Essay and short answers recommendations
Take a moment before writing
Think about what makes you different from the thousands of other applicants. Colleges read many essays that sound very similar. The best essays are personal, vulnerable, and show your core values.
Brainstorm with intention
Choosing the right topic is essential. At the end of this article, we’ve included several brainstorming activities to help you identify strong themes and personal stories.
Start with a strong introduction
This is your first impression. Grab the reader’s attention with a visual detail, an anecdote, a surprising statement, or a question that sets the tone.
Organize your ideas clearly
Even though college essays are more flexible than academic papers, your ideas should flow logically. Your essay should have one clear message or takeaway, supported by strong structure and transitions.
Tell a story, not just a list
Don’t simply write about your achievements—share a specific moment that changed how you think or feel. Turn your essay into a short, meaningful narrative. For example, instead of listing biology awards, tell the story of a challenging experiment and how it shaped your interest in science.
Go beyond what’s already in your application
Use the essay to explore a side of you that can’t be seen in your transcript or résumé. Don’t repeat your list of activities or grades. Instead, explain your motivations, personal growth, values, or identity—something that shows who you are as a person.
“Show, don’t tell”
Avoid vague statements like “I was nervous.” Instead, use sensory details: “My heart was racing, and I felt sweat forming on my forehead.” This helps the reader feel what you felt.
Need inspiration? Here are a few example essays that were accepted to top universities:
BRAINSTORMING ACTIVITIES
SHORT ACTIVITIES:
Finish this sentence: “If you really knew me, you would know that…” Try to be as honest and vulnerable as possible, and explain why it matters.
List the things you love. What brings you joy or fills your heart?
List what you're grateful for. Reflect on the people, experiences, or things that have shaped you.
List what you’re currently celebrating. What small or big moments feel like wins in your life right now?
DEEPER ACTIVITIES
Core Values
Write down 20 values that are important to you (e.g., honesty, resilience, loyalty). Then, slowly narrow that list down to the 1–2 values that define you the most.
Challenges and Growth
Think of 3–4 challenges or difficult moments in your life (e.g., your parents’ divorce, losing a grandparent, being bullied, moving to a new place).
For each, reflect on:
The impact: How did it change your life externally?
The emotions: How did you feel at the time?
The underlying need: What were you hoping for or missing?
Your response: What did you do (even if you didn’t realize it at the time)?
The lesson: What did you learn? What skills or values did you develop?
Look for patterns—are there themes or personal traits that keep showing up?
Essence Objects
Imagine a box that contains 20 items, each representing an important part of who you are. These are your “essence objects.”
Example:
I’d put in a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap. I don’t play baseball, but it reminds me of my family and the move I made at 14 to a new state. It symbolizes resilience and change.
Now make your own list of 20 objects. Just write the object and a couple of descriptive details (don’t explain them yet).
Review your list: Are any parts of your identity missing?
Think about other traits you want to show. What objects could represent them?
Example: If you’re extremely organized, maybe a sticky note?
These objects might show up in your final essay—or simply help you explore deeper parts of yourself.
Roles and Identities
Bold the 10 roles you currently identify with most (e.g., sister, athlete, volunteer, artist, student, friend).
Underline your top 5.
Italicize 3 values that inspire you and that you’d like to live more fully.
Write 2–3 sentences explaining where or how you show up in these roles—or where you’d like to grow in them.
| Adventurer | Connector | Environmentalist | Integrator | Pessimist | Storyteller |
| Advocate | Contrarian | Executor | Interest hopper | Philosopher | Strategist |
| Ally | Coordinator | Expert | Interpreter | Planner | Synthesizer |
| Ambassador | Counselor | Experimenter | Intuitive | Playmate | Systems-maker |
| Amplifier | Creator | Explorer | Inventor | Producer | Teacher |
| Anticipator | Co-Creator | Facilitator | Investigator | Problem-solver | Team player |
| Architect | Critical thinker | Fighter | Leader | Protector | Telepath |
| Author | Culture-creator | Fixer | Learner | Prophet | Thinker |
| Big picture thinker | Curator | Founder | Listener | Question-asker | Tinkerer |
| Bookworm | Decision-maker | Friend | Maker | Reader | Troubleshooter |
| Builder | Delegator | Giver | Mediator | Realist | Truth-teller |
| Catalyst | Details person | Guide | Mentor | Recommender | Unifier |
| Challenger | Diplomat | Harmonizer | Mess-maker | Refiner | Validator |
| Champion | Doer | Helper | Nature-lover | Researcher | Visionary |
| Change-maker | Dreamer | Hole-poker | Nerd | Risk-taker | Wanderer |
| Cheerleader | Empathizer | Human calculator | Nurturer | Scientist | Weaver |
| Coach | Energizer | Hustler | Observer | Seeker | World-builder |
| Collaborator | Engager | Idealist | Organizer | Seer | Writer |
| Comedian | Engine | Improviser | Party-bringer | Self-starter | Attuner |
| Composer | Enthusiast | Innovator | Peacemaker | Shape-shifter | Artist |
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