going to college after high school essay

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Going to College After High School

By: Katelyn Fahrenbruck Weston

Higher education puts students on the path to many different careers. College degrees can be earned in under two years or as many as ten years, depending on the degree type. They're a commitment to higher learning that can make students more competitive in the job market and qualify for careers that let them follow their dreams and build the life they imagined. For many people, going to college after high school is the best way to pursue their goals. and enroll in college classes at the same time.

The Importance of College After High School Graduation

Today, many employers require a two- or four-year degree before they'll consider job applicants for hire. A college degree shows a student's commitment to study, personal growth, and specialized knowledge. It makes them a more appealing job candidate than those who just have a high school diploma. While college certainly isn't for everyone, it can be beneficial to get a college degree.

College also offers important social opportunities. Students can make lifelong friends during their college experience and form invaluable connections with professors and alumni networks that can help them enter into their chosen field.

Should I Go to College After High School?

Many students wonder, "Why is it better to go to college after high school?" The answer to why college after high school is a good idea depends on a person's career goals. The first thing students should do in  making this decision  is to look at entry-level jobs in their field and what training and degrees are required. They should look at a variety of organizations and opportunities within the field and consult with a career counselor about their goals. The training and education asked for might answer the question right away: Many careers and jobs will require a college degree.

Students should also ask themselves whether they have any special interests or passions, if they feel like they'll struggle entering the workforce, and if they feel like they are or could be a good student. If the answer to these questions is yes, college is a great choice after high school. Options are now more flexible than ever, including traditional public and private universities, community colleges, and affordable  online college degree programs  that let you make your own schedule and get the skills you need for your career.

Why Is It Better to Go Straight to College After High School?

For many people, it's best to enter college right after high school because the material they'll build upon in their college education is still fresh in their minds. That's a major reason why college after high school is a good idea, but it's far from the only one.

For anyone with specific goals that require a college degree, anyone who enjoys studying, or anyone who isn't prepared to enter the workforce, college is a great next step after high school. And with a growing variety of educational options, college is more accessible now than it ever was and the right answer for  a growing number of people .

Sign Up for Convenient, Career-Focused College Programs Online

If you're thinking about going to college, you're not limited to the traditional classroom experience and its accompanying student loan debt. U.S. Career Institute offers a variety of career-focused programs online that let you earn an associate degree or  certificate  quickly and affordably. Since our programs are all online, you can complete your coursework from anywhere and on your own schedule. When you finish your education with us, you'll have the practical skills you need for a career in  business management ,  medical coding and billing ,  massage therapy ,  accounting , or another exciting field. Explore our programs to find the option that's right for you!

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/should-you-go-to-college-525564

https://statchatva.org/2019/05/10/a-greater-number-of-jobs-require-more-education-leaving-middle-skill-workers-with-fewer-opportunities/

Home — Essay Samples — Education — High School — The High School to College Transition

The High School to College Transition

• Categories: College Education High School

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

Words: 598 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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The bridge between two worlds, academic expectations, social and personal growth, adjusting to a larger environment, mental and emotional transitions, overcoming challenges, celebrating triumphs.

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A Guide to a Smooth Transition from High School to College

Graduating from high school and going to college can be a shocking transition for many students, even those that are used to being at the top of their class! There is no right or wrong way to transition because everyone has unique personal and academic experiences before pursuing higher education. However, generally speaking, college assignments and exams are much more rigorous. With there being fewer assignments, every grade counts.

If you’ve decided on a college to attend, congratulations! It’s now time to prepare for the big transition! Here are a few tips to help you bridge the gap and adapt seamlessly to university life.

Create a Schedule

First thing’s first: Make a manageable schedule that will set you up for success. This could mean different things to different people. For example, if you work best with tight structure , then you may explore blocking out every hour for productive activities like waking/sleeping, eating nourishing meals, exercising , studying, attending classes, working, and socializing. A well-rounded schedule is key to staying sane, so maintaining balance is essential. Consider how many classes you think you can handle each quarter or semester, and try not to stretch yourself too far. Doing so may result in falling behind on other important life aspects necessary for vital health and success.

TIP : The great thing about college is that unlike in high school, you don’t have to take morning classes if you are not a morning person. Alternatively, late-night classes are not necessarily mandatory for those who prefer to stay in once it gets dark out. In college, you get a lot more freedom with scheduling. Take advantage of this by checking out course availability and putting together a class schedule that best suits your lifestyle.

Know Your Resources

It’s totally normal to come across a few roadblocks in college. If you find yourself struggling in a class, it’s best to ask for help right away. Do it while your mind is still fresh on the topic that you need clarification on. Waiting too long may result in never getting the help you need, which may hamper your ability to do well in a class. Professors hold regular office hours, a block of time set aside for students to come in and ask questions. Depending on your institution, there may also be free tutoring services and study-skills workshops available. If you have a physical or learning disability, then find out what additional resources and accommodations are at your disposal.

Getting a mentor or two can also enhance your college experience. Identify peers you respect, resident assistants, career counselors, academic advisors, and alumni that can give you direction, motivation, and even help you land your future dream job! Familiarizing yourself with available resources ahead of time will set you up for success.

