If you’re sitting there staring at a blinking cursor, trying to figure out how to even begin your university application essay, you’re definitely not the only one. For most of us, writing about ourselves—honestly, and in a way that sounds both interesting and original—doesn’t come naturally. But don’t panic. You don’t need to be a literary genius or have climbed Mount Everest to write something that stands out.
Here’s a guide that walks you through writing a university application essay that feels like you—not like a polished robot version of you, but the real person.
Start by Figuring Out What They Actually Want
Most people think the essay is about sounding smart or listing achievements. But that’s what your transcript and resume are for. The essay? It’s your one shot to talk directly to the admissions team and give them a sense of who you are as a person—what you care about, what you’ve learned, and how you think.
They’re asking: What makes this student someone we’d want on our campus?
Don't Overthink the Topic
You don’t need a wild story or a perfect happy ending. Some of the best essays are about regular things—a family dinner, a part-time job, even a personal failure. What matters is how you reflect on the experience. Did it change your view of something? Did it help you grow?
For example, someone once wrote a killer essay about how folding laundry with their grandmother taught them patience and storytelling. Simple moment, deep meaning.
Write the Way You Speak (Mostly)
Now, this doesn’t mean you should write like you’re texting your friend (“yo, college is wild fr fr”), but it should sound like you—your natural voice.
Admissions folks read thousands of essays. If yours sounds like a real person talking and not a generic copy-paste version of what you think they want to hear, they’ll notice.
So ask yourself: if I read this out loud, does it sound like me?
Open With a Moment, Not a Monologue
Let’s be real—“Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to...” makes eyes glaze over. Try something more vivid.
Jump into a moment. Maybe it’s you standing outside your school after a loss in debate. Or the sound of the crowd as you missed a game-winning shot. Or a quiet moment where you helped your sibling through something hard.
Paint a picture, then pull the reader in.
Tell a Story, Then Reflect
Once you’ve got their attention, don’t just tell them what happened—tell them what it meant.
Ask yourself:
- Why did this matter to me?
- What did I learn from it?
- How has it shaped the way I think, act, or dream?
This part is where you make the essay memorable. You’re not just writing about an event—you’re showing how you grew from it.
Don’t Try to Sound Smart. Be Real Instead.
Using big words and complex sentences won’t impress anyone if they make your essay harder to understand. Actually, most admissions officers prefer clear and honest writing over something that sounds like a thesaurus exploded.
For example, “I was devastated” is perfectly fine. You don’t have to say, “I experienced intense emotional despondency.” Keep it real. Keep it clear.
Cut the Clichés (Seriously)
Try to avoid the usual “I want to change the world,” “I’ve always loved helping people,” or “This taught me to never give up.” They’re not bad messages, but they’re overused. If you say something like that, at least back it up with a specific, personal story that shows why.
Let your uniqueness come through. Even if you’re writing about something many students experience, your angle is what makes it yours.
Structure It Naturally
There’s no magic format, but generally, something like this works well:
- Hook – an attention-grabbing moment or line
- Backstory – a bit of context about the event or experience
- The main moment – what happened, how you felt, how you reacted
- Reflection – what you learned, how it changed you
- Conclusion – tie it back to who you are now and why it matters for your college journey
Edit, but Don’t Overedit
It’s tempting to keep rewriting your essay until it doesn’t even sound like you anymore. Don’t fall into that trap.
Here’s what to do:
- Step away for a day, then read it fresh
- Read it out loud—awkward parts stand out immediately
- Ask one or two trusted people for feedback (not ten)
- Watch for grammar, spelling, and clarity
- Make sure you didn’t wander off-topic
But don’t kill your voice by trying to make it perfect. Colleges would rather hear from a real human than a flawless robot.
Follow the Rules
Sounds obvious, but double-check:
- Word count: Stay within the limit. Don’t go 300 words over just because you couldn’t cut your story down.
- Font and format: If they give guidelines, follow them.
- File type: Submit in the format they ask for—PDF, text box, etc.
Also, save copies of your essay. Don’t rely on your browser history or the cloud gods alone.
Final Thought: Your Story Matters, Even If It Feels Small
A lot of students feel like they haven’t done anything “big enough” to write about. But your everyday moments matter more than you think. Colleges aren’t looking for superheroes. They’re looking for people who are curious, thoughtful, resilient, and ready to learn and grow.
Your life is already full of stories. Find one that matters to you, and tell it honestly. That’s how you win them over—not with perfection, but with heart.
