How to Write a College Essay That Stands Out

Short answer: Realize that you’re helping the admissions team make an informed decision. Do only that which helps them want to say yes.

Longer answer: Imagine yourself on the other side of the desk. You’re the AO. What would you want to read to break up the monotony of well-written-but-say-nothing 650-word essays you’ve read all morning?

One way to stand out: write essays that are clear and concise. Max word count is so 2020.

Fun fact: Less is often greater than more.

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The system behind the answer

Think like an admissions officer.

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“The strongest essays do not simply tell a story. They make you easier to choose.”