application letter 500 words

500 Word Personal Statement Examples

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by word limits.

Writing a 500-word personal statement can be more challenging than writing a 1000-word statement because of the need for brevity without missing out on important information . You have to carefully select and condense your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations into a limited space.

Every word has to count.

It requires focusing on the most essential details relevant to your field of interest , and removing any superfluous information that have no direct relation to your field , which can be a difficult task. It demands a higher level of clarity, conciseness, and focus compared to a longer statement, where you have more freedom to elaborate on your ideas and experiences.

In this article, I will be providing  two samples of 500-word personal statements . These samples werewritten by applicants who were admitted to top schools in the US and Canada.

These examples aim to show how prospective applicants like you can seamlessly weave your passion, skills, and relevant experiences into a compelling narrative that is no more than 500 words long.

In writing these essays, the applicants have drawn upon key insights from a number of my previous writings on personal statements. You are also welcome to use my previous writings to help you write your personal statement.

In those posts I’ve discussed the  art of constructing a captivating personal statement for grad school , and I’ve highlighted the  pitfalls to avoid  to ensure your statement leaves a positive impression.

I’ve also shared valuable tips on  structuring your personal statement  for clarity and readability, not to mention  how to create a powerful opening  that grabs attention from the start. And let’s not forget about maintaining brevity while effectively telling your story, as well as offering a vast range of  personal statement examples  from different fields for reference.

And yes, do not forget to explore my  8-point framework  that anyone can use to self-evaluate their personal statement. Complementing this, I’ve also created a  7-point guide  to help you steer clear of potential traps and missteps in your personal statement.

I encourage you to explore these topics in depth, as they will be useful while we explore the 500-word sample personal statements.

In this Article

What Should Be Included in a 500 Word Personal Statement?

My feedback on example 1, my in-depth feedback on example 1, my feedback on example 2, my in-depth feedback on example 2, is 500 words enough for a personal statement, how long does it take to write a 500 word personal statement.

A 500-word personal statement should include a compelling introduction to hook the reader’s attention, followed by a clear explanation of your interest in the field and relevant experiences , skills, and achievements. Avoid including irrelevant information, excessive detail, clichés, negative tone, and repetition. In short, f ocus on pertinent, clear, and genuine experiences that relate directly to your program of interest .

Here’s a guide on what to include:

• Introduction: A strong introduction not only catches the reader’s attention but also sets the tone for the rest of the personal statement. A personal anecdote could be a specific moment or event that sparked your interest in the field you’re pursuing.

A surprising fact could be a unique perspective or understanding that you’ve developed about your field. A statement that outlines your motivation could succinctly express what drives you towards this field or opportunity. The introduction should create curiosity and interest in the reader’s mind to know more about your story.

• Why You’re Interested: Here, you want to establish a clear connection between your interests and the opportunity you’re applying for. This could involve discussing the specific aspects of the opportunity that align with your passion or goals.

For example, if you’re applying for a business program because you’re interested in entrepreneurship, you might discuss specific courses, professors, or opportunities for hands-on learning within the program that excite you.

• Your Qualifications: This section should detail the experiences and skills that make you a strong candidate. For an academic program, you might discuss relevant coursework, projects, or research experience. For a job, you might talk about past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments.

The key here is to not just list experiences, but to demonstrate how these experiences have equipped you with skills or insights that make you a strong fit for the opportunity.

• Personal Growth: Reflect on the lessons learned from your experiences. For instance, managing a challenging project might have improved your problem-solving skills, or working in a team might have honed your collaboration and communication skills.

This reflection demonstrates your ability to learn from experience and your readiness for future challenges. It also shows self-awareness, which is an attractive trait in any candidate.

• Your Goals and Aspirations: Show the reader that you have a vision for your future, and that the opportunity you’re applying for aligns with this vision. For example, if you aspire to become a software engineer, discuss how a computer science program would equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. If you hope to work in a specific industry, discuss how the opportunity would provide you with relevant experience or connections.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is your final chance to leave an impression. Summarize your key points—your interest in the opportunity, your qualifications, your personal growth, and your future goals. Restate your excitement about the opportunity, and leave the reader with a sense of your passion, commitment, and suitability for the opportunity.

