How to Create Strong College Essays

The college application process inherently consumes time and causes stress, especially the college essay portion. The first half of the application process entails the tedious recounting of everything accomplished in high school, while the second half —the essay portion—requires more time and reflection. Different universities often ask a variety of in-depth questions while expecting concise, well-written, and authentic responses. Through personal experience, I have learned the importance of starting your college essays sooner rather than later. Getting started earlier helps to mitigate stress while eliminating the feeling of trying to meet a rapidly approaching deadline. Procrastinating makes it significantly more difficult to produce an excellent essay. Receiving outside help also plays a large role in creating an exceptional piece. Having friends and people with a background in writing take a look at your essay helps you to catch more mistakes and better your writing style. Lastly, college essays must appropriately convey your own honest message. Everyone has a unique life filled with genuine moments, so do not try to force authenticity to make yourself stand out. Being original in your answers may require time to reflect on the meaningful moments in your life, but it is absolutely necessary and well worth it to create a quality-work. By avoiding procrastination, receiving outside help, and being yourself, anyone can construct a strong college essay.