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Everything you need to know about applying to university in Australia

Want to study abroad in australia learn about the australian university system, costs, visas and how to apply as an international student.

A famously sunny country with a fast-advancing economy and a well-recognised university system, Australia is understandably among the top study destinations in the world for international students.

Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world, behind only the UK and the US – pretty impressive for a nation of just 24 million people.

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According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 , there are 37 top universities in Australia. Six of them feature in the prestigious top 100.

The highest-ranked university in Australia is the University of Melbourne , followed by the Australian National University , The University of Queensland ,  Monash University  and  University of Sydney .

Below is everything you need to know about applying to university in Australia as an international student, including visa information, costs, scholarships and post-study work prospects.

What kind of universities are there in Australia?

The Australian higher education system is home to a range of universities, from leading research institutions to technical colleges, art schools and more.

Universities are mostly clustered on the east coast, with a total of 21 institutions in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and other towns in the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

A further eight universities are based in Melbourne, six more in Adelaide on the southern coast, and one in between Adelaide and Melbourne.

On the other side of the continent, there are five universities on the west coast, in Perth and Fremantle, and just one in Darwin, far to the north in the Northern Territory.

The Group of Eight , also referred to as the Go8, is an association of Australia’s leading research universities, similar to the Russell Group in the UK or the Ivy League in the US. Universities in the Go8 include the University of Adelaide ,  Australian National University ,  University of Melbourne , Monash University , UNSW Sydney , The University of Queensland ,  University of Sydney and The University of Western Australia .

As well as these older traditional universities, many younger Australian institutions are beginning to make a splash on the global stage. More than a quarter of Australia’s universities in THE ’s top 100 universities are under 50 years old. Examples of these up-and-coming institutions include Charles Darwin University and Queensland University of Technology .

Then there’s the Australian Technology Network, an association of universities with a strong history in design, engineering and technological innovation. The five universities in the network include Curtin University , RMIT University , the University of South Australia , the University of Technology Sydney and Deakin University . Each institution has strong links to Australian industry, often leading to work placements and job opportunities for students.

How does the Australian university system work?

At the undergraduate level, it is common in Australia for students to take double or combined degrees, choosing two subjects such as arts and science, arts and law, or commerce and engineering. Degrees typically take three years, but combined courses and some specific subjects can take longer.

If you want to become specialised more quickly than a four-year American undergraduate degree would allow but keep the flexibility to study more than one subject, Australia offers a good middle ground. In the first year, you’ll take a range of courses – about four subjects each semester.

Also, Australian universities often place a lot of emphasis on acquiring work experience as part of your studies, and many institutions will encourage students to take on internships and placements as part of their degree.

How do you apply to Australian universities?

For international students applying to Australia, there is no centralised application system, meaning you’ll have to apply to each individual university directly, either online or by post.

To apply for a place at an Australian university, you’ll normally need to submit academic transcripts, course preferences and, if applicable, a summary of your employment experience. You usually won’t need to write a personal statement or personal essay, but you may be asked to outline why you wish to study in Australia when you apply for your student visa later down the line.

In the Australian system, you have the option to start university in the first semester (March-June) or the second semester (July-October).

If you want to start in the first semester, you must apply to the university by December at the latest. Most domestic students will get their application in much earlier, and it is often a good idea to do so, since universities can return with a decision just weeks later.

The latest deadline to start in the second semester is in May, but again, it would be wise not to wait that late.

In addition to completing an application form, you may also have to pay a one-time application fee, usually of between A$50-A$100 (£25-£50).

Vlog: international student orientation week at Charles Darwin University , Australia

Do I need to do a language test to study in Australia?

As with most English-speaking universities, you will be expected to prove your language proficiency. Different universities and subjects will have different expectations, so research the language requirements for each individual course you’re interested in. Required scores maybe reduced if you also take an intensive language course or are applying for a foundation year.

In most circumstances, you’ll be expected to prove your language ability through a test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (Toefl) or the International English Language Test System (IELTS).

You’ll also be expected to provide proof of your language ability when applying for your student visa for Australia. The normal bar for this is an IELTS score of 5.5 or a Toefl iBT score of 46 or equivalent, but usually your university’s requirements will be higher.

How much does it cost to study in Australia?

Similar to the UK and the US, studying in Australia comes with a hefty price tag, but you won’t necessarily have to pay for everything on your own. The cost of living differs greatly across the country, and it is worth exploring financial aid avenues before ruling out the possibility of studying Down Under.

Fees in Australia are generally calculated per study unit, rather than per year. Most students will be studying a combination of units from different bands, and each unit will fall into a different band and costing – so all students will be paying varying amounts each year.

Students could pay anything between A$20,000 and A$45,000. Undergraduate degrees last between three and four years.

A year-long master’s degree will usually cost A$22,000-A$50,000 in tuition.

Veterinary and medical degrees cost considerably more. For example, a medical degree in total can cost between A$50,000 to A$75,000 per year, while a veterinary degree can cost A$50,000 to A$70,000 per year.

Accommodation costs vary, depending on the type and region: the more rural regions, in the western and northern Australian states, will be much cheaper; the big cities will cost more, particularly if you want to live centrally.

On-campus accommodation is typically A$440-A$1,100 per month, a homestay is about A$450-A$1,200 per month, and shared rental accommodation is about A$380-A$850 per month. Rented accommodation may have some of the utility costs included, but double-check so you aren’t caught off guard by extra bills.

There is a possibility that students will be charged a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) on top of their tuition fees. This is a non-academic fee that funds services and support programmes that can be used by all students. This varies by university and region but is typically A$308 per academic year.

It is also compulsory to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which costs the average undergraduate student A$478 for three years. Exact prices will vary across providers and based on the cover you choose.

You’ll also need to factor in lifestyle costs, which will depend on your financial situation and personal preferences.

The average weekly grocery shop in Australia costs A$80 and eating a meal in an average restaurant is A$18. The average cinema ticket costs A$14, and the average gym membership is A$65 per month. Nights out vary, depending on the area, but can be between A$50 and $60.

An ISIC card is well worth applying for as a student and offers 20 per cent off at restaurants and cafes and up to 40 per cent off international airfares.

Resources: applying to university in Australia

Everything students need to know about Australian student visas

What scholarships are available for international students in Australia?

There are a range of scholarships and grants available for international students in Australia. Most come directly from the universities and are merit-based, but there are also some government, private and country-based initiatives on offer.

Government scholarships include the Australia Awards , available to international students from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. These include full tuition fees, return air travel, a contribution to living expenses and health costs. The closing dates for applications are mostly in April, but this differs for different countries. Similarly, Destination Australia is a government mobility programme that encourages international and domestic students to study in regional Australia.

At the postgraduate level, the Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards and the International Postgraduate research scholarships provide financial support for international students seeking to do a master’s or PhD in any field of study in Australia.

Australian universities directly offering scholarships to their international students include for more information. You can also use from the Australian government website to explore scholarship options and your eligibility.

How do I apply for a student visa for Australia?

In almost all study cases, you’ll need to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) , except for research-driven postgraduate study. This usually costs A$1,240 for applicants over 18 and A$885 for applicants under 18.

To obtain a visa for studying in Australia, applicants will need to prove that they have at least 12 months of course fees in a bank account, plus A$21,041 for living costs, and travel costs of up to A$3,000. Alternatively, you can show that your parents or partner had an annual income of at least A$62,222 in the 12 months before your application. Applicants might also have to pay fees for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

You can apply for a student visa only after you have accepted a place to study at a specific university in Australia. You’ll need to provide either your offer letter or enrolment letter with your application.

Applicants from some countries may also need to provide proof of an IELTS score of 5.5 or a Toefl iBT score of 46 or equivalent.

Depending on the duration and start date of your studies, you will be able to stay one or two months in Australia after your degree ends. During your studies, you can leave and re-enter Australia multiple times, depending on Covid-19 restrictions.

Students can usually work up to 40 hours every two weeks when their course is in session, and unlimited hours outside term time.

You’ll need to plan in advance as 90 per cent of higher education student visas are processed within four months. It’s worth applying in plenty of time before your course starts, so fairly soon after you receive your offer.

What can I do after I graduate in Australia?

With a low rate of unemployment and a high quality of life, Australia is a great place to build your graduate career.

If you want to work in Australia after graduating, the temporary graduate visa allows you to stay in the country for work, study or travel for two to four years depending on the course. Applicants must show that they have reached a certain level of English.

Permanent visas are open to skilled workers and depend on qualification, work experience and, sometimes, employer sponsorship.

Employers in Australia place particular value on local work experience, so studying in the country and taking advantage of any work experience opportunities during your degree is a great way to get your foot in the door to full-time employment.

The Australian economy is dominated by the services sector, but recent high-growth industries include education, healthcare, technology and engineering.

How many universities are there in Australia?

Please note all costs and conversion rates were correct at the time of publication. These may vary over time.

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10 Reasons to Study in Australia

Last updated: 14 November 2023 Student Experience Study in Australia

Australia is renowned worldwide as a top destination for international students seeking exceptional education and diverse cultural encounters. With highly ranked universities and a welcoming atmosphere, the country provides abundant opportunities for students to pursue their academic and personal aspirations.

Australian educational institutions offer extensive programmes and courses across various disciplines, ensuring students can find their preferred field of study. The educational system emphasises practical learning, critical thinking, and research, equipping students with invaluable skills for future professional endeavours.

Australia is celebrated for its safety, high standard of living, and quality healthcare system, ensuring students' comfortable and secure experiences. Beyond academic excellence, the country boasts a vibrant and multicultural society. International students are privileged to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, enriching their cross-cultural understanding and fostering global perspectives.

Top 10 Reasons to Study in Australia

1. high standard of education.

Why choose Australia to study? Probably the best answer to this question is enshrined in the country’s high standard of education, attracting students from all over the world. The country boasts a strong commitment to providing quality education, evident in its well-structured curriculum, world-class universities, and skilled educators. 

The Australian education system offers a dynamic and enriching experience, preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. With a focus on innovation and independent thinking, universities provide challenging yet rewarding education. The country's young and vibrant environment fosters personal growth and learning. Graduates gain a competitive edge in the global job market. With rigorous quality assurance measures and a student-centred approach, Australia upholds its reputation as a leader in providing excellent education.

