How to Write a College Essay About Your Identity (With Examples)

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How do you write a college essay about your identity? Keep it very specific. Focus on the small things that make you you. If you had a list of positive traits and qualities that you possess, which ones are most important to you?

Write a story or stories that highlight those traits and qualities. Your goal is to always give the AO data points to want to choose you. “As a songwriter and a dog owner-“, “I’m equally left and right-brained. I find myself conflicted on a regular basis-“, “As the only Jewish half Chinese person I know…”.

” Without my sense of humor, I would cease to exist.” This should be the least stress inducing prompt. Have some fun with it.

Short answer: Focus on the small things that make you you.

Longer answer: If you had a list of positive traits and qualities that you possess, which ones are most important to you? With which do you most identify?

Write a story or stories that highlight those traits and qualities. Your goal is always to give the admissions officer data points to want to choose you.

As a songwriter and dog owner, I——
Equally left- and right-brained, I find myself conflicted…on a regular basis.
As the only Jewish-half Chinese person I know, I——
Without my sense of humor, I would cease to exist.

Fun fact: This should be the least stress inducing prompt. Have fun with it.

Reference: the Common App essay prompts.

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