While writing a 500-word personal statement, it’s important to maximize the impact of every word. Certain things should generally be avoided

Here’s a guide on what NOT to include:

• Irrelevant Information: Do not include experiences or skills that aren’t relevant to the application. It’s crucial to stay focused and pertinent.

For example, i f you’re applying for a Computer Science program, talking at length about your prowess in playing the trombone, without tying it back to skills or experiences relevant to computer science, may not be very helpful.

• Excessive Detail: You have limited space, so avoid overly detailed descriptions of events or experiences. Stick to what’s crucial for your story and purpose. Instead of detailing every single task and responsibility in a previous job, focus on the key responsibilities and achievements that showcase your skills and experiences.
• Clichés and Generalizations: Avoid clichés and general statements. Be specific and personal in your experiences and aspirations to stand out.

Phrases like “I want to save the world” or “I’m a people person” are very generic and don’t tell anything specific about you. Instead, use concrete examples to illustrate these traits.

• Negative Tone: While it’s important to be honest, avoid focusing excessively on negative experiences or failures. If you mention a setback, always connect it to a learning experience or growth.

Rather than dwelling on a low grade in a class, you could discuss how it motivated you to seek extra help, develop better study habits, or explore different learning strategies.

• Repetition: Avoid repeating the same ideas or experiences. It wastes valuable space and might bore the reader. If you’ve already mentioned that you were a leader of a club in college, you don’t need to repeat this fact later in your statement. Each point should contribute something new.
• Excuses: While it’s acceptable to explain extenuating circumstances, avoid making excuses for any shortcomings. Instead, focus on what you’ve learned or how you’ve grown from challenging situations.

Instead of saying “My grades suffered because my professor was terrible,” you could say, “I faced some academic challenges but sought out resources to improve my understanding and raised my grades by the end of the semester.”

• Overly Complex Language: Don’t use unnecessarily complex language or jargon in an attempt to impress. Clarity and genuine expression are most important.

Don’t say, “My magniloquent and erudite nature facilitates my academic pursuits,” when you can simply say, “My love for learning and strong communication skills support my academic success.”

In short, r emember to:

• Stay focused and specific. With only 500 words, every word counts.
• Show, don’t tell. Instead of saying you’re passionate about something, demonstrate it through your actions and experiences.
• Be genuine and authentic. The personal statement is your chance to show who you are beyond your grades or resume.

500 Word Personal Statement Example 1

Two years ago, I saw a massive opportunity in the e-commerce market of Norway. After dedicating months of sleepless nights, I launched an online clothing retail brand. Despite an institutional infrastructure and a development team of young professionals, I failed to sustain growth and was forced to shut down after a few months. I was only 22 years old at that time and lacked the experience to conduct market research, and gauge consumer behavior.

I am a great concept developer, but I lack business acumen. This failure was crucial in helping me carve out my career aspiration and convince me to pursue a degree in business and management with a focus on retail fashion.

After my startup’s failure, I joined Capgemini, where I slowly started to take on managerial responsibilities. As a product manager, I have managed the complete product development cycle of launching new products – from design to branding to customer experience. This versatile experience has enabled me to understand the market dynamics at the grass root level.

The graduate management program at Brock is a perfect fit. The extensive alumni network and emphasis on leadership have made it my natural choice. In addition, Brock’s great collaborative vibe makes you feel part of the community. The program will provide me with the opportunity to combine quantitative experience with sound business and managerial skills. In line with my career goals, my research interest is the global e-commerce fashion industry. I would like to have an in-depth knowledge of how the industry behaves in different countries. I will focus my research on the designer wear industry and its market trends. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I learned through working on a research project on E-Health Marketing and studying Research Methodology at my undergrad institution will also assist me in applying the research skills while working on my thesis.

My multidisciplinary background, and ability to understand an industry’s scientific realms will be imperative to my learning. The collaborative nature of the cohort will challenge me every day. The diverse people from around the world, the work hard play hard attitude, and the faculty will all converge to something outstanding.

