by Bridget N. Watts

Created on: May 10, 2008   Last Updated: February 28, 2012

Writing a college application essay might seem like a daunting task, especially if you do not have that much experience in writing essays. You might wonder how to go about writing these essays, or maybe you are not sure exactly what to write about. Of course, the pressure of trying to get into a good college does not really help matters either. I know you want to write that perfect essay that is noticed and helps you get in. Well, let me tell you something: there is no such thing as a perfect essay. However, you can try to write the best essay you can. Here is some advice to help you along.

The most important thing is to choose the right essay topic. This is probably also the most difficult and the most time-consuming aspect of the entire admission process. The right topic for you is anything to do with your life that is important to you. When you write about something that is important to you, something that defines who you are and affects your core being, it allows you to write about it passionately. It is exactly this passion and enthusiasm that will set your essay apart from most other essays. Because let's face it, most applicants will probably write boring admissions. Don't fall into that trap, and write about something you care about.

Once you have decided on your essay topic, think about who will be reading it. Knowing who you are writing for helps in deciding what tone to set. Do not think that your essay will only be read by boring old stuffy professors. In fact, these days the first selection is often made by student assistants and recent graduates. Only if they like your essay is it passed on to the associate directors. They will probably have to read and evaluate thousands of essays in a short time period. Even though they look at style and other official things, you can be sure they also appreciate original and exciting content. Do not write for stuffy professors, but be yourself and write in a relaxed tone.

While writing your essay, do not forget the reasons why you are writing the essay in the first place. You are not just writing a captivating essay, you are trying to convince the admissions people that you are worthy of admission. They have already seen your GPA and all the other official documents telling them why you are great. In the essay you have a chance to show them that you are more than just good scores and that there is actually an interesting person behind it all. Keeping all this in mind, here are five more concrete tips for writing.

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