Crafting a standout college admissions essay is still within reach even when pressed for time. Whether your deadline is in a week, a matter of days, or mere hours away, you can follow these key steps to ensure you submit a well-written, impactful essay showcasing your unique perspective and experiences.
Organize: Set yourself deadlines with breaks
The first step in writing a college essay quickly is to organize your time effectively. Start by setting a realistic deadline for completing your essay, and then break that deadline down into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, give yourself one day to brainstorm ideas, another day to create an outline, and then several days to write and revise your essay.
It’s essential to build in breaks as you work on your essay. Taking short breaks can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. Try using the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. After completing four Pomodoros, take a more extended break of 15-30 minutes.
Example schedule
| Day | Task | Time Allocated |
| Day 1 | Brainstorm ideas | 2 hours |
| Day 2 | Create an outline | 1 hour |
| Day 3-5 | Write the essay | 2-3 hours/day |
| Day 6 | Revise the essay | 2 hours |
Remember to take breaks every 25 minutes and to give yourself enough time to rest and recharge between writing sessions.
Brainstorm: Your values and related stories
Before you start writing your essay, take some time to brainstorm ideas. Think about your values, experiences, and goals, and try to identify specific stories or examples that illustrate these themes.
One effective brainstorming technique is to create a mind map. Start by writing your central theme or prompt in the center of a paper, then branch out with related ideas and examples. For instance, if the prompt asks you to write about a time when you faced a challenge, you might write “challenge” in the center of your mind map and then branch out with specific examples, such as “moving to a new city” or “overcoming a fear of public speaking.”
To quickly generate ideas for your essay topic, begin by completing the following brainstorming exercises:
| Questions | Example Brainstorm |
| Top 5 things I want colleges to know about me | 1. Passionate about environmental conservation 2. Enjoy playing the piano and composing music 3. Committed to volunteering and community service 4. Love exploring new cultures through travel 5. Aspire to become a scientific researcher |
| My top 5 core identities | 1. Environmentalist 2. Musician 3. Volunteer 4. World traveler 5. Science enthusiast |
| Adjectives related to my personality and character | 1. Dedicated 2. Creative 3. Compassionate 4. Curious 5. Resilient |
| 3 things that make me different from other applicants | 1. Started a community recycling program 2. Composed an original piano piece for a charity event 3. Conducted independent research on the effects of climate change on local ecosystems |
| 5 meaningful life moments from the past 3–4 years | 1. Leading a beach cleanup initiative 2. Performing my original composition at a fundraiser 3. Volunteering at a local animal shelter 4. Studying abroad and immersing myself in a new culture 5. Presenting my research findings at a science fair |
| If you already have a prompt, brainstorm 3–5 stories that relate to your prompt. | Prompt: Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution. 1. Beach cleanup initiative 2. Charity piano performance 3. Volunteering at an animal shelter 4. Organizing a community recycling program |
By completing these brainstorming exercises, you can quickly identify key aspects of your personality, experiences, and goals that will help you craft a compelling and authentic college essay.
Outline: Choose a montage or narrative essay structure
Once you have your ideas and examples, it’s time to create an outline for your essay. There are two main types of essay structures: montage and narrative.
Montage Essay Structure
A montage essay structure presents a series of loosely related vignettes or snapshots that, when taken together, paint a picture of who you are. This structure can be effective if you have several stories or examples you want to include in your essay.
Example montage outline
I. Introduction
- Hook: A quote about the importance of challenges
- Thesis: Facing challenges has helped me grow and become a stronger person
II. Moving to a new city
- Leaving friends behind
- Starting at a new school
- Feeling lonely and isolated
- Learning to adapt and make new friends
III. Overcoming a fear of public speaking
- Joining the debate team
- Practicing speeches in front of a mirror
- Giving a presentation in class
- Gaining confidence in my ability to communicate
IV. Conclusion
- Reflect on how these challenges have shaped me
- Look forward to future challenges and growth
Narrative Essay Structure
On the other hand, a narrative essay structure involves telling a single story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This structure can be effective if you have one particularly meaningful or transformative experience you want to focus on.
Example narrative outline
I. Introduction
- Hook: A vivid description of the moment I decided to join the debate team
- Thesis: Joining the debate team was a turning point in my life that helped me overcome my fear of public speaking
II. Background
- My long-standing fear of public speaking
- Avoiding presentations and class discussions
- Feeling held back by my fear
III. Joining the debate team
- Making the decision to face my fear
- The challenges of debating in front of an audience
- The support and encouragement of my teammates
IV. Overcoming my fear
- Practicing speeches in front of a mirror
- Giving my first debate and feeling a sense of accomplishment
- Continuing to improve and gain confidence
V. Conclusion
- Reflect on how joining the debate team changed me
- Look forward to using my new skills in college and beyond
By choosing a clear essay structure and creating an outline, you can stay focused and organized as you write your essay.
Write: Be specific, personal, and unique
Use specific details and examples to illustrate your points. Instead of simply stating that you faced a challenge, describe it in detail and explain how it affected you.
For example, instead of “Moving to a new city was hard,” you might write, “When I moved to a new city in the middle of my sophomore year, I felt lost and alone. I missed my old friends and struggled to make new ones. I ate lunch by myself in the library and spent my weekends watching Netflix in my room.”
Be personal in your writing. College admissions officers want to get to know you as a person, so don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use “I” statements and write conversationally, as if you were telling a story to a friend.
Finally, strive to be unique in your essay. Avoid clichéd topics and phrases and look for ways to give a fresh spin to familiar themes.
For example, instead of writing about how volunteering at a soup kitchen changed your perspective, you might write about how a conversation with a homeless veteran challenged your assumptions about poverty and patriotism.
Revise: Content, clarity, and grammar
First, review your essay for content.
- Does it answer the prompt and convey your intended message?
- Are there any gaps in your story or areas that need more development?
Ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read your essay and provide feedback.
Next, review your essay for clarity.
- Is your writing clear and concise?
- Do your transitions make sense?
- Are there any confusing or vague sentences that need to be rewritten?
Read your essay aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or unclear ideas.
Finally, review your essay for grammar and spelling errors. Use spell and grammar check tools, but also proofread your essay carefully. Look for common errors like subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and capitalization.
Meeting the word count
Ensure your essay meets the word count requirements for your application. Most college essays have a word count range, typically 250-650 words.
If your essay is too short, look for ways to expand on your ideas or add more examples. If your essay is too long, look for ways to cut unnecessary details or redundant sentences.