After graduating, my immediate goal is to work in Canada for a few years, preferably in the fashion industry. This will allow me to apply my knowledge and taste the flavor of the global professional world. I would aim to serve numerous facets of work by combining my undergraduate and graduate education, ideally in the retail marketing department of a company. Eventually, I aim to return to Norway and fulfil my ambition of setting up a world-class online retail fashion marketplace and make it a success by leveraging the skills I would have developed at Brock through courses such as Consumer Behavior, B2B Marketing, and Services Marketing.

Your personal statement is thoughtful and provides a compelling narrative of your experiences and aspirations. Let’s break it down based on the criteria I provided:

• Introduction (4.5/5): Your intro is intriguing as you directly share your experience of trying to start an online clothing retail brand in Norway. It sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
• Why You’re Interested (4.5/5): You’ve done a good job of explaining why you want to pursue a degree in business and management, focusing on your startup experience.
• Your Qualifications (4/5): Your work experience at Capgemini is detailed and relevant. However, you might want to provide more specifics about your achievements or any impact you made in this role.
• Personal Growth (4.5/5): The reflection on your failed startup and how it shaped your career aspirations is very effective. It shows your ability to learn from failures and to turn them into opportunities.
• Your Goals and Aspirations (4.5/5): Your plans for the future, both in the short and long term, are clear and directly tied to the program you’re applying for.
• Conclusion (4.5/5): The connection between your past experiences, current pursuits, and future goals is well drawn, leaving a strong concluding impression.

Additional points:

• Your reasons for choosing Brock’s graduate management program are well-articulated. The reference to specific courses shows that you’ve done your research.
• The paragraph about your research interests adds depth to your statement, though it might be beneficial to tie this more explicitly to your career goals.
• Some sentences could be tightened or made more concise to keep your statement within the 500-word limit, without losing important content.

Overall, your personal statement is quite strong. It’s clear, engaging, and effectively demonstrates your motivation, experiences, and goals. It shows resilience, ambition, and a clear desire to learn and grow.

• Introduction: The opening is strong. It succinctly introduces your entrepreneurial experience, along with a setback that has clearly shaped your professional aspirations. There is, however, room for added color or detail to make the story more engaging. For example, what was unique about the clothing brand you launched? Did a specific incident or experience lead to its conception?
• Why You’re Interested: You do a good job of outlining your interest in business and management with a focus on retail fashion. The link between your failed startup and your decision to pursue further education in this field is well-made, showing an ability to learn from failures and pivot.
• Your Qualifications: Your experiences at Capgemini sound impressive, but more specifics would enhance this section. For example, were there any significant achievements or impacts from your product management role? Can you quantify the success of the products you launched or share some measurable outcomes of your work?
• Personal Growth: You highlight your self-awareness and willingness to learn. You’re demonstrating an understanding of your strengths and areas for improvement, which shows maturity and self-reflection.
• Why this Program: You show good research into Brock’s graduate management program. Mentioning the alumni network, the emphasis on leadership, and the collaborative environment helps to illustrate why the program is a good fit for you. It might be beneficial to connect these program features more explicitly with your own goals and how they will help you achieve them.
• Your Goals and Aspirations: Your career aspirations are well-articulated and link well with your proposed studies and experiences. It’s great that you’re focusing on a specific industry (e-commerce fashion) and you’ve clearly outlined your future plans. However, you could make it even clearer how exactly the Brock program and its specific courses will help you achieve these specific goals.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion effectively ties together your past experiences, current interests, and future goals. The mention of a “work hard play hard attitude” is a bit unclear, though, and might be better replaced with a more specific statement about your work ethic or approach.

If you want me to review, critique, and give detailed feedback on your personal statement, then please share your email with us   [email protected]

500 Word Personal Statement Example 2

I have taken all my blessings for granted for most of my life. In a favourable comparison, I realized I was better off than most of my peers. For example, my father had a successful restaurant business in France; I was studying at the best college in Dubai, and most importantly, I was one of the very few who afforded an international education, which I completed in 2021 when I did my Master’s in Supply Chain and Logistics Management (SCLM) from Warwick University.

