I Read 10,000+ College Essays...Here Are 10 Things I Learned

⭐ Take my comprehensive college essay & application courses:

I’ve read (or worked with students on) more than 10,000 college essays.

In this video I’ll share with you the top 10 things I’ve learned from both reading and working with students on them, including some practical advice if you’re writing your own personal statement.

I’ll also share with you a recent conversation I had with an admission officer at a selective college on why the Common App prompt probably doesn’t matter as much as you think.

📍 Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Things That Don't Work - Tip 1
01:21 Things That Don't Work - Tip 2
01:52 Things That Don't Work - Tip 3
03:13 Things That Don't Work - Tip 4
04:01 Things That Don't Work - Tip 5
05:41 5 Ways to make your personal statement stand out
05:44 Tip 6 - Brainstorm uncommon topics
07:07: Tip 7 - Specificity matters
07:45 Tip 8 - Which Common App prompt you choose does not matter
09:06 Tip 9 - Demonstrate qualities that colleges value
10:05 Tip 10 - You're more "diverse" than you think
11:02 Two brainstorming exercises
11:38 Final thoughts

🔗LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🔗

VIDEO - How to Write the New Diversity College Essays w/ Examples (Should you write about race?):

If You Really, Really Knew Me Exercise:

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[Collegeessayguy]

⭐ Take my comprehensive college essay & application courses:

[BPrashantMehto]

"My Everyday Life with an Economist Monk" is my personal essay topic.
Focus: curiosity+ resilience/peace+ leadership
I chose it because I'm volunteering in ISKCON, and my mentor there is a monk who was previously an economist/banker. I've learned a lot from him. Should I write about this? Also, please give me tips for my essay.

[sheykhkhan]

Hello, collegeessayguy! In my personal statement I am writing about how versatile I am. Long story short, my essay is like "I hate to be second, I understood that I am second because I have too much activities, but I also understand that it is much important to love your hobbies than become number 1 in them" is this idea and structure ok? Thanks in advance

[LuperAondona]

Hey!! @collegeessayguy, my essay topic is about scars and my obsession with perfection but how I found acceptance and voice through my speech club but you said that speech is one of the more common topics. Help me here

[KLP]

Thanks for making this video—lots of gems here to pass on. You are such a helpful resource for coaches working with students!

[KaleabZeru]

Hello college essay guy. I wrote a narrative essay that started with a bird I had and I related my qualities with it. People I showed told me to improve the ending so where can I show you to review my essay for me?

[saranaderinabi]

International student here, would it still be a mistake if I am using my activities in my college essay even if they are very unique coming from my country?

[bbbbkltgawx]

Hi, where can I get personal statement of that girl who wrote about plants and bisness

[isaaclewis]

Thanks Ethan. As always clear and directie, but so warm in its tone. I know you value that. It was great meeting you long ago and also talking with your team. We have begun some wok with the low hanging fruit available for schools this last summer. We are hoping to get some insight about those numbers. Hannah was also instrumental in giving us valuable information ain order to scale things for our school. Please tell them Valley Christian High School in San Jose appreciates all the team does. Let us know how we may be able to help and pass the word on.

[AdelaSafa]

Hi Ethan, can I share my personal statement with you? Is it possible?

[SumaiyaSetu-mg]

hey collemgeessasyguy, " in my essay i want to writting about my life journey that how was my motherhood and how i grow my baby boy and how i manage everything like my baby as well with my study though i became mother in my very early age and i struggled and finally how i discovery new myself and what was my moto to overcame Everything and what i learn from my past experience" and this essasy will be all about 'my self growth and a new self discovery '
I want to know is this topic is okay for my essay??

[HIGHHLIGHTSTV]

As the founder of a CS Club from a less privileged area, I faced numerous challenges in establishing the club. Do you think it's a good idea to write essays about my experiences and submit them to Ivy League schools, highlighting my perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles to pursue my passion for computer science?

[RyesuGhats]

Would you consider Art to be a common extracurricular topic?