The most general answer to that question is that
your essay can be about almost anything
, as long as it fits the prompt you've chosen or been given. In some sense, it's easier to say which topics you shouldn't use for your college application essay.
What should you not write about in a college essay?
- Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Never write about a “topic”
- Never start with a preamble.
- Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
- Never pontificate.
- Never retreat into your thoughts.
- Never hold back.
- Never give TMI.
What is the best thing to write about in a college essay?
The best way to tell your story is to write a
personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you
. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through. … Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.
Can you lie in your college essay?
While writing your essay, there's no need to stretch the truth. The essay is your chance to let your own voice come through your application: don't waste it on lies. … When it comes to the college essay, admissions committees have seen it all. The worst thing you can do is make up a story for your college essay.
Does your college essay have to be about you?
The application already includes your resume, or a detailed list of your various activities. Unless the prompt specifically asks you to write about your main activity, the essay
needs to be about a facet of your interests and personality that doesn't come through the other parts of the application
.
Is it OK to talk about depression in a college essay?
College Transitions bottom line
If you are going to discuss your depression, anxiety, or other mental condition in your application, do so in a
strategic manner
for the purpose of illuminating otherwise unexplained inconsistencies in your academic record.
Should I write about trauma in my college essay?
Traumatic or otherwise difficult experiences do NOT have to be off the table for your college application essays. They are
legitimate subjects
(depending on the essay prompt, of course; it has to make sense as a response to the particular question).
How long should a college essay be 2021?
The primary essay for your college application, often called a personal statement, is typically
around 400-600 words
. The Common App personal statement — which is used as the primary application essay by more than 800 colleges — must be 250-650 words.
How do you start off a college essay?
- Try starting with a question.
- Begin with a bold statement.
- Use an interesting quote.
- Put the reader in medias res, that is, in the middle of things. …
- Challenge the reader by speaking directly to him/her.
- Tell the reader what you do NOT want to do in your writing.
Is it bad to write about religion in college essays?
The short answer is this:
it's okay to discuss religion in your essay
as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal. … And it can be off-putting to readers, particularly to those who don't share your religious beliefs (which, statistically speaking, is likely).
Can colleges tell if you're lying?
They notice when things you say don't match with what your teachers or counselors say in the letters of recommendation. And colleges won't hesitate to call your counselor to verify information that doesn't seem right. They
don't do it to catch you in a lie
. They do it to make sure they have accurate information.
Can you go to jail for lying on a college application?
Lying on college applications is a really bad idea. It's morally wrong. It severely jeopardizes your chances for admission. And, if you get caught,
you risk not only not getting in, you risk going to jail
.
Do college admissions check facts?
11 of the colleges interviewed said
they do not fact check applications whatsoever
. … Many colleges, if they find something off about an application, will contact counselors first to get more information on a student.
Can I write my college essay about a TV show?
So if a TV show works for you and the essay is
well-written
(have someone with the skills proofread it-very important that errors of fact and language be absent), original (no plagiarism, it WILL be caught), and pertinent to what you're trying to project of yourself, I say go for it.
Can you write about death in a college essay?
To be sure, a college essay on the death of a parent or death in a family can have a
positive impact
on a student's application. The gravity of these subjects makes them impactful, full of emotions, and very captivating for admissions officers, but only if they're done right.
Can a good college essay get you in?
The short answer here is:
No, an essay won't get you into college on its own
. Your acceptance at most universities is dictated primarily by your GPA, course-load (how hard your classes are) and, to varying degrees, your test scores, recommendations, and extracurriculars.
Should I talk about Covid in my college essay?
If you're hoping to share your experience with COVID-19, both the Common Application and Coalition Application offer an
optional essay section students can use to address
the topic. … As such, we generally recommend students use this COVID-19 section, rather than their personal statement, to discuss the pandemic.
Can you talk about mental health in college essay?
All counselors interviewed for this piece agreed that students' college essays
should not be about their struggles
with mental health. … Vinik says that mental health problems should only be shared in the essay if the college would not be able to understand the applicant without knowing about this part of her.
Should I talk about anxiety in my college essay?
Recently, I've noticed a concerning uptick in the number of students asking whether it's appropriate for them to write about mental health issues, most frequently ADD and/or anxiety, in their college applications. So the short answer:
don't do it.