Show Up Everyday

We may all have days where we don’t feel like going to class. Unlike in high school, college professors don’t often take attendance, and mom and dad aren’t around to wake you up. At the end of the day, higher education is what you make of it. That being said, it’s important to take responsibility for yourself and go to class every day. Showing up allows you to stay on top of course materials and learn what your professor considers most important. This may clue you into what exams may entail! In class, take thorough notes in a way that’s conducive to your study habits, and maybe even find a reliable study buddy who can help fill you in if you’re ever absent.

Enjoy the College Experience

College can get stressful, especially around exam time. It can be easy to get stuck in a moment, but the reality is these four years seem to fly by quickly. Soon before you know it, you’ll be out in the real world working through to your retirement! College is a great place to embrace your youth and experience new things that you didn’t in high school. Don’t be afraid to take fun classes for the purpose of learning and engaging in new material, even if they don’t account for much towards your degree. If you still aren’t sure what you want to pursue after college, then taking a variety of courses may help you get a better idea.

In addition to exploring various courses, don’t forget to join a club, volunteer for a cause that’s close to your heart, and explore your university surroundings! College is about more than just studying all day. By joining a club or volunteering, you may meet interesting people that you wouldn’t otherwise. Networking is a crucial part of the college experience that could take you far after graduating with a four-year degree. Finally, many people move out of their immediate hometown for college. If this sounds like you, don’t be afraid to venture out and see what your new city offers! For example, if your college is located near a beach, consider switching up your study space and read there while soaking in some Vitamin D. You may just find yourself feeling more rejuvenated and motivated!

Study Smart

In college, professors often do not grade homework like teachers do in high school. In fact, they will assume that you are following the syllabus and completing the assignments on your own even if they aren’t being checked. At the end of the day, it’s your responsibility to reach out for help or clarification when needed before the exam(s).

Everyone studies best differently. Practice exams, pairing up with a study buddy, going above and beyond on assignments, and actively asking questions during professor’s office hours are some effective study methods. Some courses and textbooks may even come with exclusive access to chapter outlines which can be resourceful as a quick refresher before a test.

Coming out of high school, you may be used to having homework assignments to help “cushion” your grades. In college, your grade is determined by how you do on a couple of exams and writing assignments. If you don’t do so well on one, then you may end up with a C final grade, at best. With that said, don’t expect to coast through college if high school was a breeze for you. Plan on studying in a distraction-free zone, and don’t wait until the last minute to do so.

Take “Me Time” Often

The detrimental effects of stress are emotionally, physically, and mentally linked. With a super busy college schedule, you may forget to do the basics to take care of yourself . This can lead to a downward spiral that may prevent you from doing well in school. Remember to practice self-care by taking part in activities that are meaningful to you, knowing when to say no, getting enough sleep each night, surrounding yourself with invigorating people, eating well, and exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Taking some time off of academics can help you feel more refreshed to put in more time to study later.

Adjust Your Expectations

The initial transition period from high school to college can be difficult for some. Don’t feel bad if you find that things are not working out as planned. Instead, give yourself some time to adjust your expectations, modify your schedule, and manage stress so that you can be on the road to a productive four years in college!

For example, if you were able to handle taking seven classes in high school and feel frustrated that you are struggling to juggle only four in college, just remember that college curriculum is more intense and may take some getting used to. Freshmen may find it easier on their mental, emotional, and physical health to start with three classes first and work their way up as they get comfortable with college life.

A big part of the college experience is figuring things out for yourself, learning to make smart decisions, and working time management to your advantage. For example, finding out the time you are most productive and the best reading strategies that help you retain information will help you be successful in and out of the classroom. Additionally, adopting important habits like self-control, a positive attitude, and organization skills will go a long way to ensure that you stay on top of your assignments.

Finally, a last bit of advice for college-bound students: Enjoy the final summer before college so that you are fully relaxed and mentally prepared for a new and exciting chapter of life!

Making the Transition from High School to College Essay Writing

In the month before my high school graduation, everything suddenly turned slow. Hallways, filled with Virginia humidity, had a molasses quality to them. I wrote my last high school paper then: an essay on Shakespeare’s Hamlet . In it, I wrote about Hamlet’s idealism and his relationship with his father postmortem; essentially, I made sweeping generalizations and focused on overarching themes. The essay was nothing like my college papers.

In high school, I started my essay process by researching scholarly articles on sites like JSTOR or the MLA International Bibliography . I’d read scholars’ takes on what I was writing about at the time— Hamlet , Wuthering Heights , Emily Dickinson’s poems—and begin to craft an idea, which would then translate into a thesis. To support my argument, I’d include paragraphs from my primary texts. Instead of analyzing the texts myself, I’d quote the analyses of the secondary sources. At the end, I’d gather my citations in a works-cited list, staple the paper together, and turn it in.

In college, my well-oiled routine changed; my papers now consist largely of my own ideas and analysis. I still engage with secondary sources and include works-cited lists and other kinds of bibliographies in my essays. After all, in higher education, where you’re surrounded by academics—who make a living from their original thoughts—crediting sources becomes even more important. But for me, entering the hallowed halls of university meant writing essays in a new way. College is a land of academic freedom. Free from testing standards and unoriginal, rigid curricula, I enrolled in English classes like American Horror and James Joyce’s Ulysses. In these classes, I relearned how to write a research paper. 

