This week on the Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Write an Outstanding College Application Essay.

How to Write an Outstanding College Application Essay

When I served as academic advisor to our local homeschool upperclassmen, I read hundreds of their college application essays. Once in a while, a teen enjoyed writing that essay. However, most of the time, teens dreaded the chore. Sometimes, they felt funny about talking about themselves. Other times, they were afraid of failing.

We found out that if we could give them specific tools to understand what, why, and how to write their college application essay, teens felt more empowered.

Many, but not all, colleges require admissions essays

There are several different sources for college applications and the accompanying essays. (Here’s more information on the whole college application process.)

Many colleges participate in the Common Application

When your teen writes their application essay for Common App, it is sent to all the colleges they choose to apply to on the App. This saves lots of time and effort. Common Application sometimes changes the choices of essay prompts and extra information, sometimes not. They give details on the essay instructions.

HBCUs: Common Black College Application

Common Black College Application covers the application process to sixty-seven different colleges. That application does not require an essay. However, some HBCUs do require an application essay. It is always a good idea for your homeschool high schooler to check the colleges of interest’s websites.

For lower income students, check Coalition for Colleges

Coalition for Colleges helps students prepare for and apply for college. Teens set up an account and are guided through the process.

Colleges that do not require essays

There are some! In this case, the admissions decision-making process is weighted more heavily on the transcript. (All the more reason to make sure your teen has a college-attractive transcript.)

Colleges that have optional essays

Some of them make college application essays optional. If it is optional, we recommend you write one. This gives your teen a chance for the college to get to know them, to stand out and sparkle. If there are a thousand students applying for 500 openings, your teen can be one of those 500.

Whatever you do check the college website and see what they are looking for!

Tips for writing the college application essay

Most of the time, college application essays will need to be between 250 and 650 words. (It is wise to check the websites of colleges of interest to clarify if their requirement is different.) To help your teen imagine what this will look like:

• 
  
• 250 words might be two or three paragraphs
  
• 650 words could be six or seven paragraphs
  

Tip #1: If the college allows 650 words, use all 650 words.

Just make sure that your teen is not simply filling space. Make the most of those words.

Tip #2: Follow the given essay prompt(s)

Colleges want your teen to write about the prompt they provide. They use this restriction to help them compare your teen to the other applicants.

Tip #3: Start early

I often told my homeschool advisees to choose their essay prompts and write their essay in the summertime. Life is often a little less hectic during the summer, so it is easier to get this stressful essay done!

Tip #4: Use a college application essay writing guide

If you have someone to take you step by step through writing the application essay, the process is a little easier. That’s why 7Sisters created the College Application Essay Writing Guide. Our teens have really appreciated it. (Also, for those who live in states that reimburse for curriculum, here is an edition of the College Application Guide that fits the requirements.)

Click image for full description.

Tip #5: Write college application essays in co-op

This is a useful way to start the academic year for co-ops with writing classes. When everyone writes essays at the same time, it helps reduce the stress. Even underclassmen and non-college-bound teens can write the essay. They need essay-writing experience each year, this will be an essay that helps them get to know themselves better!

Tip #6: Use a growth mindset

These days, teens could let AI write their college application essays. However, AI can never capture who they truly are. If they want to sell themselves to a college, they need to pour themselves into their essay. (Also, it really is not ethical to have AI write one’s papers!)

Help your teen use a growth mindset about working through the stress of the essay.

Tip #7: Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself and be honest

So many of my homeschool high school advisees told me that they hate writing about themselves because it seems like bragging (and they do not want to appear prideful). I always tell them that it is not bragging to let the college understand who they are. It is simply honest.

Of course, exaggeration would not be cool, so I remind them to keep it real.

Tip #8: Tell a story

I have teens choose a story from their life experiences that illustrates their essay prompt. In other words, a college application essay is not a simple list of accomplishments. The colleges already have that in the application. The essay story shows them your sparkle, your personality. It allows them to get a feel about what you might bring to the table in the student body.

Tip #9: Let your story highlight your aspirations

What are your aspirations, goals, dreams? Weave those into your story. (For an extra bonus, check the colleges of interest’s websites. What is their mission? What are their values? Do your teens aspirations align with the mission and values? Hooray! Then, suggest to your teen that they include that information isn their essay.

Tip #10: Include examples of leadership and soft skills

Whenever possible, your teen benefits from weaving into their story examples of the leadership and soft skills they have developed. These can include:

• 
  
• teamwork
  
• ability to be collaborative
  
• service orientation
  
• problem solving
  

Tip #11: Mention accomplishments

It is good to mention accomplishments that fit with the story. Accomplishments can include awards, acknowledgements, project completion, and more.

Tip #12: Create an outline or a rough draft

This allows teens to get their thinking in order. Organization is a wonderful skill to use in writing the college application essay. “One and done” is not a good idea with this essay. After you finish the first rough draft, run it through an app like grammarly to check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Tip #13: Give the essay to others to read

I always highly recommend to my teens that they ask a couple of other people read their college application essay. Some suggestions are:

• 
  
• parents
  
• teachers that teaches writing
  
• advisor
  
• youth group leader
  

See if they have any suggestions. Incorporate the ideas that make sense.

Tip #14: Once your teen completes the college application essay, suggest they let it sit for a couple of days

I do not know why this helps, but it usually does. When teens allow the completed essay to sit for a few days, they are able to read and make further improvements. It is surprising how well this works!

All right, then we highly recommend you let that essay sit.

Don’t forget to join 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group! We have so much fun and encouragement there.

BTW- For more on the Common App process, here’s a post from our Cousin Betsy at BJ’s Homeschool that will take them through their part of the Common Application.

Join us for this week’s discussion on college application essays!

Thanks again to Seth Tillman for editing the podcast!

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