The greatest shawarma in Dubai. Lasting lessons learned on a “cursed” bus. A bold vision for the future of biotechnology. The joy of pairing different types of literature with particular drinks. What do these strange and interesting topics have in common? Ivy Options students wrote about them in their Common Application Personal Statements (CAPS) and used these stories to get into some of their top choice schools.
The personal essay required by more than 1,000 US universities and colleges is one of the most important elements in the US college application process. In the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, four-year colleges reported that high school grades in college prep classes and strength of curriculum were the most important factors in admission decisions. However, positive personal character attributes and essays were the next key factors on that list.
Developing an outstanding essay can help a student stand out in a sea of applicants with similar academic records. Since the US Supreme Court’s 2023 decision removed affirmative action as a factor in admissions, colleges have been eager to provide creative ways for students to share more about their identity and backgrounds. The CAPS is an effective vehicle to humanize and highlight the best of a student.
Ivy Options’ counseling team is here to help students tell their story – from brainstorming to the final fine-tuning. When writing the CAPS, here are our top focus areas:
Begin Early: Start planning and writing in the spring of 11th grade/Year 12. When 12th grade/Year 13 starts, you don’t want to find yourself overwhelmed with academics and extracurriculars plus college application essays. Getting a head start on your essays will make your final autumn of high school less stressful, more successful, and even enjoyable.
Be Authentic: The goal of CAPS is to create a piece of writing that’s highly personalized and unique to you. Think about a wide range of topics and don’t limit yourself; be willing to share your values, insights, experiences, and vulnerabilities through the stories you tell.
See the Big Picture: The CAPS is just one part of your overall application; your grades, testing, recommendation letters, activity list, and supplements matter as well. However, the work you do in crafting and polishing this essay will enhance your overall writing skills and benefit you when drafting supplemental essays. Steps such as reading aloud, having others review your draft, opening and closing with strong ideas or imagery, and avoiding repetition demonstrate your strong writing ability to universities.
Commit to Success: The essay cannot be written well in one session. It will require you to meet regularly with your IO counselor and to do some independent writing and revisions. Keeping up with the deadlines set by your counselor and responding promptly to feedback will ensure you create something special – and ultimately more memorable to admissions officers!