College applications are a nerve-wracking phenomenon in most teenagers’ lives. The process of deciding which schools are the best fit for you or what the next step will be after high school can leave many people feeling lost or confused. At the end of the day, we all choose our own path, and for most of us, that path involves pursuing higher education such a college/university. Along with the decision making process comes the task of writing a college essay. a single piece of writing that somehow has to capture the essence of who we are, all in a maximum of 650 words. For some, it may come easily, but for many of us, the struggle is real, especially when it comes to choosing a concept that perfectly represents our individuality. So, here’s some guidance that many of us wish we had when tackling this process.
My Essay
Throughout my years of school and first day of school phenomenons, ice-breaker activities were a common thing for teachers to use in order to familiarize students with one another. Most teachers would play games or just have students answer simple questions about themselves in front of the others. One recurring question I seemed to always notice as if it were a trend among the faculty was, “If you had to describe yourself with just one word, what would it be?” I often grappled with this question feeling a pang of frustration move through my body, searching for a word that perfectly captured who I was. I felt as if I were thumbing through a dictionary, seeking the perfect term. Despite my efforts, I never quite found it. In these moments, I typically resorted to the first word that came to mind, influenced by the mounting pressure of my classmates. My response usually “funny” or “hardworking”—traits that were true but did not fully resonate with my self-perception. This idea though changed when I encountered the term “envious.” Despite its negative connotations, envy seemed to reflect my experiences more accurately than any other word.
My envy began in my early childhood, where I frequently compared myself to others. Unlike them, who seemed to revel in carefree play, I was frustrated that they seemed to fully engage in their childhoods while I was tasked with raising my younger brother at the age of seven. Although I understood my mother’s intentions, the frustration I felt often manifested as envy toward those who lived more typical childhoods. As the years went on my envy grew, I continued to grapple with feelings of inadequacy. I envied those who seemed to effortlessly gain their parents’ pride or those who seemed to speak English fluently, without the fear of their accents being judged. In high school, I was overwhelmed by envy toward those who seemed to effortlessly embrace American culture, while I struggled to even recognize my own. Although I took pride in my heritage, I felt lost, trapped between not being “American” enough and not being “Mexican” enough. The success of others only deepened my sense of inadequacy. I envied those who had found their identities and learned self-love, feeling pathetic as the role model for my three younger siblings. How could I break stereotypes and achieve something significant when those very stereotypes seemed to be breaking me?
My struggle with envy extended to my mother, my hero. Her strength through her hardships was beyond my comprehension, and I wished to be as resilient as she was. This constant envy felt like a relentless cycle, and at times, it seemed less like envy and more like self-hatred. I felt disconnected from myself, as if nothing truly defined who I was. I envied the qualities in others and loathed everything about myself. Despite this, I knew my mother would be proud of me. Her sacrifices and efforts to raise me became a source of empowerment rather than discouragement. I questioned why I would hate something created by someone I loved so deeply. It dawned on me that my struggle with identity was, in fact, my own unique story. Realizing that envy had fueled my self-doubt, I saw it could be transformed into a source of perseverance. This shift in perspective allowed me to view envy differently. Instead of letting it diminish me, I used it as a tool to carve out my path and understand my values. By reflecting on my envy of others, I discovered my own aspirations and learned more about myself. Envy, in this new light I had created, became a powerful teacher of self-development throughout my journey.
Author’s Reflection
First, it’s important to know that you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. When I started my essay, I, and like many others, didn’t even know where to begin. The pressure to write something profound, meaningful, and unique often felt like an impossible task that I kept putting off. The key that helped me the most, is to start by asking yourself the right question. Questions that may help you dig deeper into who you truly are. What I asked myself:
- What am I passionate about?
- What do I want the admissions committee to know about me?
- What makes me stand out?
- These questions are designed to spark introspection, to help you reflect on your experiences, values, and aspirations.
For me, the answer came when I realized that my struggle with self-identity had shaped me in ways I had never fully recognized. It was through this struggle that I learned resilience, empathy, and the importance of staying true to myself despite external pressures. This was not a struggle I wanted to shy away from in my essay. it was, in fact, central to who I am today. Without the challenges I faced in understanding myself, I wouldn’t have developed the character traits that define me. It was this click in my head that gave me the main point in order to write my essay. An essay that wasn’t just about my accomplishments but about my growth and the journey that led me to where I am now. When writing your essay, remember that being you is the key. Most colleges are looking for a sense of who you are beyond your grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. They want to see what makes you, YOU.
A strong essay doesn’t need to tell a story of perfection. The key is to show how you’ve learned from your experiences and what you’ve taken away from them. As an example, if you’ve faced setbacks, how have they shaped your perspective on life? What strengths have you developed as a result? Its also important to make sure that your essay doesn’t just tell your story but shows it. Rather than simply stating facts or summarizing events, try to paint a vivid picture with your words. Instead of saying, “I learned to be more confident,” show the reader a moment when you had to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Use specific details emotions, and reflections to create a sense of who you are as a person. This will make your essay more engaging and memorable to whoever reads it.
One of the most challenging aspects of writing the college essay is narrowing down your topic. With only 650 words, you don’t have the ability of telling your entire life story. This is when you want to make sure you focus and clarify your main point. It’s better to have one powerful, focused narrative than trying to cover to many topics. choose an experience or trait that is truly important to you and explore it deeply. If you have multiple interests or passions, you can mix them together, but make sure you try maintain a clear theme throughout your essay as possible. Lastly, remember that the college essay is just one part of your application.
It is an opportunity to highlight aspects of your personality, experiences, or perspective that aren’t visible on your resume. Don’t let this process intimidate you. Focus on expressing your authentic self, and above all, be patient and persistent. In the end, this essay is not just about securing a spot at your dream school, more than that. it’s about reflecting on who you are and what you want to contribute.
