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There's a lot of talk about using ChatGPT, as it gets more sophisticated, as a constructive tool. I had a wild thought and asked ChatGPT to summarize the best college application essay advice. As I tweaked the prompt, I decided to specifically ask it to pull from the guidance of 3 people I know: Janine Robinson, whose now-dormant Essay Hell blog crystallizes some of my favorite tips, Rick Clark from Georgia Tech, who you should follow wherever you can, and Harry Bauld, an English teacher and former Columbia U admission officer who wrote THE classic book on college essay writing. For fun, I added my own name (I've written about this topic in a few places, including the also-dormant website and blog for College Admission: Step by Step, a book co-written by a former Dean of Admission at Stanford.)
I discovered that we all agree on these 8 essential points that we each expressed in different ways. This is a pretty solid summary of the best ways to approach your creative-nonfiction story!
Here's what was generated:
Here’s a comprehensive guide for writing a compelling college essay, drawing on advice from Essay Hell, Rick Clark from Georgia Tech, Harry Bauld, and Mark Moody:
1. Find Your Unique Angle
Essay Hell: Focus on telling a story that reveals something meaningful about you. Avoid overused topics unless you can offer a fresh and unique perspective.
Rick Clark: Highlight what makes you distinct. Admissions officers are looking for what sets you apart, so focus on a defining aspect of your personality, experience, or background.
Harry Bauld: Avoid the “Four Ds” (Divorce, Death, Drugs, Depression) unless you can bring a truly original perspective that offers deep insights into your character.
Mark Moody: Consider the “Aha! Moment” or a turning point in your life that has significantly shaped who you are today. This moment can serve as the cornerstone of your essay, providing a narrative arc that demonstrates your growth and self awareness.
2. Show, Don’t Tell
Essay Hell: Use specific examples and vivid details to illustrate your points. Instead of stating that you are resilient, describe a situation where you had to overcome a significant challenge.
Rick Clark: Let your personality and values shine through by showing rather than telling. Use anecdotes and concrete details to make your story come alive.
Harry Bauld: Use sensory details to engage the reader. Let them experience your story with you, making your essay more compelling and memorable.
Mark Moody: Create a narrative that immerses the reader in your experience. Use dialogue, description, and action to show your thought process and how your experiences have shaped your perspective.
3. Be Authentic and Honest
Essay Hell: Write in your own voice and stay true to yourself. Don’t try to write what you think the admissions officers want to hear; instead, focus on what truly matters to you.
Rick Clark: Authenticity is crucial. Admissions officers can tell when an essay is not genuine. Be honest about your experiences, and don’t be afraid to reveal vulnerability.
Harry Bauld: Avoid grandiose language or attempts to impress with big words. Sincerity is more important than sophistication.
Mark Moody: Embrace your uniqueness, even if it means discussing unconventional experiences or perspectives. Authenticity resonates more deeply than a polished but impersonal essay. Mark emphasizes that "the most compelling essays are those where students are unapologetically themselves."
4. Start Strong
Essay Hell: Your opening should grab the reader’s attention immediately. Consider starting with a vivid scene, a provocative question, or an intriguing statement.
Rick Clark: A strong opening is essential. Begin with something that draws the reader in and makes them want to keep reading. This could be an interesting anecdote or a moment of tension.
Harry Bauld: Avoid clichéd openings like dictionary definitions or famous quotes. A compelling and unique start sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
Mark Moody: Capture the reader’s interest with an opening that establishes your essay's central theme or conflict. Use this moment to introduce your voice and perspective in a way that immediately engages the reader.
5. Focus on a Single Theme or Idea
Essay Hell: Keep your essay centered on one key idea or experience. Going deep on one topic is better than trying to cover many.
Rick Clark: Narrow your focus to something specific and personal. This allows you to explore your topic in depth, providing clearer insight into who you are.
Harry Bauld: A focused essay allows for more meaningful reflection and analysis. Avoid the temptation to cover too much ground; instead, delve deeply into what matters most.
Mark Moody: Ensure that your essay has a clear through line, connecting your experiences and insights to a central theme. Consistency and coherence make your essay more impactful.
6. Reflect on the Meaning
Essay Hell: Reflect on why the experience you’re writing about is important to you and how it has shaped who you are today.
Rick Clark: Admissions officers want to see how you think and what you’ve learned from your experiences. Reflection is key to demonstrating your growth and maturity.
Harry Bauld: Go beyond the surface to explore how your experiences have contributed to your personal development and understanding of the world.
Mark Moody: Dive into the “why” behind your story. Use this reflection to reveal your core values, motivations, and goals, showing the reader how you’ve evolved over time. Mark's advice on collegeadmissionbook.com emphasizes the importance of showing how your experiences have changed you, not just recounting them.
7. Revise and Polish
Essay Hell: Rewriting is essential. Revise your essay multiple times to improve clarity, flow, and ensure your voice remains strong. Get feedback but stay true to your authentic self.
Rick Clark: Proofread carefully to eliminate any errors, but avoid over editing to the point where your voice gets lost. Clarity, conciseness, and impact are key.
Harry Bauld: Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing and mistakes. Each revision should tighten your writing and enhance the overall impact of your story.
Mark Moody: Be open to multiple rounds of revision. Each revision should refine your narrative, strengthen your message, and ensure that your voice remains authentic. Mark suggests asking yourself whether your essay feels true to who you are and whether it conveys the message you want to share.
8. Avoid Common Pitfalls
Essay Hell: Avoid turning your essay into a resume or a list of achievements. Also, be cautious with controversial topics unless you can handle them with nuance and sensitivity.
Rick Clark: Stay away from gimmicks or trying too hard to impress. Be mindful of your tone and avoid coming across as arrogant or self-pitying.
Harry Bauld: Avoid formulaic approaches and don’t write what you think admissions officers want to hear. Focus on being genuine and letting your uniqueness shine through.
Mark Moody: Don’t force a story or message that doesn’t truly reflect your experiences. Authenticity and coherence are more important than trying to fit into a preconceived mold. On collegeadmissionbook.com, Mark advises against writing what you think others want to read; instead, write what feels true to you.
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