How to Write Essays for US College and University Application?

Essay Writing for Colleges and Universities

Excitement is in the air for rising Grade 12 students applying to college this year. While the Common App has confirmed that the 2025-26 essay prompts will remain unchanged, most colleges won’t release their supplemental essay questions until August 1. But that doesn’t mean you should wait to start brainstorming. Your experiences — and how you reflect on them — will be the backbone of your essays.

US colleges use holistic admissions, which means they evaluate you as a whole person, not just a set of grades and test scores. Your essays need to highlight the unique values, insights, and skills you’ve gained from your experiences. The key is to craft compelling stories that give admissions officers a sense of who you are, beyond the numbers.

Here’s how to get a head start and build a strong foundation for your essays:

1. Create a Resume

Start by compiling all your activities — big or small — in a résumé format. This serves two purposes:

You’ll have an evolving, ready-to-go document to attach to applications, internships, or scholarship opportunities.
It becomes a memory bank, helping you recall moments and achievements you might otherwise forget.

Tip: Don’t just list what you did — briefly jot down why you did it, what you enjoyed, and what you learned.

2. Build a Visual Organizer

Mapping your trajectory from Grades 8-12 is a game-changer. Use a mind map, timeline, or even a table in a notebook or digital tool to track:

Activities: Clubs, sports, volunteering, personal projects, jobs, etc.
Roles: What responsibilities did you take on?
Milestones: Competitions, leadership promotions, notable successes.
Challenges: Did you face setbacks or pivot directions? Why?
Impact: How did your involvement affect others — or yourself?

This organizer isn’t just about structure; it helps uncover connections between activities and values, which can lead to a more cohesive, compelling application.

3. Write Anecdotes

Every meaningful activity likely has a driving story behind it. Admissions officers crave these stories — they help humanize you. Start collecting mini-stories from your journey.

Ask yourself:

What inspired you to take up this activity? Was it a personal experience, an observation, a news story, or even a failure?
What moments stick with you? A powerful interaction? A breakthrough after struggling?
Did your role evolve? How did you grow from participant to leader or innovator?

Example: Built an app to assist the elderly? Great — but what’s more compelling is why you built it. Did you see a family member struggle? Read an article that struck a chord. That personal connection transforms a good story into an unforgettable one.

4. Reflect on Takeaways

Students often stumble when asked about what they learned. Go deeper than surface-level takeaways like “I learned teamwork.”

Consider these:

What skills did you develop? Leadership, coding, empathy, resilience?
What values emerged or strengthened? Curiosity, integrity, perseverance?
Did any beliefs get challenged? How did your worldview shift?
How does this shape your future goals? Will you continue this work or apply these lessons in a new way?

Admissions officers are drawn to students who think critically about their growth. Don’t just describe what you did — interpret it.

5. Seek Mentor Feedback

Talk to teachers, club leaders, or coaches — anyone who’s watched you tackle challenges. Ask for specific insights:

How do they view your strengths? Sometimes others see qualities in us that we overlook.
What did they notice about your leadership or problem-solving style?
What could you have done differently — and why? Acknowledging areas for growth shows maturity.

It’s never too early to start building your College Essay Preparation Document. Beginning in Grades 8 or 9 is ideal, but the second-best time is today if you’re in Grade 12 now. Each activity, project, or challenge you’ve faced holds untapped potential for a compelling college essay — you just need to capture it before the details fade.

Action Step: Grab a notebook, open a new document, or start a spreadsheet — and start recording your journey. Future you will thank you when the essay prompts drop, and you’re ready with authentic, thoughtful, standout stories.

Happy writing