How to Write a College Application Essay That Stands Out

As admissions counselors, we read hundreds of college essays each year. During high school visits, students often ask us the same questions:

• What should I write my college application essay about?
• Which college essay topics are overused?
• How personal should my essay be?
• How can I stand out without sounding fake?
• Is it okay to use ChatGPT or another AI tool?

A strong college application essay does not need to tell the most dramatic story. It should help the admissions team understand who you are, how you think, and what matters to you.

1. Understand What the Application Is Asking

Before choosing a topic, review the Common Application essay prompts and any additional questions required by the colleges on your list.

Some majors, honors programs, scholarships, and other specialized programs may also require supplemental essays. Check each college's application requirements carefully so you know what you need to complete.

You do not have to choose a prompt immediately. Read through the options and notice which questions connect naturally to your experiences, values, or personal growth.

2. Decide What You Want the Reader to Learn

Before you begin writing, ask yourself:

What do I want an admissions counselor to understand about me after reading this essay?

Maybe you want the reader to see that you are:

• Curious and eager to learn
• Resilient when plans change
• Committed to your family or community
• Willing to take responsibility
• Creative, thoughtful, or independent

This gives your essay a clear purpose. It also helps you avoid repeating the grades, activities, and accomplishments already listed elsewhere in your college application.

3. Choose One Story That Shows It

You do not need to explain your entire life in one essay. Focus on one moment, conversation, decision, or experience that brings the quality you chose to life.

Instead of summarizing an entire sports season, service trip, job, or family challenge, zoom in on something specific:

• A mistake that changed your perspective
• A conversation you still think about
• A responsibility that helped you mature
• A moment when you spoke up or changed your mind

4. Make a Common College Essay Topic Your Own

Sports injuries, missed shots, service trips, family challenges, academic setbacks, and moving to a new school are common college essay topics. That does not make them bad choices. A familiar topic can still become a memorable essay when your perspective is personal, specific, and honest.

Instead of asking, "Has someone written about this before?" ask: What can I say about this experience that only I can say?

The topic may be common. Your reaction, reflection, and growth are not.

5. Share Personal Growth Without Oversharing

You do not need to share your most painful experience to write a strong college essay.

A difficult event can be part of a meaningful personal statement, but the essay should not focus only on the hardship. Give the reader enough context to understand the situation, then spend more time explaining:

• How you responded
• What you learned
• How your perspective changed
• How the experience continues to shape you

You can be honest without including details that feel too private. Your growth should remain at the center of the essay.

6. Use AI Without Losing Your Voice

Artificial Intelligence tools can help with brainstorming, organizing ideas, or identifying awkward sentences. They should not write your college essay for you.

Helpful uses of AI may include:

• Generating questions to help you brainstorm
• Organizing your ideas into an outline
• Identifying unclear sentences
• Checking for repeated words

Your final essay should reflect your experiences, ideas, and voice. When AI generates or heavily rewrites a personal story, the essay can lose the details and personality that make it meaningful.

Remember, this is the one part of your application that we get to learn about YOU!

7. Revise Before You Submit

Your first draft does not need to be perfect. Once your ideas are on the page, give yourself time to revise.

Before submitting your college essay:

• Read it aloud to catch clunky or unnatural sentences
• Check the word count and formatting requirements
• Ask a teacher or school counselor to review the main message and grammar
• Ask a family member to look for missing words or typos
• Ask a friend whether the essay still sounds like you
• Considering helpful feedback while making sure the final essay remains true to your own voice
• Revisit the opening and if it feels forced, remove the first few sentences to see whether the real story begins later

Is the College Essay Required at Siena?

The college essay is optional for most Siena University undergraduate applicants. Many students still submit one because it gives our admissions team another opportunity to get to know them beyond their transcript.

Get More College Essay Help

Download Siena's College Essay Quick Reference Guide for additional brainstorming ideas, college essay writing tips, revision reminders, formatting guidance, and advice for using AI responsibly.

Looking for more personalized support? Siena also offers college coaching sessions to help students navigate the application process, ask questions, and feel more confident about their next steps.