What Makes a Strong College Essay?

And Why It Matters More Than You Think

Your college essay isn’t just another writing assignment—it’s your opportunity to speak directly to admissions officers and show them who you are beyond the numbers. A strong college essay can elevate an application that might otherwise blend in with the stack.

But what exactly makes an essay strong? Let’s break it down.

1. It's Personal and Authentic

College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year. What makes one stand out is its ability to reflect the student’s genuine voice and personal experience.

✔️ What to do: Write about a moment, challenge, or insight that changed your perspective. Let your personality, humor, and humanity come through.

❌ What to avoid: Trying to write what you think colleges want to hear. Generic, overly polished, or cliché essays feel impersonal and flat.

2. It Tells a Compelling Story

A strong essay reads like a story, not a resume. It should pull the reader in with a beginning, build tension or reflection in the middle, and end with growth or clarity.

✔️ What to do: Start with a hook or an image. Use vivid detail to draw the reader in. Focus on a single narrative arc rather than trying to list your accomplishments.

❌ What to avoid: Using the essay to rehash your resume or activities list—that information is already on your application.

3. It Shows Insight or Growth

The best essays reveal how you think, learn, and grow. Colleges want to see your ability to reflect on experiences and draw meaning from them.

✔️ What to do: Ask yourself: What did I learn? How did I change? Why does this matter? Make sure your takeaway is clear and thoughtful.

❌ What to avoid: Telling a story with no reflection. Without personal insight, even a dramatic story falls flat.

4. It Highlights Your Fit or Potential

While you don’t need to mention a specific college in your main essay, your writing should subtly show the qualities that make you a great fit for a college community: curiosity, resilience, empathy, or leadership.

✔️ What to do: Focus on moments that highlight your values, work ethic, or perspective. Admissions readers are looking for a glimpse of who you'll be on their campus.

❌ What to avoid: Bragging or exaggerating. Confidence is good—ego is not.

5. It’s Clear, Concise, and Well-Edited

No matter how powerful your story, a college essay loses impact if it’s full of grammatical mistakes or awkward sentences.

✔️ What to do: Write multiple drafts. Read it aloud. Get feedback from someone you trust—but ensure the final version still reflects your voice.

❌ What to avoid: Relying on AI, templates, or over-editing that scrubs out your unique tone.

Final Thoughts

Your college essay is your chance to say, “Here’s who I am, and here’s why I matter.” That kind of message takes thought, courage, and care, but the results are worth it.

Feeling stuck or unsure where to start? I help students find their voice, craft their stories, and write essays that resonate. Contact us today to get started, HCAdvising@poweredbysc.com