about extracurriculars and other academic accomplishments.
While filling out this information is important, you should pay special attention to your personal statement. The rest of your application—your GPA, your SAT or ACT scores, your Activities List—can only show so much of your personality and your abilities as a student, which is why it’s crucial that you craft a Personal Statement essay that lets your character and abilities shine through.
How to Stand Out in College Applications
First and foremost, make your high school years count. Do your best to get good grades (consider tutoring if there’s a subject you struggle with!), pursue extracurricular activities that align with your interests and build experience outside the classroom, and cultivate relationships with teachers such that if and when you ask for recommendations, they really know you.
Another key: research what colleges you want to apply to. Don’t just apply to MIT because it’s MIT– apply because there’s something about it that really speaks to you, and because it’s a school you can genuinely see yourself thriving at. This will make your applications easier and more cost effective, not to mention give you a better shot at enjoying the school you ultimately attend.
Your college applications might feel like your entire life: school transcripts, test scores, the extracurriculars that filled your time, and a listing of academic and nonacademic accomplishments alike. Your essays, particularly your personal statement, are what can help add the story to all of those stats.
How Important are Personal Statements in College Applications?
Think of it this way: millions of students nationwide are taking the same tests (ACT/SAT/etc), taking similar courses (APs, IBs, and the general school curricula), and doing similar extracurriculars (while everyone is unique, there’s only so many things a teen can do). What’s the one thing that can truly reflect who YOU are? The essays. These writing samples show admissions committees exactly who you are, your priorities, and how the “story” of the rest of your application fits with your goals for the next step in your career. A strong essay can be a surefire way to stand out to any admissions committee.
The personal statement, in turn, is usually the longest single essay you will write for a college application, so it is also the best chance you have to stand out in your application.
What do Admissions Committees Look For In a Personal Statement?
Fundamentally, the personal statement should communicate YOU: your voice, your background, your perspective. It should be responsive to the prompt, of course, but ultimately it’s here to tell your story in a way only you can. ChatGPT can’t get you there, and neither can your parents– the best essays are written by students because they showcase exactly how the student sees themselves in the world.
The Common Application releases prompts for upcoming application cycles in the spring; it’s important to look at the available prompts and start brainstorming potential topics early.
On a more technical note, ensuring that the prompt is answered and the essay has no grammatical or spelling errors is key; make sure you read your drafts carefully and edit for spelling, grammar and flow.
The Importance of Supplemental Essays vs. Personal Statement
Many college applications, in addition to requiring a personal statement, also have supplemental essays. These are oftentimes smaller and school-targeted, designed to gain an understanding of how a student sees themselves at the university or college they’re applying to.
For example, a very common supplemental essay asks students to explain why they chose to apply to a school; another might ask “why are you majoring in ___?” These essays are also important because they weed out students who haven’t genuinely considered why they want to apply to a school, as well as students who didn’t research them.
Supplemental essays, in that they aren’t always required, often take second chair to the personal statement, but it’s worth considering that they can be a true difference maker, particularly in elite admissions.
Learn more about how to write supplemental essays here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are college application essays a deciding factor?
In short, yes. A poorly written essay can sometimes damage an otherwise strong application, and a strong essay can tip the scales in favor of admission in some cases.
Can a good essay get you into a top college with bad grades?
This really depends on individual cases, but a strong essay will do nothing but help your overall application. Additionally, if you have a reason for a period with subpar grades (illness, etc), there is a space to write an essay explaining it.
GPA vs extracurriculars vs personal statement: which is most important?
Every college has its unique way of prioritizing application factors, so it’s hard to say which is most important. A poor GPA is likely to be the most damaging of the three in terms of effects on the application. The best thing you can do is make all three the best you can!
Don’t Wait- Start Writing Your Essays Now
Let this guide motivate you to start writing your college essays now. They will help you stand out among the crowd and showcase your talents and inner world to admissions officers. Take time to consider prompts, research answers where applicable, and most of all – write and rewrite.
You don’t have to go it alone– reach out today to learn more about our comprehensive essay coaching services.
