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College Application Essay Format Rules

The college application essay has become the most important part of applying to college. In this article, we will go over the  best college essay format for getting into top schools, including how to structure the elements of a college admissions essay: margins, font, paragraphs, spacing, headers, and organization. 

We will focus on commonly asked questions about the best college essay structure. Finally, we will go over essay formatting tips and examples.

Table of Contents

• General college essay formatting rules
• How to format a college admissions essay
• Sections of a college admissions essay
• College application essay format examples

General College Essay Format Rules

Before talking about how to format your college admission essays, we need to talk about general college essay formatting rules.

Pay attention to word count

It has been well-established that the most important rule of college application essays is to  not go over the specific Application Essay word limit .  The word limit for the Common Application essay is typically 500-650 words.

Not only may it be impossible to go over the word count (in the case of the  Common Application essay , which uses text fields), but admissions officers often use software that will throw out any essay that breaks this rule. Following directions is a key indicator of being a successful student. 

Refocusing on the essay prompt and eliminating unnecessary adverbs, filler words, and prepositional phrases will help improve your essay.

On the other hand, it is advisable to use almost every available word. The college essay application field is very competitive, so leaving extra words on the table puts you at a disadvantage. Include an example or anecdote near the end of your essay to meet the total word count.

Do not write a wall of text: use paragraphs

Here is a brutal truth:  College admissions counselors only read the application essays that help them make a decision .  Otherwise, they will not read the essay at all. The problem is that you do not know whether the rest of your application (transcripts, academic record, awards, etc.) will be competitive enough to get you accepted.

A very simple writing rule for your application essay (and for essay editing of any type) is to  make your writing readable by adding line breaks and separate paragraphs.

Line breaks do not count toward word count, so they are a very easy way to organize your essay structure, ideas, and topics. Remember, college counselors, if you’re lucky, will spend 30 sec to 1 minute reading your essay. Give them every opportunity to understand your writing.

Do not include an essay title 

Unless specifically required, do not use a title for your personal statement or essay. This is a waste of your word limit and is redundant since the essay prompt itself serves as the title.

Never use overly casual, colloquial, or text message-based formatting like this: 

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT!. #collegeapplication #collegeessay.

Under no circumstances should you use emojis, all caps, symbols, hashtags, or slang in a college essay. Although technology, texting, and social media are continuing to transform how we use modern language (what a great topic for a college application essay!), admissions officers will view the use of these casual formatting elements as immature and inappropriate for such an important document.

How To Format A College Application Essay

There are many  tips for writing college admissions essays . How you upload your college application essay depends on whether you will be cutting and pasting your essay into a text box in an online application form or attaching a formatted document.

Save and upload your college essay in the proper format

Check the application instructions if you’re not sure what you need to do. Currently, the Common Application requires you to copy and paste your essay into a text box.

There are three main formats when it comes to submitting your college essay or personal statement:

If submitting your application essay in a text box

For the Common Application, there is no need to attach a document since there is a dedicated input field. You still want to write your essay in a word processor or Google doc. Just make sure once you copy-paste your essay into the text box that your line breaks (paragraphs), indents, and formatting is retained. 

• Formatting like  bold , underline, and  italics  are often lost when copy-pasting into a text box.
• Double-check that you are under the word limit.  Word counts may be different within the text box .
• Make sure that paragraphs and spacing are maintained;  text input fields often undo indents and double-spacing .
• If possible, make sure the font is standardized.  Text input boxes usually allow just one font . 

If submitting your application essay as a document

When attaching a document, you must do more than just double-check the format of your admissions essay. You need to be proactive and make sure the structure is logical and will be attractive to readers.

Microsoft Word (.DOC) format

If you are submitting your application essay as a file upload, then you will likely submit a .doc or .docx file. The downside is that MS Word files are editable, and there are sometimes conflicts between different MS Word versions (2010 vs 2016 vs Office365). The upside is that Word can be opened by almost any text program.

This is a safe choice if maintaining the  visual  elements of your essay is important. Saving your essay as a PDF prevents any formatting issues that come with Microsoft Word, since older versions are sometimes incompatible with the newer formatting. 

Although PDF viewing programs are commonly available, many older readers and Internet users (who will be your admissions officers) may not be ready to view PDFs.

• Use 1-inch margins . This is the default setting for Microsoft Word. However, students from Asia using programs like Hangul Word Processor will need to double-check.
• Use a standard serif font.  These include Times New Roman, Courier, and Garamond. A serif font adds professionalism to your essay.
• Use standard 12-font size. 
• Use 1.5- or double-spacing.  Your application essay should be readable. Double spaces are not an issue as the essay should already fit on one page.
• Add a Header  with your First Name, Last Name, university, and other required information.
• Clearly   separate your paragraphs.  By default, just press ‘ENTER’ twice.

Sections Of A College Admissions Essay

University admissions protocols usually allow you to choose the format and style of your writing. Despite this, the general format of “Introduction-Body-Conclusion” is the most common structure. This is a common format you can use and adjust to your specific writing style.

College Application Essay Introduction

Typically, your first paragraph should introduce you or the topic that you will discuss. You must have a killer opener if you want the admissions committees to pay attention. 

Essays that use rhetorical tools, factual statements, dialog, etc. are encouraged. There is room to be creative since many application essays specifically focus on past learning experiences.

College Application Essay Body

Clearly answering the essay prompt is the most important part of the essay body. Keep reading over the prompt and making sure everything in the body supports it. 

Since personal statement essays are designed to show you are as a person and student, the essay body is also where you talk about your experiences and identity.

Make sure you include the following life experiences and how they relate to the essay prompt. Be sure to double-check that they relate back to the essay prompt. A college admissions essay is NOT an autobiography:

Personal challenges

• How did you overcome them?
• How or how much do past challenges define your current outlook or worldview? 
• What did you learn about yourself when you failed?

Personal achievements and successes

• What people helped you along the way?
• What did you learn about the nature of success

Lessons learned

• In general, did your experiences inform your choice of university or major?

Personal beliefs

• Politics, philosophy, and religion may be included here, but be careful when discussing sensitive personal or political topics. 
• Academic goals
• Personal goals
• Professional goals
• How will attending the university help you achieve these goals?

College Application Essay Conclusion

The conclusion section is a call to action directly aimed at the admissions officers. You must demonstrate why you are a great fit for the university, which means you should refer to specific programs, majors, or professors that guided or inspired you. 

In this “why this school” part of the essay, you can also explain why the university is a great fit for  your  goals. Be straightforward and truthful, but express your interest in the school boldly.

College Application Essay Format Examples

Here are several formatting examples of successful college admission essays, along with comments from the essay editor.

Note: Actual sample essays edited by  Wordvice professional editors .  Personal info has been redacted for privacy. This is not a college essay template.

College Admission Essay Example 1

This essay asks the student to write about how normal life experiences can have huge effects on personal growth:

Common App Essay Prompt: Thoughtful Rides

The Florida turnpike is a very redundant and plain expressway; we do not have the scenic luxury of mountains, forests, or even deserts stretching endlessly into the distance. Instead, we are blessed with repetitive fields of grazing cows and countless billboards advertising local businesses. I have been subjected to these monotonous views three times a week, driving two hours every other day to Sunrise and back to my house in Miami, Florida—all to practice for my competitive soccer team in hopes of receiving a scholarship to play soccer at the next level. 

The Introduction sets up a clear, visceral memory and communicates a key extracurricular activity. 

When I first began these mini road trips, I would jam out to my country playlist and sing along with my favorite artists, and the trek would seem relatively short. However, after listening to “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs for the 48th time in a week, the song became as repetitive as the landscape I was driving through. Changing genres did not help much either; everything I played seemed to morph into the same brain-numbing sound.  Eventually, I decided to do what many peers in my generation fail to do: turn off the distractions, enjoy the silence, and immerse myself in my own thoughts. In the end, this seemingly simple decision led to a lot of personal growth and tranquility in my life. 

The first part of the Body connects the student’s past experience with the essay prompt: personal growth and challenging assumptions.

Although I did not fully realize it at the time, these rides were the perfect opportunity to reflect on myself and the people around me. I quickly began noticing the different personalities surrounding me in the flow of traffic, and this simple act of noticing reminded me that I was not the only human on this planet that mattered. I was just as unimportant as the woman sitting in the car next to mine. Conversely, I also came to appreciate how a gesture as simple as letting another driver merge into your lane can impact a stranger’s day. Maybe the other driver is late for a work interview or rushing to the hospital because their newborn is running a high fever and by allowing them to advance in the row of cars, you made their day just a little less stressful. I realized that if I could improve someone else’s day from my car,  I could definitely be a kinder person and take other people’s situations into consideration—because you never know if someone is having one of the worst days of their lives and their interaction with you could provide the motivation they need to keep going on . 

This part uses two examples to support the writer’s answer to the essay prompt. It ends the paragraph with a clear statement.

Realizing I was not the only being in the universe that mattered was not the only insight I attained during these drives. Over and over, I asked myself why I had chosen to change soccer clubs, leaving Pinecrest, the team I had played on for 8 years with my best friends and that was only a 10-minute drive from my house, to play for a completely unfamiliar team that required significantly more travel.  Eventually, I came to understand that I truly enjoy challenging myself and pushing past complacency . One of my main goals in life is to play and experience college soccer—that, and to eventually pursue a career as a doctor. Ultimately, leaving my comfort zone in Pinecrest, where mediocrity was celebrated, to join a team in Sunrise, where championships were expected and college offers were abundant, was a very positive decision in my life. 

This part clearly tells how the experience shaped the writer as a person. The student’s personality can be directly attributed to this memory. It also importantly states personal and academic goals.

Even if I do not end up playing college soccer, I know now that I will never back down from any challenge in my life; I am committed to pushing myself past my comfort zone. These car rides have given me insight into how strong I truly am and how much impact I can have on other people’s lives. 

The Conclusion restates the overall lesson learned.

College Admission Essay Example 2

The next essay asks the reader to use leadership roles or extracurricular activities and describe the experience, contribution, and what the student learned about themselves.

As I release the air from the blood-pressure monitor’s valve, I carefully track the gauge, listening for the faint “lub-dub” of  Winnie’s heart. Checking off the “hypertensive” box on his medical chart when reading 150/95, I then escort Winnie to the blood sugar station. This was the typical procedure of a volunteer at the UConn Migrant Farm Worker Clinic. Our traveling medical clinic operated at night, visiting various Connecticut farms to provide healthcare for migrant workers. Filling out charts, taking blood pressure, and recording BMI were all standard procedures, but the relationships I built with farmers such as Winnie impacted me the most.

This Introduction is very impactful. It highlights the student’s professional expertise as a healthcare worker and her impact on marginalized communities. It also is written in the present tense to add impact.

While the clinic was canceled this year due to COVID-19, I still wanted to do something for them. During a PPE-drive meeting this July, Winnie recounted his family history. I noticed his eyebrows furrow with anxiety as he spoke about his family’s safety in Tierra Blanca, Mexico. I realized that Winnie lacked substantial information about his hometown, and fear-mongering headlines did nothing to assuage his fears. After days of searching, I discovered that his hometown, Guanajuato, reported fewer cases of COVID-19 in comparison with surrounding towns. I then created a color-coded map of his town, showing rates across the different districts. Winnie’s eyes softened, marveling at the map I made for him this August. I didn’t need to explain what he saw: Guanajuato, his home state, was pale yellow, the color I chose to mark the lowest level of cases. By making this map, I didn’t intend to give him new hope; I wanted to show him where hope was.

The student continues to tell the powerful story of one of her patients. This humbles and empowers the student, motivating her in the next paragraph.

This interaction fueled my commitment to search for hope in my journey of becoming a public health official. Working in public health policy, I hope to tackle complex world problems, such as economic and social barriers to healthcare and find creative methods of improving outcomes in queer and Latinx communities. I want to study the present and potential future intervention strategies in minority communities for addressing language barriers to information including language on posters and gendered language, and for instituting social and support services for community youth. These stepping stones will hopefully prepare me for conducting professional research for the Medical Organization for Latino Advancement. I aspire to be an active proponent of healthcare access and equity for marginalized groups, including queer communities. I first learned about the importance of recognizing minority identities in healthcare through my bisexual sister, Sophie, and her nonbinary friend, Gilligan. During discussions with her friends, I realized the importance of validating diverse gender expressions in all facets of my life.

Here, the past experience is directly connected to future academic and professional goals, which themselves are motivated by a desire to increase access among communities as well as personal family experiences. This is a strong case for why personal identity is so important.

My experiences with Winnie and my sister have empowered me to be creative, thoughtful, and brave while challenging the assumptions currently embedded in the “visual vocabulary” of both the art and science fields. I envision myself deconstructing hegemonic ideas of masculinity and femininity and surmounting the limitations of traditional perceptions of male and female bodies as it relates to existing healthcare practices. Through these subtle changes, I aim to make a large impact.

The Conclusion positions the student as an impactful leader and visionary. This is a powerful case for the admissions board to consider.

If you want to read more college admissions essay examples, check out our articles about  successful college personal statements  and the  2021-2022 Common App prompts and example essays .

Wordvice offers a full suite of proofreading and editing services . If you are a student applying to college and are having trouble with the best college admissions essay format, check out our application essay editing services  (including personal statement editing ) and find out  how much online proofreading costs . 

Finally, don’t forget to receive common app essay editing and professional admissions editing for any other admissions documents for college, university, and post-doctoral programs.

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How to Format A College Essay: 15 Expert Tips

College Essays

When you're applying to college, even small decisions can feel high-stakes. This is especially true for the college essay, which often feels like the most personal part of the application. You may agonize over your college application essay format: the font, the margins, even the file format. Or maybe you're agonizing over how to organize your thoughts overall. Should you use a narrative structure? Five paragraphs?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll go over the ins and outs of how to format a college essay on both the micro and macro levels. We'll discuss minor formatting issues like headings and fonts, then discuss broad formatting concerns like whether or not to use a five-paragraph essay, and if you should use a college essay template.