2. Globally reputed universities

Australian universities consistently rank higher in various global rankings. From the Australian National University to the University of Melbourne and from the University of Sydney to the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), seven Australian universities have placed in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

These are among the best universities in Australia for international students. They are globally recognised for their academic excellence and provide diverse courses and programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Australian institutions emphasise high-quality education and groundbreaking research. With their strong reputation and commitment to academic standards, Australian universities attract students worldwide seeking a top-tier education and access to cutting-edge knowledge and expertise.

3. Access to the English-speaking world

The benefits of studying in Australia extend beyond academics, and one of the standout advantages is the gateway it opens to the English-speaking world. Australian universities primarily teach in English, enabling international students to immerse themselves fully in an English-speaking environment. This immersion is invaluable as it cultivates effective communication skills, linguistic fluency, and cultural integration, amplifying academic and professional opportunities.

Moreover, students can actively engage with diverse communities, partake in vibrant cultural events, and establish networks with individuals from various English-speaking backgrounds. Such exposure broadens their global outlook and equips them with international career prospects. With its unwavering commitment to quality education and access to the English-speaking realm, Australia is an exceptional destination for those seeking a transformative educational journey.

4. Scholarships

For thousands of international applicants, one of the biggest reasons for studying in Australia is the quality of scholarships available. Australian scholarships for international students cover tuition fees, living expenses, and even travel costs, enabling students to pursue their desired courses without excessive financial obligations.

The Australian Government has granted international students attending regional universities approximately $200 million in scholarships to study in Australia. The value of the scholarship varies based on the chosen course at the university and is awarded to deserving students. Prominent scholarship programmes include the Australia Awards, the Australian Government Research Training Programme (RTP), and the Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship.

5. Wide range of courses

Australia beckons international students with its allure as a premier educational hub. Australia hosts world-class universities and esteemed institutions and offers various academic programmes tailored to diverse interests and professional aspirations. Its comprehensive course repertoire spans various domains, making it a coveted destination.

Degrees earned in this nation hold immense value and respect worldwide, promising a bright future in terms of career prospects. Furthermore, studying in Australia guarantees exposure to a multicultural learning environment, facilitating meaningful interactions with peers from various cultural backgrounds and broadening one's global outlook.

Australia's unwavering focus on research and innovation ensures that students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and resources, fostering a culture of intellectual brilliance. Moreover, the country's robust industry connections pave the way for many internships and hands-on experiences, enhancing students' employability and practical skill set.

6. Multicultural and metropolitan environment

Studying in Australia provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a multicultural and metropolitan environment. The country's diverse population creates an inclusive atmosphere where students can engage with different perspectives, traditions, and experiences. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane offer bustling urban centres with various cuisines, art, music, and festivals worldwide. These cities are home to several universities and colleges in Australia for international students, fostering cross-cultural friendships and connections. 

Australia's multicultural environment extends to its institutions and educational systems, which actively promote diversity and multiculturalism. This allows students to develop a global mindset, intercultural competence, and a deeper understanding of different cultures. Additionally, studying in Australia opens doors to networking opportunities and future international collaborations. 

7. Rich cultural heritage

Australia offers an enchanting study destination brimming with a rich cultural heritage. From its indigenous Aboriginal roots, spanning millennia, to its vibrant multicultural society, the country is a melting pot of diverse traditions and customs. Studying in Australia presents an incredible chance to fully immerse oneself in this vibrant tapestry, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. 

Students can delve into ancient rock art, uncover captivating Dreamtime stories, partake in indigenous ceremonies, and revel in multicultural festivals showcasing various ethnicities. This cultural abundance extends to the arts, music, literature, and culinary delights, creating a dynamic environment for personal growth and unleashing creativity. Studying in Australia opens doors to broadened horizons, a global perspective, and an enduring admiration for the country's awe-inspiring cultural heritage.

8. Post-study internships & work opportunities

Studying in Australia presents a valuable opportunity for academic growth and post-study internships and work experiences. The country offers an array of internships and work opportunities that allow students to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a real-world setting. Australia's strong economy and diverse industries provide a fertile ground for professional development across various sectors, including technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, and more.

The Australian government also offers post-study work visas, enabling international graduates to gain practical work experience for up to four years. This valuable exposure enhances career prospects and fosters cultural exchange and global networking. The supportive work environment and Australia's renowned work-life balance make it an attractive destination for students aspiring to launch their careers globally. Students studying in Australia can lay a solid foundation for a successful professional journey.

9. Vibrant student-friendly city life

Australia envelops students in lively and student-friendly city life, creating an ideal study destination. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth exude a dynamic and inclusive environment, catering to the needs of students. These cities boast prestigious universities, cultural landmarks, and diverse communities, promising an enriching and captivating experience. 

The buzzing city centres pulsate with various entertainment choices, from theatres and live music venues to art galleries and sports facilities. Thriving street festivals, trendy cafes, and restaurants always ensure a bright moment. Student welfare takes precedence, with abundant accommodation options, affordable transportation, and a robust support network. Australia's unwavering commitment to safety and inclusivity fosters a warm and inviting atmosphere for international students. 

10. Incredible outdoors

Australia's outdoors and unrivalled natural beauty beckon students with an irresistible allure, transforming it into an exceptional study destination. The country unveils a curtain of diverse landscapes, from pristine beaches to tropical rainforests and rugged mountains to vast deserts. Students can explore iconic landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Twelve Apostles, and captivating national parks. 

Australia's outdoor playground presents various recreational activities, from invigorating hikes and thrilling surf sessions to mesmerising snorkelling adventures and wildlife encounters. The country's unwavering dedication to environmental conservation ensures sustainable practices and unique avenues for studying ecological systems and biodiversity. From witnessing awe-inspiring sunsets and stargazing beneath clear night skies to embarking on unforgettable road trips, Australia's natural wonders create a refreshing and invigorating backdrop for academic pursuits.

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Essay and Assignment Writing Guide

The following resources can provide you with strategies to help you with your essay and assignment writing.

The basics of essay writing

A general outline of the steps to writing essays at university.

• Essay and assignment planning

Some helpful advice and strategies about getting started and constructive planning of your essay or assignment.

• Answering assignment questions

This guide will help you to better answer and understand your essay questions. It also provides a list of common terms used in assignment questions and their definitions.

• Editing checklist

This checklist outlines questions to ask yourself as you are writing your final draft or editing your assignment.

• Writing a critical review

Need to write a critical review? Not sure what it is? See our guide for tips on writing a critical review.

Writing an annotated bibliography

This is an assignment that allows you to get acquainted with the material available on a particular topic. This guide to writing an annotated bibliography offers some general advice on getting started.

• Reflective writing

Many uni assignments feature reflective components. Although they can vary considerably in terms of their style and scope, here are some common elements and tips to get you started with reflective writing.

Essay and assignment writing guide

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Structuring written work

• Grammar, spelling and vocabulary
• Editing and proofreading
• Evidence, plagiarism and referencing
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Some assignments have a standard format, such as lab reports or case studies, and these will normally be explained in your course materials. For other assignments, you will have to come up with your own structure.

Your structure might be guided by:

• the assignment question. For example, it may list topics or use wording such as ‘compare and contrast’
• the subject matter itself, which may suggest a structure based on chronology, process or location
• your interpretation of the subject matter. For example, problem/solution, argument/counter-argument or sub-topics in order of importance
• the structure of other texts you’ve read in your discipline. Look at how the information is organised and sequenced. Make sure you modify the structure to suit your purpose to avoid plagiarism.

Essays are a very common form of academic writing. Like most of the texts you write at university, all essays have the same basic three-part structure: introduction, main body and conclusion. However, the main body can be structured in many different ways.

To write a good essay:

• know if you’re expected to write an analytical, persuasive or critical essay
• clearly structure your main body and paragraphs
• use appropriate referencing
• use academic language .

Reports generally have the same basic structure as essays, with an introduction, body and conclusion. However, the main body structure can vary widely, as the term ‘report’ is used for many types of texts and purposes in different disciplines.

Find out as much as possible about what type of report is expected.

How to plan your structure

There are many ways to come up with a structure for your work. If you’re not sure how to approach it, try some of the strategies below.

During and after reading your sources, take notes and start thinking about ways to structure the ideas and facts into groups. For example:

• look for similarities, differences, patterns, themes or other ways of grouping and dividing the ideas under headings. This could include advantages, disadvantages, causes, effects, problems, solutions or types of theory
• use coloured highlighters or symbols to tag themes or categories of information in your readings or notes
• cut and paste notes in a document
• physically group your readings or notes into piles.

It’s a good idea to brainstorm a few different ways of structuring your assignment once you have a rough idea of the main issues. Do this in outline form before you start writing – it’s much easier to re-structure an outline than a half-finished essay. For example:

• draw some tree diagrams, mind-maps or flowcharts showing which ideas, facts and references would be included under each heading
• discard ideas that don't fit into your overall purpose, and facts or references that are not useful for what you want to discuss
• if you have a lot of information, such as for a thesis or dissertation, create some tables to show how each theory or reading relates to each heading (this is often called a 'synthesis grid')
• plan the number of paragraphs you need, the topic heading for each one, and dot points for each piece of information and reference needed
• try a few different possible structures until you find the one that works best.

Eventually, you’ll have a plan that is detailed enough for you to start writing. You’ll know which ideas go into each section and, ideally, each paragraph. You will also know where to find evidence for those ideas in your notes and the sources of that evidence.

If you’re having difficulties with the process of planning the structure of your assignment, consider trying a different strategy for grouping and organising your information.

Making the structure clear

Your writing will be clear and logical to read if it’s easy to see the structure and how it fits together. You can achieve this in several ways.

• Use the end of the introduction to show the reader what structure to expect.
• Use headings and sub-headings to clearly mark the sections (if these are acceptable for your discipline and assignment type).
• Use topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph , to show the reader what the main idea is, and to link back to the introduction and/or headings and sub-headings.
• Show the connections between sentences. The beginning of each sentence should link back to the main idea of the paragraph or a previous sentence.
• Use conjunctions and linking words to show the structure of relationships between ideas. Examples of conjunctions include: however, similarly, in contrast, for this reason, as a result and moreover.

