I still don't know what to write for my college essay.

College Essays
1

The only thing I can think of is an essay on why I like computer science and physics, which sounds like a pretty boring essay, and won’t do for the top schools I’m applying to.

I haven’t been on any life changing trips or won anything amazing.

2

There has to be something. What is something you want admissions to know about you that otherwise can’t be found on your app? It could be a hobby/interest, or demonstrating a character trait via an engaging story about something. Some traits I’ve seen students demonstrate well: compassion, maturity, humor, open-mindedness, quirkiness… you can demonstrate these through any number of stories, even if they don’t seem “important” or “interesting.” You can also demonstrate beliefs/interests in unique ways–a student I worked with showed both her quirkiness and feminist bend by writing an ode to Leslie Knope.

So what are you into? What kind of person are you? Is there an interesting way to talk about CS or physics without just droning on about liking them? How can you “show” rather than tell?

3

Read a really good essay about why a kid would rather wear a new pair of socks everyday…and another one about the time she found her long-lost Barbie in the rain gutter. It doesn’t have to be about anything, actually. Think out of the box.

4

Wait, here’s the Barbie essay. It got her into Brown. http://www.narragansett.k12.ri.us/nhs/guidweb/Sample%20essays%20that%20worked.pdf

5

I only found out that I like CS and physics about a year ago, before that, I had no idea about what to do in life. I thought I was gonna be a doctor…

but I genuinely do feel a strong connection to CS and physics. I have a lot to say on what I’m going to do with CS and physics, but haven’t actually done much yet

6

@jcui3899 is this for the Common App prompts or something else? Remember, it doesn’t have to be about amazing things. I think the best essays are about small moments, like finding the aforementioned Barbie, or about aspects of your personality. There has to be something unique about you that you never really thought about, just because it’s a part of yourself. If you want to write about computer science and physics, by all means go ahead. Just remember it’s the way you write the essay, not really the content, that will make it work.