Are you a high school junior/rising senior struggling to write/start your Common App essay? Here are a few tips that might be useful:
1) Look at the Essay Prompts
Although the Common App prompts remain fairly similar from year to year, make sure you have checked the current year's essay prompts!
2) Use the Prompts to Help You Brainstorm
Not sure of how to tackle the essay or what topic to write about? Use the prompts to help you brainstorm ideas for topics. For instance, one prompts might ask you to talk about a significant event that has shaped you, while another might ask you to write about an obstacle you have faced. Once you've identified possible topics to write about, then choose your prompt accordingly.
3) Breakdown the Prompt
Most prompts have 2 parts: The first is describing something you did, or something that happened to you; the second is explaining what that meant to you. You need to address both sides of the prompt in order to render a complete essay.
For instance:
Reflect on a time when you questioned a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
What is this question asking? It is a broad question, but it prompts you to not only tell a story, but also analyze both the outcome and your personal feelings towards it. So if you are writing about a time you questioned traditional family values your parents taught you to believe in, do not only talk about the specific event --> write about what was going on in your head at the time. Why did you question this? What happened once you did?
4) Avoid the Cliché Achievement Story
"I was really bad at math. But one day I decided to study really hard to prove to my parents and teachers that I could succeed. Thankfully my hard work paid off and I got the top grade in math."
Did you yawn just by reading these 3 sentences? Imagine 600+ words that go on and on like this. Stories like these are boring and predictable. We all know not to state our resumé in our essay, but you also shouldn't use an achievement as being the arc of your story. Use something more unique and personal, and you may even weave in some pieces of your achievements within it.
5) Be Personal
You are not made up of grades and achievements. You are not a robot. You have emotions, friends, family, a social life, ideas, opinions... This is the time to show that. It is a time to let the admissions committees hear your voice!
6) Avoid Repetition
This will probably not be the only essay your will be writing. Chances are that you will also write supplemental essays for each college you are applying to. So if you are writing about the amazing basketball team the X college has, and how you want to join it in the supplement, try not to write about basketball in your common app essay. Yes, consistency is good, but other parts of your application will back up you interest and achievements in basketball. Use your common app essay to show different facets of your personality and your life.
7) Be Specific
You do not have a lot of space here, so you cannot write about your entire life. You also do not want to be vague. Get down to detail. It is these specific, unique factors that will make you stand out, and therefore be memorable. If you're writing about your parents' divorce --> show them why you are writing about it. A lot of high schoolers went through their parents getting divorced. What was unique to your experience? Remember to also reflect and also share your perspective.
8) Write a Great Opening Line
When you start reading a novel, what gets you hooked? Usually that's the beginning, and it's not different with your essay. The admissions committees are reading thousands of different applications and essays a day, and nobody has such an amazing attention span to remember all of these essays and apps. Remember that your essay will be read by a human being! Entertain them! That starts with the opening line.
9) Read Examples
Self explanatory
10) Be Genuine
The people reading your application are trained to look out for insincerity. Yes, technically you want to entertain them, but you do not want to write something just because you think that's what colleges want to hear about. Use the kind of vocabulary you usually use; using too many "fancy' words will probably show you are trying too hard. Write about something that actually happened to you; lying is a no no. Finally write about something that actually matters to you; that will motivate you to perfect your essay as well as write enthusiastically, letting your voice and personality shine!