A lot of students have questions about what makes a good college essay. At Alpha College Prep, we want to try and demystify that process for you.
We have a simple test we use to determine a good college essay. We call it “The Thumb Rule” — that is, someone should be able to put his or her thumb over your name at the top of the paper, read your essay, and still be able to identify that the writer is you.
That might sound difficult, but here are a few tips to make sure that your personality really shines through in your essay:
- Good writing: This may sound like a no-brainer, but your college essays should undergo multiple drafts and be polished. If admissions counselors are spending too much time wading through grammatical issues in your essay, it’s going to be harder for them to know who you are.
- Specific details: This is really the key to a successful college essay. Anyone can say that they are hard-working or have perseverance, but outstanding college applicants will show these qualities through stories or anecdotes.
- Honesty: Don’t write what you think admission counselors want to read. The point of the admissions essay is to showcase who you are and why you are a good candidate for that school. Your best writing is honest writing.
These are just a few tips to get you going. For more help with college essay writing, schedule an appointment today our college admissions director, Jennifer Palumbo.