Seven Tips for Writing College Admissions Essays

by Stuart Nachbar, Daytripper University Contributor *

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College admissions essays are nothing like the usual writing assignments that a high school senior has been asked to do for teachers to earn grades. For those who do not like to write, they’re something to be feared. However, when a student has a combination of suspect grades and/or test scores with a dislike for classroom education, a half-hearted effort also means a missed opportunity.

College admissions offices require essays for good reasons. They help them to know more about their prospective students as well as assess their writing ability.  And the essays are also a way for prospective students to thoroughly and thoughtfully consider their interests in a school, and sometimes to demonstrate their creativity. 

Prospective college students are advised to follow these seven tips as they work on their essays. 

  1. Answer the question. College admissions officers consider an applicant’s ability to read as seriously they consider their ability to write. Also consider: if you were asked this question in a face-to-face meeting, how would the person seated across from you feel if you ignored the question, and talked about something else? 

  2. Never, ever, lie on an essay, and better yet, don’t even think about it. This does everyone—the prospective student, their parents, the admissions office, and the college itself—a huge disservice. The people on the college side may recover from the embarrassment, but the student and parents may not. 

  3. Write each essay in your voice. Never, ever have someone other than the student write the essay, and have the student write in a way that they “sound” as if they were to speak to an admissions officer in person. Experienced admissions officers know when an applicant has not written their essay, and they teach the less experienced ones to know the telltale signs of an “unrepresentative” submission. Not to mention that you might be invited to meet that admissions officer on campus, possibly for an interview. You want to make the admissions officer feel comfortable knowing that they met a person who wrote a strong essay.

  4. When essays ask you to elaborate on something that you might have covered briefly in another essay, be consistent. Sometimes college essays will build upon each other. For instance, if you briefly mention a possible major when you write about your interests in a school, then prepare to elaborate in the same voice for an essay that asks you to explain about your interests in a major. If you talk about another major, your application is more likely to be denied at a school that has selective admissions. 

  5. Check grammar, punctuation and spelling before pressing ‘Submit’. Do the essay in Word or Pages first, then run it through the spelling and grammar check before it is uploaded online. Not all admissions officers were English majors, and most are not expert writers. But most can catch the more obvious grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes, especially if they read your essay on a computer screen.

  6. Do not use the essay to show how smart you are. These essays are not a space to demonstrate mastery of complex academic material that admissions officers may not understand. But they are a great space to share enthusiasm for the material, even “teach” it in a way that will leave them more curious about you as a prospective student, and where you might fit in, or help to diversify, the incoming class.  No college wants to have a class where so many students have so few academic or pre-professional interests. 

  7. Happiness is always better than sadness. Leave admissions officers smiling after they read your essays. They have many to read, and they are human, just like you. They would prefer to read something that stands out, and leaves them smiling, than something negative that leaves them concerned that their school might not be right for you. This is especially true for colleges that are “need aware” and selective at the same time you need scholarship aid. In those situations admissions officers consider your standing in the applicant pool against your needs, and the college’s costs to provide them for you. 


College admissions essays may be a bane or pain to many students, but concise, thoughtful and well written ones can help get into colleges that might otherwise say no. They are your main space to make a strong impression on those who have the say to get you to yes.  


For assistance in college admissions essays and other steps in the college admissions process, contact Stuart at stuart@educatedquest.com or call 609-406-0062.

* As founder of Educated Quest, Stuart Nachbar provides personalized college, transfer and graduate/professional school admissions advisory services to help students and parents make the best-informed decisions their future education. Having worked around higher education for over three decades as an admissions advisor, author, urban economic development professional and senior-level software marketing executive, he knows the “inside baseball” about how colleges do business. Stuart holds a BA and MBA from Rutgers University, a Master of Urban Planning for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Certificate in College Admissions Counseling (with Distinction) from UCLA. He and his wife, Carol, live in Central New Jersey.

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Parents Weekend - Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Touring the Monticello Wine Trail with UVA Daytripper Ambassador Lindsey Bralower. (Class of 2017)

For many, Charlottesville is simply home to Thomas Jefferson, the rotunda, and the lawn. But, for those of us who have been fortunate enough to call Charlottesville our home for more than a weekend, we know there is so much more to explore outside of grounds.  Nestled within the countryside and mountain ranges of Charlottesville County are a bounty of vineyard and breweries spanning the Monticello wine trail. It is the perfect activity for parent’s weekends, a twenty-first birthday celebration, or just your average Saturday afternoon. Here is a breakdown of my favorite places to stop, have a sip, and grab a bite.

Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard

Pippin is a Charlottesville vineyard staple. Located only 15 minutes away from UVA, and a favorite among UVA students. Whether you decide to sit inside the renovated barn for lunch or simply grab a few bottles of rose and enjoy the great lawn, you know you’ll be in for a treat. The beautiful views of the vineyard and the delicious crudité platters add to the overall welcoming ambiance. Its no surprise this picturesque venue is the backdrop for many weddings.

Blue Mountain Brewery

Looking for a great restaurant with an equally impressive variety of beers on tap? Than Blue Mountain Brewery, part of the Brew Ridge Trail, is the spot for you. Blue Mountain Brewery has both indoor and outdoor seating, lawn games, and often-free live music. I highly recommend doing the beer tasting paired with their spinach and artichoke dip. The brewery tends to get crowded on the weekends with locals and visitors alike, but its well worth braving the crowds for their Sunday brunch, you wont regret it!

Bold Rock Brewery

If choosing a perfect hard cider is not something that comes naturally to you; Bold Rock Brewery is aiming to change that! Bold Rock in addition to a fantastic tap house, offers tours of the cider making process, plus beer and cider tastings, all with great views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Bold Rock is one of my favorite Breweries to visit in the fall because of the changing leaves and fall flavors. It is a serious must if your parents are coming down for parents weekend or a parents formal this fall.

Blenheim Vineyards

Before Dave Matthews was a national superstar he began his career here in Charlottesville. As homage to his hometown, Mathews started Blenheim Vineyards, just 20 minutes away from grounds. There are two vineyard sites thats grow grapes for Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The goal at Blenheim Vineyards is to make high quality wines that reflect the climate, soil, and beauty of the surrounding piedmont landscape. If you are looking for a wine tasting away from the crowds, I highly recommend stopping by the Blenheim tasting room.

Beyond the corner and the downtown mall

One of my favorite things about UVA is the plethora of activities there are beyond grounds. Now that I am in my fourth year, I am looking to explore more than ever. Wine and beer tasting is always at the top of my list. While I have shared a few of my favorite spots in the area, the great thing is that there are so many more—it’s impossible to ever get bored.

 

 

Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard

Address: 5022 Plank Rd, North Garden, VA 22959

Hours: Monday Closed

Tuesday- Sunday 11AM-5PM

Phone: (434) 202 8063

 

Blue Mountain Brewery

Address: 9519 Critzer Shop Rd, Afton, VA 22920

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11AM-10PM

Sunday 11AM-9PM

Phone: (540) 456-8020

 

Bold Rock Brewery

Address: 1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA 22958

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11AM – 6PM

Friday – Sunday 11AM – 8PM

Phone: (434) 361-1030

 

Blenheim Vineyards

Address: 1 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Hours: Monday- Sunday 11AM – 5:30 PM

Phone: (434) 293-53