How to Format a College Essay: Font, Margins, Etc.

Some of your formatting concerns will depend on whether you will be cutting and pasting your essay into a text box on an online application form or attaching a formatted document. If you aren't sure which you'll need to do, check the application instructions. Note that the Common Application does currently require you to copy and paste your essay into a text box.

Most schools also allow you to send in a paper application, which theoretically gives you increased control over your essay formatting. However, I generally don't advise sending in a paper application (unless you have no other option) for a couple of reasons:

Most schools state that they prefer to receive online applications. While it typically won't affect your chances of admission, it is wise to comply with institutional preferences in the college application process where possible. It tends to make the whole process go much more smoothly.

Paper applications can get lost in the mail. Certainly there can also be problems with online applications, but you'll be aware of the problem much sooner than if your paper application gets diverted somehow and then mailed back to you. By contrast, online applications let you be confident that your materials were received.

Regardless of how you will end up submitting your essay, you should draft it in a word processor. This will help you keep track of word count, let you use spell check, and so on.

Next, I'll go over some of the concerns you might have about the correct college essay application format, whether you're copying and pasting into a text box or attaching a document, plus a few tips that apply either way.

Formatting Guidelines That Apply No Matter How You End Up Submitting the Essay:

Unless it's specifically requested, you don't need a title. It will just eat into your word count.

Avoid cutesy, overly colloquial formatting choices like ALL CAPS or ~unnecessary symbols~ or, heaven forbid, emoji and #hashtags. Your college essay should be professional, and anything too cutesy or casual will come off as immature.

Mmm, delicious essay...I mean sandwich.

Why College Essay Templates Are a Bad Idea

You might see college essay templates online that offer guidelines on how to structure your essay and what to say in each paragraph. I strongly advise against using a template. It will make your essay sound canned and bland—two of the worst things a college essay can be. It's much better to think about what you want to say, and then talk through how to best structure it with someone else and/or make your own practice outlines before you sit down to write.

You can also find tons of successful sample essays online. Looking at these to get an idea of different styles and topics is fine, but again, I don't advise closely patterning your essay after a sample essay. You will do the best if your essay really reflects your own original voice and the experiences that are most meaningful to you.

College Application Essay Format: Key Takeaways

There are two levels of formatting you might be worried about: the micro (fonts, headings, margins, etc) and the macro (the overall structure of your essay).

Tips for the micro level of your college application essay format:

• Always draft your essay in a word processing software, even if you'll be copy-and-pasting it over into a text box.
• If you are copy-and-pasting it into a text box, make sure your formatting transfers properly, your paragraphs are clearly delineated, and your essay isn't cut off.
• If you are attaching a document, make sure your font is easily readable, your margins are standard 1-inch, your essay is 1.5 or double-spaced, and your file format is compatible with the application specs.
• There's no need for a title unless otherwise specified—it will just eat into your word count.

Tips for the macro level of your college application essay format :

• There is no super-secret college essay format that will guarantee success.
• In terms of structure, it's most important that you have an introduction that makes it clear where you're going and a conclusion that wraps up with a main point. For the middle of your essay, you have lots of freedom, just so long as it flows logically!
• I advise against using an essay template, as it will make your essay sound stilted and unoriginal.

Plus, if you use a college essay template, how will you get rid of these medieval weirdos?

What's Next?

Still feeling lost? Check out our total guide to the personal statement , or see our step-by-step guide to writing the perfect essay .

If you're not sure where to start, consider these tips for attention-grabbing first sentences to college essays!

And be sure to avoid these 10 college essay mistakes .

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Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

• A unique, personal topic
• A compelling, well-structured narrative
• A clear, creative writing style
• Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

• Demonstrated values and qualities
• Vulnerability and authenticity
• Self-reflection and insight
• Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

• Deadlines and number of essays needed
• Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

• Meaningful and personal to you
• Uncommon or has an unusual angle
• Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

• What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
• What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
• What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
• What makes you different from your classmates?
• What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
• Whom do you admire most? Why?
• What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

• Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
• Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

• Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
• Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
• Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
• Story: Broadway musical interests
• Lesson: Finding my voice
• Story: Smells from family dinner table
• Lesson: Appreciating home and family
• Story: Washing dishes
• Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
• Story: Biking with Ava
• Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
• Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

• Situation: Football injury
• Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
• Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
• My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
• Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

• What are the most prominent images?
• Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
• What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

• Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
• Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
• Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
• Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
• Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

• Summarizing what you already wrote
• Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
• Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

• First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
• Then, check for style and tone issues.
• Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

• Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
• Friends and family can check for authenticity.
• An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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College Application Essay Format: The Definitive Guide

When admissions professionals use the college application essay to help determine who gets invited to attend their institution of higher learning, they are looking beyond the facts of good grades, test scores and activities.

They are looking for that one thing that makes you uniquely you: your personality.

This is your chance share how your vision, goals, triumphs and experiences have molded who you are, and why you would be a choice candidate for admissions. Use this definitive guide for your college application essay format.

14 Tips for Formatting Your College Application Essay

Writing tips for the college application essay.

> Construct Your Essay Like a Feature Story

A good story has a beginning, a middle and an end. On your college application essay , use the first paragraph as an introduction, and the last paragraph as your conclusion that wraps everything up. Put the meat of the essay in between. Let the story build and flow to its natural conclusion.

> Stick to One Topic

You will not be able to tell your entire life story in a 650-word essay, so pick one story that exemplifies how you came to be the unique person you are today and use that as your essay theme.

> Create an Outline

Craft an outline showing how your story will flow from beginning to end, with each paragraph making an individual point. An outline will help you to flesh in your essay and keep it on point.

> Be Creative But True

It may be tempting to use a standard college application essay template because it sounds easy. However, this may lead to a dull read. Write the college application essay so that the story shows your creative side, while being true to who you are.

> Use Analogies and Examples

Let your essay tell specific examples or analogies from your life experiences. Point out important events from your life that have made you who you are today. Stories of success, overcoming obstacles, and leadership can help create a college application essay that stands apart. Use these as supporting material or evidence to back up your main point.

> Have Someone Else Read Your Application Essay

Once you feel you have done your best work, let someone you trust read your essay and give their feedback. Ask them to read for flow, content and readability, with a lookout for grammar, punctuation or spelling errors. A fresh eye can give perspective and constructive feedback to make your college application essay even better.

> Write on Your Computer

Write your college application essay on your own computer in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Resist the temptation to write it directly into the online application box. Use the spellcheck and word count features. You can upload your document or copy and paste it into the online box when it is completed.

> Don’t Include the Essay Prompt

The essay prompt is there to give you ideas of what to write about. Do not enter the prompt as a header on your essay.

Related: How to Write a Great College Application Essay

Submitting an Online Application

> Use the Online Application

While some schools still accept your application essay on paper, it is generally the rule that you should use the online college application format instead. This will provide better assurance that your essay is received, and received in a timely manner. Submitting your application online also conforms to most college or university preferences for submittal.

> Use a Standard Font

Most online applications are formatted to limit the font options. When creating your college application essay, avoid using fancy fonts. Stick to basic fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in 12-point type. Most important is the content, not the typeface. Online applications may also not accept formatting like bold or italics. Avoid using emojis, hashtags, underlines and ALL CAPS in your writing.

> Check Your Formatting

Using the online application form, you may be required to enter your essay into a designated online space or box. Since the box parameters can alter the formatting you so carefully constructed, double check your entry to ensure that the entire piece was included and not cut off, that formatting like words in bold or italic was not eliminated, and that line spacing and paragraphs are still intact.

Related : 10 Tips for Writing the College Application Essay

Submitting a Separate Document Application

> format your document.

When submitting your application on paper, pay attention to how it looks, taking into consideration margins, line spacing, font styles and paragraph alignment.

• Margins:  Use a 1” margin on all sides.
• Line Spacing:  Use a 1.5 or double line spacing. Although you may be able to submit your work in single line spacing, this makes your essay easier to read.
• Paragraphs:  Indent the first line of each paragraph with a tab.
• Fonts:  Use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri in 12-pt type.
• Alignment:  Use “left align.” Do not justify the alignment.

> Follow Submission Instructions

Each college or university has its own requirements for how to format your college essay application, which you must follow. Some may ask for your application ID number to be displayed on the cover page, others may ask for pages to be numbered, with a heading on each page. Use your Microsoft Word or Google Docs toolbar to check word count. Do not include your name unless you are requested to do so.

> Submit in Correct File Format

Essay application instructions will indicate which files types are accepted or supported. Check to make sure you are using the appropriate version of Microsoft Word, for example, and submit the file with the correct file extension. To be safe, you can save your essay in a PDF format that cannot be edited.

Danny is the CEO of FLEX College Prep. Danny’s core focus is on helping young people get the best advice, and be the best students they can be. His team of professionals are also personal coaches, and great people, driven by the same passion for helping people.

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Last year, the University of California (UC) shattered records with a staggering 245,768 applications across its nine undergraduate campuses. As we gear up for another competitive year in 2024, it’s time to stand out from the crowd!

Join Our Exclusive Seminar at The Resort at The Groves (50 Furrow)

Discover what makes UC applicants shine! Learn the secrets behind successful student profiles and how to elevate your chances to match the UC’s high standards. Join us for an insightful seminar with FLEX College Prep Founder and CEO, Danny Byun.

Don’t miss out on this insider opportunity! Sign up now and get ahead in the UC admissions game!

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Strategies for the Non-STEM Student

In this seminar, we will explore the diverse landscape of non-STEM majors, including humanities, arts, and social sciences, and delve into the multitude of exciting career paths they offer. Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, psychology, sociology, art, or any other non-STEM field, this webinar will provide valuable insights into how to turn your academic interests into a fulfilling career.

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Tracy comes to FLEX with several years of experience as a college admissions consultant and career coach. She attended Vanderbilt, where she double-majored in Human and Organizational Development and German Studies. She then pursued her Master’s in International Comparative Education at Stanford. This combination of roles and achievements equips Tracy with a broad perspective on education and career readiness, enabling her to offer comprehensive guidance to students navigating the complex process of college admissions. 

Tracy’s recent experience as an education consultant at UNESCO provides her with an understanding of global education trends. Her deep knowledge of the college admissions process and skill in tailoring strategic applications for students’ unique profiles are enhanced by her research into parenting strategies. Tracy is well-equipped to provide parents with advice on effective communication with their children and parenting styles that best support their academic and personal development.

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Fall 2024 Education Expo

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Featuring presentations by FLEX’s world-class Academic Instructors and Admissions Consultants.

ATTEND seminars on “How Character & Personality is Affecting College Admissions” and “The Changing Landscape of Standardized Tests in College Admissions”

INDULGE in refreshments, giveaways, games, and more while touring your local FLEX Center.

ENJOY a sneak peek of FLEX’s Academic and Admissions Consulting programs.

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College essay topic - common app personal statement.

The Common App is an undergraduate college application that students may use to apply to more than 950 different colleges and universities in the US, Canada, China, Japan, and various European countries. With FLEX’s Application & College Essay (ACE) Program, students are always prepared for the latest changes in college admissions requirements including the growing importance of the college essay. A great college essay highlights a student’s personal attributes, how they are unique from their peers, and the kind of impact they can contribute in their community. Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus.

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Personality testing: the newest trend in post-pandemic college admission, prepare for success in high school, college & beyond, ace preview workshop.

Now more than ever, college essays are incredibly important in the college admission process, an opportunity to share who the student is outside of the classroom and how they can be an asset to their selected campus.  The college essay is one of the best ways to showcase a student’s strengths beyond their academics.

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Extracurricular Activities: Summer Planning

School may be in session now, but summer is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experiences outside the classroom, and planning ahead is important. In recent years, research internships have become an important part of the college admission process, and your student can start building an impressive research resume as early as 9th grade.

A student’s extracurricular profile has become a significant factor in college admissions, speaking volumes to a student’s intellectual curiosity, personal excellence, and character. So how do you go about building one? Should a student display a wide variety of interests or deep interest in a single field? Do colleges care about the quantity over quality of activities? How can you distinguish yourself from other applicants? This is the time to showcase to colleges your passions and accomplishments outside of the classroom.

Join FLEX as we discuss what an extracurricular activities profile is, the relevance of extracurricular and summer activities, and how to build them seamlessly into a robust and cohesive application profile!

Changes & Trends: 

Analyzing early results for the class of 2024.

Analyze early application results for the Class of 2024 with FLEX’s expert counselors! This year’s early application results give indications of how colleges have continued to adapt to the changing college admissions landscape including testing policies and a more socially-minded, less achievement-driven admissions process.

Get the statistics on FLEX’s Early Round Decisions to see what worked (and what did not) and for a chance to meet some of our counselors who supported these students in getting into their target colleges!

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Associate Instructor

Sarah Kim graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Criminal Justice/Criminology. She currently studies at the University of California, Irvine pursuing a Master’s in Legal and Forensic Psychology. There, her research focuses on rapport and support building in interviews with adolescent victims of sex trafficking. She takes her research focus on rapport building to reach students individually in a gentle but focused manner. When not working or doing school work, she loves to read, dance, and spend time with her dog.

Sarah has been tutoring for 7 years with experience in K-12 general English as well as SAT/ACT Test Preparation. She specializes in the reading writing components of standardized tests. Her extensive background in tutoring has allowed her to be considerate of all students’ needs–whether that be young children learning how to read or high schoolers wanting to succeed on their SAT. Sarah believes that each student should be met where they are and strongly believes that every student can succeed.