… Do not write your main essay about the issue.
Do colleges look at mental health records?
Instead, college students' health records fall under the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act
, which gives parents the right to inspect their children's records at an educational institution. … Universities walk a fine line when providing that treatment or mental-health services to students.
How long should my uncommon essay be?
The second essay that you'll need to write is far more open-ended. The suggested length is
650 words
, and you can choose from six prompts, all of which are highly unconventional. Each prompt is inspired by current UChicago students or recent graduates.
Is a 300 word paragraph too long?
Paragraphs get too long
, extending beyond the acceptable research text range of 100-200 words to take up 300 words or more. Often this happens because tokens have multiplied or swollen outside the limits that can be handled easily.
Can a paragraph be 500 words?
500 words is
about 2.5-5 paragraphs for essays
or 5-10 for easy reading. A paragraph typically has 100-200 words and 5-6 sentences.
Does a 500 word essay have to be exactly 500 words?
500-word
essays do not have to be exactly 500 words
, but they should be as close as possible. The essay prompt may say “in under 500 words” or “in at least 500 words,” which would state whether 500 is the minimum or maximum word count.
Is it bad to start a college essay with a quote?
The purpose of the college essay is to help the committee get to know you, not to convince someone that you know how to research a topic such as Napoleon's War Tactics. Since quotations are not your own words,
never use them in a critical point
or in place of your own analysis.
What is a good opening sentence for a college essay?
The very first sentence of your essay should be
the “hook” or “grabber.”
This sentence “hooks” readers or “grabs” their attention, making them want to read more. This first sentence should provide rich details, engage a reader's curiosity, or otherwise stand out from the rest.
Is it illegal to have someone edit your college essay?
It's
fine
to have someone with strong skills in grammar, spelling and usage proofread your essay for errors and typos. It's not fine to have someone write any portion of or make substantial changes to your essay. Colleges want to hear your voice and ideas and no one else's.
Do colleges call your high school?
Colleges look at all four years of
high
school when evaluating applications, and there are certain things they look for that might not be obvious to students, like upward grade trends, increasing curriculum rigor each year, consistent involvement in activities or a field of study, and more.
Can you lie about volunteer hours?
A little lie or exaggeration won't make any difference in your application – it won't make it stronger, and it won't get you admitted. But it can get you all stressed out and worried about the consequences. So, in the most practical sense – no benefits for you, only
negatives
, even if you get away with it.
How long does it take to write college essays?
How long does it take to write a college essay? While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending
at least 1–3 weeks
brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay, and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts.
Can you talk about drugs in your college essay?
Writing about sex, drugs, or any other inappropriate topics in your college essay isn't edgy, it's disrespectful, and it shows that you're someone who is thinking more about getting a reaction than about communicating something truthful and helpful to the admissions officer reading it. Sex: Seriously, avoid it.
Can you lie about clubs on college apps?
It's
never worth it
to lie on your college application! It will derail your education down the line if discovered (you'll get kicked out or have your degree revoked).
Yes,
College Admissions Officers Do Look at Applicants' Social Media
, Survey Finds. Guidance counselors often warn their students that college admissions officers may be taking a peek at their social media accounts. And a new survey confirms their cautions.
Can you exaggerate in college essays?
It may seem like you're shooting yourself in the leg if you don't embellish your application to better your chances of getting in. But it is
possible
to fill out a college or graduate school application without making exaggerations, and still stand out.
Are need blind schools really need blind?
In order to be truly “need-blind,” an
institution must be able to offer admission to unlimited numbers of candidates without
any knowledge of the individual or collective financial needs of those students until after the offers are made.
Can you get expelled for lying?
The short answer to this question is yes,
you can be expelled for lying on your college application
. If the school authorities suspect you of lying on your college application, you have to face a code of conduct violation.
What happens if you make a mistake on college application?
On the Common Application, if your mistake appears on any component other than the essay, you
can correct it
without creating a new version of the Common Application. … If you are not, check with the college to see if you can submit a corrected version of the essay directly to that college.
What happens if u lie on your college application?
There will be major consequences if you're caught. If adcoms find out that you lied on your application before the decision date,
chances are your application will be rejected
. If they find you after you've been accepted, then your application could be rescinded.
