I decided to ask my brother who works in college admissions what he thinks are good tips for essays, and here is what he said!
Be Authentic
More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are. Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.
Grab the Reader From the Start
You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention. Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination.
Focus on Deeper Themes
Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point. College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.
Try Doing Something Different
If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?
Write Several Drafts
Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.
Overall, just make sure you write about something you are passionate about and make sure that the essay gets across who you are! Good luck, Saint Joe!