It wasn’t until after I graduated from SCLM that I realized how much of an advantage I had over my peers. From day one, I had access to a business – an opportunity the majority didn’t have. In this business, I worked with many experts, from food experts to suppliers to clients to app designers. My role was more of a consulting one, which included massive collection and analyses of information. It also included formulating and testing hypotheses and developing and communicating recommendations across all aspects of the restaurant’s supply chain. Unfortunately, however, due to unavoidable personal reasons, I had to move back to Dubai, where I joined Nestle.

While working at Nestle, I observed that many people worked their whole lives to climb the corporate ladder so that they could work on company-wide strategic problems. At the same time, external consultants to Nestle (such as IBM, Accenture, Mckinsey etc.) skip the years of executing day-to-day duties and jump straight to working on and solving these problems. At Nestle, we only work as mediators between the company and the consultants. However, the consultants do the actual chunk of quality work. The quickest way to get into the consulting industry is via a formal degree in Business Consulting. Therefore, the need for this education is of utmost importance to me.

During my interaction with one of Warwick’s graduates, who also happens to work in consulting, I found that IBM and Deloitte Consulting visit Warwick and help students develop consulting skills. Also, I am excited about joining professional networks at Warwick. These will allow me to learn from industry leaders and collaborate with my peers to explore the latest industry practices. I can share my experience of taking bold steps, which reduced food waste by over 70% at the restaurant. Classes in Quantitative Methods and Consulting module will allow me to develop Consulting Expertise and apply quantitative techniques to solving complex problems. Courses such as Leading and Managing Change will hone my soft skills.

I want to make it into strategy consulting by utilizing Warwick’s presence in consulting. Ideally, I want to start a career where I can advise on strategic analysis and commercial negotiations. In the past, I have taken decisions which led to revolutionizing the food waste industry in France. By using the Warwick platform, backed up by a strong alum network, I can fulfil my career goal of becoming a resuscitator of the ailing industries of Dubai.

Your personal statement provides a strong sense of your experiences and ambitions. Here’s a more detailed breakdown based on the criteria:

• Introduction (4.5/5) : Your introduction captures the reader’s attention by creating a contrast between your earlier attitude and your current perspective. This successfully sets the stage for the rest of the personal statement.
• Why You’re Interested (4/5) :: Your interest in business consulting stems from your experiences working in your family’s restaurant and later at Nestle. This context makes your motivations clear and credible. However, you could further elaborate on why business consulting specifically attracts you compared to other professions.
• Your Qualifications (4/5) :: You provide concrete examples of your involvement in your family’s business and your role at Nestle. The anecdote about reducing food waste by 70% at the restaurant is particularly effective. It might be beneficial to give more specific examples of your achievements at Nestle as well.
• Personal Growth (4.5/5) :: The realization of the opportunities and advantages you’ve had in comparison to your peers is a critical turning point. This shows introspection and a willingness to leverage your advantages for the greater good.
• Your Goals and Aspirations (4/5) :: Your goal to work in strategy consulting and make a difference in Dubai’s industries is clear. It would be even more impactful if you could elaborate on why this is important to you. Is there a particular industry or issue you’re passionate about addressing?
• Conclusion (4.5/5) :: You effectively connect your past experiences, current education pursuit, and future goals, leaving a strong concluding impression.
• Your reasons for choosing Warwick are clear and well-researched. Your reference to specific modules and networks demonstrates a deep understanding of what the program can offer.
• There are some lengthy sentences that could be broken down for clarity and readability.
• The last part of your statement could benefit from a summary or a concluding sentence that reinforces your main points.
• Introduction: Your introduction immediately acknowledges the privileged position you’ve had throughout life, creating a contrast to many personal narratives. You offer context by providing details about your father’s business and your international education. However, an engaging anecdote or more personal insights could further draw in the reader.
• Why You’re Interested: You do well to connect your interest in business consulting with your unique experiences in your father’s business and the realization of your advantage. Providing specifics about the tasks and challenges you undertook in the family business could further strengthen this section.
• Your Qualifications: Your work at Nestle and the consulting tasks you performed are compelling. It’s clear you’ve gained experience in the field. However, specific accomplishments or experiences during your time at Nestle would further demonstrate your qualifications and enhance this part.
• Personal Growth: Your experience of observing the different roles and hierarchies within Nestle provides insight into your growth and understanding of the industry. But highlighting what you learned about yourself in these roles, perhaps in terms of skills, attitudes or perspectives, would enhance the demonstration of personal growth.
• Why this Program: Your reasons for choosing the program at Warwick are well-articulated. You’ve done your research and understand how the program’s features align with your career objectives. Including how these features will address your specific needs or fill your skills gap could add depth to this section.
• Your Goals and Aspirations: You articulate your career aspirations clearly, highlighting your desire to enter strategic consulting and your specific interest in commercial negotiations. However, connecting these goals more directly to your past experiences or explaining why these particular goals attract you could make this section more impactful.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion ties your experiences, the program at Warwick, and your career goals together effectively. It leaves a strong impression and demonstrates that you have a clear direction for your future.

