The Basics of College Essays
Let’s say you're a rising senior. You’ve got a strong GPA, solid test scores, leadership roles, maybe even a national award. That should be enough to get into an Ivy League school, right?
Not quite.
At this level, everyone has the stats. What sets you apart—what helps an admissions officer remember you at 10:45 PM after 40 other files—is often the essay.
So... what exactly is “the essay”?
For most applications, you’ll write two kinds of essays:
1. The Personal Statement
This is the main 650-word essay submitted to every college—via the Common App, Coalition App, or another platform. Still deciding which to use? We broke it down in our recent posts: Wait… What’s the Coalition App? and So, What Even Is the Common App?.
Other platforms exist—like the UC Application—but nearly all selective colleges require a personal statement. The prompt may vary slightly, but the goal is the same: to show who you are beyond the transcript.
It’s open-ended. You choose the topic. What matters most is that it reveals something meaningful—how you think, what you value, or what shaped you.
You don’t need a dramatic story or a Nobel Prize. Just a clear, specific moment—and what it says about you.
2. Supplemental Essays
These are school-specific. They’re shorter—150 to 300 words—but just as important. Sometimes more.
While your personal statement shows who you are, supplements help colleges decide if you're a good fit.
They’ll want to know:
Why here? (Specific programs, people, or opportunities)
What will you contribute? (Campus culture, clubs, values)
What excites you academically? (And why?)
Some ask quirky prompts (hello, UChicago); others focus on service, character, or intellectual curiosity.
Spoiler: They know when you reuse an answer.
Spoiler #2: They always check.
The best responses are tailored and specific. It’s not about listing facts—it’s about showing genuine connection.
If you’re applying to 10+ schools, this can feel overwhelming fast. But with a strong plan, these essays can tie your whole application together.
Where Do You Find the Prompts?
Personal Statement:
The Common App officially released the 2025–2026 prompts on February 27, 2025. They haven’t changed in years. You can find them at commonapp.org—and yes, you can start now.
Supplementals (Ivy League and elite schools):
Most schools publish their prompts in July or early August, just before or alongside the Common App launch on August 1.
To find them, check each school’s admissions site under “Writing Requirements,” or add the college to your Common App dashboard to see the full list when it goes live.
Why Do Essays Matter So Much?
Because numbers alone don’t tell your story.
Schools like Harvard, Penn, and Brown get tens of thousands of applications from students with perfect grades. The essay is your one shot to share something real—something they’ll remember.
“The more selective the college, the more the essay matters.”
– Elizabeth Benedict, former Princeton writing instructor
This is the human part of your application. When done well, it’s the part that stands out.
Feeling stuck—or just not sure where to begin?
At Ivy Link, we help students take the guesswork out of the college essay process. From figuring out what to write about to shaping a draft that actually sounds like you, our advisors and writing coaches (including former admissions readers) are here to guide you—step by step. If you’re looking for a second set of eyes and steady support, we’re ready when you are. Click the link below to get started.