My process begins while I’m reading a text for class, weeks before my professor even mentions an essay assignment. I like to annotate the text, underlining passages, jotting down possible essay ideas, categorizing paragraphs thematically, and so on. (I can never sell any of my books secondhand because they’re all crammed with marginalia.) Once the assignment has been introduced, I quickly pull together a few topic ideas and schedule a meeting during office hours to discuss them with my professor. Office hours are an underrated resource: most professors sit and wait in their office during these hours, so why not fill that time with discourse on the latest book you’ve been reading or possible essay topics? At the least, you get a stimulating intellectual conversation, and at the most, you’ll be able to easily ask that professor for a recommendation letter when the time comes.

After I’ve ironed out my topic, I begin by skimming through the text again (yes, the whole text) and picking out small passages to quote. My extensive marginalia now come into play, leading me to the snippets I want to analyze. As an English major, I primarily focus on textual analysis—meaning that I examine words and punctuation in depth, with the help of the Oxford English Dictionary , to connect them to broader themes. Just as in high school, I use peer-reviewed journals from online databases in my papers, but now I avoid relying on them heavily.

So, for example, for my paper in my James Joyce’s Ulysses class, I analyzed quotations from the “Circe” chapter to argue that Joyce was subversively promoting orientalist ideas. Each paragraph focused on a sentence where words and images had secondary meanings linked with orientalist theory. To reinforce my thesis, I tied in works like Edward Said’s Orientalism and Brad Bannon’s article “Joyce, Coleridge, and the Eastern Aesthetic,” from the James Joyce Quarterly . In my papers, I view my secondary sources as a medium that allows me to converse with their authors. So while I agreed with Said’s theory, I also addressed scholars who countered his argument. Likewise, I disagreed with Bannon’s thesis that Joyce was justified in his use of the orientalist aesthetic and laid out my reasons.

This method doesn’t solely apply to papers about literary texts. My final paper for my American Horror class focused on the characters Wendy and Jack in Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining. I used textual analysis to argue that Wendy embodies male, patriarchal characteristics, threatening Jack’s place as the head of the family, thus sending Jack into madness. In film studies, textual analysis involves examining dialogue, costumes, or scenery in vivid detail. For my analysis of the film, I wove in quotations from other sources, such as Barbara Creed’s essay “Horror and the Monstrous-Feminine: An Imaginary Abjection” and Frank Manchel’s piece “What about Jack? Another Perspective on Family Relationships in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining .” Unlike the secondary-source quotations in my high school papers, these quotations did not replace my conclusions but added to them.

But some things don’t change. As in high school, when I finished writing, I gathered my sources in a works-cited list, stapled the paper together, and turned it in.

Works Cited

Bannon, Brad. “Joyce, Coleridge, and the Eastern Aesthetic.” James Joyce Quarterly , vol. 48, no. 3, 2011, pp. 495–510. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/ 23342956.

Creed, Barbara. “Horror and the Monstrous-Feminine: An Imaginary Abjection.” Screen , vol. 27, no. 1, 1 Jan. 1986, pp. 44–71. doi:10.1093/ screen/27.1.44.

Joyce, James. Ulysses . Random House, 1961.

Kubrick, Stanley, director. The Shining . Warner Bros., 1980.

Manchel, Frank. “What about Jack? Another Perspective on Family Relationships in Stanley  Kubrick’s The Shining .” Literature / Film Quarterly , vol. 23, no. 1, 1995, pp. 68–78. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/43798713.

Said, Edward W. Orientalism . 25th anniversary ed., Vintage Books, 2003.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark . New Folger’s ed., Washington Square Press / Pocket Books, 1992.

Steve Colburn 04 October 2018 AT 05:10 PM

Thank you to Alice Yang for a very engaging essay. Does that ever take me back to the transition from High School to college, from underclasswork to upperclasswork, from undergrad work to grad school. It also took me back to my years spent teaching composition, literary analysis, and creative writing workshops. Well done!

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Advantages & Disadvantages of Starting College Directly After High School

Advantages vs disadvantages of starting college directly after high school.

A college degree is necessary for many careers looking for applicants with a college education. College is a place to not only get a degree, but also to explore new interests, learn about yourself, make friends and gain the skills that help you succeed in life, both personally and professionally. Many people start college right after high school; some choose to wait. Either choice has advantages and disadvantages that affect your post-college life. High school graduates have the choice of pursuing their college degree right after college or waiting to start their higher education.

Internships are a great way to spend a gap year or two, getting experience in the field you hope to pursue in enrolling in college, as well as exploring the job market in your area. Student loans also trouble college graduates once they start their post high school diploma education. Many grads from high school look to gap years for part-time jobs, as well as work experience in their field, for saving up for a college experience and education.

Those with career goals in a specific career path need to consider their career options in their area and in their field of study in a college program, while also looking at college costs, financial aid needs, student loan debt, health care needs, personal growth, life skills and future career desires. Many who start college too soon may become a dropout before they find their right path. Whether young people are looking for an Associate’s Degree or a Master’s Degree, they should consider both the upsides and downsides to starting college or post-secondary education right after high school completion.

Advantage: Get Your Degree at a Younger Age

A bachelor’s degree requires about four years of full-time coursework, though many students require a fifth or sixth year due to changing majors, taking a semester off or academic problems that require them to repeat classes. The earlier you start your bachelor’s degree, the earlier you can finish it. Thus, you can be working at a younger age in a job that requires a degree than if you had waited to attend college. This typically means you’ll be making more money at a younger age, too. This comes in handy when you’re 25 and want to start a family or buy a home.

