How to Improve College Admissions Essays

Writing Goal-Oriented Narrative Moments

A strong introduction is the 1st step to nailing your Common App essay prompt.

In my last article, we eliminated the stress of writing admissions essays and replaced it with self-assurance. Now, let's talk about how to execute your introduction for any of the Common App essay prompts.

Imagine you are a tour guide leading the reader on a road trip through your essay. The introduction serves as an overview of the main attractions or mini-stories your paragraphs will discuss before you get there.

WRITE A WELCOMING INTRODUCTION

Your admissions essay is a reflective journey that details aspects of your personal growth. A strong introduction acts as a narrative roadmap for that journey — it briefly tells the reader where you're headed and what they'll see along the way.

Use the following tips and then register for EAE's Remote Editorial Support.

A successful narrative introduction has 3 key components:

1. A captivating opening. If you inject your narrative tone with a winning element of your personality (Are you witty? Comical? Wise? Techie?), you've already risen above 95% of the other essays that admission readers must wade through.

2. A concise plan. The opening paragraph has an agenda: it identifies the key points of your essay according to the key phrases in your chosen writing prompt.

3. A moving thesis. A narrative thesis sounds self-aware and confidently names the topics your reader is about to visit with you. Share yourself honestly, connecting your personality and core values to the reader's emotions.

Let's spend a minute more with each of these 3 concepts.

Tip 1: A Captivating Opening

Draw the admissions reader into your world. Let them see through your eyes immediately. Here's an example of framing the opening sentence of a college essay with personal impact:

Before: "The first time I ever faced my fears was bungee jumping with my parents."

Improved: "As my mom and I tumbled off the edge of that bridge, I realized doing things afraid is the only way I'll be more fearless."

See the difference? Create an engaging scene as quickly as possible. From the very start, provide the reader with a reason to connect emotionally with you and your lived experience.

Tip 2: A Concise Outline

Use your essay introduction to map out the plan for the rest of your essay. This establishes expectations for your reader and helps you stay on track to write with focus.

Winning communicators like Mr. Beast use "pre-framing" in their content: they tell you exactly what you're going to see in 10 seconds, and then you're hooked into watching how they do it. Introductions work in the same way.

Tip 3: A Moving Thesis

Keep it moving. The opening introduction outlines the plan of action, and the body paragraphs carry it out. Don't worry about ordering yet. Just write and know you can move stuff around later. Trust that you are cultivating your own writing process. Nobody writes a perfect essay in one sitting. Give yourself time and let the writing prompt choose you. Trust the most fitting memory and life experience for it will follow.

Stress Less

I founded Effective Admissions Essays and designed our College Launchpad Program to nurture young adults with proactive mindsets. My academic strategies enable students to tackle complex learning tasks in manageable increments. With practical routines in place, student writing muscles and organizational skills are better conditioned to sustain collegiate coursework. 

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