Releasing Your Inner Writer

Writing a great university essay can feel quite challenging. Whether you are applying to the US, UK, Canada, or Europe, you need to understand what universities are looking for and display excellent writing skills. Here, we discuss some strategies to help you craft the perfect essay.

The Common App Personal Statement

Students applying to colleges in the USA will write the Common Application Personal Statement (CAPS), a 650-word essay that showcases the student’s personality and values. Given that many schools have become test-optional, essays have become more important than ever. In this creative essay, you have the chance to let admissions officers hear your unique voice, enabling them to get to know your character, achievements, heritage, or dreams – and most likely, a combination of these key aspects of you.

When brainstorming for your CAPS, think about past experiences that have shaped you, people who have impacted your life, challenges you have overcome, and the values that are most important to you. At Ivy Options, we ask students to complete several exercises in order to identify three ideas that are then explored in greater depth.

Students should always try to start their essay with a strong opening paragraph that will engage the reader. Include vivid descriptions that touch on all five senses. If you are humorous, don’t be afraid to show it; if you are dramatic, light up the stage with your words. If you are quiet and thoughtful, that’s great too – you will share meaningful insights through the story you tell. Most importantly, be authentic! It’s never too early to start writing your essay; we find that January in Grade 11/Year 12 is the best time to begin. Getting an early start will enable you to edit your essay multiple times and have a final draft ready well before September of senior year.

When trying to figure out what to write about, it’s important to keep in mind that you should be sharing something personal, showing vulnerability, and conveying who you are as a person. And avoid repeating big themes that appear in a different part of your application. There isn’t one correct way to start writing; while some like to create an outline, others may want to use a mindmap. Still others find it more effective to set a timer and just write. Whatever writing style works best for you, make sure to show – not tell – the admissions committee about the lessons you learned along the way by providing examples. The values that are important to you should be evident throughout the essay. Try to avoid using clichés – they are overdone and unoriginal. Instead, you should reveal your personal qualities through an engaging narrative that could only be about you. End with a punchy and memorable conclusion.

Proofreading your work and reading the essay out loud will help you to take a step back and reflect on your writing. Seeking feedback from your teachers, counselor, or family members may also be helpful, but remember that this is YOUR voice. Often, too many editors can cause your writing to feel jumbled and inauthentic. Typically, an essay will go through multiple iterations; once it has been polished, you can then copy and paste it into the Common Application.

Supplemental Essays and the University of California

Beyond the CAPS, most selective schools in the US will also require supplemental essays. These essays can range from describing a meaningful extracurricular activity to quirky questions or short answers. Many will ask why you are attracted to their university or why you would like to major in your chosen field. Remember to do your research before you start writing – familiarize yourself with the university and its clubs, traditions, professors, and courses that align with your interests.

Some students will definitely want to apply to the University of California (UC) schools. The UC application has eight prompts, from which a student must choose four. These 350-word essays are shorter than the CAPS and the prompts touch on a wide range of topics. The talent essay can be about a particular skill, such as an athletic ability, but can equally speak to your talent for bringing diverse people together or for learning languages. The educational opportunity or barrier prompt would be a great place to discuss research and personal projects that you have pursued, or you could describe a significant limitation that has hindered your progress. While discussing your academic subject, try to explain why that particular subject matters most to you and what you did to further your interest; talking about an internship would work well here. If you are sharing about your leadership experience, activities where you have impacted others, resolved disputes, or performed a mentorship role would be effective. Writing about challenges can be difficult, but try to describe the situation and explain the steps you took to overcome the problem you faced. Be sure to reflect on the outcome and the effects it had on you as a person. In the community essay, students often describe how they helped make their school or city a better place through a specific activity. Finally, the last prompt is open-ended. Please feel free to share anything that you feel makes you unique – and a strong candidate for the University of California

Personal Statements for the UK, Europe, and Canada

The UCAS Personal Statement (4,000 character and 47 line limit) for the UK and Letters of Motivation for Europe and Canada are quite different. These essays are less creative; instead, the prompt asks you to explain why you want to study a certain subject and to share the experiences you’ve had that will make you likely to succeed – effectively, you will be writing your resume in paragraph form. Evidence of your qualifications may include online and residential courses, internships, community service, research, competitions, relevant clubs, and books you’ve read. Try to begin with an anecdote that explains why you want to be an author, historian, entrepreneur, doctor, or architect. Show intellectual curiosity in your chosen subject by connecting your various experiences and skills to your ambitions. Provide answers as to how your program will assist you in achieving your future goals. Reveal what motivates you. Use your resume as a checklist to make sure that you have included all your accomplishments.

No matter which essay you are writing, always be clear and consistent in your messaging. Keep in mind who your audience is and the purpose of your essay. Make sure to follow grammar and spelling rules of that particular country; for instance, if you are applying to the US, make sure to follow American spelling and punctuation rules. When you are thoughtful and reflective, this exercise is a process of self-discovery and learning. After writing your essays, you may just have a clearer idea of what you want to accomplish in the future. Most of all, we hope you will discover your authentic voice and enjoy the journey.