Disadvantage: Haven’t Sampled the Real World

By the time you’ve finished high school, you’ve been a student for over 12 years. Perhaps you’ve worked an after-school job or maybe a full-time job in the summers, but you likely haven’t experienced enough of the real world to understand what you want to study in college. Taking some time off between high school and college allows you to explore the adult world better. Work a full-time job in an industry you’re considering, travel to other countries or volunteer for an organization to get a better idea of what you want to do. While you can do these things while also being a college student, you can’t focus on them as much as if you take time off between high school and college, away from tests and grades.

Advantage: Continue With Classmates

Not all of your classmates will go to college right after high school, but many will. Starting right after high school keeps you on a similar path to your classmates at the same time, especially if you and your friends plan to attend the same college. You can experience being freshmen together, including academics and the social side of college life. Taking time off can leave you feeling behind your friends of the same age group who chose to attend college right after high school.

Disadvantage: Not Ready

While there are usually more social opportunities in college than in high school, the academic side is often more rigorous. You're typically expected to do more reading, write longer papers and take longer finals than you did in high school. Many students enter college unprepared for these academic demands. They’re looking forward to parties, skipping class whenever they feel like it and the other positives of being a college student. It’s near the end of the semester when their grades aren’t as high as they assumed they would be that the panic sets in. Many college students aren’t ready, academically or personally, for college life. They got Bs in high school, no problem, but now getting a C in college requires a lot more work. Time off between high school and college can be used to improve academic skills and personal habits before diving into the challenging world of college.

Advantage: Less Responsibilities

As you get older, you'll take on more responsibilities, such as a spouse, children and owning a home. These things make it harder to attend college, as you have more demands on your time, attention and money. For many students who have just graduated from high school, they don't have these responsibilities yet, and can focus more of their time and energy on college than if they were 25 and have a newborn they need to care for.

Disadvantages: Haven't Saved Up Enough Money

College is expensive, and if you're the one paying for it, starting right after high school may be difficult, as your responsibilities as a high school student typically make it impossible to work a full-time job. Taking time off before college allows you work full-time to save up money, while also researching careers and testing out the real world.

Related Articles

Why Is It Good to Graduate from College?

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Effects of Dropping Out of College on Students

The best ways to graduate high school early.

High School Tips for Freshmen Girls

What Are the Benefits of Taking Summer College Courses?

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Undergraduate Degree

• Psychology Today; "Why Young People Shouldn't Go to College (At Least Right Away)"; Michael Ungar; March 2011
• University of North Texas: Why Go to College?
• Teen Advisor: Taking Time Off After High School

Chris Brower is a writer with a B.A. in English. He also spent time studying journalism and utilizes both to deliver well-written content, paying close attention to audience, and knowing one word could determine whether a product is a success or a failure. He has experience writing articles, press releases, radio scripts, novels, short stories, poems and more.

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Transitioning from High School to College Academic Writing

You've done it — you've been accepted to college! Those countless campus tours and application essays have finally paid off. While this is undoubtedly an exciting milestone, it can also bring uncertainty and worry. College education can saddle you with a more significant workload, and you'll be taught by professors with higher expectations.

One subject that significantly differs between high school and college is writing. You might have become accustomed to the 5-paragraph essay model in high school, which served you well then. However, college requires a more advanced level of writing that does not rely on an outlined structure. How can you successfully make the shift from high school to college writing?

Breaking away from the 5-paragraph essay

We learned this format as early as elementary school and applied it throughout middle and high school. Here is the basic structure:

• Introduction
• 1 st body paragraph: Main idea #1
• 2 nd body paragraph: Main idea #2
• 3 rd body paragraph: Main idea #3

The 5-paragraph essay is a simple and effective way to organize your writing into distinct sections. The introduction introduces your thesis statement. The three body paragraphs each represent one main idea. The conclusion is a summary of what you've written. Although this is a great way to learn to write papers, this format is too formulaic and isn't functional beyond high school. Let's break down the differences between high school-level and college-level writing, paragraph by paragraph.

What makes a great college-level introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay. It introduces your argument or thesis statement and creates a roadmap to prove your thesis throughout the rest of your paper. It is essential to make your introduction clear and detailed, so your readers know what to expect. In fact, this is probably the most important part of your essay, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the different techniques you can use at the beginning to grab the reader's attention. If you still don't know how to start your essay, check out the various study materials on the Studocu educational platform.

Here's what a high school-level introduction entails and how a college-level introduction departs from that model.

High school…

• Hook : The hook is the first sentence of the introduction. Its purpose is to draw readers into your paper — to entice them to read the rest of it. A hook can be a question, quote, anecdote, or even exclamation. The hook does not need to correlate directly to your argument.
• Thesis statement : The thesis statement is introduced toward the end of the introduction. It is typically one sentence with three main points — each representing one of the essay's body paragraphs — that will prove the thesis. The thesis should be argumentative, but it can be broad and general.

Versus college

• No hook : College essay introductions do not require a hook. Since many college papers have word count and page requirements, a hook will take up unnecessary space. It's better to dive straight into your argument than to pander to your reader with an eye-catching statement.
• Thesis statement : The thesis statement is still included, introduced toward the end of the introduction. It can vary in length between one to three sentences, depending on the complexity of your argument. Your thesis does not require three main supporting points; you can use as many or as few supporting details as you need to prove your thesis. Most importantly, your thesis should be specific and argumentative.

