Advice for Writing a College Admission Essay
Writing a college admission essay can be intimidating. What should you write about? How should you write it? How personal should you get?
As you prepare to face a blank screen with these and other questions weighing on your mind, remember the advice below from the admission team at Wheaton College Massachusetts:
Choose a topic that interests you. The focus of the essay should be on you. Your topic doesn’t have to be a life altering event that changed your worldview.
Write in your own voice and style. This is the time to let your personality shine and to tell admission counselors something about yourself that they can’t glean from your other application materials.
Hook your reader and answer the question. Admission counselors read a lot of essays so grab their attention right from the start. Remember the question or the writing prompt and be sure to bring your essay to a conclusion that answers the question asked of you.
Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This is not a text message among friends. Do not use abbreviations. Communicate clearly and with punctuation.
Read it out loud. There are many benefits to reading out loud that might help with both understanding the essay questions and proofreading your work.
Speaking of proofreading: Have someone else proofread your essay (a teacher, counselor, friend, or family member is perfect) for content and grammar.
Write in your own voice and style. This is the time to let your personality shine and to tell admission counselors something about yourself that they can’t glean from your other application materials.
Hook your reader and answer the question. Admission counselors read a lot of essays so grab their attention right from the start. Remember the question or the writing prompt and be sure to bring your essay to a conclusion that answers the question asked of you.
Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This is not a text message among friends. Do not use abbreviations. Communicate clearly and with punctuation.
Read it out loud. There are many benefits to reading out loud that might help with both understanding the essay questions and proofreading your work.
Speaking of proofreading: Have someone else proofread your essay (a teacher, counselor, friend, or family member is perfect) for content and grammar.
So don't fear that blank page—choose your topic and dive right in.
Unmatched Opportunities
Wheaton students enjoy a highly personalized education and abundant opportunities to engage with and shape the campus community.- $1.2 million of internship funding
- 96% of students live on campus
- 100+ student clubs and organizations
- 11:1 student/faculty ratio
- 95% of students receive financial aid
The Wheaton Experience
As a student at Wheaton, you’ll enjoy the full breadth and depth of the New England liberal arts college experience. Pairing a close-knit residential campus with proximity to Boston’s diverse cultural offerings, Wheaton offers the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re interested in pursuing athletics, getting engaged in student government, or joining a musical ensemble, there’s an opportunity on campus for you. And since Wheaton guarantees on-campus housing for all students, your friends are always steps away.