Tips for Personality-Driven College Admissions Essays

& Supplementary Writing Prompts

In the age of AI-generated content, admissions readers can discern in the essay's introduction if it’s written by a young adult, a computer, or your well-intentioned helicopter mom. While it’s beneficial to have trusted readers review your essay, and it’s acceptable to use tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly to enhance your verbs and grammar, it’s crucial to craft the essay on your own first, my dear college hopefuls.

Based on your chosen Common App writing prompt, describe in plain, everyday language how a transformation occurred in your academic, personal, or social life. The same principles of clean, simple phrasing also apply to supplementary essays that many individual programs require. You can always polish a paragraph with AI after it’s written, but be selective—your personality should be clear, not hindered by overly academic diction. For example, let’s say your top pick college wants you to answer the following supplementary question: In 200 words, please identify and detail three things about yourself that a new roommate should know. The keywords are identify and detail. Think three paragraphs— each with a topic heading. I Snore should not be one, but maybe kindly gift your new roomie with earplugs.

Perhaps you like to sing 80s love songs in the shower or make a mean grilled cheese sandwich on your Gram's panini press. Once three unique topics are listed and described separately, try to weave a confident narrative of self-awareness, implying that you own and quite like your quirks. The point is to provide admissions readers with a few snippets of your genuine character. AI can't possibly extract the fully functioning human you hope to become from a Common App or supplementary writing prompt. And while mom may know best, she can’t declare your authentic way in the world, either. Only you can do that, silly.

https://www.effectiveadmissionsessays.com/editorial-services

GO FURTHER @ EAE