Craft a Unique Essay that Stands Out

We understand. Tackling the college essay is a daunting task, and even the most confident writers struggle. Why? The college essay is an entirely different kind of writing from what you do in English class. You can’t just polish an old book report or submit something generated with AI. Only you can tell your story; we have a time-tested approach to get you there.

Our Personal Statement Package will move you from Content to Structure to Polish, giving you a timeline and plenty of support to produce something you can be proud to submit.

We get to know you. Even before our first meeting, your Essay Specialist will give you pre-work to complete so we can hit the ground running. We know that colleges aren’t just looking for a clever topic, a compelling life changer, or a brilliant a-ha moment. They want to get to know you, what makes you tick, what you think about, what drives you, and what makes you unique. So we ask a lot of questions!

Then, we brainstorm. We’ve learned that once students have a good idea of what they want to convey about themselves, a compelling topic quickly follows!

At this stage, we also help you find your authentic voice. You've missed an opportunity if your essay doesn’t sound like you!

Move beyond the cliche! Let’s face it; many students have similar experiences to one another. We want you to know that’s okay. Often, what makes an essay unique is how you tell your story, not what the story entails.

We will work with you to show and not tell. Just like a filmmaker does, we will encourage you to have a great hook and follow that through so your reader will stay engaged.

We often call this stage “the messy middle,” but that’s the fun of it! Try out different openings, explore connections, reflect, and revise and revise. It takes time and involves multiple drafts.

There is a learning curve with this type of writing, but with time, you’ll get there!

You’re confident with what you’ve produced! Your essay not only tells what happened but also shows why it matters to you. Up until now, we haven’t focused on spelling or grammar mistakes. But now, we will help you go through your essay with a fine-toothed comb. Not doing it for you, but pointing out areas that need work.

Every year, the college admission officers with whom we chat tell us that they reject applicants whose essays have clearly been over-edited by a parent, English teacher, or aunt who just happens to be a copywriter! College Matters students’ essays are polished, but they retain the student’s unique voice.