We have many rules of thumb when it comes to writing an excellent Common App essay. That’s because we take all of our clients’ writing—every word that they put on an application—very seriously. College admissions have gotten to be incredibly competitive, verging on absurd. And whether or not you think it’s morally correct that it’s so hard to get into an elite school these days, if that’s where you want to go, you have to stand out above thousands of other qualified applicants.
Conventional wisdom is that you need to have a fancy high school internship or a crazy travel experience to compete. We strongly disagree. Students all over the country have jobs—regular, high school-appropriate jobs. Some are lifeguards. Others babysit. Some kids mow lawns, flip burgers, bag groceries, run cash registers, do event photography, put on magic shows at kids’ birthday parties…the list goes on and on. We think having a job is highly commendable. Many, many, many young people across this country need to have a job to save for college or help their families. Others are just working for some extra gas money. We think it’s great and the admissions committee (all of whom have jobs) will, as well. Working, no matter what kind of job, is also a great topic for the Common App essay.
Rules of Thumb When Writing
One piece of advice we hammer home to all of our clients is that every single part of the application is an opportunity to showcase something new. You do not need to have an internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab to be a hot contender. But you do need to showcase your personality and why it’s a good fit for the school to which you’re applying (That and have great grades, test scores, and extracurriculars that show you’re an expert in a particular academic field…but that’s another post). More on that below.
In addition, your essay doesn’t need to be (and actually should definitely not be) about something grandiose, really serious, or tragic. You’re a kid. Writing about whether or not you believe in God might come off as too precocious, verging on arrogant. If you’ve been through something really difficult (like a health issue, a loss, or a life-altering event that impacted your academic performance in school…), don’t use your essay space to write about it. That should go in the additional information section.
Prioritize Personality
As we said above, consider that the Common App essay is another opportunity to showcase a part of your personality the admissions folks are not going to glean anywhere else on your application. Identify 2-3 personality traits of yours. If you’re struggling, ask some friends to describe you in 3 words.
Now, think about some scenarios at work where you can showcase those personality traits by way of a story. Remember, the backdrop and the story can and should be mundane and everyday. Let yourself and your own personality be what shines through. Consider walking the reader through your daily routine at work, which might demonstrate creativity, responsibility, and fun. Write about your commute. Perhaps you observe all of the people you see on your bus ride and make up stories about them, demonstrating curiosity. Or maybe you call your grandmother every Tuesday on your way home, demonstrating kindness and strong listening skills. Write a transcript of the call. If you’re a dog walker, write about the intricate process by which you prepare to walk one dog, from the moment you walk in the door, to the moment you return the dog, showing that you’re both caring and maybe a little cautious.
Now, put this in story form with a beginning, middle, and end. If you’re talking about your commute, start with the moment you get into the car (or on the train). Open with what’s called a “hook.” A little something to catch the reader’s attention. Don’t just say “I ride the train to work.” Take the reader there: “it was an August day…so hot that everyone on the train platform was using what they could as a fan…” The middle of the story is really where you should let your personality shine. Tell us the details of the commute that show it. “Once I got off the train, I called my grandmother, just like I do every single day at 8:15am. As I walked by the CVS on my usual route, I heard about the new friend she made in the cafeteria of her retirement home…” Use rich details. And then, at the end, wrap it up with a conclusion line.
You can also use the story to showcase that you’re funny. And whenever possible, if you are funny, make sure it shows. it’s always good to be funny and light. Remember, your audience has been stuck in an office for hours and days on end reading other applications. As a bonus, feel free to play with form and get creative. Our students have written essays in play-form, as poems, and more. Put yourself in the admissions counselor’s shoes. They are literally going to be reading stacks and stacks of thousands of essays. Make yours stand out!
When trying to come up with a great Common App essay, keep it simple. Keep in mind that, first and foremost, your job is to let a part of your personality that’s not present elsewhere in your application shine through. It’s okay (and in fact a good idea) to write about something mundane. And while the urge might be to make yourself sound really serious, spend a few minutes thinking about your audience. There are people (people just like you) on the other end of that paper. If you have fun writing about it, the reader will have fun reading it. (And fun is always welcome).
Need help writing a strong Common App essay? Call us. We’re experts at helping students with applications.