Introductions

Most of the types of texts you write for university need to have an introduction. Its purpose is to clearly tell the reader the topic, purpose and structure of the paper.

As a rough guide, an introduction might be between 10 and 20 percent of the length of the whole paper and has three main parts.

• The most general information, such as background and/or definitions.
• The core of the introduction, where you show the overall topic, purpose, your point of view, hypotheses and/or research questions (depending on what kind of paper it is).
• The most specific information, describing the scope and structure of your paper.

If the main body of your paper follows a predictable template, such as the method, results and discussion stages of a report in the sciences, you generally don’t need to include a guide to the structure in your introduction.

You should write your introduction after you know both your overall point of view (if it is a persuasive paper) and the whole structure of your paper. You should then revise the introduction when you have completed the main body.

Most academic writing is structured into paragraphs. It is helpful to think about each paragraph as a mini essay with a three-part structure:

• topic sentence (also known as introductory sentence)
• body of the paragraph
• concluding sentence (necessary for long paragraphs but otherwise optional).

The topic sentence introduces a general overview of the topic and the purpose of the paragraph. Depending on the length of the paragraph, this may be more than one sentence. The topic sentence answers the question 'what's the paragraph about?'.

The body of the paragraph develops this topic. It may elaborate directly on the topic sentence by giving definitions, classifications, explanations, contrasts, examples and evidence.

The final sentence in many, but not all, paragraphs is the concluding sentence. It does not present new information, but often either summarises or comments on the paragraph content. It can also provide a link, by showing how the paragraph links to the topic sentence of the next paragraph. The concluding sentence often answers the question ‘so what?’, by explaining how this paragraph relates back to the main topic.

You don’t have to write all your paragraphs using this structure. For example, there are paragraphs with no topic sentence, or the topic is mentioned near the end of the paragraph. However, this is a clear and common structure that makes it easy for the reader to follow.

Conclusions

The conclusion is closely related to the introduction and is often described as its ‘mirror image’. This means that if the introduction begins with general information and ends with specific information, the conclusion moves in the opposite direction.

The conclusion usually:

• begins by briefly summarising the main scope or structure of the paper
• confirms the topic that was given in the introduction. This may take the form of the aims of the paper, a thesis statement (point of view) or a research question/hypothesis and its answer/outcome.
• ends with a more general statement about how this topic relates to its context. This may take the form of an evaluation of the importance of the topic, implications for future research or a recommendation about theory or practice.

This material was developed by the the Learning Hub (Academic Language and Learning), which offers workshops, face-to-face consultations and resources to support your learning. Find out more about how they can help you develop your communication, research and study skills .

See our Writing skills handouts .

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Essay writing

When writing an essay, don't be tempted to simply summarise other writers' ideas. It is your discussion of the topic and your analysis of their ideas that should form the backbone of your essay.

• What is an essay?
• Expectations
• Linking ideas
• The writing process

An essay is a type of assignment in which you present your point of view on a single topic through the analysis and discussion of academic sources. Usually, an essay has the format of an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

Critical analysis is essential to essay writing. One way you can demonstrate this is by  summarising and paraphrasing other writers and by comparing, contrasting and evaluating their ideas. You can use this analysis to construct your own opinions, questions or conclusions.

When writing an essay, you need to have a clear position on a topic (sometimes called a thesis statement) in the introduction. You then support your thesis statement in the body of the essay, using relevant ideas and evidence from  appropriate sources . It is important that you present  your own ideas, opinions and analyses throughout your essay. When you use someone else’s ideas, you must correctly acknowledge it through  referencing .

Essay writing is different to:

• reflective writing , which is based primarily on your personal experiences
• report writing , which focuses primarily on reporting facts and making recommendations.

What will my marker be looking for in my essay?

If in doubt, ask early! Your lecturer and tutor are there to help – and you can always ask for further advice from a Writing Mentor or a Language and Learning Adviser . In general, your marker will be looking for evidence that you have:

• Answered the essay question directly.
• Met the assignment criteria.
• Drawn on discussions from weekly seminars and classes (your unit’s weekly topics should be your guide for all of your assessments).
• Provided a position on, and shown understanding of, the topic.
• Completed the set and recommended readings.
• Discussed and analysed sources and formatted them in the required referencing style.
• Planned your essay so that is readable, clear and logically sequenced and with a distinct introduction, body and conclusion.
• Kept within the set word limit.

How much should I write?

Again,  always consult your unit guide and assessment instructions for exact details of your assignment. These should clearly state the required word count for your assignment. Do not go dramatically under or over this amount. Usually about 10% over or under is acceptable – but always check with your lecturer first.

Planning your essay well before the due date will result in less stress and also less time writing, as you will know exactly how many words you need for each section. If you use the introduction, body and conclusion model, it is recommended to have  one main idea per body paragraph . For example, if you have to write a 1000-word essay you might have three body paragraphs of approximately 250 words each, leaving 125 words for both the introduction and the conclusion.

A reference list or bibliography – formatted according to your referencing style – on a separate page at the end of your essay is also usually required. Normally this is not included in the word count but check with your lecturer or tutor to be sure.

Below are some ideas for structuring your essay. You should always check the assignment criteria and other information in your unit site for specific requirements. If you are not sure, you should ask your lecturer or tutor. You can also get further advice from a writing mentor or a Language and Learning Adviser .

Try to begin and end each paragraph with your own thoughts rather than quoting or paraphrasing someone else’s words. Remember that your marker will be looking for your opinion, your discussion and your analysis of ideas.

The introduction

Remember that these are the first words your marker will read so always try to make a great first impression to ensure that you provide your marker with a clear and accurate outline of what is to follow in your essay. Don’t go into too much detail in the introduction. Save the detail for the body of your essay. You should try to include the following:

• Provide background information about the topic. Introduce and define some of the key concepts discussed in the essay.
• Respond directly to the essay question and clearly state what your essay intends to achieve.
• Provide an overview of some of the main points, or direction, of the essay.
• Be sure to revise the introduction in your final draft so that it accurately reflects any changes you may have made to the body and conclusion of your essay.

Body paragraphs

• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. This is the main point of your paragraph and everything within this paragraph should relate back to it.
• Each main point should be relevant to your essay question or thesis statement.
• Integrate evidence and examples  into your paragraph from your readings to support your point. Do not simply present evidence but analyse it at each stage, always relating it back to your assignment question.
• Be  formal, objective and cautious in your writing.
• All sources must be cited in text in the referencing style required by your unit (citations are also listed in a bibliography or reference list at the end of the essay).
• Consider how you conclude your paragraph and how you might link it to the following paragraph.

The conclusion

Conclusions are primarily for summing up what you have presented in the body of your essay. No new information is presented in the conclusion. Use synonyms and paraphrasing so that you do not repeat all your main points word for word.

• Summarise your argument and draw on some of the main points discussed in the body of the essay but not in too much detail.
• Tell your reader how your essay has successfully responded to the essay question.
• You may return to discuss the background/context of the topic, if relevant.
• Where you see a gap in knowledge, you might provide suggestions for further research (optional).

Reference list or bibliography

• Create a  reference list or bibliography – with full bibliographic details – according to the  referencing style required by your unit.

Linking words clarify for the reader how one point relates to another. An essay flows cohesively when ideas and information relate to each other smoothly and logically.

Here are some common linking words used to:

• Introduce and add ideas firstly, secondly, finally, also, another, too, moreover, furthermore, as well as
• Illustrate ideas for example, to demonstrate this
• Show a result or effect accordingly, therefore, as a result, thus, in order for this to occur
• Compare ideas similarly, likewise
• Contrast ideas in contrast, however, but, in comparison, despite, on one hand ... on the other hand ...
• Restate and clarify in other words, to put this another way, this could also be defined as
• Sum up or conclude therefore, so, to summarise, to conclude, in conclusion, finally

You should also avoid repeating key names and words too many times. Instead, use pronouns that refer back to earlier key words. For example:  it, they, their, this, these, that, those

Further examples of linking words in academic writing:

Common linking words , University of Wisconsin Academic phrasebank , Manchester University

Planning and researching

• Use the Deakin Assignment Planner to get a better idea of the time required to complete your essay.
• Watch video - Analyse the assignment question .
• Stuck? Ask your tutor or Study Support.
• Gather relevant information and supporting evidence from class notes and readings.
• Make further notes about any questions you have.
• Researching involves sourcing texts appropriate to your task.
• Use a variety of reading strategies .
• Take notes always with the assignment question in mind.

Initial writing

• It is important to begin writing as soon as soon as possible – think of writing as a process rather than a goal.
• Write an answer to the question in just one or two sentences – this can form the basis your thesis statement or argument.
• Plan and structure the body paragraphs of your essay into topic sentences with bullet points for each paragraph.
• Expand on each bullet point to build paragraphs based on evidence, - this will also require citations .
• Be formal, objective and cautious in your writing.
• Integrate your sources with your own analysis.
• After reviewing the plan and draft of body paragraphs, write the introduction and conclusion.

Drafting, reviewing and proofreading

• Take a break for at least a day and come back with a fresh pair of eyes.
• Review the marking criteria and assignment instructions again. Ask yourself: Have I done everything required?
• Draft and re-draft your essay.
• Read the paper aloud to find errors in sentence structure and word choice and refine it so there is a more natural flow.
• Save a back-up copy of each draft – and in more than one place!
• Get help with writing and referencing from Study Support .
• Don’t leave adding citations and references until the final draft – it can be very time consuming.
• Proofread your essay and make sure it follows any formatting requirements required by the unit.
• Ensure your referencing is correct and consistent.
• Save a back-up copy of your final essay before submitting your assignment!
• Submit your assignment according to your unit’s instructions.

Guide to essay paragraph structure

Access the guide here

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How To Write an Essay Explained: Key To Success

  By OzStudies Editorial Team

Last Updated: 18 Apr 23

Are you looking for a complete guide on how to write an essay? 

If yes, you have made it to the correct article, where you will learn the A-Z of writing an essay. You will be learning how to write an essay for beginners. 