Building strong body paragraphs

Once you've got your introduction down, it's time to begin your body paragraphs. These are where you're likely to see the most significant differences between high school-level and college-level writing.

Under the 5-paragraph essay format, high school essays contain three body paragraphs. There are no strict length requirements for each of the body paragraphs. Each body represents one of the three main ideas chosen to prove the thesis, and each main idea has three points of evidence to support it.

Let's consider an example. Your essay thesis centers on the importance of helping to reduce climate change. Here is an outline of the contents of one body paragraph:

Body paragraph #1 : Alternative transportation methods can help reduce your carbon footprint.

• Evidence #1 : Carpooling
• Evidence #2 : Bike riding
• Evidence #3 : Walking

These three pieces of evidence support the main idea of your first body paragraph.

Here are some other ideas to consider as you write your body paragraphs:

• Research and sources : High school papers don't usually include much — if any — external source material, so you don't have to do any additional research. For example, an essay on John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath will include evidence solely from the book. Likewise, a lab report or scientific paper will contain information from the lab you have completed. Some high school research papers require external research but not to the same degree as a college paper.
• Analysis : In high school papers, analysis of evidence is present but not extensive. It may point out more general ideas that are pretty obvious to readers. One piece of evidence can include two to three sentences of analysis and stop there.
• Transitional statements : You will most likely include transitional phrases such as "in conclusion" or "in addition" in your writing. They serve to move you from one point to the next, but they don't provide much context for your argument. Each body paragraph will have an opening sentence relating to its respective main idea.
• Connection to the thesis : Each body paragraph focuses solely on its main idea. There is little to no connection back to the thesis because it is assumed that the bodies serve the thesis.

College papers can have as few or as many body paragraphs as you need to prove your argument. The amount of body paragraphs you have is also influenced by the page length restriction or other requirements for your paper.

Body paragraphs should never exceed one page in length. They are each typically one to two-thirds of a page. If your body paragraph is longer than one page, you likely have enough evidence and analysis to split that paragraph into two separate bodies. Double-check to ensure you are not combining two points into one body paragraph. Each paragraph should have its own main idea.

Some other things to consider as you write your body paragraphs are:

• Research and sources : College papers will often require external research and sources. This isn't always a requirement, but the extent of external research is more common than in high school. For example, an essay on John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath may include direct quotes from the book as well as external research on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl . Likewise, a scientific research paper might include results from your own experiment and external statistics from past published experiments.
• Analysis : Aside from the thesis statement, your analysis is the most important part of the paper. The analysis is extensive and specific, aiming to bring light to an unexplored topic. You will point out small details readers may have considered unimportant and draw conclusions about them. You'll bring a fresh perspective to evidence and teach your readers something new.
• Transitional statements : You'll likely use transitional statements in your college writing, but they will serve a more significant purpose. Each body paragraph will begin with a transitional sentence connecting one body paragraph to the next. They should be specific — not general — and outline what you'll be discussing in the paragraph. You do not want any of your paragraphs to be disconnected. After all, they each serve the same purpose: proving the thesis statement.
• Connection to the thesis : Every body paragraph refers back to the thesis. While each paragraph has its main idea to discuss, you can't forget the purpose of each one. You should actively discuss how your analysis of evidence proves your argument.

Ending with a strong conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay. Like the other elements, the content of the conclusion differs between high school writing and college writing.

• Summary : High school conclusions summarize what you've discussed throughout your paper. You restate the thesis and the three main points you've made supporting your argument. There is no further analysis included in the conclusion.
• Drawing connections : These conclusions draw no connections between disciplines. For example, an English paper conclusion solely discusses what was written in the essay. Using The Grapes of Wrath as a topic example again, the conclusion focuses only on the book and its literary implications. You do not draw connections between the book content and its historical connections.
• Summary : While you usually restate the thesis at the end, college conclusions are not merely a summary of what you've written. Rather, these conclusions answer the "so what?" question. Why should readers care about your argument? Why is your paper important? What does it add to the existing research on this topic? What's its relevance? These are just some of the questions to consider as you craft your concluding statements.
• Drawing connections : One way to answer the "so what?" question is to draw interdisciplinary connections between what you've said and what's already been written. For example, if you're writing a sociology paper on the foster care system in the United States, you could connect it to what you've learned in an economics or history class. How does a child's socioeconomic status impact the likelihood of ending up in the foster care system? How has the creation and role of the foster care system evolved over time? These are the kind of questions to consider as you make connections across disciplines in your conclusion.

Other things to keep in mind

Now that we've discussed the differences in formulating your papers, let's consider some of the other key distinctions between high school and college writing.

Quality over quantity

High school writing assignments do not tend to have minimum word counts to meet, so you can write as much as you want to prove your argument. However, college writing assignments usually have strict word count requirements so that you focus on the quality of your writing instead of the quantity. You must write good, compelling arguments and analysis. Your writing should be concise so you can communicate your ideas clearly and effectively without filling your paper with fluff.

Summary vs. analysis

While high school writing does require some analysis, the summary does not introduce new ideas. You can summarize a source as evidence and summarize your paper in the conclusion. In contrast, college writing requires strict analysis. Any summary you provide should be no longer than one or two sentences to introduce a source or provide context.

