Purpose
The purpose of an admissions essay is to help level the playing field between students applying to college who have different educational backgrounds. In addition, it helps schools identify students who have the capability to do well at the college or university who did not have a remarkable record in high school. By evaluating these essays, admissions committees gain insights into applicants’ personalities, goals, and potential contributions to the campus community. This holistic approach allows institutions to consider factors beyond grades and test scores, providing a more comprehensive view of each candidate.
Topics
The college or university typically provides a topic or a set of topics to choose from. These topics are often personal in nature and designed to help the admissions staff assess the students on several criteria, such as maturity, motivation for attending college, career aspirations, and of course, writing ability. For example, one topic offered by Texas State University reads: “Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.” If offered a selection of topics, choose the topic that resonates most on a personal level.
Choosing a topic that you feel passionate about will not only make the writing process more enjoyable but also result in a more compelling and genuine essay. For instance, if you are asked why you want to pursue a particular course, reflect deeply on your motivations and how the course aligns with your career aspirations. Highlighting specific experiences that sparked your interest in the subject can make your essay stand out.
Planning and Drafting
Create an outline that covers the main topics that will be discussed. Addressing the personal topic provided by the admissions department can be an emotional experience. However, it is important to follow the outline as closely as possible and to write a well-organized and high-quality essay. Freewriting, or writing without a plan, can lead to a poorly organized essay that is difficult to follow.
An effective outline might include the following sections:
- Introduction: Introduce the main theme or story of your essay. Set the stage for what you will discuss and capture the reader’s interest right from the start.
- Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a specific point or aspect of your story. For example, if you are discussing why you want to study a particular course, one paragraph might detail a personal experience that inspired you, another might explain how your previous studies or experiences have prepared you for this course, and a third could describe your future aspirations and how the course will help you achieve them.
- Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reflect on what you have learned through the experiences you have described. Reinforce your enthusiasm for the course and how you envision contributing to the university community.
Tone
Strive for a personal tone. Because the topics ask for a personal narrative or opinion, it is acceptable to write in the first person unless the essay criteria specifically state not to do so. However, keep the language professional but not stiff or artificial. Avoid using slang or offensive language. Keep in mind that your audience comprises admissions counselors, and they expect to see a college-level quality of writing.
Your tone should reflect your genuine personality and enthusiasm. While it is important to be professional, showing your passion and commitment can make your essay more memorable. For example, if you are writing about a volunteer experience that influenced your desire to pursue a career in healthcare, let your dedication and compassion shine through your words.
Revising
Once a draft has been written, the revision process can begin. One of the criteria that admissions counselors are looking for is an ability to follow directions. Compare the finished draft to the essay prompt as well as any criteria provided by the admissions department. If the essay does not match the criteria or follow the instructions as well as it might, revise to make it match the criteria more effectively.
During revision, pay close attention to the clarity and coherence of your essay. Ensure that each paragraph transitions smoothly into the next and that your argument or narrative is easy to follow. Remove any redundant or irrelevant information that does not contribute to your main points. Consider whether your examples effectively illustrate your thesis and whether your essay provides a clear and compelling narrative.
Proofreading is also a vital part of the process. The essay must be as grammatically and syntactically perfect as possible. It is a good idea to have a teacher, mentor, or peer review the draft before it is sent. They can advise about additional revisions that may be necessary, as well as help catch any errors. Spelling and grammar mistakes can distract the reader and detract from the overall quality of your essay, so it is crucial to eliminate them.
Practical Examples
To further illustrate, let’s consider practical examples of admissions essay topics and approaches:
- Impactful Person:
- Topic: Write an essay about someone who has made an impact on your life.
- Example: Discuss a mentor who inspired you to pursue a career in engineering. Describe specific instances where their guidance helped you overcome challenges and how their influence shaped your career aspirations.
- Career Aspirations:
- Topic: Explain why you want to study a particular course and how it aligns with your career goals.
- Example: If you are applying for a business program, you might describe your passion for entrepreneurship, detailing a small business you started in high school and how the program will help you develop the skills to expand your venture.
- Personal Challenges:
- Topic: Write about a significant challenge you have faced and how you overcame it.
- Example: Describe a time when you struggled with a subject in school, the steps you took to improve, and how this experience taught you resilience and problem-solving skills.
Revising and Proofreading
After drafting your essay, revising and proofreading are crucial steps to refine your writing. Revising involves reviewing the content, structure, and clarity of your essay. Ask yourself if your essay flows logically, if each paragraph supports your thesis, and if your examples effectively illustrate your points.
Proofreading, on the other hand, focuses on correcting grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. It is essential to read your essay multiple times, as well as to have someone else review it. Fresh eyes can often catch mistakes that you might have overlooked.
Conclusion
In conclusion, writing an effective admissions essay requires careful planning, a personal and professional tone, and thorough revising and proofreading. By following these guidelines and incorporating personal experiences and aspirations, you can create a compelling essay that highlights your unique qualities and potential. This not only helps level the playing field among applicants but also allows you to showcase your readiness and enthusiasm for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in your academic journey.
How UCAS Admission Essays are Changing
UCAS has announced significant changes to the personal statement component of the university application process, set to take effect in September 2025 for students applying for the 2026 entry. This shift aims to modernize and simplify the application process, which many students and educators have found outdated and overly stressful.
Instead of the traditional personal statement essay, applicants will now respond to three structured questions. These questions are designed to offer a clearer framework for applicants to express their motivations and qualifications. The questions are:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject? This question allows applicants to demonstrate their passion for the subject and their existing knowledge, showing universities that they understand the course content and are enthusiastic about furthering their education in this area.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course? Here, students can highlight their academic achievements and relevant skills, such as teamwork, communication, and organization, which will support their success in the chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences helpful? This question provides a space to discuss extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports, or additional reading, illustrating the applicant’s broader interests and attributes that contribute to their readiness for university life.
These changes are intended to make the application process more straightforward and equitable by focusing on specific, structured responses rather than a single, open-ended personal statement. The aim is to reduce the stress associated with writing the personal statement and to provide a clearer means for applicants to showcase their strengths and readiness for higher education.
Additionally, teacher references will also be updated to offer more objective assessments of students. Instead of a freeform letter, teachers will respond to three structured questions about the student’s school or college context, any extenuating circumstances affecting their performance, and other relevant information.
These revisions are based on extensive student feedback, with many indicating that the traditional personal statement was difficult to write without adequate support. By adopting this new format, UCAS hopes to provide a more supportive and transparent application process that better reflects students’ abilities and potential.