So, if you are excited to learn, stick around until the end.

1. The Basics of Writing an Essay

From primary school to high school, and for college admissions, essays play a massive role. The essays that the primary students have to write are basic and straightforward, and the word limit is also less.

Essays are a good way of articulating one's thoughts on paper, defining them with words, and composing them into meaningful sentences.

An essay has three parts - the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion. Every part of an essay has its significance. Students need to structure their essays properly or mess up the meaning of every part to retain valuable marks.

The introduction of an essay, just like the word suggests, is the introductory part of the topic. You introduce the topic in the first paragraph of your topic.

When you read an article or an essay where the topic is unknown, would you want the writer to talk about their opinions at the very beginning of the essay? No, right? Thus, it is best to always introduce the topic adequately in the essay's first few sentences.

After introducing the topic, you can change the paragraph and start writing the main body. The body is the middle part of an essay, where you start writing about your opinions or diving deeper into the topic. The paragraphs of a body should be short so that the readers can enjoy reading your essay. 

The body of an essay is the longest part of the essay. It takes up the maximum number of words from the word limit as the topic.

Refrain from finishing your essay with just the body. Writing a conclusion is equally important as writing an introduction. You need to conclude your thoughts in one or sometimes more than one paragraph.

Writing a conclusion gives a proper completion to the essay. The conclusion concisely summarizes the essay and provides a gist to the readers.

2. How To Write An Essay Introduction?

An introduction is where the essay begins. The first two sentences of the essay should immediately steal the readers' attention. If those first sentences are not attractive, the readers will not be interested in reading your essay. Your professor or teacher may even deduct marks.

The introduction of an essay creates the first impression for the professors or readers. You must impress your reader through the first few lines of your writing.

Through these lines, your readers will determine whether your essay is worth reading. Your marks distribution depends on how engaging your piece is and if it has solid and essential points regarding the topic.

The main thing that you should remember before writing the first lines is that you should mention an overview of your topic, and through that, you should let them know that you have understood the topic properly and your thought process should reflect from the sentences.

It should be crisp and to the point. You can go deeper into the topic in the body section, so do not elaborate on your argument in your introduction.

Read the topic of your essay correctly and draw a road map in your mind of how you will state your argument. If the topic has two options where you need to choose one, you can explain both points in your introduction.

That way, it will be apparent to the professors that you have understood the concept, and it will be advantageous to you in terms of marking. You can start your essay with quotes or quirky remarks to grab the reader's attention.

Imagine your essay is a YouTube video. The first thing that your viewer will notice is your thumbnail. If the thumbnail is not attractive, your viewers might skip your video, even if your content is mind-blowing. So focus on creating a fantastic introduction that will crisply entail your views and opinions.

Generally, the introduction is limited to just one paragraph. But it will depend on your topic's intensity and the word limit. A two-paragraph introduction will suffice if you have an extended essay to write and your topic is also heavy.

But again, be careful to keep the introduction's main content intact. Maintain the suspense and take the reader to the essay's body.

3. How To Write A Comparative Essay?

A comparative essay is one of the most common types of essay that students come across in their school days. The structure of the essay remains the same. You still have to write an introduction, body, and conclusion. 

As the name suggests, a comparative essay has two options: you must stick to one point while explaining both sides.

4. Steps To Writing A Comparative Essay

Step 1: Make Sure You Understand The Topic Correctly Before You Start Writing

The first step of writing a comparative essay is understanding your question correctly. Re-read the question a few times before you get a good grasp of the topic. Specific topics demand a clear understanding of the theme.

On the other hand, particular topics require you to make a clear comparison or difference between your given choices.

You need to explore your thoughts on both of the choices that you receive. Think of all the possibilities that you can explore in your individual decisions. You can jot down your ideas on the question paper if you want.

This will help you remember every point while writing because you will have limited time to write such a considerable essay.

Step 2: Give Equal Importance To Both of Your Choices

You might notice that you have more opinions on one of the choices. But try to put equal weight on both texts. There will be both similarities and differences between the two points. So be careful that you stay within one point. 

It is obvious to have an opinion on one of the choices but explore both choices equally. Address both of the texts while you are putting your opinion on one. You can mention quotes to oppose the other text.

Step 3: Feel Free To Mention Both Similarities And Dissimilarities

Before you start writing, jot down minor points of similarities and differences. It entirely depends on your topic regarding finding similarities and differences. You might get a case where you will find more similarities than dissimilarities. However, make sure to mention points of contrast. 

Doing so will make your essay beautifully structured and do the topic justice.

Step 4: Usage of Linking Sentences And Words

When you explain similarities and dissimilarities, you will notice that many paragraphs present a single point from each choice. So, it is better to use linking words like "similarly, along the same lines, likewise" when discussing the similarities.

And to explain the similarities, you can write "nevertheless, on the contrary, unlike, on the other hand, and however". Through this, you highlight your English language skills, and your thought process will be straightforward. Thus, nobody can stop you from fetching good marks.

4. How To Write An Analytical Essay?

An analytical essay is an essay where you analyze a given point. An analytical essay can revolve around topics of historical events, arts, music, scientific research, literature, cultural events, and philosophy. It gives a proper explanation to the readers regarding a topic so they can understand it better.

An analytical essay covers arguments, explanations, a clear idea of the topic, opinions, similarities, and differences. Here is how to write an analytical essay:

Step 1: Choose One Path of Point of View

You need to have a centralized idea so that you can follow that trail all along while writing your essay. 

Your point of view should be evident throughout your essay. Refrain from walking around different points of view because this will not only confuse you while writing but will also confuse your readers.

Step 2: Your Introduction Should Hook The Audience To Read Your Essay

Like any other essay, you should pay special heed to your introduction. For the introduction of an analytical essay, it is essential to mention your point of view in the first sentence. But you should write it clearly and crisply. 

Write your first sentence in a way that sparks the interest of your professor.

Step 3: Divide The Body of Your Essay According To Your Opinions

The body of your essay should entail all the details of your topic. Divide your paragraphs accordingly to explain every opinion. Create different paragraphs for your differences and similarities and a separate paragraph for your ideas and suggestions regarding the topic. 

Refrain from mixing two different things in one paragraph. Separating the paragraphs will make your essay look neat.

Step 4: The First Line of Every Paragraph of Your Body Matters

When dividing paragraphs per your opinions, the first line of every section should give an overview of the rest of the paragraphs. 

Though it is an obvious point, many students need to write a clear first sentence.

Step 5: Give Plenty of Examples

When you give your opinion, you should base it on something you have read. Feel free to mention those pieces of evidence along with your views. An analytical essay is like an academic study. Thus, you should amalgamate both your opinions with solid evidence. 

If you want to take your essay to the next level, use footnotes and endnotes.

5. On A Concluding Note

Writing an essay may feel like a piece of cake, but it has many layers. You must understand what kind of essay you need to write. Then, it would help if you structured your essay in a way that does not look cluttered but with your opinions and ideas.

One thing that you should also look out for is staying within your word limit. It is advisable to end your essay within the exact word limit.

All the best!

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• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

• A unique, personal topic
• A compelling, well-structured narrative
• A clear, creative writing style
• Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

• Demonstrated values and qualities
• Vulnerability and authenticity
• Self-reflection and insight
• Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

• Deadlines and number of essays needed
• Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

• Meaningful and personal to you
• Uncommon or has an unusual angle
• Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

• What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
• What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
• What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
• What makes you different from your classmates?
• What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
• Whom do you admire most? Why?
• What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

• Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
• Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

• Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
• Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
• Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
• Story: Broadway musical interests
• Lesson: Finding my voice
• Story: Smells from family dinner table
• Lesson: Appreciating home and family
• Story: Washing dishes
• Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
• Story: Biking with Ava
• Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
• Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

• Situation: Football injury
• Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
• Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
• My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
• Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

• What are the most prominent images?
• Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
• What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

• Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
• Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
• Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
• Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
• Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

• Summarizing what you already wrote
• Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
• Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

• First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
• Then, check for style and tone issues.
• Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

• Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
• Friends and family can check for authenticity.
• An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

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• Study Abroad

How to Write Impactful Admission Essays for Study Abroad?

Updated on 12 october, 2023.

upGrad Abroad Team

Upgrad abroad editorial team.

Applying abroad for education requires the fulfillment of certain criteria that make a candidate eligible for foreign universities. One such document that needs to be submitted is the admission essay. An admission essay can be of many types and usually depends on the university or course you are applying for. Let’s begin with a little introduction about admission essays for study abroad . 

Admission essays or commonly known as application essays are a mandatory part of your application process and are required by universities to get a clear understanding of your personality and interests. The application essay can be based on various topics that will be provided by the university. Admission essays are usually a part of the application process for those universities that do not require a statement of purpose. It is just another way of evaluating candidates for admissions. Universities that seek admission essays usually design their requirements depending on the program. A variety of essay topics are set across for UG and PG courses. 

From a student’s point of view, admission essays create opportunities for the students to set themselves apart from the rest of the candidates by exhibiting their writing skills and intellectual ability. This article provides an insightful understanding of Admission Essays for study abroad.

• Importance of Admission Essays:

An admission essay is one of the most important documents in your application. It will provide the university with all they need to know about your (personal) background, abilities, experiences, and personality. Admission essays have the potential to make or break the deal when it comes to admissions and hence must be given high priority. To write an impactful essay, the applicant must have his/her thoughts well aligned and maintain a high standard of the English language . A good essay can ensure your admission into the college of your preference.

• Different Kinds of Admission Essays:

Universities usually seek to understand the applicant’s profile, personality, and purpose through an admission essay. The impression it creates will determine your admission. When it comes to essays for study abroad , there are various types of essays to assess and understand the applicants’ capabilities. 

Mentioned below are the various types of admission essays for study abroad :

• Admission essays for undergraduate programs.
• Admission essays for MS programs in different universities.
• Admission essays for MBA or master’s programs in Management and Business .
• Admission essays for financial aid or also known as Scholarship essays.
• In case you have taken a gap year, many universities ask for an essay explaining your gap year.
• Backlog admission essays are required in case you failed in an exam. The essay will require you to state your reason for failure and your learning experience from the backlog.
• Admission essays that are situation-specific require you to elucidate on incidents in your life.