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Dr. Mendoza is also a published author. She is the author of the book Transnational Messages: Experiences of Chinese and Mexican Immigrants in American Schools.  She has also written chapters in edited volumes and articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, including the High School Journal and Multilingual Educator (publication of the California Association for Bilingual Education).

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Sara Delgado

Sara has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with an emphasis on sociology from New York University, and an Associates of Art in Sociology from Fullerton College. Sara’s past experiences as an educator and tutor range from Elementary to College age students. She provided peer-led supplemental instruction during her time at Fullerton College; during this supplemental instruction, she assisted students with understanding concepts and assignments in English courses taught at the school. She currently works as a long-term substitute teacher for local high schools. Sara’s main motivation to pursue a career as an educator is to support students and provide them with a fun and conducive learning experience that will set them up for future success.

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• AP Computer Science A
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Theodore (Teo) Lee

Theodore (Teo) Lee graduated from the University of California-Irvine with a B.S. in Computer Game Science. He has been tutoring computer science for the last 5 years, helping those new to the field understand and develop their computer science skills. In addition to tutoring, Teo is President of the local Association for Computing Machinery. He has led many team projects developing software, and he has won numerous prizes in the many competitions he has attended.

When teaching students, Teo likes to implement practical examples and explain concepts using visual models and diagrams. In the field of Computer Science more specifically, it is especially important to understand how things work “under the hood,” so Teo strives to equip his students with multiple ways of thinking about a problem, thereby developing their own style in navigating the various technical routes toward achieving a solution.

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• AP Environmental Science

Rick attended San Francisco’s Lowell High, qualifying as a National Merit Finalist. After graduating from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Denny spent 15 years marketing and managing tech startups that were acquired by Amazon, Microsoft, Time Warner, and others for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Seeking to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives, Rick earned an MS in Education, and seven California teaching credentials including single subject English, history and social science, and science. Since 2007, Denny has taught and tutored diverse learners in English through AP Language and AP Literature; social science through AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP US History; and science through AP Environmental Science. Rick has also mentored students in individual college-level research projects.

Since 2013, Denny has helped students excel on standardized tests, especially the SAT and ACT.  Rick particularly enjoys individual tutoring because he likes getting to know his students and their interests, customizing instruction to meet their needs, and contributing to their growth and success. His tutoring superpowers are listening, analysis, patience, and humor.

• B.A. English, Philosophy – University of Hartford
• Ph.D. English – UC Irvine
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• FRMC – Humanities

Michael Mahoney

Dr. Michael Mahoney holds a PhD in English from the University of California-Irvine, where he has extensive experience teaching university courses in College Writing, English, Philosophy, Film, and History. Michael is widely recognized for his ability to engage students. He has received multiple campus-wide awards in recognition of his excellence as an instructor. In addition to his teaching, Michael’s research has also been recognized for its innovative approach to interdisciplinarity. His doctoral work has received support from endowments in fields as diverse as literary criticism, medical humanities, and science and technology studies.

Michael believes strongly in a student-centered approach to teaching, one that emphasizes active engagement with core concepts in order to achieve specific learning outcomes. His goal is to equip students with the skills to think critically, meaningfully, and independently about texts, ultimately helping them gain a sense of mastery and command over their use of language. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience teaching college writing in various disciplines, Michael also aims to help students reach their full potential in developing compelling and insightful essays.

• B.S. Mathematics – Harvey Mudd College
• College Math
• Math (lower and upper level)

Elisha Dayag

Elisha Dayag is a PhD student in Mathematics at UC Irvine. He received his BS in Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. For the past five years, he has taught and tutored a wide range of students and topics: everything from 6th graders to college students doing calculus and beyond.

As a tutor, Elisha feels that math instruction should be tailored to a student’s specific needs and help soothe any anxieties they may have regarding mathematics. He further believes that anyone can be proficient in and, more importantly, find joy in doing mathematics given enough practice and the right guidance.

• B.A. English, Minor in European Studies – UCLA
• M.A. English – CSU Long Beach
• AP World History
• Pathways – English & Writing

Chelsea Gibbons

Chelsea Gibbons holds a B.A. in English with a minor in European studies from UCLA and an M.A. in English from Cal State Long Beach, where she specialized in 18th century British literature. While pursuing her Master’s, Chelsea worked as a managing editor for the school’s academic journal and taught as a graduate assistant for numerous literature and history classes. Outside of the university setting, Chelsea has instructed high school students across the humanities, and specifically in the test prep environment: her teaching background includes AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP European History, AP US History, AP World History, college application essays, and standardized test prep (ACT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT).

Chelsea views the classroom as a democratic space. Her students are active participants in their own learning, guided as they are through thoughtful discussions and assignments. She strongly believes that the development of critical thinking and the promotion of a global perspective makes humanities classes crucial to every student’s education, no matter what their major or academic focus.

• M.S. Physics – New York University
• M.S. Applied Mathematics – CalPoly University, Pomona
• M.S. Physical Chemistry – CalPoly University, Pomona
• B.S. Physics – CalPoly University, Pomona
• AP Calculus AB/BC
• AP Physics 1
• AP Physics 2
• AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
• AP Physics C: Mechanics
• Math, Upper Level (Trig and Up)

Andres Cardenas

Principal instructor.

Andrés Cárdenas is an accomplished scientist and STEM teacher. He holds multiple Master’s degrees: one in Computational Physics from NYU, another in Applied Math from CalPoly, and one in Physical Chemistry, also from CalPoly.

After working as a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Andrés spent 8 years teaching AP Physics at New York City high schools. His passion for science, in part, explains his love for teaching: his classroom enthusiasm is immediately visible,  something his students find contagious. Andrés believes that a robust STEM education starts with a student’s sense of wonder and a desire to discover; and his curriculum work reflects an emphasis on connecting concepts with theory organically—be it in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or computer science.

How to Build Your Extracurricular Activities Profile

For stand-out college applications.

Extracurricular activities profiles play a significant role in college admissions. So how do you go about building one? Do colleges care about the quantity over quality of activities? How can you distinguish yourself from other applicants? 

This is the time to showcase to colleges your passions and accomplishments outside of the classroom. Reserve your spot in our free webinar to learn what an extracurricular activities profile is, what it means to colleges, and what steps you can take to build it.

Pre-Med and BS/MD Programs - What It Takes to Get In:

Is there a doctor in the house.

Many students have aspirations to become a medical doctor but may not necessarily know the additional commitment and requirements needed to have a successful journey. Increasingly, fewer schools are offering BS/MD Programs, so what does this mean for your student? 

Please join our webinar to learn more about the impact of fewer offerings of BS/MD programs and what it means to be pre-med.  FLEX presenters will go over what it takes to enhance a pre-med profile, what schools still offer BS/MD programs, and if these programs are right for your student.

What Sophomores & Juniors Should Be Doing Right Now to Prepare for College

Senior year may seem like it’s far away, but if you start your college application planning now, you will reduce stress and reap the rewards of a seamless and quality college journey. In this seminar, we will share how a little foresight in specific areas will help you achieve your college goals. Topics covered include:

• Did you know that public schools and private schools calculate their GPA differently? Learn how to select classes that will optimize admission to your target college. We’ll also talk about the importance of taking Honors/AP® courses, as well as college level credits in high school.
• What you do outside of class both in school and off campus is an important part of your college application journey. We’ll provide strategies on how to not only best keep track of your extra-curricular activities now but also give you insights on which activities can enhance your college application.
• Students should actively plan and prep for standardized tests well before their senior year. We’ll share how you can best approach your PSAT®/SAT®/ACT® and what you should start doing now to maximize your success on the target test date.

Attend this in-person seminar to learn what Sophomores and Juniors MUST know about college applications and how you can get a winning start!

Changes & Trends:

Early results for the class of 2023.

Analyze early application results for the Class of 2023 with FLEX’s expert counselors! This year’s early application results give indications of how colleges have continued to adapt to the changing college admissions landscape including testing policies and a more socially-minded, less achievement-driven admissions process.

• BSC. Mechanical Engineer – University of Alexandria
• A.S. Mechanical Engineering – Diablo College
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering – UC Berkeley

Maikel Masoud

Michael holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and another from Alexandria University in Egypt. And he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Robotics at the University of Maryland.

Michael is passionate about education. He believes that he can help make every student love Mathematics and Physics – even those who have had a hard time coping with the nuances and complexities of these fields. Michael has taught widely throughout the Bay Area. He has been an instructor and STEM tutor at Diablo Valley College, as well as working in that capacity with students in private schools in San Francisco and in Berkeley. Having served in the US Army as a Combat Medic Specialist, Michael is experienced in aiding individuals when they are under extreme stress and in need of a calming, motivating presence. Michael is generous and kind, and particularly enjoys connecting to different cultures and people of all backgrounds.

• PhD Sociology – University of Southern California

Alfredo Huante

College essay instructor.

Alfredo Huante holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Southern California. He has taught several undergraduate courses, introducing students to or advancing their understanding of the social world. Alfredo has published works in academic journals and websites and has ample editing experience. Alfredo excels at helping students translate their experiences into engaging, written essays by adjusting to each student’s specific needs.

• B.A. English – Stanford University

Cristina Herrera Mezgravis

Cristina graduated from Stanford University with Distinction and awards both in fiction and nonfiction for exceptional work in Creative Writing. Her application essays were published in 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays and 50 Successful University of California Application Essays.

She taught English to elementary school students while studying abroad in Paris, ran a creative writing program for high school students during her senior year at Stanford, and currently volunteers as an ESL tutor with the Palo Alto Adult School. Cristina worked for two years at an Andreessen Horowitz-backed startup, prototyping a new mobile app for teachers and students, and curating unpublished books, stories, and deleted scenes by New York Times bestselling authors.

Her experience in admissions consulting began by helping friends and family highlight the passions that set them apart as individuals and select the colleges that were a right fit for them. Students she advised were admitted to Stanford University, USC, and UC Berkeley, among others.

• B.A. English – Santa Clara University
• Masters of Library and Information Science – San Jose State University

Sara Fernandes

Assistant director of college essay.

Sara attended UC Berkeley and transferred to Santa Clara University after deciding she wanted the opportunity to work with faculty on research. While at Santa Clara University, she helped Professor Judy Dunbar research and edit her book The Winter’s Tale: Shakespeare In Performance . Sara then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at San Jose State University and graduated in the top 1% of her class.

She has used her undergraduate and graduate education to pursue her passion of teaching research and writing to students. Sara has over five years of experience teaching and coaching, over two of which are with FLEX College Prep. At FLEX, Sara has successfully taught classes in SAT Verbal, ACT Verbal, middle school writing and English classes, college essay, and AP English Language and Composition.

She is committed to staying current with trends in test prep and college admissions as well as setting realistic goals for each student so that he or she can achieve success.

• B.A. US History and Philosophy – UC Davis
• M.A History – San Francisco State University

Nicholas Dawes

Nick Dawes earned his BA in US History with a philosophy minor from the University of California, Davis, and an MA in History with a concentration in cross-cultural contact from San Francisco State University. While Nick was growing up, many in his family were teachers and school administrators across the South Bay, including Fremont Union High School District, so he is intimately familiar with the academic landscape of the Bay Area.

While in graduate school, he lectured in undergraduate courses, acted as an associate editor of an academic journal, and published his own original work. After graduation, Nick worked in standardized test prep, AP subject tutoring, and he most recently taught at a Bay Area private school for five years. He believes that students learn and work best when they have a productive relationship with their instructor.

In his essay coaching, he works to help students dig deeper into who they are as individuals and what motivates them in order to find the compelling, unique stories in each student. Nick has worked with students on their college admissions essays for the last 9 years, helping students gain admission to top UCs and other prestigious top 20 public and private institutions across the country.

• Doctoral study in Human Development and
• Psychology – Harvard University
• M.A. Applied Child Development – Tufts University
• B.A. Anthropology – Boston University

Martha Crowe

Master consultant & instructor.

Martha Crowe has worked with, for, and on behalf of youth for three decades, as a social worker, child advocate, nonprofit director, consultant, and for the past eight years, as a professor, researcher, and medical writer at SDSU. Helping people tell their stories has been at the heart of each phase of her career. Martha loves getting to know young people — to hear about what they care about, what they are good at, and what their dreams are for their futures. And magic can happen when they trust her enough to help them tell their stories in an authentic and compelling way that both honors who they are and convinces admissions counselors to accept them.

Martha believes in taking a personalized approach with each student, tailoring her time with them based on their individual writing skills and learning needs. Her approach is always based on genuine care and concern combined with concrete action items and deadlines. For the past four years, Martha has helped students get into a variety of colleges, as well as honors programs within those colleges, from tiny to huge, rural to urban, California to the East Coast: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, Northeastern, UMass Amherst, University of Michigan, Syracuse, Macalester, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine, University of San Diego, Loyola Marymount, Cal Lutheran, Cal Arts, Claremont McKenna  Colleges, University of Minnesota, University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne, among others.

Martha grew up in Kansas City and joyfully left for Boston after high school, attending Boston University, Tufts, and Harvard for undergraduate and graduate school. She moved to SoCal in 2004 to spend time with her brother after graduation, and like so many others, forgot to leave. Most importantly, she’s a mom to three kids, who are, at the time of this writing, 18, 16, and 12, and an auntie to 58 nieces and nephews (true story) and too many great nieces and nephews to count. In her spare time, Martha volunteers with High Tech High, Miracle League, and Meals on Wheels, is an avid reader, and loves hanging out with her kids.