The length of a personal statement can vary greatly depending on the requirements of the specific application or organization.

Generally, 500 words is sufficient for a personal statement. It can force you to focus on the most crucial aspects of your story, qualifications, and aspirations, leading to a more precise and compelling narrative.

Admissions committees often review hundreds of personal statements, and their time for each one is limited. On average, they may only spend about three minutes per essay. It is therefore imperative that you respect their time and keep your statement concise and impactful. Avoid long-winded narratives that do not contribute significant value to your application.

Remember, the objective is to deliver as much meaningful information as possible in a condensed form. Extraneous details that do not directly support your candidacy can detract from the effectiveness of your statement. Equally important is to engage the reader; a monotonous, unexciting statement could be easily forgotten amidst a sea of applications. Strive to make your personal statement not only informative but also compelling, to stand out in the minds of the committee members.

The amount of time it takes to write a 500-word personal statement can vary greatly depending on several factors: your familiarity with the subject, your writing skills, the amount of planning you’ve done, and the number of revisions you intend to make.

On average, writing a 500-word personal statement takes 15-20 hours of focused time and effort.

The process of writing a personal statement can be divided into several stages, each requiring a portion of the total time. Here’s a possible breakdown of the 15-20 hours:

• Brainstorming and Planning (3-4 hours): During this stage, you’ll think about your experiences, skills, and goals, and how they align with the opportunity you’re applying for.
• Drafting (4-5 hours): Once you have a clear plan, you can start writing your statement. This stage involves translating your ideas into a coherent narrative.
• Revising (6-8 hours): This is usually the most time-consuming stage. You’ll need to review your statement, making changes to improve its content, structure, clarity, and style. It’s a good idea to have others review your statement and provide feedback during this stage.
• Proofreading and Finalizing (2-3 hours): Finally, you’ll proofread your statement carefully to catch any errors and make final adjustments.

It’s advisable to start early to give yourself plenty of time to revise and polish your statement. Remember, a strong personal statement can be a key component of your application, so it’s worth investing the time to make it as good as it can be.

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100 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 100-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

150 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 150-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

800 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 800-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

1000 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 1000-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

700 Word Personal Statement Sample

A personal statement is an integral part of any university application. Some programs have strict word limits in place, while others do not have any word limits. Here is an example of a 700-word limit personal statement that was admitted to top programs in the US and...

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Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

By: Nova A.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Jan 8, 2019

Are you staring at a blank page, trying to write a 500-word essay? Don't worry, you're not alone! 

Many students face this challenge when tasked with writing a concise yet impactful piece. A 500-word essay is a common task often assigned to high school and college students. 

Writing a 500-word essay can be quite difficult as you have to cover all the important points in a few words. However, this is where you can show all your potential. 

Read on to learn how to write a perfect 500-word essay with this step by step guide. You will also get to read some good example essays to help you out. 