Each essay may have a different word count. The word count requirement is usually provided by the university you are applying to. Make sure you stick to the instructions provided and do not write more than the word limit. Mentioned below are some ideal situations of word limits provided by foreign universities for admission essays:

• An admission essay is usually around 350 to 500 words long.
• The minimum word requirement is usually around 250 to 300 words.
• The maximum word limit for most admission essays is around 600 to 650 words.

The three most important details you must keep in mind while writing an admission essay are:

• The essay under no circumstances can be vague. A vague essay will reflect poorly on your admission application. 
• Avoid making grammatical mistakes as it is an integral part of the criteria on which your essay will be judged. Punctuations are equally important.
• Make sure that the essay is of a professional standard as it will aid in making your essay stand out.

Before we dive into the tips and guidelines for writing the admission essays for study abroad, let’s talk about some of the basic points that are worth mentioning in your essay:

Undergraduate program admission essay: 

• Start by describing yourself and maybe delve a little into your (personal) background.
• Candidly elucidate your interests in academia and talk a little about your academic achievements.
• Mention your extracurricular achievements and interests.
• You must discuss in brief your reason for selecting the college and the country for your education program.
• You must include your prospects and how the course will help you attain your goals and ambitions.
• Conclude on an inspirational note.

Admission Essays for MBA programs:

• Start by providing a short introduction about yourself. Try to make your introduction as interesting as possible to grab the attention of the reader. You can probably include some inspiring quotes or anecdotes to help your cause.
• It is important to talk about your academic background and professional experiences. 
• You must talk about your prospect concerning the MBA program.
• You must talk about your goals and ambitions. Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? 
• You must briefly discuss the topic of why you have selected the university and country for your further education.
• It is important to leave an impact as you conclude your essay. This will help in creating a suitable impression.

Remember that the word count might be less than required to jot down so many points. Hence it is very important to be brief and informative at the same time.

Some essays are based on the applicant’s academic circumstances like scholarship essays and gap year essays. These essays are usually not required by the college unless you mention them in your application. 

Scholarship essay:

These essays are usually written by students looking to get financial aid for their education programs. Usually, only tier 1 students tend to get scholarships based on their academic records. Your scholarship essay plays an integral part in determining your position in getting financial aid. Even students who do not have an excellent academic record can get scholarships depending on their standardized exam scores, extracurricular involvement, and social work .  

• You need to create an impactful title for your essay. This itself should grab the attention of the reader.
• You must talk about your personal and family background. 
• Mention your academic performance and achievements
• Your involvement in extracurricular activities and social work. Remember that social work is kept in very high regard by foreign universities. 
• You must elucidate on how the scholarship will help your cause and push you towards your career goals.
• It is important to mention your reasons for selecting a particular university.
• You should express yourself on why you deserve the scholarship.
• Try and write an inspirational conclusion

Gap Year Essay:

Most universities don’t ask for a gap year essay. But in some cases, they might ask depending on how the university wants to assess you. Even though the basic structure of the gap year essay is the same as the above-mentioned essays it is important to mention why you took the gap year and how it has helped you in finding yourself. 

General Tips and Guidelines for Writing an Impressive Admission Essay:

• Plan your essay – Before you start writing your essay, plan. Consider the essay question/topic and the response you wish to provide. Also, think about what the admissions committee could be looking for in your application essay. Before you start writing your essay try to make a detailed strategy, preferably with the aid of a flow chart. This will help you align your thoughts and avoid confusion.  Building a logical argument by going over each aspect will help maintain coherence and fluidity. Prepare a response that will highlight your abilities.
• Establish your essay objectives – Establishing your essay objectives will help you create the right impression of yourself in the eyes of the admission committee. The opinion created about you through your essay will be in your hands by highlighting your achievements, skills and portraying a confident tone. 
• Defining your X-factor – If your goal is to get admission into a top university you will have to set yourself apart from the rest of the candidates. The admission essay is a good opportunity to display your uniqueness and secure admission.  
• A clear understanding of the essay topic – This point is essential for creating the right impact. A clear understanding of the essay topic will allow you to streamline your thoughts and pen down only relevant points. Being vague may diverge the attention of the reader and will reflect poorly on your application. 
• Be Specific – This is an equally important point as the previous one. Admission essays require you to provide more with fewer words. You have a word limit of a maximum of 600 words and a lot to talk about. It is important that you remain concise and to the point. Beating around the bush will disinterest the reader and get you nowhere.
• How will you contribute to the University – An application essay allows you to tell the admissions committee all you want them to know about yourself. One aspect you don’t want them to overlook is how you can contribute to the university. As an international student, you bring a variety of cultures to campus, as well as stories of fresh experiences and potential opportunities. Emphasize how your experience and knowledge may benefit the university and its culture.
• Focus on Grammar and Language – You need to check and re-check for grammatical errors and punctuations. The university will be judging your language skills and grammar through this essay. Any mistake may hamper your chances of getting admission. 
• Re-writing and Proofreading – The best way to ensure no mistakes is to write the essay and then re-write it again. This way you can weed out all the problems and ensure an impactful essay. While re-writing you will realize where to edit and omit. This way you can be concise, informative, and confident at the same time. After writing your final draft it is important to proofread the essay to ensure no errors. You can ask others to do this for you. In this way, you can take some constructive feedback as well as ensure no mistakes in grammar or language. 
• Essay guideline provided by the university – The student must adhere to the guidelines provided by the university concerning the word limit, formatting, and font. 
• Deadlines – Admission essays take time and effort. You will have to write, re-write, edit, omit and proofread your essay before you send it. You may tend to lose track of time while focusing on other aspects. You need to maintain deadlines. Any form of default may lead to disqualification. So make sure you have all the aspects planned out to maintain efficiency and punctuality.

In short, an admission essay for study abroad can be your ticket to a top-class educational institution abroad. As an international student, you must prove your excellence to get into a prestigious university. Avoid procrastinating over thoughts and take the initiative to formulate a plan of action that will help you create an inspiring essay.

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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Colleges and Universities that Don't Require an Admission Essay to Apply

Writing and submitting an admission essay is possibly the most notorious step of the college application process. Students applying to schools spend months deciding what to write about, drafting, proofreading, and editing their admission essays. For international students, particularly those who speak English as a second language, writing an admission essay can be particularly daunting. Thankfully, there are a number of colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay!

What is an Admission Essay?

Most US colleges and universities require applicants to write a short essay about themselves or a specific topic as part of the application process. These essays might be in response to a specific prompt, such as: “Who has been the most influential person in your life?” or “What event has most shaped the person you are today?” but most applications offer open-ended prompts that allow applicants to choose the topic they would like to write about.

Admission essays provide insight into your writing skills, but they also help admission boards get a sense of who you are as a person- something that test scores and GPA scores don’t allow. The essay gives you an opportunity to talk clearly about your goals, and can give admissions officers a better idea of how well you might fit in with the school.

However, these essays can be particularly difficult and stressful for international students, particularly students who speak English as a second language. The ability to write clearly and concisely about yourself in a foreign language is not an easy skill to achieve, and some international students may prefer to avoid the admission essay altogether. Luckily, there are a number of colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay. This could be for a variety of reasons:

Why do some colleges not require an admission essay?

It takes an admissions officer a lot of time to read and evaluate college application essays. For small schools with less resources and large schools that receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, the resources required to read every essay from every applicant may outweigh the benefits of the extra information gained from the admission essay.

Many colleges choose to only require essays for the most competitive programs, such as honors programs, engineering, and nursing, or for scholarships, where additional information may be more instrumental in making decisions.

Some schools, particularly public schools, admit students based on a specific selection index, which is based on a combination of GPA, test scores, and/or class rank. If applicants meet the minimum index score cutoff, they are automatically admitted.

However, if you are a “borderline” candidate, meaning you don’t quite meet the minimum criteria, these schools often require or recommend that you write an admission essay. This will allow you the opportunity to provide additional information on why you feel you would be a good fit for the school in spite of not quite meeting the academic criteria.

Some schools hope that by eliminating the application essay they can make the application process easier and attract a wider variety of applicants. They hope that by presenting their application process as an easier alternative to more intensive applications, more students will apply to their institution.

How to Make Your Application Stand Out Without an Essay

Because so much of your interests and personality come through in your essay, if you’re not submitting an essay you need to make sure the rest of your application really pops. There are a few different ways that you can do that:

Obviously, you want to do well in all of your classes, but literature courses in particular will be seen as placeholders for your essay-writing skills. When schools don’t require an application essay, they will likely look more closely at your grades in classes that are more writing-intensive, to make sure that your writing skills are up to par.

Make sure that your recommendations are coming from the best possible people for you. You’ll want to ask people who know you well and can speak about who you really are, as well as your accomplishments. Without an application essay, you may not have the space in your application to talk about your extracurricular activities, so you’ll want to find references who can discuss this aspect of your life.

Many schools offer the option for students to submit a resume along with their applications. This is another chance for you to promote your extracurricular activities. Before you put together your resume, do some research and find a solid template. Make sure your resume is well balanced with academic and extracurricular accomplishments, is not longer than one page, and is free of typos and spelling errors

Colleges and Universities in the United States that Don’t Require an Admission Essay

If you want to know if a particular school requires an essay to apply, search “[name of school] international student admissions requirements” on Google. This should result in a list of guidelines for applying to that school. If you’re looking more generally for schools that don’t require essays, below is a list of a few US colleges and universities that don’t require an admission essay to apply:

• University of Alabama
• Alabama State University
• University of Alaska
• Arizona State
• Arkansas State University
• California State University
• University of Colorado - Denver
• University of South Florida
• Full Sail University
• University of Hawaii - Manoa
• University of Idaho
• Indiana Wesleyan University
• University of Southern Indiana
• Iowa State University
• University of Iowa
• Kansas State
• University of Kansas
• Kentucky State University
• Louisiana State University -Baton Rouge
• University of Louisiana - Lafayette
• Eastern Michigan University
• Western Michigan University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Mississippi
• Mississippi State University
• University of Southern Mississippi
• University of Missouri
• University of Montana
• University of Nevada - Reno
• Daniel Webster College
• University of New Mexico
• University of South Dakota
• Tennessee State University
• Utah State University
• West Virginia University
• University of Wyoming

If you’re interested in applying to colleges or universities that do require admission essays, check out our Essay Writing Center for tips and advice you can use to improve your essay writing skills.