• B.S. Mathematics – UCSD
• M.S. Psychology – King’s College London (In Progress)

Helena Chen

Helena is a Masters student in Psychology with extensive experience in the education  sector, where she has worked as a teacher, consultant and student advocate. She  started tutoring students in high school and supported herself in college as an SAT  instructor. With a mathematics background but still very much interested in pedagogy  and mentorship, Helena decided to leverage her analytical mindset and ability to  problem-solve by continuing to work in college admissions consulting–advising high  school students and their families on the complex college admissions process. Through  this work, she continued her passion for teaching others how to write and hone their  narrative voice, which brought her to FLEX as a college essay instructor.

• B.A. English/Creative Writing; Minor: Music Industry and Cinematic Arts – University of Southern California

Gabriel Block

Gabriel graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a BA in  English/Creative Writing. He honed his writing skills through writing-intensive programs at  USC and the University of Melbourne in Australia. After graduating, he spent four years in  the music industry working for Sony Music Publishing, where he engaged in daily writing  assignments and excelled at working with others and building trusting relationships. Gabriel  has years of teaching experience; he brings a warm energy and first hand expertise in  writing successful college essays. In the classroom, Gabriel values trust and joy. With a  genuine interest in others, he builds trust through keen listening and clear and open  communication, and asks for the same, in return. By having fun with the material and leading  with positive reinforcement, he brings his best to the classroom and gets the best from his students. Most importantly, Gabriel believes in pursuing what you love. He can’t wait to learn  what makes you who you are and to help you convey your authentic self to your dream  school.

Northern California Info Banks September 17th

• UC Irvine – MA in Art History
• UC Irvine – BA in Art History with a minor in English
• English (native proficiency)
• Korean (conversational)

Associate Consultant & College Essay Instructor

Since her days as an undergraduate, Jaimie has had an insider’s perspective of the college admissions process at the University of California system. She has worked as a Campus Representative in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as an Academic Advisor in the School of Humanities at UC Irvine, where she gained invaluable insight into the admissions and counseling process. Because of these experiences, Jaimie understands the importance of fit when selecting and applying to colleges. Additionally, she has been able to work with a diverse group of students, including international students and first-generation students.

With all of her students, Jaimie strives to help them gain entrance to a college or university that  will not only set them up for career success, but will also help them find joy in learning. She  hopes she can help her students feel empowered in their own skills and abilities.

Jaimie is also a FLEX College Essay Specialist, which allows her to bring out her students’ most authentic and compelling selves. She has a proven track record in producing high-quality storytelling with her students and finds that writing is a necessary strength for any major.

In terms of admissions, Jaimie has worked with students who have been granted admission to John Hopkins, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine.

During her free time, Jaimie volunteers for an Asian American art collective. She enjoys reading, writing, and talking about pop culture.

• B.A. Computer Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley

Dickson Tsai

Dickson Tsai graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Computer Science and Linguistics, and he is currently a software engineer. While at Berkeley, he worked as a teaching assistant for numerous computer science courses. In addition to teaching undergraduates, he also tutored high school students online in AP Computer Science and on the SAT, reaching the Top 10 in “Super Helpful” ratings at a top online education service platform.

Dickson cares most about cultivating a growth mindset in students, since an internal desire  to improve leads to a stronger, healthier motivation than any external reward. He  emphasizes a mastery of fundamentals through highly interactive activities like drawing  program visualizations for AP Computer Science. 

Through this and other activities, Dickson  works to accurately assess his students’ understanding and provide timely, actionable  feedback. That way, students can gain the confidence to reason on their own from first  principles.

• B.A. Creative Writing – SFSU
• English Enrichment
• College Essay

Ashley Rodriguez

Ashley attended San Francisco State University where she received her BA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry. As an avid writer, Ashley developed an interest in poetry at a very young age, after immersing herself in the collections of Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare. Throughout her college experience, Ashley participated in numerous workshops where she was able to sharpen her skills in playwriting, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays. She worked as an Editor for Transfer Magazine, SF State’s literary publication, where she read and edited hundreds of submissions and selected the best pieces to be published. After college, Ashley worked as an Editor for an appraisal firm, interned as a writer for a travel magazine, and became the lead writer for a video game startup, here in the Silicon Valley.

Her passion for writing developed into a drive to educate youth on the English language. From Creative Writing to grammar and vocabulary, Ashley enjoys helping students hone their writing skills and prepare them for college. For over 5 years with FLEX, she has tutored students in essay writing for college and graduate school applications, with a focus on Architecture, History, Interior Design, Art, STEM, Social Sciences, and more! Ashley is a taskmaster who ensures her students complete coherent, authentic, and strategic essays well before application deadlines.

• B.S. Mathematics – Stanford University
• M.S. Mathematics – San Jose State University
• Ph.D. Mathematics – UC Santa Barbara
• SAT I & II Math
• AP Calculus AB and BC
• Computer Science (Java, C++, & Python)

Matt Lazar specializes in mathematics, including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Discrete Mathematics. He is also familiar with higher level mathematics including abstract algebra, complex analysis, real analysis, differential geometry, differential topology, and point set topology. In addition, he has experience in editing math textbooks. Matt Lazar is capable of teaching introductory computer science languages, including the languages of C++, Java, and Python. Within the area of computer science, Dr. Lazar specializes in two dimensional and three-dimensional computer graphics.

At FLEX College Prep, Dr. Lazar would like to transfer his skills in mathematics and computer science to his students, so that his students can become successful in their education and their careers. Matt’s exceptional teaching ability is also shown in his AP track record, where the average AP Calc BC score of his students is 4.9, with 90% of his students earning 5s. His passion for math has enabled students across the ability spectrum to achieve their Calculus learning goals.

How to Write a College Application Essay

Find the right college for you..

Your essay reveals something important about you that your grades and test scores can't─your personality. It can give admissions officers a sense of who you are and showcase your writing ability. Here are some things that admissions officers look for in a personal essay for college.

1. Open Strong.

Knowing how to start a college essay can create a strong opening paragraph that immediately captures the reader’s interest. You want to make the admissions officer reading your essay curious about what you say next.

2. Show You Can Write.

Colleges want to see that you have a command of the basics of good writing, which is a key component of success in college.

3. Answer the Prompt.

Admissions officers also want to see that the student can give a direct answer while sticking to a comprehensive narrative. When writing college essays, consider the point you want to make and develop a fleshed-out response that fits the prompt. Avoid force-fitting prewritten pieces. Approach every personal essay prompt as if it's your first.

4. Stick to Your Style.

Writing college essays isn't about using flowery or verbose prose. Avoid leaning too heavily on the thesaurus to sound impressive. Choose a natural writing style that’s appropriate for the subject matter.

Also, avoid stressing about trying to write what you think colleges want to see. Learning how to draft a good essay for college is about showcasing who you are. Stay true to your voice. Keep in mind that authenticity is more important than anything else.

5. Proofread.

Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are essential. Proofread several times after you've finished. Then ask a teacher, parent, or college English major to give it a quick read as well.

6. Keep Track of Length.

Finally, admissions officers value succinctness. Remember to pay attention to the recommended essay length or word count.

Bonus Tips and College Essay Writing Help

For more on how to write a college essay, check out these Tips for Writing Your College Admissions Essay .

What is the college application essay?

A personal essay for college applications is an opportunity for admission admissions panels to get more insight into who you are and what you have to offer. It's often the most personal component of the application, going beyond grades and standardized test scores. Essays usually have open-ended prompts, allowing you to flex your writing skills and make a personal statement.

Does my college application essay really matter?

Learning how to write a successful essay for college is crucial. This essay's exact weight on your chances of acceptance varies from one school to the next. But it's an element of your application that all admissions teams consider. Your essay could be the thing that gets you off a waiting list or gives you a competitive edge over other applicants.

What are colleges looking for in my application essay?

Knowing what to include in a college essay is half the battle. Admissions teams look for many things, but the most influential are authenticity, writing ability, character details, and positive traits. The purpose of the essay is to shed light on your background and gain perspective on your real-world experiences.

When should I start writing my college essay?

Because you'll want to tailor each application to each school, expect to write multiple personal essays. Advisers typically recommend starting these pieces during the summer before your senior year of high school. This will give you ample time to concentrate on writing a college essay before you're hit with schoolwork.

What can I do to write an effective college essay if I'm not a strong writer?

Good writing skills matter, but the best college essay is about the quality of your response. Authentic stories in a natural voice have impact. The story you want to tell about yourself will work better for you if it’s told in language that’s not overly sophisticated. Work with a writing coach for help with the academic aspects. Make responding with substance a priority.

How can I write my college essay if I have no monumental experiences?

You don't need life-changing moments to impress an admissions panel. Think about your personal experiences. Describe moments that left a lasting impact. The important thing is to have a fleshed-out narrative that provides insight into your life and way of thinking. Some of the best essays revolve around meaningful moments rather than flashy ones.

How should I start brainstorming topics for my college essay?

Most colleges provide open-ended prompts. Using the topic as inspiration, think about critical milestones or essential lessons you learned during your academic career. Tell stories about real-life experiences that have shaped the person you are. Write them down to brainstorm ideas. Choose stories that highlight your best traits.

What is a good list of essay topics to start with? What essay topics should I avoid?

Good topics when writing college essays include personal achievements, meaningful lessons, life-changing challenges, and situations that fostered personal growth. It's best to avoid anything too intimate or controversial. You want to open up, but it's not a good idea to go overboard or alienate members of the admissions panel.

What format should I use for my college essay?

Read the prompt and essay instructions thoroughly to learn how to start off a college essay. Some colleges provide guidance about formatting. If not, the best course of action is to stick with a college standard like the MLA format.

How long should my essay be?

The average length of a personal essay for college is 400─600 words. Always read the prompt. Follow the instructions provided in the application.

Who should I ask to review my college essay?

Turn to your school counselor for review. They understand what college admissions panels are looking for, and they can provide valuable insight into your piece's quality. You can also reach out to English teachers and other educators for proofreading.

Related Articles

Related topics.

How to Write Your College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Getting ready to start your college essay? Your essay is very important to your application — especially if you’re applying to selective colleges.

Become a stronger writer by reviewing your peers’ essays and get your essay reviewed as well for free.

We have regular livestreams during which we walk you through how to write your college essay and review essays live.

College Essay Basics

Just getting started on college essays? This section will guide you through how you should think about your college essays before you start.

• Why do essays matter in the college application process?
• What is a college application theme and how do you come up with one?
• How to format and structure your college essay

Before you move to the next section, make sure you understand:

How a college essay fits into your application

What a strong essay does for your chances

How to create an application theme

Learn the Types of College Essays

Next, let’s make sure you understand the different types of college essays. You’ll most likely be writing a Common App or Coalition App essay, and you can also be asked to write supplemental essays for each school. Each essay has a prompt asking a specific question. Each of these prompts falls into one of a few different types. Understanding the types will help you better answer the prompt and structure your essay.

• How to Write a Personal Statement That Wows Colleges
• Personal Statement Essay Examples
• How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity Essay
• Extracurricular Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay
• Diversity Essay Examples
• Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay
• How to Write the “Why This Major” Essay
• How to Write a “Why This Major” Essay if You’re Undecided
• How to write the “Why This College” Essay
• How to Research a College to Write the “Why This College” Essay
• Why This College Essay Examples
• How to Write The Overcoming Challenges Essay
• Overcoming Challenges Essay Examples

Identify how each prompt fits into an essay type

What each type of essay is really asking of you

How to write each essay effectively

The Common App essay

Almost every student will write a Common App essay, which is why it’s important you get this right.

• How to Write the Common App Essay
• Successful Common App Essay Examples
• 5 Awesome College Essay Topics + Sample Essays
• 11 Cliché College Essay Topics + How to Fix Them

How to choose which Common App prompts to answer

How to write a successful Common App essay

What to avoid to stand out to admissions officers

Supplemental Essay Guides

Many schools, especially competitive ones, will ask you to write one or more supplemental essays. This allows a school to learn more about you and how you might fit into their culture.

These essays are extremely important in standing out. We’ve written guides for all the top schools. Follow the link below to find your school and read last year’s essay guides to give you a sense of the essay prompts. We’ll update these in August when schools release their prompts.

See last year’s supplemental essay guides to get a sense of the prompts for your schools.

Essay brainstorming and composition

Now that you’re starting to write your essay, let’s dive into the writing process. Below you’ll find our top articles on the craft of writing an amazing college essay.

• Where to Begin? 3 Personal Essay Brainstorming Exercises
• Creating the First Draft of Your College Application Essay
• How to Get the Perfect Hook for Your College Essay
• What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting To Write About In My College Essay?
• 8 Do’s and Don’t for Crafting Your College Essay
• Stuck on Your College Essay? 8 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Understand how to write a great hook for your essay

Complete the first drafts of your essay

Editing and polishing your essay

Have a first draft ready? See our top editing tips below. Also, you may want to submit your essay to our free Essay Peer Review to get quick feedback and join a community of other students working on their essays.

• 11 Tips for Proofreading and Editing Your College Essay
• Getting Help with Your College Essay
• 5 DIY Tips for Editing Your College Essay
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
• Essential Grammar Rules for Your College Apps
• College Essay Checklist: Are You Ready to Submit?

Proofread and edited your essay.

Had someone else look through your essay — we recommend submitting it for a peer review.

Make sure your essay meets all requirements — consider signing up for a free account to view our per-prompt checklists to help you understand when you’re really ready to submit.

Advanced College Essay Techniques

Let’s take it one step further and see how we can make your college essay really stand out! We recommend reading through these posts when you have a draft to work with.

• 10 Guidelines for Highly Readable College Essays
• How to Use Literary Devices to Enhance Your Essay
• How to Develop a Personalized Metaphor for Your College Applications

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How To Format & Structure Your College Application Essay

Part I: What Is a College Essay?

