how to write a unique college essay

Common App Essay Examples. Here are the current Common App prompts. Click the links to jump to the examples for a specific prompt, or keep reading to review the examples for all the prompts. Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without ...

This college essay tip is by Abigail McFee, Admissions Counselor for Tufts University and Tufts '17 graduate. 2. Write like a journalist. "Don't bury the lede!" The first few sentences must capture the reader's attention, provide a gist of the story, and give a sense of where the essay is heading.

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.

3. Generate new, creative ideas. Originality is key when writing college essays. Try to generate new ideas that have not been written about before. To produce original ideas, you can get inspiration from literature, historical events, or current events. Read widely and research extensively to find new, innovative ideas on the topic.

Here's everything you need to know about nailing your college essay. What Colleges Want to See in Your Essay. Step-by-Step: How to Write Your College Essay. 1. Read All of the Instructions. 2. Brainstorm Your College Essay Topic. 3. Create Your Outline.

Keep the comparison simple. Use a few other literary devices such as imagery or anecdotes to enrich your extended metaphor. Avoid making cliché comparisons. Don't exaggerate or make an unrealistic comparison. In the example below, a student uses the extended metaphor of a museum to explore the theme of identity.

Don't Repeat. If you've mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don't repeat it again in your essay. Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Pick a Topic That's Meaningful to You. Apply the adage "write what you know" to your college essay: Think about what makes you unique, then apply this knowledge to the larger theme of your ...

Essay-writing tips offered by experts emphasize the importance of being concise, coherent, congenial, unique, honest and accurate. An applicant should also flex some intellectual muscle and ...

1. Introduction: Begin your essay with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader's attention and provides a brief overview of the topic. Use an engaging hook to draw the reader in and clearly state your thesis statement. Make sure your introduction sets the tone for the rest of your essay. 2.

Harvard College Writing Center 2 Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt When you receive a paper assignment, your first step should be to read the assignment prompt carefully to make sure you understand what you are being asked to do. Sometimes your assignment will be open-ended ("write a paper about anything in the course that interests you").

A strong essay topic sets you up to write a unique, memorable college application essay. Your topic should be personal, original, and specific. Take time to brainstorm the right topic for you. Some topics are easier to make work than others, but it's possible to write an exceptional essay from a common topic.

This essay captures the student's voice and emotions very well. The hook of this essay sets a detailed scene with conflict and surprise. These elements draw the reader in! This is a medium-length essay, and the author makes use of the room. 3. " Lifelong Learning ". Written by Rozanne, for Johns Hopkins University.

Here are some important writing tips to consider while writing your personal statement. Start your essay early. Write several drafts. Seek feedback from teachers, peers, and mentors. Focus on organization, transitions, sentence fluency, and narrative voice. Make sure your essay is clear and easy to follow.

Learn how to choose a unique and memorable college essay topic that reveals who you are and what you care about. Find examples of topics for different types of prompts and get tips on how to write a stand-out personal statement.

The only requirement you have to meet is that your essay fits into that space. Other than that you can do almost anything. You can write 40 haikus. You can write a screenplay, a lyric essay, or a poem. You can write a monologue or a comedy scene or a recipe. You can be playful, serious, funny, introspective, or all of the above.

2. Appeal to all five senses. Make your college essay stand out by using vivid descriptions and specific details about smells, sounds, textures, and tastes in your essay. Appealing to the senses in writing is a powerful technique to create vivid and immersive experiences for the reader.

One strategy to generate topics is to instruct students to label a paper A-Z, and for each letter, they write a word or phrase with which they feel a connection. The connection needs to be substantial; they shouldn't put "apple" for A solely because they occasionally eat the fruit for lunch. However, if apple picking is a long-standing ...

Here are some tips to get you started. Start early. Do not leave it until the last minute. Give yourself time when you don't have other homework or extracurriculars hanging over your head to ...

The "what-makes-you-unique" essay is a pivotal opportunity to express who you are and what you bring to the table. This essay is more than just a written document; it's a window into your soul, a chance to convey your individuality, and a platform to showcase what makes you unique. It's not about boasting or trying to impress with grand ...

Here is a list of top persuasive essay topics for college: 1. The importance of arts education in schools. 2. Why volunteering should be part of the college curriculum. 3. The benefits of bilingual education. 4. The necessity of making public transport free.