Finding Balance: Writing a College Essay That’s Both Unique and Relatable
Balancing Personal and Universal in College Essays
Writing a standout college essay is like walking a tightrope: you must ensure you frame your unique story so that it is accessible and has emotional resonance across a broader audience. Let's explore how to achieve this.
Highlight Your Unique Perspective
Showcase a defining moment or challenge that reveals your values and growth. Give admissions officers insight into what makes you, you.
For instance, share how moving to a new country taught you resilience, or how overcoming stage fright opened doors in public speaking. These experiences demonstrate your values and evolution.
Connect Through Universal Themes
Your story needs to resonate with someone from a different background. Universal themes like overcoming adversity, finding passion, or embracing change connect with everyone.
Extracting Universal Elements from Unique Experiences
Every unique experience contains universal elements that can engage diverse readers:
Identify core emotions: What did you feel? Fear, joy, uncertainty, triumph?
Recognize underlying values: What principles guided your actions?
Pinpoint universal challenges: What relatable obstacles did you face?
For example, if you’re writing about winning a niche robotics competition, focus on universal elements: dedication to mastering a skill, pre-event nervousness, or the joy of hard work paying off. These create connections, even with readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of robotics.
Use Specific Experiences as Metaphors
Frame unique experiences as metaphors for broader challenges. Falling while learning to ski can represent resilience against setbacks, making it relatable to a wider audience who might have experiences of facing different but emotionally similar challenges.
Embrace Diversity in Your Writing
Consider how readers of various cultural, socioeconomic, and generational backgrounds might perceive your essay:
Avoid assumptions about shared experiences or cultural references.
Provide context for potentially unfamiliar experiences. For instance, if you're writing about a family tradition that might be unfamiliar to others, take a moment to explain its significance. This allows any reader to understand its importance and connect with the emotions behind it.
Use inclusive language to avoid excluding certain groups.
This approach will help your essay resonate broadly while remaining authentic.
Striking the Balance
The best essays offer a glimpse into your world while tapping into universal emotions or experiences. Connect your personal journey to broader themes to showcase your individuality and leave a lasting impression on diverse readers.