5 Tips To Make Your Common App Essay STAND OUT

In this video, I'll break down five Common App essay tips that should help you tell a unique story even if you haven't faced any challenges. I'll also show a few great Common App essay examples and explain why I think they work so well.
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Why you don't have to write about a challenge
01:05 What should Personal Statement demonstrate?
01:22 5 qualities of a Personal Statement
02:31 Essay example & analysis
12:05 How to show these 5 qualities in your essay
14:40 Closing words
🔗LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🔗
The Values Exercise:
www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/...
✌️WHO AM I? ✌️
I’m Ethan (College Essay Guy) and my goal is to bring more ease, joy, purpose, and access to the college admission process. I wrote two Amazon bestsellers on college essays and each year my team and I reach more than 1MM students and counselors via www.collegeessayguy.com.
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📖 Free Personal Statement Guide: bit.ly/ps-free-guide
🎙 Podcast: bit.ly/CEGPodcast
📘 College Admission Essentials: bit.ly/3qdEklN
📙 College Essay Essentials: bit.ly/3vIjtbs
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[@abdullahahmed3843]

How am I gonna get into my dream uni when such Shakespeares are writing the essays?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Ha! You got this. :)

[@leilatagasheva5892]

RIGHT!???

[@manisinterlude]

Exactly

[@shiwes.c1190]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@saintchan5485]

😭😭

[@marshalluche2054]

This is me... That essay is still blowing my mind ♥

[@Collegeessayguy]

Glad you liked it!

[@ninareyes9941]

Thank you so much for making these videos! They’ve helped me immensely throughout the admissions process. I used to be extremely intimidated when it came to approaching essays, but after watching your videos they became much more approachable. You’re truly a lifesaver 😭❤️

[@Collegeessayguy]

I'm so glad! Thanks for being here. :)

[@emilycarter8922]

You might want to check this out kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3Slp5SCg7CYiNk

[@maryou3821]

I was starting on a this is me essay but stopped halfway because I didn’t like how it was going, but you’ve helped me get motivated and I think I’m going to start it back up!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Awesome! Happy I could help.

[@trangsmith1038]

Great video! Great Essay! Thank you creating videos and offering such sage advice. These tips can be applied in all kinds of writings not just college essays.

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@violetlydia]

tearing up at the example essay. it was lovely.

[@Collegeessayguy]

Agreed. Thanks for watching!

[@DrBStepsToTheFutureLLC]

Thank you Ethan! I always learn something from you.

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for saying so! :)

[@deathbond2780]

thanks for the effort you make for these vids!

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're welcome. :) Glad you like them!

[@bimalbanerjee8503]

This was incredibly well explained

[@JHANSI_REDDY]

I visualize things but I don't know how to make others visualize what I say. That's what my problem is. But I'm gonna work on it from now. Thank you 😊

[@Collegeessayguy]

You can do it!

[@JHANSI_REDDY]

@@Collegeessayguy You encourage me a lot. I'm so grateful to you.

[@abdullahlaith2629]

so helpful!!! Thank you!!!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shilohpaswani3743]

This is super lit. Thanks for the videos🔥🔥

[@Collegeessayguy]

More to come!

[@sadakayoutube7661]

This man is well spoken and straightforward!!!! Like .. THANK U SO MUCH! And the essay is just a WHOLE vibe ✨ I wonder who wrote it

[@Collegeessayguy]

Most essay examples in my videos are from past students who worked with us at College Essay Guy. :)

[@oceanrise71920]

@@Collegeessayguy how to become member

[@muhammadfahimwasee7552]

My God this was so helpful. Thank you very much.

[@Collegeessayguy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@abdullakhonaman7736]

Love that essay!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@DaveYirenkyi]

Great video thank you so much. The video has helped me a lot

[@Collegeessayguy]

Awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@nkosephayomazibuko9291]

You're so good its insane!!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@john6286]

Thank you so much!!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Welcome!