With college writing, you need to provide quality analysis. Consider everything — even the most minor details — including punctuation marks, speech patterns, and motifs , because sometimes the smallest, most inconsequential-seeming points make for the most significant analysis.

Word choice and specificity

You might be tempted to use complicated language in your college papers to impress your professors. Spoiler alert: they probably won't be as impressed as you might have thought. Instead, use field-specific terminology throughout your paper. If you're writing a biology research paper, it will make sense to include words like "polypeptides" and "anabolism." When writing your paper, take care to use simple language that fits the context of your argument. This will keep your writing clear and concise, prioritizing understanding over complexity

Specificity is similar to word choice, but it refers particularly to overstatements . You should avoid using overstatements in your college writing. Generalized phrases like "society," "throughout history," and "many people believe" are examples of terms that signify generalizations and assumptions. Remain focused in your writing and use terms specific to the community, institution, or field you're writing about.

Tone, voice, and tense

In college, your writing should maintain an active voice. This gives your writing more clarity. Your tone depends on your argument, but it should mostly remain neutral. Your tone matters most when you include external research in your argument. For example, if you're paraphrasing a scholarly article with a positive tone, your paraphrased version should also convey a positive tone.

The tense is also largely dependent on what you're writing. For example, English Literature papers use the present tense. Meanwhile, some disciplines – like the sciences – do not have a strict tense requirement and might include a mix of past, present, and future tenses. You should always be aware of what tense your discipline requires.

High school papers almost always use MLA for citations, if they require citations at all. College citations depend on the disciple in which you are writing. For example, English Literature essays follow MLA format, which includes the use of parenthetical citations in your paper. However, history or political science papers require Chicago Style citations — this includes the use of footnotes, not parenthetical citations. Psychology and behavioral science disciplines use APA style .

The distinction between style guides might be confusing, but there are many informative sources online, such as Purdue Owl , that can teach you how to properly cite a source in any citation style.

Making the transition

We've thrown a lot of information at you about making the move from high school to college, so take your time learning your new expectations and go easy on yourself as you learn new ways to write. Don't forget that practice makes perfect, so practice writing as much as you can.

If you find yourself continuing to struggle in this transition from high school to college writing, don't be afraid to ask your professors for help. They hold office hours for a reason! You can stop by to discuss your thesis, and some professors will even read drafts of students' essays and give valuable feedback. Remember that you're not the only one trying to make this shift. You have plenty of resources at your disposal — use them!

Header photo by Mangostar .

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Are you feeling anxious about what to do after high school? It’s daunting to decide on a career path and figure out the steps needed to pursue it. With so many options available, from college degrees and vocational programs to apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Most of all, being informed is the best place to begin. Read on to explore the many paths available after high school and find one that fits your individual needs.

Going directly to college after high school is often a wise decision for students, as it provides a seamless transition and a significant opportunity to grow academically, personally, and professionally. By continuing your education without interruption, you are likely to retain your study habits, remain focused, and stay engaged in the learning process. Also, attending college straight away allows students to capitalize on the support networks they have developed in high school, be it encouraging teachers, mentors, or classmates. WGU gives students an option to go into college very seamlessly after they finish high school.

Some colleges even provide students with supportive structures, like WGU Academy, to help them overcome potential barriers to success. WGU Academy courses are specifically designed to address knowledge gaps, strengthen foundational skills, and boost students' confidence in their abilities. As a result, you experience improved academic performance and are less likely to feel overwhelmed or disheartened by challenging material.

Trade and technical programs offer students a specialized curriculum, allowing them to further develop skills such as engineering, construction, finance, and more. These programs can be taken at vocational schools, community colleges, technical schools, and universities. In some cases, credits earned in technical or trade education can even be used as a foundation for university degrees.

These programs provide an intense focus on specialized skills that can be immediately used after high school. For those not sure what they would like to study after high school, trade programs may offer a great opportunity to explore different career paths while learning marketable skills. Students also benefit from networking opportunities with professionals already working in their respective industries, allowing them to gain insight into potential career options. 

The Military

High school graduation marks a time for many students to devote their energy towards pursuing a college degree or joining the workforce. However, there is another option that may be appealing to students after high school: joining the military. Military service can provide a wide range of educational and professional benefits. For instance, many branches of the military offer tuition assistance programs or even provide full tuition payments in some cases, meaning that students can receive compensation while they pursue their higher education. Furthermore, military training can teach valuable skills related to management, logistics, engineering and computing technology, making those who serve highly marketable when it comes time to look for a job.

Volunteerism/Community Service

Taking a year off to do volunteer work is an incredibly beneficial experience for students after graduating high school. A gap year not only provides students with the opportunity to give back but also provides invaluable life experience. This time can be used to strengthen leadership skills, hone problem-solving and communication abilities, gain empathy and perspective, and discover passions. Also, volunteering enhances résumés and applications for college or a job, as many universities and employers find this type of selflessness attractive in an employee or student. A gap year can be the key ingredient that motivates many students to find success in college and beyond.

Going right into the work field after high school is another great option for many students looking to pursue their career goals. It allows students to gain real-world experience and insight into the industry they chose to enter; something four-year colleges may not be able to provide. Additionally, this path often reduces the cost of tuition, as well as licenses, certifications, and supplementary materials you may need to enter the workforce. Working right out of high school can give you a chance to get an early start in your profession and set you up for success further down the line.