Part II: College Essay Formats

Choosing the Best Format

Part III: Structure

Part IV: Revising With a Rubric

Part V: Nuts & Bolts Formatting

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to college essay formats and structures, covering the purpose of the essay in admissions, the differences between personal narratives and personal essays, and a variety of both common and creative essay structures. It also includes a concise rubric for evaluating essays and practical tips on formatting and submitting your final draft. Whether you’re just starting your essay or refining your final version, your essay is a crucial application component. The principles and insights in this post will position you to write the kind of essays submitted by top applicants.

Crafting a compelling college essay is a critical part of the admissions process, but it can also be one of the most daunting. Understanding the different formats and structures available can help you tell your story in a way that resonates with admissions officers. 

Whether you're writing a personal narrative , personal essay , or a reflective essay , this guide will walk you through the key elements to consider, offering practical tips and creative strategies to help your essay stand out.

First, it's important to understand that the essays you write in high school differ from what you have to write in your college application essays . Whether you’re writing the Common App Essay , Supplemental Essays, or UCAS Personal Statement , it's crucial that you prepare ahead of time to do your absolute best. Read ahead for guidelines on how to format and structure a college application essay and what mistakes to avoid.

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Part I. What Is a College Essay?

A college essay introduces you to your prospective college or university.

It’s common for these essays to have a prescribed length between 200 and 600 words .

The college essay is a pillar of most applications because it offers a glimpse into who you are as a person and helps admissions officers gauge your potential fit in a college community.

Your choice of format and structure will also be guided by the specific prompt you’re writing to and how you approach the prompt, based on your own unique personal circumstances and the college context.

The Format Is Not Familiar to Many Students; But It's Not Counter-intuitive Either

Many students have little experience or formal teaching for this kind of writing format, and have had little opportunity to experiment with it and get feedback.

Shifting gears away from what many US students learn about writing a 5-Paragraph Essay or any similar form of expository essay, let's put the college essay writing format into a more familiar perspective.

Imagine you’ve decided to (or been asked to) write a brief memoir of your life.

Or, imagine you’re asked to develop and write a thoughtful personal reflection about a favorite activity, book, or influential event in your life.

Do these examples make writing a college essay feel a bit more approachable? I hope so!

We all have a story to tell that can help strangers know us better.

We all have a capacity for sharing our reflections on formative and memorable personal experiences or big life questions or concepts.

And when we do that, we’re sharing in much the same way we share in a college essay.

Navigating College Essays Prompts

For some students, the prompt can be both helpful and intimidating:

• It narrows the focus of your essay, providing some clear direction, but also setting an expectation about what the reader wants to learn about you.
• It often leaves you lots of latitude for interpreting it how you want to.
• It leaves you to choose, develop, and share the most relevant personal thoughts and experiences.
• It can offer quite a bit of latitude for how you format and structure the final essay.

Here is an example of an actual college essay prompt from Yale :

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.

Prompts Typically Probe Your Personal Experiences and Thoughts

This kind of essay isn’t about information and facts, or your resume! You're going to need to write about yourself, through the lens of your own feelings, thoughts, perceptions, and experiences. This can involve some uncomfortable honesty, candor, and vulnerability, and a level of subjectivity that's foreign to most academic writing you're used to!

To drive this point home, note that the words you/your appear five times in the prompt from Yale!

Also, the prompt even tells you that “community” can be defined however you like . That's nice freedom... BUT, you're left with the challenge of making a coherent essay out of your thoughts and reflections.

Decoding College Essay Prompts

While the general purpose of a college essay is to introduce yourself to admissions officers or help school leaders gauge your "fit" with their school, you’ll want to decode the essay prompt for more nuanced clarity on the purpose of your essay.

For most college essay prompts, “decoding” is very straightforward, but it’s still important:

• Helping you think about the purpose of your essay in more specific terms
• Guiding your editorial choices, in terms of what you want to share, highlight, and emphasize

Use the specific admissions context to guide decoding.

Using the example above, it’s clear Yale wants to get a sense of how you’ll thrive in a very social learning environment: from interactions with a study group, to collaborating in a school club, orchestra, or athletic team, or thriving in the the larger campus community…

One can go a step further, putting the prompt (and the essay you’ll write) into a larger context . Yale no doubt understands its role in preparing students for future leadership. High-level, innovative leadership requires a well-honed ability to navigate complex community and public/private interactions, collaborations, and even rivalries.

In the end, your essay will focus on what’s real and authentic for you personally, but decoding the prompt in its larger admissions context can help you decide what content is most relevant.

Key Takeaways for Writing to College Essay Prompts:

• Understand what prompts are: A prompt provides a question or statement that highlights something the admissions officers want you to reveal about yourself, but also allows for a fair amount of subjectivity and personal voice, style, and creativity.
• Decode the prompt and brainstorm relevant content: Think about the underlying purpose and context for the prompt and essay — make sure the content is responsive, but also personalized, being genuine and authentic.
• Leverage the prompt as a catalyst to say something important, insightful, and compelling about your personality, character, and/or aspirations, values, and commitments.

What’s the Difference Between a College Essay and a Personal Statement ?

Good question!

In some contexts, or when used loosely, the two terms may periodically be used interchangeably.

But in most contexts, personal statements are different from college essays , even if both are used for admissions.

1. Personal Statement

• A personal statement is common when you apply for a scholarship, or a school wants you to clarify your interest and motivation for applying to a specific major. And personal statements are prevalent in the UK admissions process.
• It tends to be more factual and less personal than a college essay (a bit more like a resume).

If you use the UCAS platform to apply to a UK school, you’ll be asked to write a clear and concise “personal statement” under 4,000 characters that includes the following type of personal information:

• Personal skills and achievements
• Work experience and future plans
• Positions of responsibility held, or have held, both in and out of school
• Details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to the course
• How the applicant has prepared for their chosen area of study
• Why they enjoy and are good at the subject
• A good level of academic terminology and experience

As you can see, a personal statement is autobiographical but in a more matter of fact way , making it less subjective and less intimate in terms of sharing about identity, nuanced thoughts, and formative personal experiences.

A personal statement requires time and effort, but the task is more straightforward, based on resume-type information, qualifications, and academic or professional goals.

A college essay has a prescribed focus, but it’s also asking you to share values, reflections, and ideas, and speak to your personality, attributes, and aspirations. This makes your approach more open-ended, and it’s a big departure from more practical forms of business communication or academic writing.

Part II: The Format of a College Essay

In this section will delve more deeply into the general format of a college essay, with a closer look at the two most relevant formats for this kind of writing task:

• Personal Essay & Reflective Essay
• Personal Narrative

A college essay will typically have the overall format (structure, voice, and perspective) of a personal essay/reflective essay OR personal narrative .

Features of a Personal Essay Format

A personal essay is a reflective piece of writing that explores a specific theme or topic from the author's life. Rather than following a story arc, a personal essay delves into events, influences, personality traits, or beliefs and reflections related to a larger personal theme.

Features of a Personal or Reflective Essay Format:

• Topical Structure : Organized around a central theme or topic, rather than following a chronological narrative. The essay often explores different facets of the theme through various examples or reflections.
• Analytical Approach : Focuses on analyzing and reflecting on personal experiences, thoughts, or ideas. The writing is introspective and seeks to draw broader insights or conclusions from personal events.
• Logical Flow : Maintains a clear, logical progression of ideas, often following the structure of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Each paragraph or section builds on the previous one to support the essay's main theme or argument.
• Reflective Tone : Emphasizes the writer's internal thought process and personal growth. The tone is often contemplative, exploring how specific experiences or ideas have shaped the writer's perspective.
• Less Dialogue, More Reflection : Unlike a narrative, a personal essay rarely includes dialogue or detailed storytelling. Instead, it focuses on the writer's reflections, insights, and the connections they make between their experiences and the essay's theme.
• Unified Theme : The essay revolves around a single, cohesive theme or message. All examples and reflections are tied back to this central idea, creating a sense of unity and purpose throughout the essay.
• Purposeful Conclusion : Ends with a thoughtful conclusion that ties together the reflections and insights, often leaving the reader with a lasting impression or a broader understanding of the theme.

A reflective essay format is similar to a personal essay format, but making a distinction may be helpful.

Some college essay prompts will ask students to share their introspective views of a big idea or concept. This aligns with a reflective essay format , for most circumstances.

With less focus on life events and experiences than a personal essay, a reflective essay focuses on a writer's inner thoughts : this format is ideally suited for sharing thoughts and ideas, revealing how you make mental connections between influences, experiences, and thoughts, and spotlighting evolving ideas and perspectives that shape your identity or academic interests.

Features of a Personal Narrative Format

A personal narrative is a story about a specific experience or event from the author's life, focusing on a particular moment or series of events and the emotions and lessons associated with it.

Features of a Personal Narrative Format:

• Storytelling Elements : Utilizes writing techniques and elements commonly found in novels and short stories, such as character development, plot, and setting.
• Descriptive Details : Includes vivid descriptions that evoke the setting, characters, and atmosphere, helping the reader visualize and connect with the story.
• Dialogue and Inner Thoughts : May incorporate dialogue and inner thoughts to reveal character emotions, intentions, and relationships, making the narrative more dynamic and engaging.
• Chronological Order : Often unfolds in chronological order, recounting events as they happened. This can be over an extended period or within a single moment, depending on the story's focus.
• Sensory Details : Enriches the narrative with sensory details — sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures — that immerse the reader in the experience.
• Suspense and Conflict : Includes elements of suspense, conflict, or intrigue that engage the reader and drive the narrative forward, often creating anticipation for the reader about a resolution or revelation.
• Focused on a Specific Event or Experience : Centers around a particular event or moment in the author’s life, exploring the emotions, lessons, and impacts associated with it.

Depending on the prompt and the content and themes that you most want to recount and share, a college essay may use one of the formats above exclusively, but oftentimes a college essay will be made more effective by integrating features from one or more of these college essay formats.

A Note on the Unconventional “Third-Person” Personal Essay

There can always be creative exceptions to what’s most common…

One such example is using the third-person voice instead of the first-person voice.

While personal essays are typically written in the first person, some applicants choose to take an unconventional approach by writing about themselves from an external perspective.

This method involves observing oneself as if under a microscope, adopting a tone that is intentionally dispassionate, objective, and impersonal — even though the essay is deeply personal. In this style, the writer may even refer to themselves in the third person (using "he," "she," or sometimes their own name) instead of the usual first person ("I").

This approach can offer a unique angle and a distinctive narrative voice, though it requires some artistry to maintain clarity and a strong connection with the reader.

Choosing a Dominant Format: Personal Essay vs. Personal Narrative

When choosing the best format for a college essay, you’ll want to start with  brainstorming and ideation.

Your final choice of format and perspective will depend on the prompt in particular, and how you envision responding to the prompt.

What kind of information is the prompt asking you to share about yourself?

• If a prompt asks an applicant to delve into their “life story” so to speak, most writers will find a narrative format a natural choice.
• If a prompt asks the applicant to share their thoughts about a core value or concept shaping their academic goals and interests, the writer will probably find a reflective essay format is best.
• Another writer, however, may have a gripping life experience, or set of experiences, that shaped a core value in their life, so they may want to share these experiences using narrative features within a larger essay structure.

As you can see, both narrative features and analytical essay features can be effective for a college essay.

When deciding which formats are best for your essay, you’ll want to consider both the prompt itself and the kind of content you want to share based on your personal circumstances.

Showing, Not Telling

Whether you choose a narrative or essay format, the purpose of a college essay is to introduce yourself in a very personal way, including expressing some personal, intellectual, and emotional honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability, rather than just listing autobiographical data, as on a resume.

Doing this effectively can also make an essay more memorable, leaving a stronger impact on the reader (which is a challenge when top schools have so many applicants).

Showing, not telling is an effective strategy to create a stronger bond between writer and reader, and to cultivate empathy and intimacy.

Tips and Techniques for Showing, Not Telling

• Use Anecdotes : Share personal stories that reveal key aspects of your personality, character, or perspectives in a narrative style.
• Use an Authentic First-Person Voice : Write in a way that allows the reader to hear your unique voice and thoughts, rather than adopting an academic tone.
• Cultivate Empathy : Aim to make the reader feel as if they are walking in your shoes, getting to know you as they would a character in a novel.
• Show Authenticity and Vulnerability : Include your thought process, doubts, and the evolution of your beliefs or values, reflecting personal growth and individuality.
• Incorporate Introspection : Enrich your narrative with insights into your inner thoughts, impressions, and changing understandings.
• Embrace Subjectivity : Share candid, fun, and interesting details about yourself using your authentic voice.
• Use Vivid Descriptions : Depict scenes, people, or settings with sensory details, dialogue, and inner thoughts to show rather than tell.

Key Takeaways for the College Essay Format

• Understanding the Context : The "college essay" here refers to the personal essays you write for college applications, not the academic essays you'll write in college classes.
• Format Flexibility : This type of essay is not a 5-paragraph academic or expository essay. It typically takes the form of a personal essay or personal narrative.
• Choosing the Right Format : Select a format—personal essay or personal narrative—that best suits the prompt and the story or message you want to convey. Align your format with the content you wish to highlight.
• Showing vs. Telling : Focus on "showing" through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and introspection. However, a more reflective essay may emphasize ideas and concepts over storytelling.

Key Do’s and Don’ts

• Use an Authentic Voice : Let your true personality and perspective shine through.
• Engage the Reader : Share insights that reveal compelling personal qualities or traits.
• Show, Don’t Tell : Use vivid descriptions, candid reflections, and personal stories to illustrate your points.
• Be Introspective : Reflect on your experiences and share your thought process, showing authenticity and vulnerability.
• Make a Positive Impression : Highlight your strengths while being honest and humble.
• Always Get Outside Input: Always have a trusted peer and trusted adult, a skilled admissions counselor if possible, give you input before you spend too much time on an essay or submit a final version of an essay.
• Don't Overshare: You want to help schools know you, and you want to make a memorable impression, but a college application is not an arena for sharing overly personal or overly sensitive details about your life. Be sincere and genuine but remain discreet and professional overall.
• Avoid Boasting : Refrain from listing achievements or writing a resume in essay form.
• Don’t Repeat Application Information : Avoid discussing grades or activities already covered in other parts of your application. Use your essay to add depth and insight beyond the facts.