[@Cybergirl]

Thank you, College cute guy! It helped alot! ♥

[@Collegeessayguy]

Glad it helped!

[@michelledarfour6724]

Can you make a video on kind of like the timeline of how we should take on the essays if we want to be finished by school starting or at least the end of first quarter (~October)?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Noted! Thanks for sharing.

[@malikaallen7221]

this is amazingggg

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@reshmapatel156]

You are awesome and very inspiring

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for being here.

[@addisabebe5794]

thanks a lot!

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're welcome!

[@IyasuReshid-et4rv]

Thank you very much

[@Collegeessayguy]

You are welcome!

[@stephanienwonwu9701]

Thanks you sir

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're welcome!

[@omaaradell]

Make a video about how to stand out in the extracurricular activities section

[@Collegeessayguy]

Noted!

[@abcdef07]

@Omar Adel can you be a little respectful? At least say please, can you... BASIC HUMAN DECENCY!!

[@mcalislr]

Bravo, great advice. Do you review essays?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, no. Super busy this time of year so I'm unavailable for one-time essay revisions. There are a few options for you though! 1. Submit your essay for review at Prompt: prompt.com/ceg/ 2. Submit your essay for a review from my team at College Vine: www.collegevine.com/essays/review/expert/o/3 Hope this helps! I'm sure you're doing great!

[@kadirimariamdamilola9905]

​@@Collegeessayguy I filled in a form on college vine and I haven't gotten a response

[@chloehouwman1490]

What prompt would this go along with? Love your videos!

[@Collegeessayguy]

I'm mostly speaking to the Prompt 7 - "Topic of your choice" option. :)

[@chloehouwman1490]

@@Collegeessayguy could it work for prompt one?

[@madhushriiyengar7156]

@@chloehouwman1490 I feel the same

[@soumyajoshi2907]

@@madhushriiyengar7156which uni are you applying to?

[@chickenosaurus9308]

this is actually extremely helpful. but the values link isnt working please help..

[@Collegeessayguy]

Weird! Here is the direct link (just checked to make sure it's working): www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/the-values-exercise

[@klarahasler9234]

Hey, thank you so much for your video! Do you think a common app essay can be controversial as well? Or rather: HOW controversial can a common app essay be? Thank you!

[@Collegeessayguy]

I would say 3/10 controversial might be OK. Don't just be controversial for controversy's sake, though. A good question to ask yourself is: "Does this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?"

[@lubwamajoel9368]

Kindly help me out on how appropriately I can choose a theme to write about for I see a lot of things in my life. Thank you

[@Collegeessayguy]

Keep brainstorming! Go to my channel and go through the Brainstorming playlist. You should be able to find your "theme" after doing the exercises. :)

[@luizadps]

Hey, College Essay Guy! I want to write my essay about the best hamburger I've ever eaten in my life, but as a metaphor of life because it had amazing parts, but some that disappointed. I ate it during an exchange, also one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wanted to write it without saying it's a hamburger, but say it only in the end. Do you think that would be a bad/weird essay?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Interesting! Essays with extended metaphors like these are fairly common and can be often difficult to pull off, but if done well, could be cool. I'd recommend writing a first draft and having a trusted teacher/mentor/friend read it to share feedback.

[@nkanushi]

what was the essay topic for the first essay?

[@Collegeessayguy]

The first essay is an "identity" essay. :)

[@eflinsena]

omg, I need help... I am writing an essay about languages/nationalities bc I am a language student. when I was trying to look for some good tips, I saw this video and here, you shared a very similar essay just like mine. what should I do? :(((

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hmmm, maybe you should apply these tips to your own essay! More resources on my website: www.collegeessayguy.com/ Thanks for watching!

[@ravshanbekrahmonov5197]

The essay is well-written,but the first question that comes to my mind is : where is the growth? where is the connection to his major?

[@Collegeessayguy]

The personal statement doesn't necessarily need to include a connection to your major. Plenty of schools ask for additional supplemental essay prompts--with a "Why major?" prompt being one of the most common.