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High school graduation can be an exciting time for many students, but they may find themselves uncertain of what the future holds. Year Up is a great opportunity to help these students acquire the skills they'll need to succeed after high school. Year Up provides access to college classes and internships with major companies that offer practical job-specific experience and opportunities for growth. Students learn a range of hands-on skills that include technical training, professional development, and networking in order to build their résumés. Through mentorship and support from staff advisors, Year Up gives students the confidence and resources necessary to pursue their ambitions and to make positive changes in their lives.

Delayed Degrees

Delaying a degree can be the best choice for students who are unsure of their plans. With additional time, youthful curiosity can be channeled into research and exploration of different academic areas and interests. This can help students make better-informed decisions about graduation requirements and other specific educational paths that align with their goals. Furthermore, a purposeful pause gives students the chance to pursue internships or gain real-world experience that could open invaluable doors down the line. Taking some time away from college classes can ultimately result in a more rewarding educational journey and set the foundation for successful long-term career prospects.

Other Things to Keep in Mind after High School

Preparing for life changes after high school can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and an optimistic outlook, it doesn't have to be. Taking time to research and explore what options may fit best into your lifestyle, as well as creating a budget and beginning to save money, are all helpful. Talking with family and friends can provide insight into what steps you should take going into adult life, whether that's enrolling in college, joining the military, or entering the job market. Self-reflection can also assist in determining which path best suits your passions, interests, and long-term goals. Finally, drawing from personal resources and reaching out for professional help when necessary will make the transition much smoother.

Note: This piece was adapted from “What Career Paths Can Students Explore After High School” by Nancy Barile.   

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Search the site, search suggestions, five tips on how to transition from high school to college.

Whenever I'm answering questions from prospective students a topic that always comes up is the transition from high school to college.

Is it hard? What can I do to have an easy transition period? How was your transition? The reality is that there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to transition to college. Everyone is coming from a different background so naturally they will adapt in different ways. But, here are some tips to help make your transition a smooth one.  

1. Ask for Help A lot of Harvard students are too scared to ask for help once they arrive on campus. I mean we are all super geniuses. We got basically straight As in high school. Why would we need help?

The reality is that you are engaging with new academic material here at Harvard and because of that you're going to struggle and you may need help. There's nothing wrong with you. Everyone struggles with their academics here, trust me. My freshman year I was riding the struggle bus. Honestly, I was probably driving it because I was struggling so hard with certain subjects, particularly economics. Because of that, I knew I needed to seek help. So, I asked friends for help with problem sets, sought out a tutor, and went to office hours when I could. Never be afraid to ask for help! 

2. Don't be afraid to fail  First and foremost, I'm not talking about failing in terms of getting an F. The reality is that if you actually do your work you will probably not fail. But, a lot of students tend to get really worried when out of nowhere they get a B in a class, which can seem like a failure for students. It's like wait, what I never had this grade before. This isn't something I do. I mean I'm a straight A student! What's happening?

The reality is you might get a B or two or even three. It happens. Like I said earlier, you are engaging with new material here at Harvard and sometimes you will struggle with it. So, don't freak out if you suddenly get this ominous looking B. As long as you tried your best, there's really nothing more you can do. 

3. Explore new subjects so you can learn Another thing that students forget about is actually taking the time to learn. When you're in college you can finally take classes simply for the sake of learning. You can engage with new material and learn some pretty cool stuff. So far I've taken classes about comparative politics, microeconomics, social movements, ancient Greek novels, discussing modern day feminism and so much more. College is the time for you to try something new. Hey you may know exactly what you want to concentrate in and do later on in your life, but why not try a new subject. You may be a Molecular and Cellular Biology concentrator, but maybe you're interested in talking about gender so you take a class in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality. 

You should always strive to try and learn something new because it can be fun. However, trying a new subject doesn't mean you will automatically enjoy it. I can tell you for a fact that to this day I still don't enjoy Economics nor am I truly interested in Comparative Politics. But, I am proud of myself for trying them out and don't entirely regret it. So don't forget to actually learn and try new things when picking your classes. 

4. Do what you like, not just to boost your resume For me, a lot of high school was focused on doing everything right so I could get into college. Sometimes I didn't take the time to do things just because I wanted to do them. I would think about what looked best on my resume or what extracurricular would be the best on that college application. I think it's very easy to get caught up in trying to do all the "right" extracurriculars and classes. Concentrating in what's going to give you a job. Doing that extracurricular that supposedly looks really good on your resume but you're just not that into it. In the process, you just forget to just enjoy yourself. Take that class because you like it. Do that cool extracurricular. Even if they aren't the stereotypical courses or activities people do, odds are you will be able to earn the marketable skills that look good on a resume without having to do something you dislike. 

5.Learn to take time for yourself  A very important skill to develop is learning how to take a step back from everything and de-stress. In college, so much can be going on that sometimes you want a chance to breathe. Maybe that means not going to that basketball game or not going out on Friday night to instead stay in and watch Netflix or whatever you do to de-stress. I know I had to learn how to take some time for myself to do things I love. Sometimes I'll decide to do my homework later (wouldn't recommend doing this often ;)) and lie in my bed and read a book. Other times, I'll get out my iPad and watch an episode of Netflix. Sometimes, I'll put in my headphones and dance around my room. It's really about doing whatever can help you de-stress and just enjoy yourself. So learn how to take those 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or even an hour to just relax. 

