As college application season approaches, one of the most critical—and often intimidating—pieces of the puzzle is the personal statement, also known as the Common App essay. This 650-word essay is your student’s opportunity to speak directly to admissions officers beyond transcripts and test scores. It’s their chance to be heard.
If your teen needs help to craft a compelling college essay, our team of expert college advisors can help! Learn more here.
🎙️Listen to Expert Discussions on the college essay on the Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Podcast
Here’s what you need to know about how you can support your student in crafting an authentic and powerful essay that stands out.
🎯 Purpose of the Essay
College admissions officers use the essay to:
- Understand who your student is beyond academics
- Learn how they think, reflect, and express themselves
- See how they might contribute to the campus community
It's not about showcasing a résumé—it’s about telling a story that reveals character, voice, and growth.
🧠 What Makes a Great Essay
✅ Personal and Reflective: The best essays focus on a moment or story that reveals a student’s values, personality, or transformation.
✅ Specific Over Generic: Instead of broad statements (“I learned the value of hard work”), students should share specific scenes or dialogue (“At 4:55 a.m., my alarm rang, and I knew the bakery’s ovens were already hot…”).
✅ Authenticity Rules: Admissions officers can tell when essays are overly polished or written by an adult. Encourage your student to be themselves—even quirky or vulnerable—over trying to be impressive.
✅ Demonstrates Growth: A strong essay reflects how the student thinks and what they’ve learned. A challenge or failure can make an excellent topic if it shows maturity and insight.
✨ Topic Ideas That Work
Here are a few examples of strong essay directions:
- A small, meaningful tradition in your family and what it represents
- A time your student changed their mind or perspective
- Something that didn't go as planned—and how they handled it
- An unexpected passion or interest and how it shaped them
- An ordinary object with an extraordinary story
🚫 What to Avoid
- Rehashing the résumé: Save that for the Activities section.
- Trauma without reflection: Sensitive topics require care and maturity.
- Clichés: “Winning the big game” or “volunteering changed my life” must be approached with a fresh lens—or skipped altogether.
- Over-editing by adults: Let your student’s voice shine.
⚠️ Caution: Topics like mission trips, sports victories, or generic hardships can work—but only if deeply personal and self-reflective.
📅 Timeline for Success
Here’s a sample essay timeline to keep things manageable:
TimeframeTask
June- Brainstorm and choose a topic
July- Draft version 1
August- Revise with feedback
September- Finalize and polish
Summer is an ideal time to get started—before school and applications get hectic.
🤝 How You Can Help
- Ask questions, don’t edit: “Why was that moment important to you?” helps more than fixing grammar.
- Be a sounding board: Sometimes just talking it out can help a student find their voice.
- Support, don’t steer: Let your teen take the lead—admissions officers want their story, not ours.
If you'd like a list of trusted writing prompts, resources, or essay assistance, feel free to reach out to us here.