GPA, test scores, class ranking—the numbers matter. But they don’t sum up who you are, and they don’t complete your college application.  At highly selective schools, thousands of applicants boast impeccable grades, high test scores, and shiny lists of extracurriculars. Admissions officers can’t simply admit the most individually qualified students; there are simply too many applicants who meet their rigorous standards. When colleges accept under 5% of applicants, the decision has to come down to more than just the numbers, and even more than a list of accomplishments. That’s where college essays come in. Admissions officers use your essays to get a sense of who you are directly from the most reliable source on the subject: you! 

So what do they want to see? 

The answer partially depends on the school. Different supplemental essay prompts reflect some of their priorities. Princeton values responsibility to society and will ask you to reflect on ideals of civic engagement and service. Harvard and Duke share a commitment to debate and will both ask you to describe a time you disagreed with someone. Stanford’s short supplemental essays prompt you to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity. But Princeton is not checking a box to make sure every incoming student was their high school class president. Harvard and Duke aren’t scanning for a mention of each applicant’s experience on a debate team. While some schools have particular values they prioritize, there’s no formula to demonstrate that you align. They aren’t asking you to mold a version of yourself that will match an imaginary list of their desired attributes. Instead, all of those different supplemental essays prompt you to share something about your own values and priorities. Admissions officers want to see authenticity. 

So what factors are they taking into consideration? Admissions officers predict how you’ll contribute to the university community. They build an incoming class of freshmen, who they hope will combine an array of distinct perspectives, skills, goals, and curiosities to create a vibrant and diverse class. They aren’t looking for just one kind of student but for many unique voices. This means your writing matters. Students who can express themselves clearly can demonstrate the ways they’ll add value to an incoming class. As for exactly what they want you to express about yourself? There’s no single right answer for that. 

Ultimately, asking what admissions officers are looking for is the wrong question. Instead, start by asking what you want them to know about you. 

Students often see essays as the most stressful and mysterious part of the college application process, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Your essays are an opportunity. They’re your chance to actually speak to the admissions officers, to express yourself in your own words and fill in some of the puzzle pieces for admissions officers so they don’t have to guess at who you are outside of the concrete things they can see on the rest of your application. Instead of trying to predict what an admissions officer wants you to care about, demonstrate what you actually care about. 

Admissions officers want to see you, in your own words. Future Forward’s Write Right feature will give you feedback on your drafts, but it will never write your essay for you. Your college essay advisor will help you decide your essay topics and give your writing tips, but they won’t write your essay, either. Your writing is your own. So take ownership of your story. 

Future Forward is a team of specialists, and our essay advisors are here to help you craft the best stories for your applications. Learn how.