What do colleges want to read in any admissions essay?

Tamara Siler, Deputy Director of Admission, Access and Inclusion, Rice University

“Sometimes an essay can be the conduit for a student to reveal something to the admission committee that we would never have thought to ask. In terms of selective admission, personal statements are very important in adding needed texture to an application file. Quantitative factors such as transcripts and test scores only tell part of the story; a personal statement can provide context and truly show why a certain student is a better match than other clearly capable applicants.”

Shawn Felton, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Deputy Chief Admissions and Enrollment Officer, Cornell University

“What are we looking for? We are creating a class. We look at numbers, grades and test scores. But there’s more to it. We are trying to put a face with all of this information. Answer the question. Since so many students don’t do that, you could actually stand out by doing that very basic thing.”

Gregory Sneed, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Denison University

“Even after reviewing a mediocre transcript or seeing a limited activities list, I can be swayed to admit a student who writes an essay who really blows me away. The topic of the essay doesn’t need to be mind-blowing (in fact, the most mundane topics are often the most relatable and enjoyable), but if it reveals someone who would be highly valued in our campus community, that could tip the scales.”

Leonard Satterwhite, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions, Washington & Lee University (retired in 2022)

“How authentic is the voice in the writing? What issues does the student tackle in the essay? Is the writing memorable, and does it illuminate vividly the student’s personality, perspective and/ or background? Does the writing reveal deep intellect and the potential to be an academic leader at W&L?”

Kim Bryant, University of Michigan, Assistant Director, of Admissions, Visitor Experience and Engagement

“This is your interview. Let me know who you really are.”

Peter Osgood, Director of Admission, Harvey Mudd College

“Good writing is a product of good thinking. The college essay/ personal statement is more important than ever. It’s the student’s best opportunity to speak directly to the committee that’s making a decision about admission. It carries significant value in terms of the impression it communicates. The biggest mistake students make is to write really dry descriptive things and tell us what happened without being reflective.”

Christina Lopez, Dean of Enrollment Management, Barnard College

“Think Match.com. Student responses separate good from great. The more you can espouse why you are a match in the short answer question genuinely (without regurgitating our website to us because we wrote it!), the more you will stand out to us. It is a great place to let a college know if you are their first choice and why you love us. In the end all of us want to feel loved!!”

Lorenzo Gamboa, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach, Santa Clara University

“Students don’t need to compile an entire season into an essay. Just give us one place, one time, one moment, and that will do it for you.”