When applying for college, the common application essay is a complex hurdle every applicant must face. It asks you to not only reflect on your life experiences up to that point, but to demonstrate your best writing abilities while doing so. Some students choose to take a more professional approach, using “big words” and a very basic format. Others choose a more conversational style in hopes of creating a more personal connection with the admissions department reader. In my college essay, I chose a more casual tone using humorous analogies and stories in hopes of standing out. However, whichever style the applicant chooses, college essays can be classified as one genre and all include many of the same elements.

The specific genre of this type of writing would be classified as a personal essay. The student is asked to pick from five essay topics which all ask to reflect on past experiences. While they may be worded differently causing the student to focus on different aspects of his/her life, all the questions aim to accomplish the same thing- self reflection. In Kerry Dirk’s essay, “Navigating Genres,” she explains how “you probably had an idea of what that paper should look like, but you also had to consider the location of the assignment” (55). So the college essay could be considered one genre, but they will all be slightly different depending on the approach the writer decides to take. This genre always includes a word limit, and usually the applicant chooses to incorporate sophisticated diction in hopes of impressing the reader. These essays also include a form of subtle bragging, where they try to convey their accomplishments in a humble way. The point is to impress the reader while not coming across as self-absorbed.

The point of these college essays is for the admissions committee to see whether the person would be suitable for their university and how he/she got to where they are today. They are trying to separate the basic students from the ones who they feel have the ability to succeed and make contributions to the university. By asking the applicant to explain their past experiences, the college admissions reader is able to pick the students they feel are most mature and eagerly ready to succeed. Beyond being accepted though, the applicant’s goal is to create a personal connection with the reader which leaves a positive impression on them. They want to convince the college admissions committee not only that they are right for their university, but that they are a mature person overall who is capable of accomplishing anything they set their mind to.