The college planning process can be demanding, overwhelming, and above all, time-consuming. It takes time and energy to craft a standout college application, and perhaps the most work-intensive part is essay writing. To save mental bandwidth during this process, you might wondering if you can reuse your college essays.
Can you reuse college essays?
The short answer is yes! Recycling essays might seem lazy or disingenuous, but when done with care, it can be a strategic maneuver that streamlines the college planning process. In this post, we’ll explore the best practices for reusing essays for your college application.
Reusing the Common App Personal Statement
The Common App requires one personal statement, and with the number of colleges that now accept the Common App, this will serve as the main writing sample for the majority of your prospective schools. It’s perfectly okay, if not expected, for you to submit the same personal statement to all of your Common App schools.
In fact, the prompts for the Common App personal statement are so broad, you can potentially reuse the same essay for any other colleges that require personal statements of a similar length (650 words).
Reusing Supplemental Essays
Supplemental essays are additional writing samples required by many universities, and they vary in number by school. For that reason, the number of essays you have to write can become daunting. For example, imagine you decide to apply to eight colleges, and each one of them requires three supplemental essays, that’s already twenty-four essays in total. And that number doesn’t even take into account your personal statement, activities list, optional supplementals, scholarship essays, etc.
That’s a lot of writing. This is where the practice of reusing essays becomes a lifesaver.
How to Reuse College Essays
Effectively reusing college essays requires attention to detail. While balancing a number of essays, it’s crucial to stay organized and start with a plan.
Tips For Reusing College Essays
Address the Prompt. While the core idea of each essay might remain the same, make sure it directly answers the question being asked. Often, slight edits to your introduction can help align your essay with a specific prompt.
Highlight Specific Qualities. Customize parts of your essay to highlight your personal experiences or traits that align with and are particularly important to a college’s values or programs. For example, if a university claims “freedom of expression” as a core value, tailor your essay to demonstrate how you align.
And, most importantly, make sure you proofread. The biggest mistake you can make in reusing college application essays is referencing the wrong college. Double check each of your essays to ensure you answer the correct prompt and mention the right school.
How to Reuse Supplemental Essays
1. Make a list.
Compile a list of the supplemental essays required by each of your schools—most of which will be found within the Common Application Portal. Make sure the list of prompts are up-to-date with the current application season and include optional essays, too.
2. Identify common themes.
You’ll likely find that many schools ask similar questions or explore similar themes. Read through your list to identify and categorize the essay prompts with similar topics. For example, many colleges ask why you want to attend their school or about your interest in your intended major. Other common categories include extracurricular activities, diversity, community engagement, and future goals.
3. Start with the longest essay.
With your supplemental essays in groups, brainstorm topics for each category that could fulfill multiple prompts. When you begin writing, start with the essay that has the highest maximum word count; it’s easier to edit a longer draft than it is to expand upon a shorter one.
FAQs
Do colleges know if you reuse essays?
There is no easy way for admissions officers to determine whether or not you submitted the same essay to multiple colleges.
Can I reuse college essays for scholarships?
Yes, as long as the essay topics are similar. Scholarship essays often focus on personal growth, leadership, and career goals, themes that often overlap with college essay prompts. However, as with college applications, make sure to customize each essay to address the prompt and highlight the specific qualities important to the scholarship organization.
Is it ethical to reuse college essays?
Yes! As long as your response is honest to you, there is nothing unethical about reusing your own essays. Furthermore, they are more concerned with the authenticity of your application than the possibility of you repurposing your own words.
Conclusion
Reusing college essays is a strategic way to manage the demanding application process, allowing you to focus your efforts and present your best self to each institution. By identifying common themes, creating adaptable core essays, and tailoring each submission to reflect the unique qualities of each college, you can save time while maintaining authenticity and quality. Remember to proofread carefully and stay true to your voice, ensuring that every essay you submit is polished and compelling. By following best practices and treating your essays with care, you can navigate the reuse of essays to maximize your chances of admission to the college of your choice.
