College application essays are one of the most important components of applying to college. A well-written personal statement or supplemental essay can help your application stand out from the rest. Crafting compelling essays that authentically represent you as an applicant takes time and effort. Thankfully, there are many excellent college essay writing resources available to help you through the process.
Some go-to resources for college essay writing include books written by admissions experts, online essay guides and tutorials, sample college essays, and essay writing workshops or classes. Many public libraries also offer college essay writing books, guides and software that can help with organization, outline creation, and proofreading. Reach out to your high school counselor as well – they may have additional local resources to recommend or be able to connect you with alumni interviewers willing to review draft essays.
When it comes to books, a perennial favorite for its no-nonsense approach is the college essay guide “How to Write the Perfect College Application Essay” by The Crazy Uncle. Filled with real student examples and step-by-step instructions, it takes applicants through each part of the essay writing process. Another excellent option is “50 Successful Harvard Application Essays” which as the title implies, contains 50 successful, anonymous essays that were accepted by Harvard along with analysis of what made each one stand out. Reading model essays in the style and tone you want to emulate for your target schools is enormously helpful for crafting your own unique narrative.
There are also many free online essay writing guides created by admissions experts from top universities. The University of California, Berkeley has a thorough college essay guide on their admissions site covering everything from brainstorming topics to fine-tuning the conclusion. Individual Ivy League schools like Brown and Cornell also offer helpful online resources for crafting successful application essays. General sites like FastWeb and PrinctonReview offer tutorials and sample essay outlines to get started. Keep in mind online essay banks though should only be used for inspiration, not verbatim copying which could be considered plagiarism.
Online essay coach and tutoring services are another option for extensive personalized help throughout the writing process. Services like EssayEdge and College Essay Guy offer individual essay critique, topic selection assistance, and proofreading to ensure your essays are error-free. While they require payment, dedicated coaching from admissions experts could give your essays an additional edge. Many students find the initial investment worthwhile given essay quality is so important for acceptance.
Attending a sample essay writing workshop either online or in-person allows applicants access to real-time feedback. Workshops by former admissions officers or published authors walk through full essays line-by-line to analyze tone, organization and impact. This level of detailed instruction is invaluable for fine-tuning how you present your unique experiences and qualities to advantage. Check with your high school, local colleges or national test prep companies for upcoming writing events in your area.
Taking a college-level composition or creative writing class as a high school student exposes you to rigorous writing and refinement at the level expected of undergraduates. The conceptual grounding and practice analyzing prompts help you craft sophisticated, impactful essays fit for top-tier schools. Consider classes at a local community college if offered through a dual enrollment program. Self-study with recommended books can also strengthen your academic writing skills for the application process.
Among free resources, don’t neglect your school counselor and teachers as sources of feedback and recommendations. Brainstorm topics with them, get editing help, or ask if they know alumni from target schools who would be willing to glance over your essays. Your target schools’ official viewing document also outlines their specific requirements which should guide the substance and presentation of your essays. Authentic guidance from experienced mentors is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to crafting application essays that ooze passion and polish.
The college essay is often make-or-break for an application, so seeking out substantive resources to aid in writing is a sound investment of time and energy. Just be sure not to leave the process to the last minute – allow sufficient time for multiple drafts, revisions and review of each essay. With practice and feedback from expert sources, you have the means at your fingertips to craft uniquely impressive essays that represent you at your very best.