We’ve done a deep dive into the format, perspective, and kinds of writing elements to use in a college essay. But when it comes time to put it together — to outline, compose, and organize — you’ll often find you really don’t have a lot of room in a college essay. this makes it imperative to work within a well defined structure that fits your prompt and the content you're sharing.

In Part III, below, you'll learn crucial tips for structuring an essay so it's memorable and makes its mark on readers. You'll also discover just how many kinds of creative structures you can choose from!

Red Flags To Avoid On Your College Essay

Top 5 Common App Personal Essay Red Flags

Part III: The Structure of a College Essay

First, let’s take a look at how to structure the beginning, middle, and end of a college essay to make it as effective as possible.

Start Your Essay With a Strong Hook

You’ll want an effective hook to give your essay a strong start, and set the stage for making a bigger impact on your reader, helping your essay, and application, stand out!

A creative and imaginative hook is one that announces a larger, unifying theme and also creates some form of invitation or tension, drawing the reader in, so almost without realizing it, they need to read the next part and can't wait to find out more…

One caution here: don’t create a “hook” because you think it’s necessary to show you’re a “good writer.” That’s not really the point.

• The hook should be one hundred percent authentic to what you’re revealing or introducing about yourself
• The hook should bring to the foreground a compelling theme, question, doubt, emotion, or conflict (to be explored and potentially also resolved later in the essay or narrative)
• The hook gets the college essay off to a strong start, so the reader forgets the pile of essays on their desk, being drawn into your story, or your dilemma, or your thoughts…
• Instead of thinking about an “introduction” to your essay, as in a 5-Paragraph Essay, imagine you’re skipping the introduction— the preliminaries — altogether. Go straight to the heart of the matter instead. This is like grabbing the reader by the shirt, or like shooting a gun to start a race!

Create intrigue, suspense, or curiosity…

Since a hook can take so many forms and needs to be so integral to your essay, there’s no fixed recipe to offer.

That said, one way to gauge the power of a hook is by the measure of intrigue, emotion, and curiosity it sparks in the reader .

Here are examples for inspiration:

When I read Frederick Douglass’ account of learning how to read while enslaved, there was one detail that I couldn’t forget, one I’ve been thinking about in my own life over and over again…

My brother died when I was only thirteen and while I look whole on the outside, I sometimes think if people really could see me it would be like I was missing a leg or confined to a wheelchair, it’s just that it’s not physical, but the loss doesn't go away and makes me feel different. And it's become part of who I am.

My stepfather doesn’t believe college is worth it and doesn’t approve of my decision to go to college, let alone go to a really selective one. One week in my junior year the conflict took a turn for the worse, but what happened eventually helped me understand why my motivation to study political science is different from the interest others have in fixing laws and making the country better.

As you can see, each hook has most or all of these features:

• Spotlights a dominant question, emotion, or conflict
• Leaves something crucial unsaid (for the time being), sparking intrigue, suspense, and curiosity
• Announces a central theme , such as an idea or concept shaping my worldview; a key insight into my own sense of self and identity; a compelling conflict that ended up shaping my academic interests...
• Cultivates intimacy and a bond with the reader , immediately conveying honesty, authenticity, and a dose of vulnerability.

With an effective hook your essay comes out of the gate like a racehorse, beginning with the very first sentence! Most likely your reader won’t put down your essay to go to the concession stand either. Instead, they'll keep reading and really start to care about your story and your educational aspirations and future!

The Middle Phase: A Body of Ideas, Experiences, Impressions…

The  middle phase is all the stuff you need to share to add depth and conviction to your writing and core themes, while also maintaining the reader’s engagement. It will also help you personalize your essay, as you share inner thoughts or recount real personal experiences.

Here are some strategies you may find helpful as you develop your ideas for this section of your essay.

Note: you may need to ignore what's not relevant or less relevant based on the structure, content, or approach you're using.

1. Develop Your Narrative or Argument

• Build on the Introduction : Expand on the themes, ideas, or experiences introduced at the beginning. This helps create a sense of continuity and deepens the reader's understanding of your perspective.
• Include Specific Examples : Use concrete examples, anecdotes, or details to illustrate your points. Specificity adds credibility and helps the reader connect with your experiences on a personal level.
• Show, Don’t Just Tell : Use descriptive language and sensory details to create vivid images that allow the reader to experience the story alongside you. This technique makes your writing more engaging and impactful.

2. Maintain a Clear Structure

• Use a Well-defined and Well-aligned Structure : Be clear on the structure you’re using and how it aligns with your content. You have lots of structures to choose from (as you’ll see in a moment), so don’t get stuck thinking about your college essay like it’s a 5-Paragraph Essay; it’s not. Clear organization helps the reader follow your train of thought, but some essays will be great with more creative, less linear structures, to create strong sensory impressions or elicit emotional responses from the reader.
• Develop Key Themes : Reinforce your main themes or ideas throughout the middle section. Repeated references to these themes emphasize their importance and help create a unified narrative.

3. Show Growth and Reflection

• Explore Personal Growth : Use the middle section to delve into how your experiences have shaped you. Reflect on challenges you’ve faced, lessons you’ve learned, and how you’ve changed over time.
• Analyze the Significance : Go beyond describing events; analyze their significance. Explain why certain moments were important to you and how they contributed to your development or perspective.

4. Engage the Reader Emotionally

• Tap into Emotions : Share your thoughts and feelings authentically to build an emotional connection with the reader. Whether through moments of joy, fear, determination, or introspection, emotional depth makes your narrative more compelling.
• Create Tension or Conflict : Introduce challenges, conflicts, or turning points in your story. These elements add drama and keep the reader invested in how you navigate or resolve these situations.

5. Balance Introspection and Action

• Interweave Action with Reflection : Combine narrative action (what happened) with reflective passages (what you thought or felt about it). This balance keeps the story dynamic while allowing for introspection and analysis.
• Avoid Overloading with Reflection : While reflection is important, too much can slow down the narrative. Ensure that your essay maintains momentum by interspersing reflective moments with storytelling.

6. Develop a Unique Voice

• Maintain Consistent Voice and Tone : Ensure that your voice and tone remain consistent throughout the middle section. This consistency helps maintain the reader’s connection to you as the narrator.
• Be Authentic : Write in a way that feels true to who you are. Authenticity resonates with readers and can make your story more relatable and believable.

Making a Strong Finish

There are actually many effective ways to conclude a college essay that are compact but also likely to help make your essay more memorable and give your central theme stronger resonance.

Whether you choose to focus on a resolution (or lack of resolution), or you want to craft a conclusion with a strong future-facing insight, it’s up to you. As author and editor-in-chief, you'll decide what kind of ending works best, but here are ideas to give you a head start:

Circle Back to the Introduction :

Revisit an image, theme, or idea from the opening of your essay. This creates a sense of cohesion and closure, giving the reader a feeling of completeness. For example, if you started with a specific memory or metaphor, bringing it back in the conclusion can effectively tie your story together.

Reflect on Growth or Change :

End with a reflection on how the experiences or ideas discussed in the essay have shaped you. Highlight the personal growth, lessons learned, or changes in perspective. This helps demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to learn from experiences—qualities valued by admissions committees.

Look Forward :

Use the conclusion to connect your past experiences or reflections to your future goals. This shows that you’ve not only learned from your experiences but are also motivated and focused on what comes next. For example, you can mention how the skills or insights gained will help you succeed in college or contribute to your chosen field.

Leave a Lasting Impression :

End with a strong, memorable statement or image that resonates with the reader. This could be a powerful sentence that encapsulates your main theme or a vivid image that leaves the reader thinking. Avoid clichés and aim for something unique to your experience.

Pose a Thoughtful Question :

Conclude by posing a question that invites the reader to think more deeply about the themes of your essay. This can be a rhetorical question that leaves the reader pondering your insights or the broader implications of your experiences.

End with a Call to Action (for Yourself) :

Consider concluding with a personal resolution or commitment related to what you’ve discussed in your essay. This shows forward-thinking and a proactive attitude. For instance, you might write about how you plan to apply what you’ve learned in college or in your future endeavors.

Keep it Concise and Focused :

The conclusion should be succinct and avoid introducing new ideas or topics. Focus on reinforcing the main themes of your essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your message.

Use an Appropriate Tone :

Ensure that your conclusion matches the tone of the rest of the essay. If your essay is reflective and serious, the conclusion should maintain that tone. If your essay has a lighter, more optimistic tone, your conclusion should also reflect that.

Creative Essay Structures

While most college essays follow the dominant format of a personal narrative, personal essay, or reflective essay, there are many creative ways you can structure elements from each format .

These structures are not, most of them, used for academic writing, so it’s new territory for many young scholars. On the bright side, consider it an opportunity to use a creative structure to convey something fresh and unique about your personality.

Tip: Only use a structure when it aligns effectively with content you're presenting in your essay.

The Personal Background Structure

This structure focuses on the people, places, and transitions that shaped your upbringing.

• Focus on Key Influences : The essay revolves around significant people, places, or transitions in your life, offering insights into how these elements shaped your identity and perspective.
• Flexible Structure : You can choose a topical essay structure to explore different aspects of your background or a personal narrative structure that follows a chronological sequence, depending on what best suits your story.
• Vivid Descriptions : Use concise, vivid descriptions to bring people and places to life, employing the "show, don't tell" technique to engage the reader and create a strong sense of place and character.
• Unified Theme : Select elements of your personal story that connect to a central theme you wish to highlight. This unifying theme gives your essay coherence and amplifies its impact, ensuring that each part of your background contributes to the overall message.

This structure is effective when it ties together various aspects of your background to illustrate a cohesive narrative about your personal development.

The Pivotal or Memorable Anecdote Structure

This structure centers around a specific event or experience that was highly formative and memorable for you.

• Personal Impact : The essay recounts a significant event, offering insights into how it unfolded, how you experienced it, and how it impacted or shaped you in a meaningful way. The narrative is focused and tied to a clear theme.
• Engaging Storytelling : It uses narrative and cinematic techniques, such as vivid sensory descriptions, to bring the experience to life for the reader. This helps cultivate empathy and creates a sense of intimacy.
• Avoiding Clichés : Steer clear of recounting dramatic events that, while memorable, may not lead to deep, nuanced reflections. Instead, focus on experiences that truly contributed to your personal growth, offering unique and thoughtful insights.

This structure is effective when the anecdote is not only memorable but also reveals significant personal growth and understanding.

The "What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger" Structure

This structure is all about overcoming adversity , often framed as a three-act drama:

• ACT 1: The Challenge : Start by presenting a provocative question, dilemma, conflict, or challenge in your life. This sets the stage for the reader and introduces the struggle or hardship that serves as the essay’s focal point.
• ACT 2: The Transformation : This act delves into the process of inner transformation, growth, or reflection. It explores how you navigated the challenges, the steps you took to address them, and how these experiences shaped important personal attributes. This is where you bring the reader through your journey, revealing the depth and nature of the adversity and your response to it.
• ACT 3: Moving Beyond and Gaining Wisdom : Conclude by showing how you overcame the adversity and what you learned from the experience. Highlight the wisdom gained, how it informs your future aspirations, and how it has contributed to a more mature self or perspective on life.
• Key Considerations : The "overcoming adversity" narrative is timeless, but it requires careful handling. To avoid clichés and ensure your story resonates, focus on authenticity and nuance. Be sincere and offer a detailed, intimate, and honest account of your journey. Show how the experience reshaped you in a meaningful and compelling way.

Vignette or Montage Structure

Think of this structure like a nonlinear mix of short video clips or a photo montage. It mirrors the disjointedness of our memories, where seemingly unrelated moments, anecdotes, or events come together to form a cohesive theme in your life.

Each vignette stands alone, not connected by chronology or topic, but when combined, they create an impressionistic and layered narrative.

The key to this structure is ensuring that each vignette is tied to a common theme , allowing the separate pieces to coalesce into a meaningful whole. This structure may help a writer foreground attributes such as creativity and imagination.

The Thinker: Reflective Structure

This structure blends recounting past experiences or influences — such as an event, a book, or a trip — with reflections on their significance from a present-day perspective.

• Focus on Present Beliefs : The essay centers on a current conviction, value, commitment, or belief, showing how it has been shaped by past experiences.
• Intellectual Exploration : It offers a deeper intellectual or philosophical exploration, revealing how extended reflection has helped you build connections between different experiences and ideas.
• Add Nuance and Depth : Enhance this structure by incorporating honesty and vulnerability, sharing how you navigated a life dilemma or philosophical doubt. This adds depth to your reflections and highlights your growth.

This structure is effective when you want to demonstrate how your past has influenced your present beliefs , showcasing your capacity for deep thought and introspection.

Additional Creative Structures to Choose From

There are a whole host of creative structures that may appeal to your creative side or prove to be a good fit for a particular prompt and how you want to respond to it.

Circular Structure :

The essay begins and ends with a similar idea, image, or event, creating a sense of closure and emphasizing the cyclical nature of the experience or the lesson learned.

Braided Structure :

Multiple storylines or themes are interwoven throughout the essay, with each thread contributing to the overall message or insight. The threads may converge or contrast with each other by the end.

Parallel Narrative Structure :

Two or more narratives are told side by side, either contrasting or complementing each other. This structure is often used to highlight connections between different experiences or themes.

