You sit down, open a new document, and double-check the university application essay prompt. You jot down a few notes, and you’re just about ready to start writing, when you think to yourself, “What exactly are they looking for?”
Here at Options, we get this question a lot. Students and parents all want to know what universities look for in application essays, and while there’s no one size fits all answer, we’ve compiled a list of six skills you can highlight in your essays to help you stand out. Check out the first three below!
Commitment and Perseverance
Often universities will look for students who not only challenge themselves but who also remain committed and persevere through those challenges. These skills are essential to your success at university, so think about how you might demonstrate them in your essays. Maybe you remained persistent in challenging classes or activities even if you didn’t succeed at first. Or maybe you’ve remained committed to your extracurriculars despite a busy schedule. The key is to show that regardless of any obstacles, you maintained your energy, enthusiasm and passion for what you set out to achieve.
Genuine Interest
Universities are interested in what you’re interested in, so it’s important to showcase the activities, hobbies, and achievements that you’re genuinely passionate about. The good news? These interests often make for the best stories and do the best job of demonstrating your other skills. Think about which activities you’ve truly enjoyed over the years, talk with your parents and teachers about your passions to help identify the ones that stand out to you, and reflect on why you’ve been so committed to these particular interests.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Being able to collaborate and work with your peers at university is essential in a wide variety of classes and disciplines, so it’s important to you demonstrate these abilities in your application essays. However, don’t fall into the “we” trap. When talking about group accomplishments, highlight what you brought to the table instead of simply what the group was able to achieve.
So for instance, if you were discussing a particularly busy shift you worked with your coworkers as a barista, you might say “As the morning rush increased, we all worked together to serve customers quickly and efficiently, calling out orders loudly and clearly and double-checking each other’s work.” While this does show your ability to work with others, it loses the role that you played. So instead you might try, “As the morning rush increased, we all worked together to serve customers quickly and efficiently. I used my loud voice and meticulous nature to call out orders clearly and double-check each drink before it went out.”
Stay tuned later this week for three more skills you can highlight in your application essays, and for now, remember: focus on highlighting what you’re proud of and reflecting on what matters to you, and your character will shine through. If you need some additional guidance, check out our brainstorming post, or contact our office to make an appointment with a writing coach.
