College Essays: Do Colleges Care?

Now that you're almost done with high school and preparing to apply to college, you're probably wondering what you'll need to make your application successful. You probably already know how important it is to have a high GPA, solid standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities before applying for college. But how about an essay? Does it matter? Do colleges care about college essays?

In fact, college essays are essential, but how much impact does it have on your overall application process? We'll find out in this post. We'll also list a few college essay tips to help make your college application shine. 

Yes, colleges care about college application essays. In fact, essays are a critical component of the admissions process. There are cases where the essay serves as the deciding factor on whether you'll be accepted or not. In other cases, it complements test scores and competitive grades to prove your readiness for college life. 

These days, more colleges are adopting a more holistic approach to reviewing admission requirements, and a strong college application essay will give you a competitive advantage throughout the selection process. Admission officers are now looking at application essays to understand students' personalities and character beyond test scores and grades, especially at highly selective colleges where students need strong writing skills and determination to succeed. The college essay serves as a written sample to show your writing style and ability. It also informs whether you have the maturity to do well with college courses or not.

But how should you write your college application essay? For starters, visit empowerly.com to find the best college essay recommendations to help you write your essay. For a shortlist, follow these tips to help you write an essay that'll give you a competitive advantage in the selection process.

Now that you know that college essays are critical, you're probably wondering how to write a strong college essay. Here's a college essay guide with the right tips to help walk you through the process. 

• Write why you're interested in the program. One of the things admission officers look out for is your motivation for choosing a program. Your application essay should cover specific details about what interests you about the school and program and why you're a good fit. This shows that you’ve done your research and care about the outcome.
• Be a good storyteller. Another thing admission officers look out for is your storytelling skills. There are usually so many essays to review, so being able to captivate them from the start will be an added advantage for you. After all, college admissions are mostly about building a vibrant campus community and learning environment.
• Don't forget to write a few things about your past achievements. While it's true that admission officers don't want you to bore them with too much information, they still want to see some of the things you achieved in high school. In a few sentences, summarize some of your major academic and non-academic achievements that you think can improve your chances. Be sure to provide your unique perspective on these events to avoid repeating your resume.
• Don't avoid issues you're passionate about because they are controversial. One significant mistake many students make is to avoid certain seemingly controversial topics. Remember that your essay doesn't have to demonstrate your perfection. So don't shy away from topics you're interested in. With the exception of religiously-affiliated institutions, most admission officers don't care much about your view as long as you present it smartly, respectfully, and creatively.

Essays are a vital part of the college admission process. College admission officers do not take the quality of your essays lightly, so you're expected to give it your best shot. The college essay tips in this article should help you write an excellent essay for your college application. However, if you're still unsure how to start, you can talk to one of our admission counselors or see other related articles on our website.