7 GREAT College Essay Tips to Help You Stand Out

Standing out in a sea of 10,000+ students applying to colleges and submitting amazing college essays can be a big task. Use these 7 tips when writing your main personal statement for the Common App. I cover brainstorming techniques, a few handy writing principles, and much more.

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The Essence Objects Exercise:

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[daberechi]

The 7 tips
1. Don't spend too much time obsessing over which prompt to use
2. Don't worry too much about what "they" want
3. Consider being vulnerable in your personal statement
4. Engage the readers imagination using all 5 senses
5. The ending of your essay should feel surprising, but inevitable
6. The essence objects exercise
7. The values exercise

[stephanierodriguez]

As a junior writing my common application drafts, i cannot emphasize this more: Write about something you’re passionate about!! You cannot imagine how many ideas I contemplated until I found a unique topic I love and then realized it became my favorite topic and draft because it included my passions in a subtle way.

[donwenhong]

Alright, time to write some last-minute essays... Wish me luck!


Update: I got accepted into my dream college🥳🥳

[rileymurphy]

As a senior with a week left until the December 1st deadline, I need to learn this quick.

[mayaamyleejialurobinson]

I’m a junior in high school right now, and in my English class, every week we have to a write a college essay, and the point of it is to progress over time and get better at it, so when it’s time to submit them, they’re ready. I’ve never written one and didn’t know where onto begin, so watching this video helped so much. I wanted to thank you for that. I feel better about it and think I know where to start.

[peasaregood]

I have watched many videos on how to make my essay perfect, but this video was by far the bet video. He gave understandable examples, personal advice, and counter measures to avoid being cliche. I really appreciate this video. After watching this video, I feel I am on the right path to making an exceptional essay. Thank you!

[jtc.outlet]

This 500 word limit is killing me. I have so much i want to say

[v.m.]

Wow this is truly some amazing information, I can’t explain how much I appreciate this.

[WriteYourAcceptance]

These are really good tips. Students tend to obsess over certain prompts instead of getting down to the writing!

[rfb]

Thank you! I’m gonna be applying soon as an international student. I am terrified of the process, especially that my first language is not English, which is why these tips and your videos in general are so helpful!

[frankie-leerodriguez-gonza]

I’m in 8th grade. Where I am, that’s the last year of middle school. I’m writing TWO essays to get into this performing arts school, and there’s really no guide to that so I’m looking up college essay tips and this is helpful for me right now and me in the future. Thank you, College Essay Guy.

[abdullahahmed]

I’ve passed my junior high school, I’m starting to soon write my application for colleges, this video was so far the best one. I’m an economics student and I even achieved region highest 2 times but, this essay stress had me cornered. Thanks for all the info👏🏼

[avishi]

this was definitely THE best video I've found advising me about what to write!
I've found the usual tips everywhere, "don't describe your achievements" etc, but this actually told me what TO do!

[spencerrussell]

You are awesome dude! I'm a Duke fan, but you're connection with you're dad really struck home with me. My dad passed away in 2007 and was a huge Duke basketball fan. And even though he isn't here to watch them with me, we share that bond to this day. Thank you so much for all of the great tips, and for helping me gain some confidence going into this process. Best video I've watched in a long time!

[beardedelephant]

My daughter is going through this right now. It’s frustrating as a parent to watch your child feel overwhelmed by the college application process.

[elevatedschool]

College Essay Guy is the real deal! Love your stuff Ethan! Still such valuable insights even after all these years! -Kevin

[grandion]

Not only was I able to get tips through this, but was able to develop my confidence, thankyou very much ❤️🙏🙏😀

[phoneheaded]

Thank you so much for these videos and the Matchlighters Program! My counselor and these essay guides are the only thing getting me through finishing my supplementals for the Questbridge match.

[SamFriedman]

POV: Your early decision deadline is in less than three weeks and you still haven't written your essay.

[jencyeglaus]

I have finally find a video that could help me with my college essay. Thank you so much!!!