How to Start Your College Essay

Key Takeaway:

• When writing a college essay, give yourself time to read over the colleges’ requirements (i.e. prompts and word count).
• Narrow down your topic to something you are genuinely excited to write about.
• Organize your ideas into an outline that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Pique your reader’s attention by using one of the four strong hooks in your introduction: a surprising statement or fact, a descriptive moment, a personal story, or an intriguing (but not overused) quote.
• Start writing without stressing over word count or grammar rules—there will be time to edit and revise afterward.

Filling out your college application might feel like a breeze—until you hit the college essay. Writing that essay can feel intimidating, but starting is easier than you think! It’s all about taking it step by step. So if you’re staring at a blank page wondering, “How do I even start my college essay?” we’ve got your answer. Here are five simple steps to help you get the words flowing.

What Is a College Essay?

By Green Chameleon via Unsplash.

Your college essay is a vital part of your application process. Think of it as the personal side of your application. While your GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars can show what you’ve accomplished, your essay gives a glimpse into who you are. It’s your chance to give a personal statement about your strengths and what makes you stand out from everyone else. A strong essay can even tip the scales in your favor.

Five Steps To Help You Start Your College Essay

If you’re wondering how to begin your college essay, you’re not alone! To make it less overwhelming, follow these five steps to help you get started:

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Step 1: Read Over Colleges’ Requirements

Not all colleges are the same—which means their essay requirements aren’t the same either. Before you even think about writing, take a close look at what each school is asking for. One college might want a short and sweet 300-word essay, while another could ask for 1,000 words. It’s not a suggestion; it’s a rule. Stick to the word count, or you might find yourself getting a rejection letter for not following instructions.

Then there are the prompts—some schools let you write about whatever you want, while others give you specific prompts to follow. For example, the Common App, used by over 1,000 colleges, has a list of seven prompts to choose from, including ones like:

• Share a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that you lose track of time.
• Reflect on something someone did for you that made you happy or thankful.

Sometimes, schools will go for the unexpected. For example, in 2023, the University of Vermont asked “Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?” In a similar fashion, the University of Pennsylvania has asked the following question for over 20 years: “You have just finished your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.” While they might seem random—and even silly—these prompts help colleges choose applicants because they allow you to show your personality and creativity. Colleges want to know if you’re a good fit.

Don’t skip this step! Before you begin anything else, you should have a clear idea of what the colleges you’re applying to are looking for. If you’re still deciding on where to apply, using a college search tool like the one from College Raptor can help you explore potential options.

Step 2: Narrow Your Topic Down

Once you’ve reviewed what the college requires, you’ll need to decide what to write about and how to narrow your topic choices down. Whether you receive a list of prompts to choose from or you have free reign to write about anything, remember this: colleges want to know what makes you stand out. Admissions officers have read hundreds of essays on the same topic—how can you bring originality, authenticity, and personality through your essay?

This is where brainstorming can be a significant help. Write down all of your ideas and think about the stories you could tell. Begin eliminating weaker ideas until you land on the one that feels most you—the one that feels the most personal and exciting. However, if you’re having writer’s block, here are some common themes and questions to help get you started with narrowing it all down:

• Why you want to attend a particular college: Why are you excited about this school? Is it a class, a professor, or the campus vibe? What makes you think, “Yep, this is where I belong”?
• An instance of personal growth: Think back to a time you totally surprised yourself. When did you step outside your comfort zone or learn something important about who you are? How did that moment change you?
• Times you learned from challenges or setbacks: Everyone has faced something hard. When was a time you faced a curveball in life and came out stronger (or at least wiser)? How did it shape your perspective?
• Talk about your background or “story”: What’s something about your upbringing or life experiences that not everyone else has? Is there a tradition, value, or experience that shaped who you are?
• Your experiences within your community: How have you helped out, made an impact, or learned from your community? How have these things shaped the way you see the world?
• What you want to study or do with your life: What lights you up? Is there a moment that made you think, “This is what I want to do”?

