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How to Write a College Application Essay That Stands Out
Go beyond the Common App personal statement. Learn how to write supplemental essays, 'Why This School' essays, and short-answer responses that admissions officers remember.
Table of Contents
How to Write a College Application Essay That Stands Out
TL;DR
College application essays go beyond the Common App. Supplemental essays ask "Why this school?" and "What makes you unique?" The key: be specific, be genuine, and show that you've done your research. Generic essays get generic results.
Beyond the Common App: The Full Essay Picture
Most students spend all their energy on the Common App personal statement and then speed through everything else. Big mistake.
Here's what you might actually need to write:
- Common App Personal Statement (650 words) — Goes to every school
- Supplemental Essays (varies) — School-specific, usually 1-3 per school
- "Why This School?" Essays (150-400 words) — Most common supplemental
- Short Answer Responses (50-150 words) — Quick-hit questions
- Activity Descriptions (150 characters each) — Brief descriptions of your activities
- Additional Information Section (optional) — For context that doesn't fit elsewhere
If you're applying to 8-12 schools, you could easily be writing 15-25+ essays. That's a LOT of writing. Let's make sure each one counts.
The "Why This School?" Essay (Most Common Supplemental)
Almost every selective college asks some version of: "Why do you want to attend [School Name]?"
What They're Really Asking
- Have you researched our school specifically?
- Would you actually be a good fit here?
- Are you going to accept if we admit you?
The Formula That Works
Paragraph 1: Specific academic reasons Mention specific programs, professors, courses, or research opportunities. Be detailed enough that this paragraph could ONLY apply to this school.
Paragraph 2: Specific extracurricular/community reasons Mention specific clubs, organizations, traditions, or campus features you're excited about.
Paragraph 3: Connection to your goals Explain how THIS school specifically helps you achieve YOUR specific goals.
Example of BAD vs GOOD
❌ Bad: "I want to attend [University] because it has a great biology program and a beautiful campus. The professors are world-class and the school has a strong reputation."
This could be about ANY school. There's nothing specific.
✅ Good: "I'm drawn to [University]'s integrative biology program because of its emphasis on field research — specifically Dr. Martinez's ongoing study of pollinator decline in urban ecosystems. As someone who's spent two years monitoring monarch butterfly populations in my backyard, the opportunity to contribute to real ecological research as an undergraduate is exactly what I'm looking for. Beyond the lab, I'd love to join the Environmental Action Coalition, whose campus composting initiative aligns with my work starting a recycling program at my high school."
This is specific, personal, and shows genuine research.
How to Research a School for Your Essay
- Visit the school's website — Look at specific department pages, not just the admissions page
- Read the course catalog — Find courses that excite you
- Look up professors — Find ones whose research interests you
- Check clubs and organizations — Which ones would you join?
- Read the school newspaper — What's happening on campus?
- Talk to current students — What do they love about the school?
- Visit if possible — In person or virtual tours
Short Answer Responses (The Underrated Art)
Many applications include 50-150 word short answer questions like:
- "What's your favorite book and why?"
- "Describe a meaningful extracurricular activity"
- "What would you contribute to our community?"
Tips for Short Answers
Be specific, not general. In 100 words, you don't have room for vague statements. Every word must earn its place.
Show personality. Short answers are where admissions officers see your voice. Be genuine and let your personality shine.
Answer the actual question. Don't use a short answer prompt as an excuse to talk about something unrelated.
Don't repeat your main essay. Each piece of your application should show something NEW about you.
Example: "What's your favorite book and why?" (100 words)
❌ Bad: "My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird because it teaches important lessons about racism and morality. I read it in 9th grade and it changed my perspective."
✅ Good: "I reread 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto every November. There's a line about finding comfort in the hum of a refrigerator that I think about constantly. My grandmother passed when I was fourteen, and her kitchen — with its perpetually running fridge and counters dusted with flour — was my safest place. Yoshimoto taught me that grief isn't dramatic. Sometimes it's just standing in a quiet kitchen, listening to the hum, and knowing someone you loved stood there too."
The "Extracurricular Activity" Essay
Some schools ask you to elaborate on one activity from your list. Choose wisely:
Pick the activity that:
- Shows your most meaningful involvement
- Demonstrates growth or leadership
- Connects to your identity or values
- ISN'T already the focus of your Common App essay
What to include:
- What you actually DO (not just your title)
- Why this activity matters to you personally
- What you've learned or accomplished
- How you've grown through it
What to avoid:
- Listing achievements without reflection
- Choosing something just because it "looks good"
- Using the same talking points as your main essay
The "Diversity" or "Identity" Essay
Many schools ask: "How will you contribute to the diversity of our community?"
This isn't just about race, gender, or ethnicity. "Diversity" includes:
- Socioeconomic background
- Geographic origin (rural? international?)
- Unique experiences or perspectives
- Intellectual interests
- Family structure
- Disabilities or health conditions
- First-generation college student status
The key is showing what PERSPECTIVE you bring, not just what CATEGORY you fit in.
The "Additional Information" Section
This optional section is for:
- Explaining a grade dip or unusual circumstances
- Providing context for your application (family situation, health issues, etc.)
- Describing experiences that don't fit elsewhere
Use it ONLY if you have something important to add. Don't use it to write another essay or repeat information.
If explaining a bad semester:
- Be factual and brief
- Don't make excuses — provide context
- Show what you learned and how you've grown since then
- Keep it under 200 words
Application Essay Timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Summer before senior year | Common App essay drafting |
| August | Research schools and their supplemental prompts |
| September | Draft supplemental essays for early action/decision schools |
| October | Revise and finalize early application essays |
| November 1 | Early applications due (many schools) |
| November-December | Draft remaining supplemental essays |
| December-January | Finalize regular decision essays |
| January 1-15 | Most regular decision deadlines |
Writing Multiple Essays Without Losing Your Mind
The Recycling Strategy
You DON'T need to write every essay from scratch. Many schools ask similar prompts. You can adapt one essay for multiple schools with tweaks:
- Change school-specific details
- Adjust the tone and length
- Make sure each version answers THAT school's specific question
- Never submit an essay that mentions the wrong school name (yes, this happens)
The Spreadsheet Method
Create a spreadsheet with:
- School name
- Prompt text
- Word limit
- Deadline
- Status (not started / drafting / reviewing / done)
This keeps you organized when you're juggling 15+ essays.
The "Done Is Better Than Perfect" Rule
Your 12th supplemental essay doesn't need to be as polished as your Common App. Aim for strong and genuine, not award-winning.
Let Gradily Help You Write
College application season is overwhelming. Gradily can help you brainstorm, draft, and refine your essays — so you can focus on being authentic while we help with the writing mechanics.
[Try Gradily for Free →]
Application Essay Checklist
- Common App personal statement drafted and revised
- Supplemental prompts researched for each school
- "Why This School" essays include specific details
- Short answers show personality and specificity
- No essay mentions the wrong school
- Each essay reveals something new about you
- Everything is proofread by you AND someone else
- Submitted before the deadline (not AT the deadline)
Your application is your story. Tell it honestly, specifically, and with the confidence that who you are is enough. Because it is. ✨
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