We get a lot of questions from high school students about the main college essay, when to begin writing it, what should/shouldn't be mentioned in it... as well as when and how to start thinking about choosing a college major. These are fantastic, and very common, questions. You deserve answers!
When should I begin writing my college essay?
In an ideal world, you will begin writing your main college essay of 650 words immediately after your AP or other exams are over in the junior year. For those students who don’t have a heavy AP class load, it is certainly fine to begin sooner, say, March or April, but I don’t recommend starting earlier than that. Here’s why – this piece of writing is deeply personal and based on life perspective and experience. While it is possible to compose the essay in the 10th grade or any time, it isn’t advisable based on the possible accumulation of life experiences. Think of yourself, dear student, at the beginning of middle school vs. the end. How much did you change and grow?
This same principle goes for high school. Junior year is one third of your high school experience. It is a year of incredible growth, possible struggle and infinite possibility. Don’t exclude those rich experiences from possible essay fodder!
That said, starting at the end of the junior year and into the summer of the senior year is ideal. I have learned that a focused few weeks at the beginning of the summer are ideal to complete this essay. Don’t drag it out; simply get words to paper. Edit relentlessly, solicit feedback, then put it away for a few days and don’t think about it. Edit again. Put it away again. If you look at your finished product for the second time and are proud of this work, you are finished!
Don’t make the mistake of second-guessing an excellent essay a day or two before it is time to submit your applications. It’s normal to feel nervous, but don’t take it out on the beautiful essay you composed months earlier. There are plenty of scholarship and honors college essays just ahead, so if you are missing the process, never fear! More writing opportunities will come soon!
For comprehensive timeline planning for all of your college application tasks, book your DISCOVERY CALL today! We are also excellent essay editors!
What should I mention in my main college essay? What should I not mention?
I think you are looking for advice on which topics are good and which are not. I am here to help! Having read thousands of essays, I know a good one when I read it, and the best topics are the ones that are authentic and display excellent insight and vulnerability. This is not a research paper or an instance where textual evidence is cited. YOU and your life experiences are the evidence! Creating a main college essay that is uniquely your own takes some thought and there are no hard and fast rules.
Try to focus most of the essay on events and realizations that have happened in high school. This is your college essay, and admissions officers are interested in your thoughts, feelings and experiences of recent years. Keep that in mind.
That said, there are some topics that are overused and otherwise not awesome. Here are a few:
Moving: Although I realize that this is probably a traumatic experience for most high schoolers (and families – the upheaval is real)! That said, people move all the time. They move houses, towns, states and countries, and this isn’t news. Therefore, focusing your essay on moving is an overused topic, so it is probably best to avoid.
Legos: Engineering majors take warning, every engineering student writes about lego-inspiration. Don’t let that student be you.
Divorce: Unfortunately this happens about half the time (not up on the current statistic), and while it can be a difficult time, leave it out of your main college essay.
Team Stories: Don’t tell a story that your whole team/squad/marching band could tell. Yes, you may mention participation in group activities, but if every student on the team could tell the same story about going to state - it isn’t unique to you. Choose something else.
Mission Trips/Travel: These tend to be overused, and should be handled carefully.
Highly Controversial Topics: Because you never know the views of your reader. Nuff said..
Unresolved Anxiety or Mental Health Issues: Keep these to yourself as there are other, better things for you to display in this essay. Stigma still exists - so tread lightly.
Sports Injuries: Yes, these can be wonderful tales of overcoming hardship, but sports injuries in high school are not rare. You may wish to choose something that is a bit less trite.
Your Major/Laundry List of Extracurriculars: These things are found elsewhere on your application. Each section should provide new information to the admission committee, so save this for the “Activities List” section or the “Why This Major?” short answer question.
While this is not an exhaustive list, understand that the more unique the topic, the better! Show off your unique perspective and fascinating life by showcasing a story that only YOU can tell. Admissions officers want to know what type of person you are and what cool things you will add to the campus community.
This is just the tip of the main essay iceberg, so for assistance on your main essay and all the writing that goes along with the college application, book your DISCOVERY CALL today to learn how Access College America can help you put your very best essay forward!
I am a sophomore and still don’t know what I want to major in. Where do I start?
Though every student figures this out in their own time, it is normal if you don’t know just yet. That said, there are many ways a younger high schooler can learn more about the world of work and what jobs are available, as well as determine which majors go with which careers.
Start with your favorite subject in school. Which class do you go to each day and think to yourself, “I’ve got this!” Not because you get to see your friends or because the teacher is cool, but because you genuinely are inclined toward the subject matter. Taking this a step further, is there an academic elective or core class where one of the units sparked your curiosity? Were you eager to learn more about one of the assigned readings or projects? If so, this is a wonderful clue into a possible major. Ask yourself what appealed to you about that topic? What exactly did you find fascinating? Questions like these can lead to important distinctions.
Another thing to consider: Is there something that you do when you are out of school that causes you to literally lose time? If one of your hobbies or interests (coding? building things? reading?) is becoming a bit overgrown, then perhaps a future career might have something to do with one of those hobbies.
Finally, seek out work-based learning experiences outside the classroom. This can encompass informational interviews, internships, job shadowing or paid employment. There is nothing like a sincerely curious high school student to bring out the mentor in a working adult! Don’t be shy about asking for an hour of a professional’s time to learn more about what they do for a living. Ask open-ended questions, and allow the conversation to develop organically. Always end the conversation with sincere thanks, as well as an inquiry into other contacts they know that might help.
Once you have narrowed it down to a few possible careers and majors, let some college research come into play. Look at a few majors within each college that interest you. What is the academic trajectory and curriculum you will follow? Do those classes or opportunities sound interesting? What will you learn and are there any overlapping minors that could add to or broaden your education?
Remember, career exploration isn’t something that happens TO you, it happens BECAUSE OF you. Don’t be passive here! Get curious and act on that curiosity. You will be glad you did!
At Access College America, we guide our scholars to explore their career interests even before we decide which colleges land on their balanced college lists. Book your DISCOVERY CALL today to learn about this and our comprehensive services.
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