Step 3: Organize Ideas

Once you’ve landed on a topic, you’ll need to organize all your thoughts and ideas into an outline to ensure your essay flows well and remains within the word limit. Your outline is your roadmap that will make sure you don’t wander off into unrelated territory.

Step 4: Decide on an Approach for a Strong Introduction

The introduction is going to be what hooks your reader, so spend a little extra time here making sure you have a strong hook or compelling statement that makes them want to keep reading. Remember, as you develop your essay, you can always come back to refine and revise your introduction.

You can start your college essay with a few different hooks:

• Start With a Surprising Statement or Fact: Hook your reader with something completely unexpected. For instance, “I used to believe that failure was the end. And then I failed my first big project—and realized it was simply the beginning of something better.” This type of hook sets the stage for growth and also intrigues the reader to continue reading about the project to understand how you failed and how you overcame.
• Start With a Descriptive Moment: Invite the reader to step into your world by using the five senses to describe an important moment. For example, “The sun was setting behind the mountains as I sat on the edge of the old wooden dock, feeling the cool breeze on my face—I realized how much I’d changed.” By showing, not telling, this hook allows the reader to visualize the scene, making the experience feel real and relatable.
• Start With a Personal Story: Reveal something personal about yourself to connect with the audience, giving them insight into who you are. For example, “The first time I ever stood up for myself was in a crowded room. I spoke up, something clicked, and I realized I wasn’t just talking—I was finally being heard.” This type of hook often makes the reader eager to learn more about who you are and your personal journey.
• Begin With an Intriguing (Not Overused) Quote: A powerful quote can add impact to your story. However, it needs to be one that speaks to your authentic experience. “‘The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance,’ said Alan Watts. I never understood the meaning of this until my life took a recent turn.” This hook sparks curiosity and invites the reader to learn more.

Step 5: Start Writing Your College Essay!

It’s time to start, so open a blank document and begin writing. Don’t worry about how it sounds, whether you’re following grammar rules, or obsessing over the word count—yet. While you should keep those things in mind, the focus right now is on getting everything written down. Let the words flow, while sticking to your outline, as you bring your story to life. There will be time for revising, editing, and trimming once you flush out all your thoughts!

Let’s See an Example!

Now that we’ve discussed the steps for beginning your college essay, let’s use a Common App prompt to show you an example: Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Say you’ve decided to write about the time you started a community project that almost failed because no one showed up at first, but you kept going and eventually succeeded. Here’s how you could structure your college essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion:

Introduction:

• Start with a hook, such as: “I stared at the empty room, feeling like my big idea was crashing before it even started.”
• Introduce the situation briefly—what was the challenge or setback?
• Close the introduction with a thesis of what the essay will talk about: what you learned and how the experience changed you.

Body Paragraph 1:

• What was your goal and why was it important?
• Describe the challenge or setback you faced in detail. For example, “I had sent out dozens of flyers and messages, but only two people showed up that first day.”
• Describe how this affected you.

Body Paragraph 2:

• Shift to how you responded and what actions you took. Highlight your determination, creativity, or growth during this process. “Instead of giving up, I decided to try a different approach…”
• Share how things improved—or even if they didn’t, how you found meaning or resilience throughout the process.

Conclusion:

• Reflect, reflect, reflect: What did you learn from all of this and how are you better because of it? “That empty room taught me something important: even when things don’t go as planned, persistence can lead to unexpected rewards.”
• Bring it all back to the big purpose—how does this connect to your future?

The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a College Essay

Whether you’re writing one college essay or five, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind. Here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts to help you make the best impression:

Your college application essay shouldn’t be written overnight. It’s something that requires thoughtful planning and writing. Starting can be the hardest part, but you just have to begin. These five steps can help guide you through starting your college essay so that it is more manageable. Keep in mind: it’s not about answering a prompt—colleges want to see the real you. Write from a place of true authenticity and you’re sure to stand out among a sea of applicants. Best of luck!