Three College Essays That Work
Published on: by SupertutorTV
Introduction
In this video, we discuss three topic areas that can be effective for writing college application essays. These topics have been found to lead to better writing and can help applicants stand out in the competitive admissions process.
Family Essay
One of the misconceptions that students have when it comes to college essays is that they should only focus on themselves and not include other people. However, writing about one's family can provide a unique perspective on who they are in the context of their family dynamic. Sharing stories about relationships with family members can help create a more engaging and authentic essay. By including family in the essay, students can show a different side of themselves and create an emotional connection with the reader. For example, a student shared a touching story about her immigrant parents and how their hard work inspired her to strive for a better life. This personal connection and emotional depth can make a family essay stand out from other topics.
Writing about family can also help students overcome the challenge of sharing about themselves in a meaningful way. It allows them to be more open, vulnerable, and real in their writing. By showcasing their relationships with family members, students can paint a vivid picture of who they are and what drives them. This authenticity and emotional resonance in a family essay can make it more compelling and memorable for college admissions officers. Overall, the family essay is a powerful topic that allows students to not only share about themselves but also connect on a deeper level with their audience.
AdmitGPT: Your Personal College Admissions AI Assistant
Get tailored college recommendations, essay feedback, interview prep, and more.
Try it nowHumble Brag Essay
The humble brag essay is a unique approach that combines showcasing accomplishments with humility and relatability. This type of essay allows students to highlight their achievements while also acknowledging their imperfections and vulnerabilities. By striking a balance between self-promotion and self-deprecation, students can create a compelling narrative that resonates with the reader. For example, a student shared a story about being a talented musician in a traditional cultural form, balancing the admiration for his skills with the challenges of being misunderstood by his peers. This juxtaposition of success and humility in the humble brag essay can make it engaging and relatable to the reader.
Another effective strategy in the humble brag essay is to use accomplishments as a springboard for personal growth and future aspirations. By acknowledging limitations and mistakes, students can connect with the audience on a more authentic level. For instance, a student wrote about winning a student council election and shared how he used his weaknesses to his advantage by incorporating humor and self-awareness in his campaign. This approach not only showcases achievements but also demonstrates resilience and self-awareness, making the essay more impactful. In essence, the humble brag essay is a powerful tool for students to present themselves as accomplished yet humble individuals with a drive for continuous improvement.
Personal Universal Essay
The personal universal essay is a genre that transforms personal anecdotes into deeper insights and universal truths. By using personal stories as metaphors for larger concepts, students can elevate their narratives to resonate on a universal level. This type of essay encourages students to reflect on their experiences and extract meaningful lessons or epiphanies that transcend individual circumstances. For example, the author shared a personal story about overcoming childhood struggles with crying excessively and how it led to a realization about controlling emotions through belief systems and storytelling. This journey of self-discovery became a metaphor for understanding universal truths about perspective, self-awareness, and emotional control.
Moreover, the personal universal essay allows students to explore complex ideas through the lens of their personal experiences. By connecting intimate narratives to broader themes, students can engage readers with profound insights and thought-provoking reflections. For instance, students have used immigrant experiences or cultural practices as metaphors for adapting to new challenges and embracing diversity. This approach not only enriches the storytelling but also deepens the impact of the essay by highlighting shared human experiences and values. Ultimately, the personal universal essay challenges students to move beyond surface-level storytelling and delve into deeper reflections that resonate with a wider audience.
AdmitGPT: Your Personal College Admissions AI Assistant
Get tailored college recommendations, essay feedback, interview prep, and more.
Try it nowHighlights
- Family essays allow applicants to share personal stories and connect with readers emotionally.
- Humble brag essays strike a balance between showcasing accomplishments and being relatable.
- Personal universal essays use personal stories to explore universal truths and ideas.
FAQ
A: Family essays provide an opportunity for applicants to share personal stories and connect with readers on an emotional level, showcasing a different side of themselves.
A: Humble brag essays allow applicants to showcase their achievements while also being relatable and down-to-earth, creating a balanced and appealing narrative.
A: Personal universal essays enable applicants to use their personal stories as a vehicle to explore deeper truths and ideas, showing their introspective and thoughtful side to admissions committees.
See Also
Tips for SAT Writing Language Test
College Application Journey: Acceptance to MIT, BU, Duke, and Stanford
Five Random Reasons Colleges May Reject You