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Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay

Find the right college for you.

Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.

Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application ? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.

Tips for Essay Writing

A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.

1. Start Early.

Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.

You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.

2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions.

Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.

3. Create a Strong Opener.

Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.

Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.

4. Stay on Topic.

One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.

A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.

5. Think About Your Response.

Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.

6. Focus on You.

Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.

7. Stay True to Your Voice.

Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.

8. Be Specific and Factual.

Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.

9. Edit and Proofread.

When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.

Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.

What is the format of a college application essay?

Generally, essays for college admission follow a simple format that includes an opening paragraph, a lengthier body section, and a closing paragraph. You don't need to include a title, which will only take up extra space. Keep in mind that the exact format can vary from one college application to the next. Read the instructions and prompt for more guidance.

Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.

How do you start an essay?

The goal here is to use an attention grabber. Think of it as a way to reel the reader in and interest an admissions officer in what you have to say. There's no trick on how to start a college application essay. The best way you can approach this task is to flex your creative muscles and think outside the box.

You can start with openers such as relevant quotes, exciting anecdotes, or questions. Either way, the first sentence should be unique and intrigue the reader.

What should an essay include?

Every application essay you write should include details about yourself and past experiences. It's another opportunity to make yourself look like a fantastic applicant. Leverage your experiences. Tell a riveting story that fulfills the prompt.

What shouldn’t be included in an essay?

When writing a college application essay, it's usually best to avoid overly personal details and controversial topics. Although these topics might make for an intriguing essay, they can be tricky to express well. If you’re unsure if a topic is appropriate for your essay, check with your school counselor. An essay for college admission shouldn't include a list of achievements or academic accolades either. Your essay isn’t meant to be a rehashing of information the admissions panel can find elsewhere in your application.

How can you make your essay personal and interesting?

The best way to make your essay interesting is to write about something genuinely important to you. That could be an experience that changed your life or a valuable lesson that had an enormous impact on you. Whatever the case, speak from the heart, and be honest.

Is it OK to discuss mental health in an essay?

Mental health struggles can create challenges you must overcome during your education and could be an opportunity for you to show how you’ve handled challenges and overcome obstacles. If you’re considering writing your essay for college admission on this topic, consider talking to your school counselor or with an English teacher on how to frame the essay.

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What I've learned from reading tons of your essays (as a college senior)

EDIT: I'm going to do a part 2 later tonight. There were more patterns I noticed but didn't have the time to fit in this post.

EDIT 2: I've been getting a ton of PM's and messages to read essays. While I wish I could help all of you, I simply can't leave thorough feedback for all of you. I can give my initial reaction, but that's it. If you can, please ask questions and I will make a new post about it on how you might resolve your problems with your essays. It's going to be a very general thread, but I hope it still helps. I really want to emphasize that you should post your question in the thread here, because I am slowly getting lost in my own dm's.

EDIT 3: here's part 2: https://redd.it/du0axm

After reading a ton of essays from those of you applying ED (I apologize to those I didn't have the chance to get back to!), there were some patterns that I felt needed to be addressed.

To preface, I'm a college senior, and by no means am I a leading authority on writing essays. I am trying to help in anyway I can, and I felt that this was a good way to do so.

1) Too much narrative

Example: My heart raced as the door shut. It was 2 AM. Jack and I both ran with no other destination in mind other than out. Looking back, all I could see was my shadow trailing behind. Our footsteps became the manifestations of our desperation to get out--each step forward louder than the next. Then... we could finally see something: blue and red flashing lights. We were finally saved.

Imagine that narrative, but have it drag on for another two or three paragraphs, essentially taking up more than half your essay. I've been noticing this kind of writing A LOT in the essays I've been reading, and while the writing itself is fine, the problem is the fact that I learn nothing about you. Look, I get it: you want to paint the story and captivate the reader. But at this point, this seems to be overplayed. I don't really care that it was 2 AM. I don't care that your shadow was trailing behind you (as it should, anyway...). I'm not saying these details shouldn't be included, but please, please remember to balance your narratives out with introspection. What do I mean by that? Well, there are a variety of ways to do this. You can start by showing some of your beliefs, values or traits as a result of the event. For example, say you were helping some students out with their homework. Instead of pAiNtInG the details of the setting or what the students were doing, you could showcase your personality trait of being patient and kind. How? You could say something like, "As each student tried to figure out how to sculpt their own masterpieces, I couldn't hide my smile. I hoped that after buying them 50 pounds of clay to mold, these students would see the same freedom of expression and beauty in sculpting as I did when I was young."

By no means is this a perfect example, but I hope it illustrates what I'm talking about. In those 2 sentences, we learn a couple things about the person: they're generous because they bought a ton of clay for these students when they didn't have to; they love art and see sculpting as the ultimate way to express themselves. You don't need to write all these flowery details about what the students were doing, or how the air in the room felt or whatever. Balance it out with narrative that tells me something about YOU.

2) Quirky essays without anything substantive to say...

I'm sure many of you have read williamthereaders top 5 most common essays. If you haven't, I suggest you read it! Quirky but non-substantive essays are probably my least favorite essays. These are the essays that talk about some obscure thing in their lives and then relate it back to some larger picture about themselves. In most cases, though, students who do this fail to make it substantive. For example, I've read several essays about cookies (I don't know why this is a recurring theme). In these essays, students talk about their love for cookies, but that's as far as it goes. Here's the thing, though: liking cookies isn't really quirky.... everyone likes cookies... Look, I get that you want to seem different, but you do so at the expense of coming off as just weird or boring. It also feels really contrived when I see someone talk so passionately about their favorite cookie and just ramble about how it taste; I learn nothing about you other than the fact that your favorite cookie is an oreo or double fudge.

If you do take the quirky route, please, PLEASE make sure you have something to say about yourself other than your quirk. Yes, quirks are cool and all, and they do help differentiate students, but I can't differentiate you from other students if 75% of you like oreos. Ask yourself what makes YOU different by having this quirk. Do you think differently because of your quirk? Do you see the world differently? And no, liking cookies is not quirky, so please stop writing about your favorite cookie! Everyone likes cookies!!!!! I would consider you quirky if you didn't like cookies... (i'm kidding... partially, you freak!)

3) The negative essay

I'm sure everyone has seen one of these. These are the sob story essays. Most of the time, these essays are 90% negative and 10% introspective. Please don't take this to mean that I'm being rude or inconsiderate of your hardships. I'm actually genuinely concerned for many of you who write about these serious topics. I think the issue stems from the fact that many of you see your essays as a therapy session. I get it. It's personal, it's deep, it's vulnerable. But I don't think this is necessarily the time to vent all your anger and sadness. AO's are not your therapists. Again, I don't mean to sound rude. If you are really struggling with a loss, personal issue, or whatever, please, please reach out to a trusted friend of adult. Yes, it is sometimes beneficial to write down your frustrations on paper, but realize that college essays have a very specific audience, and that there is a time and place for everything.

If you do decide to write about something like this, really think about how you have changed because of it. Do you think differently? Do you see the world differently? Are you more energetic and animated with your friends? Do you cherish life more and how so? Focus on the positives. Focus on who you are today and who you strive to be, not who you were when you were sad or upset.

4) The essay that jams way too many things into 650 words

These essays are the ones that jump around and try to include as much as possible about themselves, from the instruments they play to the food they cook to how they dance. Here's the problem, though: when you try to talk about yourself from 30,000 feet above, it will just fall flat. There are so many elements in your essay that some things just don't flow very well together, and everything just feels out of wack. How exactly does your passion for violin relate to your love of cheese and how it brings your family together? It just feels contrived, rushed, and makes you seem really desperate. You might as well tattoo "pls accapt hahvard" on your forehead.

Zoom in and focus yourself on a couple of things. Don't try to talk about everything. Think about what was most formative to you, and then think about some values, beliefs, thoughts, traits, etc that you want to portray. You could also go the other way around and figure out what values/beliefs/thoughts/traits etc you want to showcase and think of what story/microcosm of your life most aptly hits those points.

5) The pretentious essay

This one is really subjective to the reader. There was one essay I read that was ranting about capitalism and then somehow related it back to autism and kids dancing at the orchestra. The essay tried to impose a greater sense of morality, and it just didn't work. This essay felt completely insincere . As soon as I get the feeling that someone is being insincere, I don't read the rest of their essay. Think about it: if you were on a date, and your date was talking about capitalism and somehow related it back to autism while suggesting they had the superior sense of morality, would you want to continue your relationship with this person? Most of you are 17 writing these essays. I don't really need the most profound subject matter to be discussed. I just want to get to know who you are, but I want to know the best parts of who you are. It becomes extremely difficult to advocate for someone when your first impression of them is a dbag.

There's no easy fix to this other than having someone who knows you well read your essay. Your friends can usually catch if the essay sounds like you. Another option that I suggest, as have many on this sub, is to just take a break and not look at your essay for a week. Come back to it and see if your opinion changes. Read it outloud. Read it backwards. Imagine if you were on a date and you read them your essay; would they want to have a second date with you?

I hope this helps some of you for your RD schools! Again, I apologize to everyone who I didn't get back to. I'll try to answer questions (if there are any) in this thread.

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 53 stellar college essay topics to inspire you.

College Essays

Most colleges and universities in the United States require applicants to submit at least one essay as part of their application. But trying to figure out what college essay topics you should choose is a tricky process. There are so many potential things you could write about!

In this guide, we go over the essential qualities that make for a great college essay topic and give you 50+ college essay topics you can use for your own statement . In addition, we provide you with helpful tips for turning your college essay topic into a stellar college essay.

What Qualities Make for a Good College Essay Topic?

Regardless of what you write about in your personal statement for college , there are key features that will always make for a stand-out college essay topic.

#1: It’s Specific

First off, good college essay topics are extremely specific : you should know all the pertinent facts that have to do with the topic and be able to see how the entire essay comes together.