Question-and-Answer Structure :

The essay is framed around a central question or a series of questions that the author seeks to answer through their reflections and experiences. This structure often lends itself to a conversational tone.

Frame Story Structure :

The essay begins with an introductory narrative (the “frame”) that sets the stage for the main story or stories within it. The frame is revisited at the end to provide closure or reflection.

Fragmented Structure :

The narrative is broken into non-linear segments or fragments, jumping between different times or events. This structure often reflects the complexity or disjointed nature of memory and experience.

List Structure :

The essay is organized as a list, with each item on the list representing a different memory, thought, or aspect of the central theme. This structure allows for flexibility and creativity in presentation.

You can use these structures alone or combined, depending on your particular story and the specific prompt, purpose, and context for your essay!

3 Tips on How to Structure Your College Application Essay

Common App Essay Guide Part 2: Structure

Part IV. Revising and Polishing College Essays With a Rubric

The rubric below uses a 3-point scale to evaluate key components of a college admissions essay. Use to gauge your progress when you get into the work of revising your essay drafts.

The "Content and Ideas" category can also be used as a guide while developing content for the initial draft and outline.

Content and Ideas

3 (Excellent) : The essay presents a compelling and original story or theme, offering deep insights into the applicant's personality, experiences, and values. It effectively addresses the prompt and demonstrates the applicant's readiness important aspects of college life and learning.

2 (Satisfactory) : The essay provides a clear and relevant narrative or reflection with some insights, but may lack depth or originality in certain areas. It addresses the prompt adequately but may not fully showcase the applicant’s potential.

1 (Needs Improvement) : The essay lacks focus or depth and may not clearly address the prompt. The content may feel generic, overly personal, or unsuitable for an admissions essay.

Organization and Structure

3 (Excellent) : The essay is well-organized with a strong hook and a clear, logical flow. The structure complements the content and purpose, making the essay engaging and easy to follow.

2 (Satisfactory) : The essay has a basic structure that is generally clear but may have some organizational issues. The flow is adequate, though it could be improved to enhance engagement.

1 (Needs Improvement) : The essay lacks clear organization, making it difficult to follow. The structure may be disjointed, with a weak hook and unclear transitions between ideas.

Wording, Voice, and Tone

3 (Excellent) : The essay has a strong, authentic voice that reflects the applicant’s personality. The tone is consistent, engaging, and appropriate for the content, helping to create a connection with the reader.

2 (Satisfactory) : The essay’s voice is clear but may lack some authenticity or consistency. The tone is generally appropriate but may not fully engage the reader or complement the content.

1 (Needs Improvement) : The essay’s voice is weak or inconsistent, and the tone may feel detached or inappropriate. It does not effectively convey the applicant’s personality or engage the reader.

Grammar, Punctuation, and Mechanics

3 (Excellent) : The essay is free from grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors, demonstrating careful editing. The mechanics support the essay’s structure, voice, and tone.

2 (Satisfactory) : The essay has a few minor errors but they do not significantly detract from the overall quality. The mechanics are generally sound but may need some polishing.

1 (Needs Improvement) : The essay contains multiple errors that affect readability and clarity. The mechanics need significant improvement to support the essay effectively.

Adherence to Guidelines

3 (Excellent) : The essay adheres fully to length and formatting guidelines and is completely relevant to the prompt and purpose.

2 (Satisfactory) : The essay meets most guidelines but may slightly exceed length or have minor formatting issues. It is generally relevant but may not fully align with the prompt.

1 (Needs Improvement) : The essay fails to adhere to length or formatting guidelines and may not be fully relevant to the prompt or purpose.

Part V. College Essay Formatting & Submission: The Nuts and Bolts Stuff

The main focus of your college essay is the content. The format and structure should make the essay easy to read to maintain this focus.

A title to your college essay is generally not required and takes from your word count. It can also confine your essay to a single meaning, so if you decide to use titles, use them with care. Keep your font double-spaced with a line space between the paragraphs to keep the essay easy on the eyes.

When the word count is not given, staying around 600 words is a safe bet. While it’s important to share about yourself in your essay, oversharing could make you stand out from your competition — in the worst way possible!

Uploading Your Essay

If you are copying and pasting your essay into a text box, here are some necessary actions to take to ensure your essay will be received as intended.

• Make sure that your essay is transferred over completely and without transfer errors . Formatting on a different program initially and then using the copy/paste function could cut your essay off, change your word count, alter the paragraph structure, and overall change the initial way you meant your essay to be read.
• The smaller details, such as bold and italics, may not be possible depending on the platform . As the point of the essay is the text, not including bold/italics only makes for a more straightforward read — it might just be a blessing in disguise!

When attaching a document, you’ll need to be  more precise with your formatting, but here are a few rules of thumb to follow:

• 1” margin is the standard, and difficult to go wrong with.
• An easy-to-read font, such as Times New Roman and Arial, is the way to go . The last thing you want is for the admissions officers to have difficulty reading your essay due to a complicated font.
• Download your college essay in an accepted format according to the submissions site.

These are just general guidelines... Always review all explicit instructions and requirements for layout, submission, and length for each particular school and essay.

Final Thoughts

The college essay format can feel like uncharted territory for many young scholars, presenting unique challenges and often becoming a stumbling block in the application process. However, you should find this resource abundantly helpful as you navigate the writing process. By understanding the distinct elements of the college essay format and thoughtfully applying the tips and insights we've just shared, you can apply strategies used by top applicants to top schools. Remember, the college essay is an opportunity to showcase your authentic voice and personal experiences in a way that sets you apart.

If you’re looking for additional guidance, consider signing up for a free consultation with a Crimson admissions advisor. They can provide personalized feedback, connect you with essay writing mentors, and help you refine your essay to make a lasting impression.

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About the Author

Keith Nickolaus

Keith Nickolaus is a former educator with a passion for languages, literature, and lifelong learning. After obtaining a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz and exploring university life in Paris, Keith earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and then worked for 16 years in K12 education before setting up shop as a freelance writer.

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If you plan to get admission to the dream school, you need to write a college application essay.

College essays are the main part of the application. For a good application essay, make sure you have good story skills. Writing the college application essay requires a lot of time and planning.

An important thing that every student knows is that a college essay is a perfect place to show your writing abilities.

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What is a College Application Essay Format?

College essays are a new type of writing for high school and college students. The college application essay is an important part of academics for any student. The college essay is written in a way that depicts the clarity of mind and thoughts.

A college application essay is an important part of college admission. The admission committee can judge the student by a simple glance at their essay.

A college application essay format is a way of organizing thoughts and ideas. Many students are confused about paper formatting and essay structure. If you write and format the essay correctly, it will help you to get admission easily.

Following a proper format is very important in college essays. If the format is incorrect, the examiner might not consider reading the essay. In the  college application essay , follow the correct format for the font size, line spacing, and margins.

If students fail to follow the college application essay format, it will ruin all their efforts. An incorrect formatting style makes your essay substandard.

The essay is written in the correct format; it will help you shine out among other students. A properly written essay with a proper essay format tells the admissions officer bout your career and academic goals.

The content and college admission essay format define your future. Many students start writing the essay without knowing the proper format of the essay. So, understand the essay format first and then start writing the college essay.

How to Format the College Application Essay?

Writing the college application essay is one of the most important academic assignments. Some students have been stuck in this question “How to format a college application essay”. Formatting is quite stressful for some students when writing a college application essay.

There are some guidelines that every student should follow when writing and formatting a college application essay.

The format is the main thing in the essay, and without proper format, the essay is a waste piece of writing. A good college application essay includes three main sections, i.e., introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

When you start writing the college essay, don’t dismiss the introduction. It is an important part of your college application process. In this section, the student introduces themselves, and the college application essay prompts.

The introduction starts with the attention-grabbing opening sentence. The first sentence in this paragraph should be the topic. An introduction part should be neither too long nor too short.

In the introduction, don’t create a list of arguments. Make sure that your introduction is relevant and describes all the things in order.

Write a few sentences in the introduction part that lead to the main point of your essay. End the paragraph with a thesis statement.

The body paragraphs contain information that is supportive of your thesis statement. Support your main idea in this section. Writing the essay body paragraphs requires a lot of time and effort.

Support your statements with solid facts and evidence. Make your essay easy to read and follow the proper format of the college application essay.

In one paragraph, write a summary of the entire college application essay. Write a few sentences that summarize your whole essay. It is where you wrap up the points and examples you have discussed in the essay.

Restate your thesis statement and convince the reader by the facts you have discussed in your body paragraphs.

When writing the college application essay, the font that you use should be Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The size of the essay font is 12pt. The font size should be readable, and try to avoid using fancy fonts. Avoid using emojis, hashtags, underlines, and ALL CAPS in your essay writing.

The headings should not be the primary concern for some writers. But it is an important factor in the essay.

The heading should be less than ten words and must be in bold type. The word count is important in the headings. It is written in the upper left corner of the page.

The page heading must be written in a proper format. Firstly, write your name, then the professor’s name, the title of the essay, and the submission date.

The heading is the fundamental part of the essay. Write the page headings carefully and correctly follow the proper format of the headings.

The title is the first thing that the academic committee read. The title words make the first impression on the admission officials.

The title of the essay should be written under the page headings. The title of the college application essay gives a sense of your essay’s content. Avoid vague titles and make your reader want to read your essay.

When attaching a document, you have to be more concerned with the college essay format. You have to submit the college essay in a specific file format. The academic committee accepts only word files or PDF documents.

Make sure that you are saving the file in an accepted format before submitting your essay. When you create the document, save it in PDF because they are uneditable and always looks the same.

The citation writing style of the college application essay is the same as other essays. By citation, you can also avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to the original author or authors. The sources you cite depend on your academic style, and you must know the style requirements when you compile your citations.

Some students use MLA, APA, Chicago, or Harvard citation styles in their essays. When you cite sources, make sure that you can correctly cite without any mistakes.

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College Application Essay Format Examples

Some students do not have good essay writing skills, and they consult online essay writing services and get their work done.

However, if you can write a good essay on your own. Check these examples that you can use for your help and create a successful application essay.

College Application Essay Format (PDF)

College Application Essay Example (PDF)

MLA College Application Essay Format (PDF)

Tips for Formatting the College Application Essay

Formatting is the main part of the college essay, and your essay depends on them. We collect some tips that you can use when formatting your essay.

• Your essay is a reflection of your personality, so always be organized when you present yourself.
• Create an outline for your essay.
• Write an engaging introduction.
• Choose a standard font for your essay.
• Provide reasons for why you are the best candidate for admission.
• The page headers are placed in the upper-left corner of the page.
• Avoid overly informal formatting choices.
• Indent or double space to separate paragraphs.
• Try evaluating the piece from the examiner's perspective.
• Write other than your grades and test scores.
• Save your essay in a PDF format before submitting it.

Writing a good college application essay is necessary if you get admission to your dream college. If you feel that you need extra help, then you can consult an AI essay generator .

Our service has a dedicated team of writers from various academic backgrounds that can easily write an essay for you. We provide high-quality academic essays with proper personal statements without any mistakes or plagiarism.

Place your order now and get the best essay help from experts.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, proper college essay heading format.

Could someone please give me a quick rundown on the correct format for a college essay heading? I don't want to mess up the presentation of my essay. Thanks in advance!

Certainly! The proper heading format for a college essay is pretty straightforward. Here's a quick guide to help you out:

1. Align your text to the left. Most college essays use a standard left-aligned format, as it's easy to read and universally accepted.

2. Use a legible, 12-point font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are some common, easy-to-read options. Stick to a single font style throughout the entire essay.

3. Leave 1-inch margins on all sides. This standard margin size ensures a clean and professional look.

4. Double-space the entire essay, including between paragraphs. This makes your essay easier to read and is often required for college submission guidelines.

5. Include your name, the date, and a title (if your college requires one) in the header of the first page. Place them in the upper left-hand corner. Here's an example format:

Essay Title

6. Use page numbers, if necessary. If your essay is more than a few pages, consider adding page numbers in the top right-hand corner of each page.

7. Leave a few lines before starting your essay. This creates a clean division between your header and the essay content.

8. Avoid fancy or colorful formatting. Keep it simple, as colleges are looking for content and strong writing rather than creative design elements.

Remember, always double-check the specific formatting requirements for each college you're applying to and adjust your essay formatting accordingly. Good luck with your essay!

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How To Format a College Essay? A Comprehensive Guide

EssayEdge > Blog > How To Format a College Essay? A Comprehensive Guide

Applicants often forget about formatting a college essay, believing that only the content does matter. But what if we say that inappropriate college application essay format often becomes the main reason for a big failure? A college essay editor can help you create your document because they understand how the college paper format affects the entire text.

EssayEdge experts have analyzed various types of college essay formats to choose the best for your admission process.

Table of Contents:

College Paper Formatting Tip Number One: Define Your Topic

Choosing a topic is the first task to start formatting your essay. The topic is provided by your choice of college or university. The way you describe your story will considerably affect how the commission responds to you. To impress them, you need to choose the format that can best reveal you as a person.

It’s probably easiest to ask friends and family what idea they have of you. By collecting opinions, you can form an adequate opinion about yourself. Your loved ones can certainly tell you about your character because they spend a lot of time with you. This way, you may even get ideas for a story when a friend mentions a bright moment together, long lost in your memory.

The important thing is that you should not choose some pompous event, the best of the best. You can describe ordinary days, and dialogues with people. In general, the format is unlimited. Often unusual essays attract much more attention than the usual ones. But do not forget that your mission is to show your uniqueness.

Outline Your Work

At first, your format of work is to structure ideas, selecting the best ones. It is most profitable to start writing in advance, with the opportunity to choose another option.

