June 30, 2024

College Essays: Your Key to Standing Out!

As the Class of 2025 prepares to begin their college applications on August 1st, the pressure is on to present a standout application. Each year, admissions counselors are reviewing a greater number of applications than ever before. For example, last year at the University of Kentucky, over 20,000 applications were submitted. The presentation of the application is an important element when competing for acceptances to colleges and merit scholarship.

How do you make your application stand out among all of the applicants who have a strong GPA, high standardized test scores, and an impressive resume of activities? The answer lies in a well-crafted unique essay! 

Class 101-Lexington offers invaluable support through our Essay Workshops, guiding you through every step of the process from idea development to final draft. Once the essay is complete, you have the confidence of knowing that it is one of your best pieces of writing to date and you have shown a side of yourself that may not be reflected anywhere else in the application. Here’s how we can help:

Developing a memorable topic 

Your essay should feature a story that only you can tell, reflecting your unique words, thoughts, and experiences. We will steer you away from overused topics such as sports and sports injuries, items in the news, mission trips and summer vacations, and family members. We also recommend that you “think outside the box”  when considering the required prompts.   

Creating a Strong Narrative 

With the exception of the topics listed above, everything else is open! Have a strong grab statement, one that will pique the reader’s interest from the first sentence. Bring your reader on a journey through an experience you may have had. Incorporate clear writing with well chosen words and create connections that illustrate your unique qualities and experiences. 

Polishing Your Writing  

Casualness causes casualties, so attention to detail in grammar and punctuation is crucial. Errors can detract from your message and reflect poorly on your overall application. 

Planning for Multiple Essays 

The number of essays that will need to be written will depend on the your college list and how many applications will be submitted. The main essay can and should be used for every college that will accept it, but many schools also require supplemental essays.  Some will also require additional essays for scholarships and/or honors colleges. Our goal is to have the main essay completed by the start of senior year, giving you time to tackle additional prompts.

Your essay can be an impactful part of your total application, and is one of the 10 services addressed when you are college planning with Class 101-Lexington. To find out more about how we can help make College Planning Simple, contact us today for a free consultation.

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