How To Write A Personal Essay For Your College Applications

Declan Gessel

May 3, 2024

college student on laptop - How To Write A Personal Essay

If you're looking to dive into how to write an essay, you're in the right place. Whether you're new to personal essays or looking to elevate your existing style, understanding how to write an essay can improve your skills and make your writing more engaging overall. With the right skill set, you can write a personal essay that captivates your audience and tells a compelling story.

What Is A Personal Essay?

Personal essays are a genre of writing that allows students to share their unique experiences, thoughts, and insights. This type of essay does not have to follow a specific format but should highlight the writer's voice, personality, and thoughts.

When writing a personal essay for a college application, students can explore any aspect of their life, from their time spent playing a sport to their relationships, emotions, or beliefs. The goal is to show admission officers a side of the applicant that they can't see from test scores or grades.

Purpose of Personal Essays

The main goal of personal essays in college applications is to give admission officers a sense of the writer's personality and help them get a better understanding of the person behind the application. This type of essay allows students to showcase their individuality, creativity, and unique perspective.

Students can talk about their likes and dislikes, their accomplishments, or challenges they have overcome. The goal is to create a narrative that the reader can connect with and enjoy.

Key Characteristics of Personal Essays

When writing a personal essay for a college application, there are a few key characteristics to keep in mind:

Non-fiction and truthful

Personal essays are non-fiction, which means they tell a true story. Admission officers are looking for authenticity and honesty in the essays they read.

Focus on a specific experience, theme, or idea

Personal essays should focus on a specific aspect of the writer's life or experiences. This could be a single event, a relationship, a belief, or a particular moment that changed the writer's life.

Engaging and reveals something unique about the applicant

Personal essays should be engaging and well-written, drawing the reader in and keeping them interested. They should also reveal something unique or interesting about the applicant that admissions officers wouldn't know from the rest of the application.

How To Brainstorm A Compelling Personal Essay Topic

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Think about the challenges you've overcome, achievements you're proud of, or unique experiences that shaped you. Consider what drives you or what skills or qualities you want to highlight. In addition, reflect on your goals and how your experiences relate to your academic and future aspirations. All of these reflections can help you identify interesting and unique topics for your personal essay.

Crafting a Narrative

Seek out specific events or stories that reveal something about who you are. Can you develop a compelling narrative around a particular experience or moment in your life? Crafting a story can help bring your personal essay to life and engage the reader.

Utilizing Prompts

Many colleges provide specific prompts for personal essays. These prompts can serve as helpful guides for your brainstorming process. You can use the prompt as a starting point and then infuse your unique voice and experiences into your essay. Remember to stay true to your own story and perspective.

Selecting a Strong Topic

When brainstorming for a personal essay, think about whether your chosen topic has the potential to develop a clear and interesting thesis. Does it showcase your individuality and writing skills effectively? Choosing a topic with these qualities can make your personal essay compelling and memorable.

Develop a Strong Personal Thesis Statement In 6 Simple Steps

woman writing on book - How To Write A Personal Essay

When it comes to writing a personal essay, a strong thesis statement is like a minimap for your readers. It gives them a clear idea of what your essay is about and what main point you'll be arguing. Crafting a powerful thesis needs to be a priority when writing your essay. Let me break down how to create a strong thesis statement for your personal essay.

Understand the Purpose of Your Thesis

Your thesis is the heart of your essay. It is the most important sentence that explains what your essay will show about you. Think of it as a promise to your readers that you will explore a specific idea about yourself and your experiences.

Break Down Your Brainstorming

Start by recalling the topic you've chosen for your essay. What experience, passion, or value are you focusing on? Dig deeper to identify the specific point you want to make about this topic in relation to yourself.

Craft Your Thesis

When crafting your thesis, simplicity is key. Aim for a clear and concise sentence that is easy to understand. Use your own words and avoid overly complicated language. Make sure to incorporate the "So What?" factor by explaining why the experience or value you've chosen matters and how it reflects on you.

The "Formula"

While not a strict rule, a common thesis structure can be helpful. Start by briefly stating the experience or topic you'll discuss. Following this, explain how this experience relates to you and what it reveals about you.

