There's a blank document staring back as you try endlessly to figure out how to write your college essay. Don't worry because Sups will be here to guide you through the college essay journey! Here's everything you need to know about college essays:

Unique Ideas for College Essays

Avoiding cliche college essay topics is an overrate college admissions advice. Just because the topic may be similar to a popular occurence (ex. moving new schools, etc.), it does not invalidate your opportunity to write about it. Your experience will always be different from someone else's and that's what makes your essay unique! Consider writing about an experience that shaped your life, or a unique talent or interest that you have. The goal is to show something about yourself that isn't immediately apparent from the rest of your application. Show your personality!

Your most powerful essay will explore something that genuinely matters to you. Don't just pick an experience because you think it sounds impressive. Some of the best essays are about seemingly small or mundane events that carry special meaning and allowed for meaningful personal growth. An impactful mission trip is great, but so is delving into how working as a barista taught you resilience and people skills.

College Essay Outline Example

Before you start writing, create an outline to help you organize your thoughts.

Focus on answering these 3 questions throughout your essay:

1. Why are you the person you are today? (Context)

2. What did you do to get to where you are today? (Actions)

3. How will you make an impact in the future? (Aspiration & Impact)

Topics to Avoid in Your College Essay

General essays about general challenges ("My Toughest Adversity...") make for forgettable reading. You'll also want to avoid anything too dark, divisive, or inappropriate. This isn't the place for religious diatribes, personal traumas, or jokes that can easily offend. Politics and controversies should best be avoided or presented very delicately as well. You should also avoid overly personal or sensitive topics that you feel uncomfortable sharing. Remember, the goal is to stand out and show who you are as an individual, but always make sure you are sharing details that you are comfortable writing about.

How Long Should College Essays Be?

Most college essays have a word limit depending on the school and type of essays. It's important to follow the word limit to show your ability to write in a clear and concise way. Common application personal statement essays have a 650 word limit while supplemental essays usually have between 150-250 word count. Make sure to double check the word count requirement!

Do College Essays Need a Title?

You don't need to include a title for your college essays. They are unlike research papers you write for class. Though if you still want to include a title to grab the reader's attention, make sure it reflects the content and tone of your essay.

How to Format a College Essay

The format of your college essay can be just as important as the content. Use clear, concise language and break up your essay into sections with headers. This not only improves readability, but it also allows you to organize your thoughts and make your points more effectively.

Best College Essay Help Online

By far the best online college essay help comes from a tool called Sups. Get 24/7 support from Sup's AI college essay feedback tool. After uploading your draft, Sups provides feedback just like any admissions expert, analyzing your writing and providing revision suggestions until your essay shines. Skip the consultants that charge hundreds of dollars an hour and get affordable, high quality guidance from Sups.

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Remember, your college essay is your chance to show admissions officers who you really are beyond grades and test scores. So take the time to plan, choose the right topic, and write an essay that truly represents you.