Tips for Writing a Successful College Essay

Introduction

• Speaker: Gohar, MIT senior
• Context: College application season 2016-2017
• Experience: Reviewed hundreds of college essays

Key Tips for Writing College Essays

1. Show, Don’t Tell

• Importance: Engage the reader, paint a picture
• Example: Instead of stating facts like “I like biology,” tell a story about working on a biology experiment.
• Balance: Include some telling towards the middle and end, but focus on storytelling and imagery.

2. Run the Pickup Test

• Concept: Imagine your essay in a pile without names. Would your friend recognize it as yours?
• Action: Omit generic details, include specific details unique to you.
• Example: Instead of “I walked to the store,” specify which store, where it was, and why you went there.

3. Avoid Generic or Grandiose Truisms

• Examples: Statements like “You should live life to the fullest” and “You only live once.”
• Impact: Weakens writing, seems like trying too hard to impress.

4. Use Your Real Voice

• Advice: Don’t use overly fancy words or complicated sentences.
• Style: Make it conversational, reflective of how you speak.
• Structure: Use contractions, one-sentence paragraphs, and be creative.
• Goal: Show admissions officers who you are.

5. Avoid Cliché Topics

• Examples: Sports injury, death, divorce, mission trips.
• Challenge: Hard to stand out in these common topics.
• Advice: Write about unique topics but ensure a personal connection.
• Example: Gohar wrote an essay about volcanoes and connected it to their love for nature.

6. Watch Out for Common Grammar Mistakes

• Common Issues: Dangling modifiers and other grammar errors.

7. Get Feedback

• Action: Have friends, family, or teachers review your essay.
• Goal: Ensure it sounds like you.
• Service: Nextadmit.com for reviews by Harvard or MIT students.

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Best of luck writing your essay.
• Engagement: Comment if interested in a part 2.