The Almighty College Essay.

The Almighty College Essay.

By: Belinda M. Gonzalez-Leon, Ed.D., MBA

Educational Consultant

Many factors could be considered when a college determines whether to accept a student. However, the essay is a major factor besides grades and extra-curricular activities. As requested in the Common Application, the college essay is not a typical research paper or classroom assignment. It is a carefully crafted document that needs to engage the reader who has shifted through thousands of essays for weeks on end so that the student’s story makes an impact strong enough to merit college acceptance. Not too difficult, right?

The point of the essay is for the school to understand who exactly is this student and will this student fit into their particular college’s culture. Grades and test scores speak to the academic ability of the student, but the essay allows insight into their personality. Will they participate in school activities? Will they enjoy the other students on campus? The right fit is important for the student to persist and graduate. The essay needs to be about the student and who the student is. Students can write about someone important in their life, but the essay needs to focus on the student’s feelings, thoughts, and reactions. What the student writes needs to define who the student is truly. The point is, the student needs to be honest and share who they are.

The person reading the essay is human. Humans get tired and bored. Humans can have good days and bad days. However, when we read a funny or interesting story- we forget our hunger, our lack of sleep, or that we’ve already read 73 essays today. The college essay needs to captivate the reader. The essay should have the reader hanging on to each word anxious to figure out what happens next.  To keep the reader engaged, tell a story. Students should paint a picture by using words and descriptions that draw the reader in. But don’t go overboard! Too many adjectives are just too much. If you had a life-changing experience, say it- don’t belabor the point. ChatGPT does a great job at embellishing and so obvious. A story should have color and description, but it should be told as if a formal presentation- not bragging to friends.

Finally, after sweating out the mandatory 650-word essay- don’t be surprised by a few more essay questions. Several colleges may ask for a shorter second or third essay referred to as a supplemental, possibly requiring 150-300 words. The supplemental is just as important as the main essay. Therefore, students should start THINKING about what they want to say in their essay early. Have them sit in their thoughts for a few days or even a few weeks. When inspiration hits, they should write a very rough draft and then tweak it endlessly. Then, students should ask for input from as many good writers they can get to including their English teachers. Finally, they should take a deep breath and hit submit. Done!

Below is the full set of essay prompts for 2024–2025.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.