I hope these tips will help you as you continue through your high school career and eventually transition to college. You might mess up along the way, which is completely normal. Just try to enjoy it as much as you can!   

Gabriela Class of '18 Alumni

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Should Your Child Go to College Right After High School?

For many high school seniors, going to college after graduation is a given. But going to college immediately after high school is not the right choice for everyone. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of attending college right after high school and to learn about some alternative options that may be available to you.

Reasons to Go to College After High School

While transitioning to college immediately after high school may not be the right choice for everyone, there indeed are some significant benefits you need to consider. Here are some things you should think about when deciding whether to take a year off before college:

• Some studies have shown that many students who wait instead of going to college immediately after high school never go. If you take a job right after high school, you may put it off year after year, which could hurt you in the long run.
• According to a Huffington Post report, those who choose not to go to college make as much as $800,000 less than college graduates over their lifetime. Even if you only take a year off, you could be cutting into your lifetime salary.
• If you do not go to college right after high school, you could miss out on some life-changing experiences that can shape who you are and what you believe in. The habits and opinions you form as a young adult will stay with you for the rest of your life – you could miss out on some significant opportunities to grow and mature if you put off going to college until you are older.
• When you are ready to enter the job market, you will likely start at the lowest end of the totem pole anyway, but attending college could give you access to resources you might not have otherwise. Many schools offer internship programs that can help you get your foot in the door, and most schools offer some kind of job placement opportunities as well.
• The friends you make during college will be some of your best friends for the rest of your life, and college is a great place to start building a network. You never know how a connection you formed in college could benefit you later in life when it comes to your career.

These are just a few things you need to consider if you are considering waiting a year or two after high school to attend college. Every person’s situation is different, so all of these things may not apply to you, but they should encourage you to think carefully about all sides of the issue before you make your decision.

In this video, University of Michigan sociology professor Elizabeth Armstrong explains the pros and cons of students waiting a year before going to college.

The Benefits of Taking a Gap Year

Having learned about some of the benefits of starting college right after high school, you may wonder if there are any downsides to making that decision. As it has already been mentioned, there are pros and cons for both sides of this issue, and you should learn about the benefits of taking a year off before you make your decision. Here are some things to consider :

• Many educators say that students who take a year off after high school to travel, work, or volunteer often end up returning to school more mature than when they left. Having some experience in the “real world” can help you to take better advantage of your college education because you already know what to expect, to some degree.
• There are many programs out there that cater specifically to young adults, and attending college first may make it more difficult to take advantage of them. For example, AmeriCorps and City Year are two volunteer programs that provide room and board for young adults who enter their program. For those who plan to travel on their own, it may take six months’ worth of working a job to save up.
• Taking time off can give undecided students a chance to honestly think about what they want to pursue. Not everyone leaves high school with a firm idea of what they want to do with their lives – it may take some time and some “real world” experience to shape that decision.
• Many students who take AP classes and tough class loads during high school end up burning out, and they need some time to breathe before continuing their education. Taking a year off from tests, homework, tutoring, and classes can be very beneficial for some students.

If you know you will take a year off after high school, you should still consider applying to college anyway. Many schools will allow you to defer your enrollment for a year, giving you a backup plan – something to return to at the end of your gap year.

This video explains how, by taking a gap year, students can make sure they're building a life they will want to lead.

Alternative Options to College After High School

It is relatively common for young adults to put off going to college right after high school, and many never attend college at all. Just because you don’t go to college (either right after high school or at all) doesn’t mean that you can’t live a full and fulfilling life. Here are some excellent alternatives to college that you may consider pursuing after high school:

• Travel the world . The world is vast, and most people never see even a fraction of it outside their home state. College can be incredibly transformative for a young adult, but so can traveling around the world, experiencing new customs and cultures. Going with a limited budget will help to teach you the value of a dollar, and you will learn how to live independently.
• Work or volunteer for a charity . Many charities do not require you to have a college degree – they are just glad to have people who are interested in supporting their mission. You can also pursue year-long programs like AmeriCorps or City Year.
• Get an apprenticeship . Some careers do not require a degree but may require an apprenticeship. If you are interested in some kind of trade, look for employers who may provide apprenticeships or who may help you attain the certifications you need for the job.
• Start working early . If you aren’t sure exactly what you want to do with your life, taking a job could help you make that decision. Even if you end up hating the job you will still learn some valuable information about yourself – learning what you DON’T want to do is just as important as learning what you DO want to do.
• Join the military . Many people who feel like college isn’t the right choice for them end up joining the military instead. Not only will you be serving your country if you enter the military, but you can receive top-notch training in a variety of career options, often while receiving free room and board. If you do decide to go to college later, the military may pay for it.
• Start a business . Starting a business is always a risk, and if you are going to fail, it is better to do it while you are young enough to recover from it fairly quickly. You do not necessarily need a business degree to start your own business – you need an idea and a plan.

By now, it should be evident to you that while many students attend college right after high school, not everyone does – this means that you don’t have to do it either if it doesn’t feel like the right choice. Just be sure to carefully consider your options before deciding to ensure that it is the best fit for you.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook @publicschoolreview.

#collegematriculation #collegepath

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 177 college essay examples for 11 schools + expert analysis.

College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

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Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Why is College Important / Why You Should Go to College

Why You Should Go to College

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