Specificity is essential because it’ll not only make your essay stand out from other statements, but it'll also recreate the experience for admissions officers through its realism, detail, and raw power. You want to tell a story after all, and specificity is the way to do so. Nobody wants to read a vague, bland, or boring story — not even admissions officers!

For example, an OK topic would be your experience volunteering at a cat shelter over the summer. But a better, more specific college essay topic would be how you deeply connected with an elderly cat there named Marty, and how your bond with him made you realize that you want to work with animals in the future.

Remember that specificity in your topic is what will make your essay unique and memorable . It truly is the key to making a strong statement (pun intended)!

#2: It Shows Who You Are

In addition to being specific, good college essay topics reveal to admissions officers who you are: your passions and interests, what is important to you, your best (or possibly even worst) qualities, what drives you, and so on.

The personal statement is critical because it gives schools more insight into who you are as a person and not just who you are as a student in terms of grades and classes.

By coming up with a real, honest topic, you’ll leave an unforgettable mark on admissions officers.

#3: It’s Meaningful to You

The very best college essay topics are those that hold deep meaning to their writers and have truly influenced them in some significant way.

For instance, maybe you plan to write about the first time you played Skyrim to explain how this video game revealed to you the potentially limitless worlds you could create, thereby furthering your interest in game design.

Even if the topic seems trivial, it’s OK to use it — just as long as you can effectively go into detail about why this experience or idea had such an impact on you .

Don’t give in to the temptation to choose a topic that sounds impressive but doesn’t actually hold any deep meaning for you. Admissions officers will see right through this!

Similarly, don’t try to exaggerate some event or experience from your life if it’s not all that important to you or didn’t have a substantial influence on your sense of self.

#4: It’s Unique

College essay topics that are unique are also typically the most memorable, and if there’s anything you want to be during the college application process, it’s that! Admissions officers have to sift through thousands of applications, and the essay is one of the only parts that allows them to really get a sense of who you are and what you value in life.

If your essay is trite or boring, it won’t leave much of an impression , and your application will likely get immediately tossed to the side with little chance of seeing admission.

But if your essay topic is very original and different, you’re more likely to earn that coveted second glance at your application.

What does being unique mean exactly, though? Many students assume that they must choose an extremely rare or crazy experience to talk about in their essays —but that's not necessarily what I mean by "unique." Good college essay topics can be unusual and different, yes, but they can also be unique takes on more mundane or common activities and experiences .

For instance, say you want to write an essay about the first time you went snowboarding. Instead of just describing the details of the experience and how you felt during it, you could juxtapose your emotions with a creative and humorous perspective from the snowboard itself. Or you could compare your first attempt at snowboarding with your most recent experience in a snowboarding competition. The possibilities are endless!

#5: It Clearly Answers the Question

Finally, good college essay topics will clearly and fully answer the question(s) in the prompt.

You might fail to directly answer a prompt by misinterpreting what it’s asking you to do, or by answering only part of it (e.g., answering just one out of three questions).

Therefore, make sure you take the time to come up with an essay topic that is in direct response to every question in the prompt .

Take this Coalition Application prompt as an example:

What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What's the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?

For this prompt, you’d need to answer all three questions (though it’s totally fine to focus more on one or two of them) to write a compelling and appropriate essay.

This is why we recommend reading and rereading the essay prompt ; you should know exactly what it’s asking you to do, well before you start brainstorming possible college application essay topics.

53 College Essay Topics to Get Your Brain Moving

In this section, we give you a list of 53 examples of college essay topics. Use these as jumping-off points to help you get started on your college essay and to ensure that you’re on track to coming up with a relevant and effective topic.

All college application essay topics below are categorized by essay prompt type. We’ve identified six general types of college essay prompts:

Why This College?

Change and personal growth, passions, interests, and goals, overcoming a challenge, diversity and community, solving a problem.

Note that these prompt types could overlap with one another, so you’re not necessarily limited to just one college essay topic in a single personal statement.

• How a particular major or program will help you achieve your academic or professional goals
• A memorable and positive interaction you had with a professor or student at the school
• Something good that happened to you while visiting the campus or while on a campus tour
• A certain class you want to take or a certain professor you’re excited to work with
• Some piece of on-campus equipment or facility that you’re looking forward to using
• Your plans to start a club at the school, possibly to raise awareness of a major issue
• A study abroad or other unique program that you can’t wait to participate in
• How and where you plan to volunteer in the community around the school
• An incredible teacher you studied under and the positive impact they had on you
• How you went from really liking something, such as a particular movie star or TV show, to not liking it at all (or vice versa)
• How yours or someone else’s (change in) socioeconomic status made you more aware of poverty
• A time someone said something to you that made you realize you were wrong
• How your opinion on a controversial topic, such as gay marriage or DACA, has shifted over time
• A documentary that made you aware of a particular social, economic, or political issue going on in the country or world
• Advice you would give to your younger self about friendship, motivation, school, etc.
• The steps you took in order to kick a bad or self-sabotaging habit
• A juxtaposition of the first and most recent time you did something, such as dance onstage
• A book you read that you credit with sparking your love of literature and/or writing
• A school assignment or project that introduced you to your chosen major
• A glimpse of your everyday routine and how your biggest hobby or interest fits into it
• The career and (positive) impact you envision yourself having as a college graduate
• A teacher or mentor who encouraged you to pursue a specific interest you had
• How moving around a lot helped you develop a love of international exchange or learning languages
• A special skill or talent you’ve had since you were young and that relates to your chosen major in some way, such as designing buildings with LEGO bricks
• Where you see yourself in 10 or 20 years
• Your biggest accomplishment so far relating to your passion (e.g., winning a gold medal for your invention at a national science competition)
• A time you lost a game or competition that was really important to you
• How you dealt with the loss or death of someone close to you
• A time you did poorly in a class that you expected to do well in
• How moving to a new school impacted your self-esteem and social life
• A chronic illness you battled or are still battling
• Your healing process after having your heart broken for the first time
• A time you caved under peer pressure and the steps you took so that it won't happen again
• How you almost gave up on learning a foreign language but stuck with it
• Why you decided to become a vegetarian or vegan, and how you navigate living with a meat-eating family
• What you did to overcome a particular anxiety or phobia you had (e.g., stage fright)
• A history of a failed experiment you did over and over, and how you finally found a way to make it work successfully
• Someone within your community whom you aspire to emulate
• A family tradition you used to be embarrassed about but are now proud of
• Your experience with learning English upon moving to the United States
• A close friend in the LGBTQ+ community who supported you when you came out
• A time you were discriminated against, how you reacted, and what you would do differently if faced with the same situation again
• How you navigate your identity as a multiracial, multiethnic, and/or multilingual person
• A project or volunteer effort you led to help or improve your community
• A particular celebrity or role model who inspired you to come out as LGBTQ+
• Your biggest challenge (and how you plan to tackle it) as a female in a male-dominated field
• How you used to discriminate against your own community, and what made you change your mind and eventually take pride in who you are and/or where you come from
• A program you implemented at your school in response to a known problem, such as a lack of recycling cans in the cafeteria
• A time you stepped in to mediate an argument or fight between two people
• An app or other tool you developed to make people’s lives easier in some way
• A time you proposed a solution that worked to an ongoing problem at school, an internship, or a part-time job
• The steps you took to identify and fix an error in coding for a website or program
• An important social or political issue that you would fix if you had the means

How to Build a College Essay in 6 Easy Steps

Once you’ve decided on a college essay topic you want to use, it’s time to buckle down and start fleshing out your essay. These six steps will help you transform a simple college essay topic into a full-fledged personal statement.

Step 1: Write Down All the Details

Once you’ve chosen a general topic to write about, get out a piece of paper and get to work on creating a list of all the key details you could include in your essay . These could be things such as the following:

• Emotions you felt at the time
• Names, places, and/or numbers
• Dialogue, or what you or someone else said
• A specific anecdote, example, or experience
• Descriptions of how things looked, felt, or seemed

If you can only come up with a few details, then it’s probably best to revisit the list of college essay topics above and choose a different one that you can write more extensively on.

Good college essay topics are typically those that:

• You remember well (so nothing that happened when you were really young)
• You're excited to write about
• You're not embarrassed or uncomfortable to share with others
• You believe will make you positively stand out from other applicants

Step 2: Figure Out Your Focus and Approach

Once you have all your major details laid out, start to figure out how you could arrange them in a way that makes sense and will be most effective.

It’s important here to really narrow your focus: you don’t need to (and shouldn’t!) discuss every single aspect of your trip to visit family in Indonesia when you were 16. Rather, zero in on a particular anecdote or experience and explain why and how it impacted you.

Alternatively, you could write about multiple experiences while weaving them together with a clear, meaningful theme or concept , such as how your math teacher helped you overcome your struggle with geometry over the course of an entire school year. In this case, you could mention a few specific times she tutored you and most strongly supported you in your studies.

There’s no one right way to approach your college essay, so play around to see what approaches might work well for the topic you’ve chosen.

If you’re really unsure about how to approach your essay, think about what part of your topic was or is most meaningful and memorable to you, and go from there.

Step 3: Structure Your Narrative

• Beginning: Don’t just spout off a ton of background information here—you want to hook your reader, so try to start in the middle of the action , such as with a meaningful conversation you had or a strong emotion you felt. It could also be a single anecdote if you plan to center your essay around a specific theme or idea.
• Middle: Here’s where you start to flesh out what you’ve established in the opening. Provide more details about the experience (if a single anecdote) or delve into the various times your theme or idea became most important to you. Use imagery and sensory details to put the reader in your shoes.
• End: It’s time to bring it all together. Finish describing the anecdote or theme your essay centers around and explain how it relates to you now , what you’ve learned or gained from it, and how it has influenced your goals.

Step 4: Write a Rough Draft

By now you should have all your major details and an outline for your essay written down; these two things will make it easy for you to convert your notes into a rough draft.

At this stage of the writing process, don’t worry too much about vocabulary or grammar and just focus on getting out all your ideas so that they form the general shape of an essay . It’s OK if you’re a little over the essay's word limit — as you edit, you’ll most likely make some cuts to irrelevant and ineffective parts anyway.

If at any point you get stuck and have no idea what to write, revisit steps 1-3 to see whether there are any important details or ideas you might be omitting or not elaborating on enough to get your overall point across to admissions officers.

