
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Submitting Your College Essay
So, you’ve written your college essay. You’ve put in the late nights, overthought every comma, and maybe even cried once (or twice…or a lot). Before you hit that magical “Submit” button, take a beat. The last thing you want is to send in an essay that’s technically fine but completely forgettable.
Here are five questions to ask yourself to make sure your essay is authentic, memorable, and has that extra wow factor. Let’s turn your essay from "meh" to chef’s kiss.
1. Is This a Story Only You Can Tell?
If your best friend could swap their name into your essay and it would still work, back to the drawing board you go. Admissions officers read thousands of essays every year, and the last thing you want is to blend into the beige wallpaper of “just another overachiever.”
Think about the moments, quirks, or experiences that make you you. Did your family’s restaurant teach you the value of sacrifice? Did your poetry slams in a parking lot help you find your voice? Did your obsession with bullet journaling lead to a passion for design?
Make it personal. Make it weird. Make it unmistakably yours.
2. Does This Essay Have a Degree of Brave Vulnerability?
Let’s be real: the best essays make you feel something. That doesn’t mean you have to overshare or write about your deepest trauma if you’re not comfortable. But your essay should show a slice of your humanity—the part of you that’s imperfect, learning, and growing.
Ask yourself: Did you take a risk? Did you share a moment where you weren’t perfect but figured something out anyway? Vulnerability isn’t about being dramatic; it’s about being real.
3. Does It Start With a Strong Hook?
Your opening line is your first impression. It’s the thing that grabs your reader and says, “Hey, pay attention to me.”
Which would you rather read?
- “I have learned many lessons from playing soccer.” (Yawn.)
- “Lacrosse is the fastest sport on two feet. At every quarter, after every goal, there’s a face-off. From the face-off to the fast break, seconds seem like minutes.” (Tell me more!)
A strong hook isn’t about being shocking for the sake of it. It’s about making your reader curious enough to keep going.
4. Does This Show a Perspective on Life That’s Not Cliché?
If your essay could be summed up as “Hard work pays off” or “Teamwork makes the dream work,” it’s time to dig deeper.
The best essays don’t just state lessons; they show how you arrived at them. They take ordinary moments and reveal something extraordinary about how you see the world.
For example:
- Instead of “Volunteering taught me to be grateful for what I have,” what about: “Volunteering taught me that those who have the least often give the most”?
Instead of “Overcoming challenges made me stronger,” try: “I realized that failure isn’t a flaw to fix—it’s a teacher disguised as chaos.”
Your perspective is what sets you apart. Make sure it shines.
5. Does This Essay Make You Proud?
This is the gut-check question. Forget about what you think admissions officers want to read. Forget about what your parents or teachers suggested.
Does this essay feel like you? Does it capture your voice, your humor, your quirks, your heart? If the answer is yes, hit submit with confidence. If the answer is no, take another pass. You deserve to send in something that feels as good as it reads.
The Hard Truth
Your college essay is your chance to introduce yourself to admissions officers as more than just grades and activities. It’s your chance to tell them who you are, what you value, and how you see the world.
When in doubt, remember: Be specific. Be honest. Be bold. And if you need a second (or third) pair of eyes, we’re here to help. Let’s make sure your essay isn’t just another submission—it’s a story they won’t forget.

Post a comment