8 answers
Que'Miyah
Student
Hopewell, Virginia
3
Questions
Asked
1504 views
How would I start my college essay?
I'm Que'Miyah and I'm a senior in high school and I'm not 100 percent sure how to start my college essay or even what to talk about exactly and its making me nervous a little because I always know what to do and what to say but at the moment I'm stuck and have no thought, but I know not to trauma dump so that's out of the way I just need to know the surface level of things for a college essay. Please help
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8 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Que'Miyah !
It's going to depend on what college you will be going to and you didn't mention exactly what you need assistance with - content, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc. We receive this same question a lot and for you to benefit from advice or guidance, you'd have to be more specific.
That being said, the way that college essays work - if your college requires one- is that on the application for admission, the college poses a question or a selection of questions that you choose one from, and you respond to it. The question or prompt is usually asking about something pertaining to your own life experience. Who better to write that type of essay than yourself because you know yourself and your life best. So if you already have the essay question, post in a separate question about what it is and detail what you're having a time with. You won't know the topic for the essay until you see the application for admissions and the instructions. You can take a peek at it by going to the college's websites because most colleges I know of have the admissions application and information right on their website.
No one should write the essay for you. When the reviewers read your essay, they like to get an idea of how you compose the written word as well as what the essay contains. I always advise that students keep a confident, upbeat and positive tone for admissions essays, not sob stories or revealing too much of ones' personal downfalls. It's okay to sell yourself and have them feel that you will be an asset to their campus. The tone of whatever you write for the essay should be natural, respectful, conversational and true. You can do it ! Slang and abbreviations of words should be avoided. Spell out all words especially of places and names of companies or programs.
So, as far as "what to talk about", you will have a topic to write about which should be on the application or instructions. Do you have the specific essay question yet ? Will it be for the Common App or individual colleges ? You can practice writing some essays in advance by going to such websites as We Are Teachers, College Vine, Crimson Education and more you'll find in a search for prompts and instructions. There's lots of support out there and what we can help you with here at Career Village are specific things you're having a hard time with. So do post another inquiry if need be.
Best wishes in all you do !
It's going to depend on what college you will be going to and you didn't mention exactly what you need assistance with - content, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc. We receive this same question a lot and for you to benefit from advice or guidance, you'd have to be more specific.
That being said, the way that college essays work - if your college requires one- is that on the application for admission, the college poses a question or a selection of questions that you choose one from, and you respond to it. The question or prompt is usually asking about something pertaining to your own life experience. Who better to write that type of essay than yourself because you know yourself and your life best. So if you already have the essay question, post in a separate question about what it is and detail what you're having a time with. You won't know the topic for the essay until you see the application for admissions and the instructions. You can take a peek at it by going to the college's websites because most colleges I know of have the admissions application and information right on their website.
No one should write the essay for you. When the reviewers read your essay, they like to get an idea of how you compose the written word as well as what the essay contains. I always advise that students keep a confident, upbeat and positive tone for admissions essays, not sob stories or revealing too much of ones' personal downfalls. It's okay to sell yourself and have them feel that you will be an asset to their campus. The tone of whatever you write for the essay should be natural, respectful, conversational and true. You can do it ! Slang and abbreviations of words should be avoided. Spell out all words especially of places and names of companies or programs.
So, as far as "what to talk about", you will have a topic to write about which should be on the application or instructions. Do you have the specific essay question yet ? Will it be for the Common App or individual colleges ? You can practice writing some essays in advance by going to such websites as We Are Teachers, College Vine, Crimson Education and more you'll find in a search for prompts and instructions. There's lots of support out there and what we can help you with here at Career Village are specific things you're having a hard time with. So do post another inquiry if need be.
Best wishes in all you do !
MANAHIL Mujtaba
Student
19
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
MANAHIL’s Answer
Hi !
Begin with a story or memory: Pick a small moment from your life that shows who you are.
Share what you learned: Explain how that moment shaped your values, mindset, or goals.
Show your growth: Colleges love to see how you’ve changed or what challenges taught you.
Keep it authentic: Write in your own voice don’t try to sound perfect.
Write first, polish later: Don’t worry if the opening isn’t perfect at first; you can always revise.
Manahil
Begin with a story or memory: Pick a small moment from your life that shows who you are.
Share what you learned: Explain how that moment shaped your values, mindset, or goals.
Show your growth: Colleges love to see how you’ve changed or what challenges taught you.
Keep it authentic: Write in your own voice don’t try to sound perfect.
Write first, polish later: Don’t worry if the opening isn’t perfect at first; you can always revise.