Let’s dive into it!

On this Page

500 Word Essay Definition

A 500-word essay is a short length academic essay. It provides a writer’s perspective on a particular topic. It is usually assigned to high school and college students to teach them necessary essay writing skills.

Every type of essay can follow the 500-word essay format, including:

• Persuasive essay
• Descriptive essay
• Argumentative essay
• Expository essay
• Narrative essay

This means that you can write any type of essay in the 500-word format.

How to Write a 500 Word Essay

A 500-word essay is an opportunity to show and improve your writing skills. Here are the steps you need to follow to write your essay:

Make an Essay Outline

An outline is a roadmap that guides you through the different sections of your essay. It is important to make an outline before you start writing. This ensures a well-structured and coherent piece. 

A 500-word essay is usually composed of five paragraphs. Here’s what you need to create an outline:

• The main topic of the essay
• The central thesis statement
• The main point or topic sentence for each body paragraph
• Supporting points for body paragraphs

This is what your outline will look like:

Write a Good Introduction

An introduction plays an important role in making an impression on the reader’s mind. The readers decide on the basis of the introduction, whether they want to read the rest of the essay or not. 

Here is how you can compose the introduction paragraph:

• It should start with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention immediately.
• Provide a little background information that helps the reader understand the topic
• Conclude the intro with a compelling thesis statement that you will support in the body.

Here is an example:

Compose the Body Paragraphs

The body section is intended to provide a detailed description of the topic. It gives complete information about the essay topic and presents the writer’s point of view in detail. Following are the elements of the body section:.

• Topic sentence

The first sentence of the body paragraph. It presents the main point that will be discussed in the paragraph.

• Supporting evidence

It could be any points or evidence that support your main thesis.

• Transition statement

This statement relates the body paragraph back to the thesis, and also connects it with the subsequent paragraph.

Draft a Compelling Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph summarizes the whole essay and presents the final thoughts on the topic. It is as important as the introduction paragraph. Below are the things you include in the conclusion paragraphs:

• Restate the thesis statement
• Summarize the essay
• Provide final thoughts or a call to action

Want to become a master at writing essays? Check out our essay writing guide to become an excellent writer who can craft all types of essays!

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500 Word Essay Format

Here is how you format a 500 word essay in general:

• A common font style like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• 1” margins on both sides
• Line spacing: double-spaced
• Alignment: Left 

Remember, these are general guidelines. Always follow the specific page formatting guidelines provided by your instructor. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a 500 Word Essay

Many things come up in your mind when you get to write a 500-word essay. You might want to know the length, outline, time required to write the essay, and many more things.

Below are some common questions that you may ask yourself while writing a short essay.

How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

“How many pages is a 500-word essay?”

An essay length of a 500-word essay is usually 1 to 2 pages. If it is single-spaced, it covers just 1-page. When double-spaced, it covers 2 pages. 

When it comes to spacing, stick to the instructions given by your professor.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?

The standard 500-word essay template has 5 paragraphs. It has one introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. 

The word count is divided into 5 paragraphs evenly. The introduction and conclusion are 100 words long each. While the body paragraphs need to be 300 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write a 500 Word Essay?

It would take no more than an hour or two to write a complete 500-word essay. Especially if you have enough information about the topic, you can easily write your essay within an hour. 

What is the difference between 500 words essay vs 250 words essay

The word count of an essay plays a significant role in shaping its structure, content, and depth of analysis. A 500-word essay is a bit more detailed and longer than a 250-word essay. A 250-word essay is composed of three paragraphs maximum. Meanwhile a 500-word essay should contain at least five paragraphs.

What is the difference between 500 words essay vs 1000 words essay

Here is a major difference between 500-word essay and a 1000-word essay: 

With a 500-word essay, you have a limited word count, which necessitates a concise and focused approach. You must carefully select your arguments, provide succinct evidence, and present a coherent analysis. 

On the other hand, a 1000-word essay allows for a more extensive exploration of the topic. It provides the opportunity to delve into multiple subtopics and offer more supporting evidence. 