[@abdullakhonaman7736]

is it okay to use this structure? I mean, Changing the keywords and rewriting the essay(3 days till due)?!

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hi there! You should probably develop your own style/format/structure for your college essays. Simply copying the essay example and replacing keywords or phrases is plagiarizing. Hope this helps.

[@Kimeikus]

Bruh, they’re are allowed to make structures? My collage just says, “copy and paste the words into this box” 😂

[@Collegeessayguy]

LOL

[@tarekbshara7225]

Can I use the layout of this personal essay in writing my own?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hm, no. Please format your personal statement uniquely. Copying a structure or a format too closely is still considered plagiarism.

[@omneiataher5301]

Like I am hesitant about writing in the personal common app essay about " the blessing of being extrovert " or how eachHarry Potter character represent me.I love both topics and I can write both freely which one you think is the best to stand out?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Either one could work! A good question to ask yourself is: "Will this topic demonstrate the skills, qualities, values, and interests I offer the school as an incoming student?" If yes, then start outlining and writing your first drafts. If no, go back to brainstorming!

[@reenyny9502]

Is the essay different from "personal statement? "

[@Collegeessayguy]

Nope! I'm using Common App essay and Personal Statement interchangeably.

[@kadirimariamdamilola9905]

This is me , is what essay prompt om the common app. Please can i send in my essay for review

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hi there! Thanks for writing in. We have a few options for getting 1:1 college essay support: 1.) If you're looking for 1-on-1 help with your college application and essays, please submit a request form at this link and our team will be in touch with you soon to share more details about our 1:1 support and how to schedule a call to learn more: www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-coaching 2.) If our packages are out of range, we are offering asynchronous reviews of college essays/applications with our Complete Application Review service, which you can learn more about and sign up for here: students.collegeessayguy.com/complete-application-review Lastly, we always have free and pay-what-you-can courses. We recommend starting with our two signature essay courses here: www.collegeessayguy.com/college-essay-courses Happy writing, CEG Team

[@JamesBradlee1]

What about people who can’t get in based on demographic?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for writing in! I'm not sure I understand your question. Can you be more specific?

[@ripff662]

Can i make highschool teacher a couselor?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hmm...I don't think that would be up to you. Not every high school teacher is equipped to do the same job as a counselor. If your school has a counseling or college & career center, I recommend starting there. If not, try getting in touch with someone at your school who knows more about the resources available to you.

[@cassandrathomas4041]

But why did his essay make me cry

[@Collegeessayguy]

:) Thanks for watching

[@ammarbilal9996]

5 traits.

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@sunnymoondog]

This is me... 😍

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@sunnymoondog]

@@Collegeessayguy thank YOU for the incredible lessons.

[@soliyanaayelework3338]

Did write an essay for students

[@Collegeessayguy]

Hi there. Could you clarify your question? :)

[@AhmedHanyVC]

thanks

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're welcome!

[@profnerd7357]

Ethan is it true that you need to be reincarnated as a 17th century English writer to get in ?

[@Collegeessayguy]

Evidence suggests YES! (joking)

[@nocopyright-lalimusic3768]

I am preuvian Today my wallet was stolen. I like to eat ceviche y chaufa. And just some seconds ago my bad was stolen. This is mi XD Okno I really like the essaaay I am so interested in the five sense tech. Thanks a bunch. Greetings from Perú

[@Collegeessayguy]

Oh no! Sorry about your wallet. Thanks for being here.

[@nocopyright-lalimusic3768]

@@Collegeessayguy it was a joke jajajaj I was trying to copy the essay method jajaa in a funny way . Thanks for the videos

[@reenyny9502]

"Diversity" gimmick and low key America and Christian bashing on that example essay. College admins will love that. No shade. Just sayin'.

[@Collegeessayguy]

Thanks for chiming in.

[@yatharthsachdeva437]

Thank you sir

[@Collegeessayguy]

You're welcome :)

[@jonathankiles6148]

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