Manahil
Serine KHERBA
3
Answers
Updated
Serine’s Answer
Starting your college essay can feel stressful, but you can make it much easier by beginning with a catchy hook that grabs attention. This could be a small story from your life, a moment that taught you something, a surprising thought, or even a question that makes the reader curious. After the hook, explain what that moment, thought, or question shows about you—your personality, interests, values, or how you approach life. Then connect it to your goals, why you want to go to college, or how you hope to grow. Keep it personal, honest, and simple—you don’t need to write about trauma or big dramatic events. The essay should show who you are, what drives you, and what matters to you, while keeping the reader engaged from the first line.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2432
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Identify the subjects you have interest to write an essay
2. You may need to do some research on the subject to identify any topics that you have interest and you would like to do some further research on it
3. Prepare a framework on the essay to articulate the structure of your essay
4. Engage a professor who has the expertise on the topic and discuss with him/her. Explore the feasibility with the professor to be your instructor/coach on the essay
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Identify the subjects you have interest to write an essay
2. You may need to do some research on the subject to identify any topics that you have interest and you would like to do some further research on it
3. Prepare a framework on the essay to articulate the structure of your essay
4. Engage a professor who has the expertise on the topic and discuss with him/her. Explore the feasibility with the professor to be your instructor/coach on the essay
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Katie O'Flaherty
Senior Recruiter
30
Answers
Simsbury, Connecticut
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Be honest, authentic, and sincere. Think of a few impactful experiences or moments in your life, and focus on one of those topics as your subject. Let the words and thoughts flow with your initial draft, and work through the edits and revisions afterward. Speak from the heart!
Joseph Mendoza
Fraud Leader
9
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Take a close look at the school and program you're interested in, and decide from there. When you have an open-ended prompt, try focusing on one main idea. Using a TED Talk format can be helpful: start with a story to grab attention, then share your main points, and end with a strong conclusion. These essays are a great chance to show how you think creatively and solve tough problems. You've got this!
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Que'Miyah,
My advice would be to come up with different ideas for what you are writing, pick one and just start. It may sound weird but the best thing you can do is to start, write as much as you can and then revise as you need. There are also many different online sources you can use like Grammarly for example that can help with your writing and grammar. Best of luck to you when it comes to writing your essay!
Additional Questions:
-Are there any specific things that you have to write about or is it about anything you want? If it is anything, you could possible write about your life or a specific moment in your life.
-Is there a rubric, certain amount of words, or a specific style that have to write in?
My advice would be to come up with different ideas for what you are writing, pick one and just start. It may sound weird but the best thing you can do is to start, write as much as you can and then revise as you need. There are also many different online sources you can use like Grammarly for example that can help with your writing and grammar. Best of luck to you when it comes to writing your essay!
Additional Questions:
-Are there any specific things that you have to write about or is it about anything you want? If it is anything, you could possible write about your life or a specific moment in your life.
-Is there a rubric, certain amount of words, or a specific style that have to write in?
Paco Contreras
Marketing
2
Answers
Sammamish, Washington
Updated
Paco’s Answer
First off- you are starting with the right approach: do not write without intention. So, let's figure out how to find the right intention.
Are you clear on (1) what does the College / University pride themselves of? What are their values? What are they recognized? (2) How do you fit in there? what makes you unique... and (3) what is the topic that they are asking you to write about. The intersection of these 3 will make your essay unique.
Colleges will ask you to develop a topic. You should have a pointed perspective on that topic. What do YOU really think about that topic. Then, incorporate what you wrote about them (point 1 above) and bring your own self to that (point 2 above).
As others mentioned, do not let others write for you. But, ask them to criticize what you wrote. A teacher, friend, family member who knows you well can tell you whether or not you are bringing your true self into the essay. Talk to existing students or alumns in your network to understand more deeply what makes that University unique.
I hope this helps you aim for the stars and get in the right program for you!
Are you clear on (1) what does the College / University pride themselves of? What are their values? What are they recognized? (2) How do you fit in there? what makes you unique... and (3) what is the topic that they are asking you to write about. The intersection of these 3 will make your essay unique.
Colleges will ask you to develop a topic. You should have a pointed perspective on that topic. What do YOU really think about that topic. Then, incorporate what you wrote about them (point 1 above) and bring your own self to that (point 2 above).
As others mentioned, do not let others write for you. But, ask them to criticize what you wrote. A teacher, friend, family member who knows you well can tell you whether or not you are bringing your true self into the essay. Talk to existing students or alumns in your network to understand more deeply what makes that University unique.
I hope this helps you aim for the stars and get in the right program for you!