Examples for Clarity

To help you understand better, let's consider an example. Instead of saying, "I volunteered at an animal shelter," you could craft a thesis like, "Volunteering at the animal shelter not only fostered my compassion for animals but also helped me discover my leadership skills through caring for the rescued pets."

Revise and Refine

After crafting your thesis, read it out loud. Make sure it flows smoothly and makes sense. Ensure that your thesis accurately represents your chosen topic and its connection to you.

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How To Write A Personal Essay With Good Structure

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One of the most important aspects of writing a personal essay is the structure. A well-structured essay ensures that your readers stay engaged and focused. It makes your message clear and easily understandable. An essay without structure can be confusing, difficult to read, and can cause the reader to lose interest quickly.

With a clear and well-organized structure, you will be able to present your thoughts and ideas in a logical and coherent way. This will make it easier for your readers to follow your arguments and to understand your message.

The Basic Essay Structure

A personal essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction is where you introduce your topic and present your thesis statement. The body is where you develop your argument and present your evidence. The conclusion is where you summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Crafting a Captivating Introduction

To grab the reader's attention right from the start, it's essential to use a strong opening hook. This can be a question, a surprising fact, or a personal anecdote. The purpose of the introduction is to introduce your topic and present your thesis statement.

The thesis statement is the main idea of your essay - it is the central point that you will be arguing throughout your essay. Crafting a strong and clear thesis statement is crucial for your essay's overall success.

Building Strong Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Then, use evidence such as examples, stories, or details to illustrate your points.

Evidence makes your arguments stronger and more convincing. To ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs, use transitions such as "furthermore," "in addition," and "however." This helps to connect your ideas and make your essay more cohesive.

Writing a Powerful Conclusion

In conclusion, summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on the reader. You can restate your thesis statement and briefly recap the main points of your essay. You can also include a call to action or final thought, encouraging the reader to think about the issue further or take some kind of action. This will leave the reader with a sense of closure and a lasting impact.

Writing Guidelines

Incorporate these guidelines into your writing to create a compelling and engaging personal essay. A well-structured essay keeps your readers engaged and your message clear. In the introduction, you grab the reader's attention with a strong opening hook. Each body paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis, with evidence to illustrate your points.

Use transitions between paragraphs for a smooth flow. In conclusion, summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on the reader. An optional call to action or final thought can encourage the reader to take further action or think more deeply about the topic.

Bonus Tips For Writing A Stellar Personal Essay For Your College Applications

idea on note - How To Write A Personal Essay

When writing a personal essay, it is crucial to infuse your piece with your unique voice and personality. This gives the reader a deeper insight into who you are as an individual. The essay should sound like you – not a generic, impersonal piece of writing. Avoid using overly formal language or clichés; strive for a conversational tone that will engage the reader.

Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading is a vital step in the writing process. Grammar, spelling, and typo errors can detract from the overall quality of your essay. It is wise to have someone else review your essay for clarity and flow. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes that you may have missed. Good editing can often be the difference between a good and an exceptional essay.

Formatting Considerations

Colleges may have specific formatting requirements for essays. Ensure you adhere to these requirements. For instance, the font size, margins, and spacing may be specified. Maintaining a uniform and professional format is essential. This shows your attention to detail and will give your essay a polished appearance.

Common College Essay Formats

MLA, APA, and Chicago formats are commonly used for college essays. Familiarize yourself with these formats and adapt your essay accordingly. This demonstrates your ability to follow guidelines and shows respect for the institution you are applying to. The specifics of these formats may differ, so it is wise to be well-versed in each.

Following College Guidelines

Each college may have its own unique formatting requirements for personal essays. It is essential to check with the colleges you are applying to and tailor your essay according to their guidelines. Be aware of word count limits, font sizes, and other requirements that colleges may specify.

The Final Touches

A compelling title can draw the reader in and set the tone for your essay. Ensure your title is relevant and captures the essence of your essay. Leaving a lasting impression on the reader is essential. Conclude your essay with a strong and memorable message. This will linger with the reader long after they finish reading your piece.

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One of the most useful features of Jotbot is its ability to generate AI outlines for essays. These outlines help users organize their thoughts and ensure they are covering all necessary points in their writing. This tool is especially valuable for students who struggle with the essay-writing process or who need guidance in creating a strong thesis statement.

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