TIP 1: Create an engaging title

When writing a college essay, it’s important to choose a title that is relevant to your topic to ensure a properly formatted college essay. A good title can spark curiosity in the reader, which is a key aspect of engagement. Remember, you don’t have to use a title for your college essay. However, many students do so to add a playful twist to their language or to respond to the college’s question unexpectedly.

For example, consider Oana Emilia Butnareanu’s college essay titled “A Different Kind of Love” in 50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays Book. This title makes us wonder: what kind of love is being referred to as ‘different’? Is it the author’s love for someone else, or perhaps a passion for a certain activity or career? The only way to find out is to keep reading. This curiosity is what makes a title effective.

So, if you decide to include a title in your college essay, make sure it’s engaging and sparks curiosity. But most importantly, be honest with your readers. That’s the best way to create a title for your college essay.

TIP 2: Stick to using paragraph breaks when drafting

Using paragraph breaks can be more effective than indented paragraphs when writing a college essay. This is especially true when you’re copying and pasting your essay from an editing software like Google Docs or Microsoft Word into an application box. Sometimes, the formatting of the essay can break during this process.

To prevent your college essay formatting from breaking and creating more work for you, it’s a good idea to use paragraph breaks.. Not only are paragraph breaks resistant to formatting issues, but they also present your personal statement more neatly.

Remember, it’s not professional to use bullet points in a college essay. So, stick to paragraph breaks for a clean, professional look.

TIP 3: Adhere to the specified word count

Colleges often provide word count limits for applicants. Some colleges may set a maximum of 650 words, while others may ask for a limit of 350 words. However, some colleges don’t specify a word count limit.

If a college doesn’t specify a word count, it’s a good idea to reach out to their support team and ask for their specific word count limit. It’s not advisable to assume that you can write an essay of any length.

Remember, most college admissions officers speed-read your content. Writing a very long essay could make it difficult for them to consume your content. So, it’s best to stick to the word count limit provided.

TIP 4: Don’t use bolds, italics, and underlines

When you’re writing an essay for college, it’s best to keep it simple. Sometimes, if you try to use fancy formatting like bold or italics, it might not show up in your final essay. This is because the college application page might remove these formats.

So, if you want to highlight something important in your essay, don’t rely on too much formatting that includes the use of bolds, italics, and underlines. Instead, use your words and how you arrange your sentences to make your point stand out. This is a good writing skill to have, and it will help you in the future.

TIP 5: Work with simple font types, sizes, and color

When you’re writing a college essay, it’s important to keep things simple. This includes using simple font types, sizes, and colors. Avoid fancy fonts and aim for basic ones like Times New Roman or Georgia. These are simple and standard fonts that anyone can read easily.

Remember, you’re not designing your essay, you’re writing it. So, you don’t need to worry about matching fonts for design purposes. Just stick to an 11 or 12-point font size, as suggested by the College Essay Guy. And always use black for your font color.

If you try to use fancy fonts, sizes, or colors, it might draw unnecessary attention to your application. This could hurt your chances of getting into college. Admissions officers might see you as someone who is not serious, which is not the impression you want to give.

FAQ

Is there a structure for a college essay?

A college essay has a clear structure. It includes a title, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. So yes, there is a specific structure for a college essay, and this is it.

How do I start off a college essay?

The best way to start a college essay is by making your first sentence interesting. This ‘hooks’ the reader into the story you’re about to tell. After that, you should present your main idea, often in the form of a thesis statement.

Some experts might say you don’t need a thesis, but it can help give your essay structure. It makes it easier for the admissions officer to understand your essay. Without a thesis, your essay might lack cohesion and structure, which could confuse the reader.

When you describe events in your essay, the reader should know what to expect. They shouldn’t feel like they’re ‘falling out of the sky’. A thesis can help with this because it tells the reader what they’ll be reading about. This way, they’re less likely to feel lost or confused by what you’ve written.

What is a good way to end a college essay?

A good way to end a college essay is by restating your main idea or thesis from your introduction. This helps to remind the reader of who you are. It also helps them remember the most important parts of your personality that you’ve shown in your essay, even when they’re looking at other applications.

How long should a college essay be?

Your college essay should be as long as the college asks for. Sticking to this limit shows that you can follow the rules and write clearly without giving too much information.