College Essay Word Limit

Often there is a word limit on your college essay. Sometimes this is not indicated in the assignment. However, experts in the selection committee recommend sticking to about 500-650 words. Nevertheless, many tasks may still give you a different word limit. In this case, you should follow the instructions without violating the minimum or maximum word limits.

College Essay Structure Format

The truth is that, as we said earlier, you can choose the format of the structure yourself. Yet, it’s often best to lean on something familiar by resorting to the standard format, which consists of:

• Introduction

Also, you better think about how to come up with a title. The headline should be catchy and be a kind of hook, but do not overdo it. Stick to the topic of your essay.

It doesn’t matter what your story is. Almost all of them have a beginning, development, and end. You can indeed manipulate all these parts however you like. But remember to stick to the limit.

Your essay must be an independent text, without understatement. Also, don’t make the writing too confusing. The commission is unlikely to puzzle over the essay, trying to decipher it.

How to Format Headings?

Usually, it depends on the formatting style. But if no formatting style is required, then you need to include such information:

• Name of the instructor/supervisor
• Course/Academic Program
• Date of submission

Should I Use College Essay Templates?

College essay templates can be found online. This template contains instructions on how to format a college application essay and what to write in each paragraph. We strongly recommend that you do not use templates. Your essay will look trite and boring. You have to think of many ideas on your own.

However, instead of using templates for your college essay, we encourage you to conduct research. You can find applicants’ blogs or read many sample essays to grow your imagination and experience.

How Should a College Application Essay Be Formatted

First of all, ensure that your document corresponds to the rudimentary college format essay requirements. Here are the main things to check:

• The margins are usually 1 inch;
• Line spacing can be single or double-spaced;
• As for the paragraphs, make an indentation for the first line in each paragraph (use a tab);
• Fonts should be standard (Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial are among the frequently used ones);
• The font size 12 is the best choice to make the text readable;
• The text should be left-aligned (instead of the title, which is centered).

Should I Use a Paper Format?

Many colleges and universities allow candidates to submit their essays by mail. But the truth is that many schools prefer to receive writings by email. It significantly simplifies their work. In addition, it is still better to choose the preferred method of delivering the essay.

In addition, by sending your essay by email, you deprive yourself of the fear that the delivery will fail. Of course, it happens that emails are accidentally lost or may arrive at a different address. However, such incidents are much less than problems with mail. Digitalization has considerably simplified the process of filing documents and essays.

How to format text if…

If i will be copy-and-pasting into a text box:.

Copying and pasting an essay can mess up the spacing between paragraphs. So make sure all paragraphs are separated by tabs or line breaks if tabs don’t work.

The font will probably be standardized, but if not, choose a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial (choices may be limited) and choose a normal size (12 pt).

Formatting such as bold and italics may be lost when copying and pasting. Bold and italics also may not work in text fields and are not recommended.

It is also worth mentioning that when transferring an essay, your text may lose many characters. Unfortunately, they may even be replaced. Therefore, it is worth checking the finished text again.

Need help? Check out EssayEdge editing services:

If I use Microsoft Word (.DOC) format

Luckily, you can open Word in almost any text program. If you send your essay as a download, you will most likely submit a .doc or .docx file. The downside is that MS Word files are editable. Also, conflicts can occur between different versions of MS Word (2010, 2016, and Office 365).

If I use PDF format

It is worth using the PDF format to leave the essay view intact. It allows you to preserve all characters. Moreover, no one can edit your text. It is a great tactic, but it is worth making sure you are legally allowed to deliver the document this way. Some schools may not be ready to receive PDF essays.

If I write MLA

It is also possible to choose MLA or APA college application essay format if you send it as a file. Here are the main characteristics of the MLA style:

• There should be an identification header (Your full name, Professor’s name, Course, Date)
• Add the surname and a page number in the upper right corner of the document
• The title should be centered and in title case, but not bolded, underlined, italicized, and so on
• Indent the first line in the paragraph by using «Tab»
• To format a college essay correctly, use a double space
• Make 1-inch margins on all sides
• Do not forget to add one space after the punctuation marks

If I write APA

• No running head is needed according to the new 7th edition
• The page number is right-aligned
• Margins, spacing, and indentation are the same as in MLA formatting college essay style;
• The title should be centered, bolded, and in title case, but not in caps, italicized, or underlined

Title of the Essay Format

Add the title page that contains several items (all are centered):

• The title of the essay is placed 3-4 lines below the margin
• 1-2 blank lines
• Student’s name
• Affiliation
• Professor’s name

Additional College Essay Formatting Tips:

Do not include the title if it is the same as the essay prompt. This way, you will waste your word count;

Do not write a wall of text. It makes your essay format college paper look like a mess. Divide the main body into several paragraphs.

Avoid writing sentence by sentence without transitions. Add linkage between the sentences and paragraphs.

Find someone you trust to read your essay and give you constructive feedback. It could be a trusted teacher, parent, school counselor, or college student. It is best to choose someone familiar with the purpose of the college essay.

Don’t let anyone else write this essay for you. No one will tell about you the way you tell yourself. In addition, you will not be able to answer later during the interview. Instead, you can turn to EssayEdge for help editing your college essay.

Use a real example. Add events and vivid details from your life. It will add color and persuasiveness to your personal statement. Your example shows that you embody the traits valued by the university.

Bottom Line

Essay writing is a skill that is easy to learn but hard to master. While not a very exciting part of the applicant’s experience, it is best not to skip it. Formatting improves readability and makes the essay easier to understand. When citation style, heading format, or other factors are constantly changing, it draws extra attention, and the reader’s concentration on the text is reduced. Therefore, to avoid such problems, applicants should start practicing in advance, and find a professional editor if necessary.

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How to End a College Essay: Six Strategies

Gina twardosz.

• Last Updated on August 22, 2024

Table of Contents

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of your Common App personal statement…or you’re thinking about the end of your personal statement, and that’s still a cause for celebration. 

Consider your favorite show, film, or book—how did you feel when it ended? Perhaps you were sad because you had spent so much time with the characters that they felt like close friends, or maybe you were angry at a disappointing conclusion that left more questions than answers. 

Whether we like it or not, a conclusion, good or bad, can change how we feel about a piece of media. It’s just as important as your introduction, and maybe even more important since it’s the last thing your reader will read. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to end a college essay to make a lasting impression.

Why Is the Ending Important?

When friends ask me for book or movie recommendations, I always start with the ending. “You have to watch it, the ending was so heartwarming!” I say, or, more often than not, “Don’t watch it—the ending didn’t make any sense.” 

Endings have huge cultural staying power and can even change the audience’s perception of the entire work. You don’t want to unravel your tightly wound story with a loose ending! 

And they lived happily ever after. 

This ending may be unforgettable but for the wrong reasons. Your life is not a fairy tale, so your essay can’t have such a boring, basic conclusion. The ending to your college essay should be rich with nuance and insight. 

To make a lasting impression on the reader, your conclusion should push boundaries, following the reader long after they finish reading your college essay. The end of your college essay should satisfy the reader, tying up loose ends, but a good conclusion is also active, not passive. A good ending to your college essay asks and answers the question, “What’s the point?” Why did the reader just read a 650-word story about you?

Your conclusion is, in many ways, a gift to the reader. It’s the dessert after a long meal—it completes their reading experience and makes everything that came before it worth it. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before we explore the different ways to end a college essay, let’s discuss what not to do. 

The biggest mistake students make when crafting an end to their college essay is not taking the conclusion seriously. 

In essays you’ve written for class, you may have been encouraged to restate your thesis in the conclusion. While that’s a good strategy for an informative essay, a college personal essay is very different. Your college essay may not even have a clear thesis statement, and that’s okay. 

You should not summarize your essay in your conclusion either. A pointed summary of all the main points of your college essay may seem memorable, but it lacks creativity and can seem as though you’re talking down to the reader. A good ending introduces a new part of the essay, so it should stand out while remaining cohesive. 

How to End a College Essay

If you want your essay to capture attention and resonate with the reader, follow these six strategies for ending a college essay. 

Reflect 

While you should be reflecting throughout your essay, a great way to tie together any themes or lessons learned is by reflecting on your values or beliefs at the end of the essay. Have they changed since the beginning of the story by growing stronger, maybe even weaker as you’ve gained more knowledge? 

It’s important to note that reflection is not summary—you’re introducing a new way of looking at your story in the conclusion. In a way, reflection is the analysis of your story.

Reflection is a great way to show maturity and growth. While you’ll likely grow and mature even more throughout college, reflecting on your experiences shows a thoughtfulness conducive to a college education. 

If you’ve ever seen a stand-up comedian perform, then you know that sometimes they reference earlier jokes later in the set. A “callback” can seem like an inside joke between the comedian and audience, creating familiarity between performer and spectator. 

Let’s look at the essay introduction imagined in the article, “ How to Write a Good Essay Hook. ”

“Yuck!” I yelled as the pigeon pooped on my head. 

It’s safe to assume this essay will be, in part, about overcoming challenges or adversity. So, how should it end? To match the humor of the introduction, a callback can be utilized to end this college essay. 

The best advice I ever received was to stay positive. Keep looking up, because if anything, you’ll see the pigeon before it poops! 

While this essay is very humorous, your essay doesn’t have to be funny to use a callback.

Rescue Your Cliffhanger

It may be self explanatory, but if you started your essay with a cliffhanger, you’ll have to return to it at the end, saving whatever you left dangling in a move that will leave the reader both relieved, satisfied, and maybe even a little surprised. 

Ending your essay in a scene is also an active way to leave a memorable impression on the reader.

You’ve experienced a lot so far, but there is still so much for you to discover. Readers of your essay know that your big journey is just beginning, so don’t be afraid to end your essay looking toward the future. Especially if your essay is about overcoming a challenge, you’ll want to end on a positive note as you look out toward your potential. 

Just as you’re reflecting inward, look outward at the world around you. What’s next for you? Show the reader that your story is only ending on paper. 

When writing the perfect college essay, the stakes can feel overwhelming. Applying to colleges is a serious undertaking, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t allow yourself to feel excited! You’re going to college, and you’re going to do big things when you’re there, and beyond.

While you’ll likely have a chance to write about your career aspirations in one of the many short answer supplemental essays colleges require, your college essay can be a great way for you to write about your hopes and dreams. Especially if you’re writing about your identity, background, or talents, ending on your dreams can leave the reader with a memorable and heartwarming message.  

Surprise Twist! 

M. Night Shyamalan: You either love his twist endings…or you loathe them. I won’t tell you how to watch movies, but when it comes to writing, I can assure you that a surprise twist can make your college essay impossible to forget. 

It should be said that this can be one of the hardest endings to get right, and it definitely depends upon the way you’ve structured your essay. But if your essay is pretty conventional, a surprise twist can take your college essay to the next level. 

Think of your twist ending as more of a pivot into a new direction. It’s important not to stray too far from the topic of the essay—you don’t want a disjointed essay—but surprise twists can be a great way to ensure your essay doesn’t fall victim to trope. 

For example, maybe your essay is about becoming a more adventurous cook, but in the end, you end up burning Thanksgiving dinner! Things didn’t go as expected, but through this journey, you learned what truly matters is family…and takeout food. 

Life is full of twists and turns, and if you can work one into your essay, you may just take the right path toward your dream school. 

While the end of a college essay is only one part of it, it has the ability to the define the essay, so it’s important to take it seriously and write a creative ending that satisfies the reader while leaving a lasting impression. It’s not enough to simply start the race, you have to finish strong to secure your victory. One of these six strategies can help you end your college essay, ensuring that your college essay is unforgettable.

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A Common App Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays that Impress

The Common App personal statement is a student’s chance to make their application stand out. And your supplemental essays can help you tell a compelling and memorable story.

College 101: Get Accepted!

We will cover important topics for high school freshmen and sophomores to set them up for later success in college planning. Learn the basic fundamentals of college planning that set the stage come junior & senior year.

We are dedicated to helping students and parents successfully navigate the college admissions process, providing a personalized experience based on your unique needs and goals.

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Your College Admissions Journey, Mapped Out!

Introducing our college planning timeline with a handy checklist of essential tasks, a step-by-step guide for every grade level, from freshman to senior year, AND financial aid, college applications, extracurricular activities, and more.

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Key to success: college essay help

After finishing school every college applicant is dealing with certain difficulties. Gathering all grades and scores, composing list of post-school activities, a person is ready to submit an application. But here another thing appears to be done! College entrance essay is unavoidable part of graduate's routine. And here a poor future student is, sitting in front of blank piece of paper without any thoughts in his head.

It's not a secret that college essay writing demands huge efforts and plenty of time. When you are struggling with putting words and sentences together and compose a winning piece of paper you might seek for support. College essay writing service with experts of enormous experience is available to solve that problem. You won't be devoting countless hours rotating thoughts and ideas, plots and turns, fitting your writing to strict format. College essay writing help will take care of it. As a result you get charming and engaging article about yourself to impress committee.

What college essay tutor can do

If you think that someone is going to do all work while you're relaxing under sun, that's a wrong approach. College essay help consists in guidance, making you compose paperwork yourself. Details and hints will be explained to you, and it would be an elementary task to describe your own individuality to admission staff. You will learn about college essay heading and can use correct format. In fact, college essay tutor is your guide through journey to your deepest treasures. He can help not only with illustrations of best qualities you posses but teaches to ask questions and challenge yourself during work. For every kind of essay there's a specific format you need to use. When making essay scholarships for college students you need to specify why you deserve that money and how it's beneficial for college to give you that scholarship. It is strongly recommended to seek for experts help when applying for scholarship. And most importantly is use of proper format, so committee would notice immediately from college essay header that writing was made by highly organised and educated person

What traits should be reflected in essay

Even if you consider your life boring, tutor can find captivating and attractive facts in your biography. In general essay should demonstrate how significant events in past helped you to become a unique individual you are and how this very college might influence you.