Step 5: Edit, Revise, and Proofread

• Sections that are too wordy and don’t say anything important
• Irrelevant details that don’t enhance your essay or the point you're trying to make
• Parts that seem to drag or that feel incredibly boring or redundant
• Areas that are vague and unclear and would benefit from more detail
• Phrases or sections that are awkwardly placed and should be moved around
• Areas that feel unconvincing, inauthentic, or exaggerated

Start paying closer attention to your word choice/vocabulary and grammar at this time, too. It’s perfectly normal to edit and revise your college essay several times before asking for feedback, so keep working with it until you feel it’s pretty close to its final iteration.

This step will likely take the longest amount of time — at least several weeks, if not months — so really put effort into fixing up your essay. Once you’re satisfied, do a final proofread to ensure that it’s technically correct.

Step 6: Get Feedback and Tweak as Needed

After you’ve overhauled your rough draft and made it into a near-final draft, give your essay to somebody you trust , such as a teacher or parent, and have them look it over for technical errors and offer you feedback on its content and overall structure.

Use this feedback to make any last-minute changes or edits. If necessary, repeat steps 5 and 6. You want to be extra sure that your essay is perfect before you submit it to colleges!

Recap: From College Essay Topics to Great College Essays

Many different kinds of college application essay topics can get you into a great college. But this doesn’t make it any easier to choose the best topic for you .

In general, the best college essay topics have the following qualities :

• They’re specific
• They show who you are
• They’re meaningful to you
• They’re unique
• They clearly answer the question

If you ever need help coming up with an idea of what to write for your essay, just refer to the list of 53 examples of college essay topics above to get your brain juices flowing.

Once you’ve got an essay topic picked out, follow these six steps for turning your topic into an unforgettable personal statement :

• Write down all the details
• Figure out your focus and approach
• Structure your narrative
• Write a rough draft
• Edit, revise, and proofread
• Get feedback and tweak as needed

And with that, I wish you the best of luck on your college essays!

What’s Next?

Writing a college essay is no simple task. Get expert college essay tips with our guides on how to come up with great college essay ideas and how to write a college essay, step by step .

You can also check out this huge list of college essay prompts  to get a feel for what types of questions you'll be expected to answer on your applications.

Want to see examples of college essays that absolutely rocked? You're in luck because we've got a collection of 100+ real college essay examples right here on our blog!

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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How to Start a College Essay to Hook Your Reader

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• Cliche College Essay Introduction to Avoid

Where to Get Your Essay Edited for Free

Have you sat down to write your essay and just hit a wall of writer’s block? Do you have too many ideas running around your head, or maybe no ideas at all?

Starting a college essay is potentially the hardest part of the application process. Once you start, it’s easy to keep writing, but that initial hurdle is just so difficult to overcome. We’ve put together a list of tips to help you jump that wall and make your essay the best it can be.

The introduction to a college essay should immediately hook the reader. You want to give admissions officers a reason to stay interested in your story and encourage them to continue reading your essay with an open mind. Remember that admissions officers are only able to spend a couple minutes per essay, so if you bore them or turn them off from the start, they may clock out for the rest of the essay.

As a whole, the college essay should aim to portray a part of your personality that hasn’t been covered by your GPA, extracurriculars, and test scores. This makes the introduction a crucial part of the essay. Think of it as the first glimpse, an intriguing lead on, into the read rest of your essay which also showcases your voice and personality. 

Brainstorm Topics

Take the time to sit down and brainstorm some good topic ideas for your essay. You want your topic to be meaningful to you, while also displaying a part of you that isn’t apparent in other aspects of your application. The essay is an opportunity to show admissions officers the “real you.” If you have a topic in mind, do not feel pressured to start with the introduction. Sometimes the best essay openings are developed last, once you fully grasp the flow of your story.

Do a Freewrite

Give yourself permission to write without judgment for an allotted period of time. For each topic you generated in your brainstorm session, do a free-write session. Set a time for one minute and write down whatever comes to mind for that specific topic. This will help get the juices flowing and push you over that initial bit of writer’s block that’s so common when it comes time to write a college essay. Repeat this exercise if you’re feeling stuck at any point during the essay writing process. Freewriting is a great way to warm up your creative writing brain whilst seeing which topics are flowing more naturally onto the page.

Create an Outline

Once you’ve chosen your topic, write an outline for your whole essay. It’s easier to organize all your thoughts, write the body, and then go back to write the introduction. That way, you already know the direction you want your essay to go because you’ve actually written it out, and you can ensure that your introduction leads directly into the rest of the essay. Admissions officers are looking for the quality of your writing alongside the content of your essay. To be prepared for college-level writing, students should understand how to logically structure an essay. By creating an outline, you are setting yourself up to be judged favorably on the quality of your writing skills.

1. The Scriptwriter

“No! Make it stop! Get me out!” My 5-year-old self waved my arms frantically in front of my face in the darkened movie theater.

Starting your essay with dialogue instantly transports the reader into the story, while also introducing your personal voice. In the rest of the essay, the author proposes a class that introduces people to insects as a type of food. Typically, one would begin directly with the course proposal. However, the author’s inclusion of this flashback weaves in a personal narrative, further displaying her true self.

Read the full essay.

2. The Shocker

A chaotic sense of sickness and filth unfolds in an overcrowded border station in McAllen, Texas. Through soundproof windows, migrants motion that they have not showered in weeks, and children wear clothes caked in mucus and tears. The humanitarian crisis at the southern border exists not only in photographs published by mainstream media, but miles from my home in South Texas.

This essay opener is also a good example of “The Vivid Imaginer.” In this case, the detailed imagery only serves to heighten the shock factor. While people may be aware of the “humanitarian crisis at the southern border,” reading about it in such stark terms is bound to capture the reader’s attention. Through this hook, the reader learns a bit about the author’s home life; an aspect of the student that may not be detailed elsewhere in their application. The rest of the essay goes on to talk about the author’s passion for aiding refugees, and this initial paragraph immediately establishes the author’s personal connection to the refugee crisis.

3. The Vivid Imaginer

The air is crisp and cool, nipping at my ears as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky, starless. It is a Friday night in downtown Corpus Christi, a rare moment of peace in my home city filled with the laughter of strangers and colorful lights of street vendors. But I cannot focus. 

Starting off with a bit of well-written imagery transports the reader to wherever you want to take them. By putting them in this context with you, you allow the reader to closely understand your thoughts and emotions in this situation. Additionally, this method showcases the author’s individual way of looking at the world, a personal touch that is the baseline of all college essays.

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4. The Instant Plunger

The flickering LED lights began to form into a face of a man when I focused my eyes. The man spoke of a ruthless serial killer of the decade who had been arrested in 2004, and my parents shivered at his reaccounting of the case. I curiously tuned in, wondering who he was to speak of such crimes with concrete composure and knowledge. Later, he introduced himself as a profiler named Pyo Chang Won, and I watched the rest of the program by myself without realizing that my parents had left the couch.

Plunging readers into the middle of a story (also known as in medias res ) is an effective hook because it captures attention by placing the reader directly into the action. The descriptive imagery in the first sentence also helps to immerse the reader, creating a satisfying hook while also showing (instead of telling) how the author became interested in criminology. With this technique, it is important to “zoom out,” so to speak, in such a way that the essay remains personal to you.

5. The Philosopher 

Saved in the Notes app on my phone are three questions: What can I know? What must I do? What may I hope for? First asked by Immanuel Kant, these questions guide my pursuit of knowledge and organization of critical thought, both skills that are necessary to move our country and society forward in the right direction.

Posing philosophical questions helps present you as someone with deep ideas while also guiding the focus of your essay. In a way, it presents the reader with a roadmap; they know that these questions provide the theme for the rest of the essay. The more controversial the questions, the more gripping a hook you can create. 

Providing an answer to these questions is not necessarily as important as making sure that the discussions they provoke really showcase you and your own values and beliefs.

6. The Storyteller

One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering.

Beginning with an anecdote is a strong way to establish a meaningful connection with the content itself. It also shows that the topic you write about has been a part of your life for a significant amount of time, and something that college admissions officers look for in activities is follow-through; they want to make sure that you are truly interested in something. A personal story such as the one above shows off just that.

Cliche College Essay Introductions to Avoid

Ambiguous introduction.

It’s best to avoid introductory sentences that don’t seem to really say anything at all, such as “Science plays a large role in today’s society,” or “X has existed since the beginning of time.” Statements like these, in addition to being extremely common, don’t demonstrate anything about you, the author. Without a personal connection to you right away, it’s easy for the admissions officer to write off the essay before getting past the first sentence.

Quoting Someone Famous

While having a quotation by a famous author, celebrity, or someone else you admire may seem like a good way to allow the reader to get to know you, these kinds of introductions are actually incredibly overused. You also risk making your essay all about the quotation and the famous person who said it; admissions officers want to get to know you, your beliefs, and your values, not someone who isn’t applying to their school. There are some cases where you may actually be asked to write about a quotation, and that’s fine, but you should avoid starting your essay with someone else’s words outside of this case. It is fine, however, to start with dialogue to plunge your readers into a specific moment.

Talking About Writing an Essay

This method is also very commonplace and is thus best avoided. It’s better to show, not tell, and all this method allows you to do is tell the reader how you were feeling at the time of writing the essay. If you do feel compelled to go this way, make sure to include vivid imagery and focus on grounding the essay in the five senses, which can help elevate your introduction and separate it from the many other meta essays.

Childhood Memories

Phrases like “Ever since I was young…” or “I’ve always wanted…” also lend more to telling rather than showing. If you want to talk about your childhood or past feelings in your essay, try using one of the techniques listed earlier (such as the Instant Plunger or the Vivid Imaginer) to elevate your writing.

CollegeVine has a peer essay review page where peers can tell you if your introduction was enough to hook them. Getting feedback from someone who hasn’t read your essay before, and thus doesn’t have any context which may bias them to be more forgiving to your introduction, is helpful because it mimics the same environment in which an admissions officer will be reading your essay. 

Writing a college essay is hard, but with these tips hopefully starting it will be a little easier!

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