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500 Word Essay Topics

Below are some interesting topics to help you get started on your essay.

• Should gun ownership be restricted
• My Favorite Place
• Should healthcare be free? 
• The benefits of volunteering in the local community
• Is hunting for food moral? 
• The importance of personal responsibility
• How I spent my summer vacation
• Describe an ideal personality
• What is Climate Change?
• The importance of sports for teenagers

Need more ideas? We’ve got you covered! Check out 100+ amazing essay topics to help you out!

500 Word Essay Example

Now you have a guide for writing a 500-word essay, have a look at the following example to have a more clear understanding.

500 WORD ESSAY ON COVID-19 (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON WHY I WANT TO BE A NURSE (PDF)

500 Words Essay on Why I Deserve a Scholarship

500 WORD ESSAY ON PUNCTUALITY (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON LEADERSHIP (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY ON HONESTY (PDF)

FREE 500 WORD ESSAY ON RESPONSIBILITY (PDF)

500 WORD ESSAY EXAMPLE FOR COLLEGE (PDF)

With the help of this step by step guide and essay examples, you can easily craft a perfect essay. However, if you need more help, you can contact us anytime.

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Place your order now to get unique and original essays at affordable prices. Or if you need quick writing assistance, try out our AI essay writer now!

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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A scholarship motivation letter can make or break your application. This is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge before an in-person interview. Motivation letters are not required for every application. Yet when they are necessary, they are critical. In this guide, we will provide tips for writing a scholarship motivation letter.

What is a scholarship motivation letter?

A motivation letter is like a cover letter you may include with a job application and resume. The goal of the letter is to explain:

• Why you are a good candidate for the scholarship
• What you plan to do with the education you receive.

Review committees often use motivation letters to narrow down their pool of applicants. Then they assess the rest of the application from the candidates they like best.

Motivation letters are usually required for graduate-level scholarships. Sometimes, you may need to write one for specialty programs at a bachelor’s level too. If you have the option to include a motivation letter with your scholarship application, take it. This may be the only chance you have to wow the review committee.

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Motivation letter for scholarship applications – general guidelines

Usually, the application will not specify how long your motivation letter should be. You will need to use your best judgment to write a concise motivation letter. The letter should include:

• The most important elements of your resume
• Your education
• Your professional experiences and plans for the future.

Motivation letters are usually around 500-1,000 words. Split them into paragraphs for easy reading.

Tailor your motivation letter to fit the sholarship

Your motivation letter should link your future plans with the goals of the scholarship . How will you benefit from continued education in this field? How will you use this knowledge to support the mission of the scholarship provider?

Say that the scholarship is from an agency that supports wildlife preservation. Your letter should explain how you plan to apply your education towards a career in that field.

You also need to establish why you deserve this application more than other applicants. What specific experiences do you have now that set you apart from the rest? What specific plans do you have that will address a current issue in the world? Even if you currently have limited knowledge about the issue, use that to your advantage. Explain how you could thrive with more education and solve even more problems in the future.

The structure of a scholarship motivation letter

Scholarship motivation letters vary by award, but they usually consist of three elements:

• An introduction
• Three body paragraphs
• A conclusion

Your introduction should include your name, level of education and the degree program.

Your first body paragraph should include any work-related experience you have. This can include both paid and unpaid internships. You should show the growth of your career in chronological order. Finally, suggest where your career will go with continued education.

Your second body paragraph should explain what you hope to gain from your education. Think of which problems you aim to solve or uncover.

Your final body paragraph should explain your holistic plans for the future. Some ideas for inspiration:

• You can include extra education you plan to pursue after education.
• You can write about companies or agencies you’d like to work for after graduation.
• You can talk about programs or organizations you would like to develop.

Finally, your conclusion should re-emphasize why you are a good candidate for the scholarship.

What NOT to include when writing a scholarship motivation letter

Your scholarship motivation letter should be well-written with no grammar or spelling errors. Use a professional tone and advanced phrasing (no slang). Provide specific examples about your past, present and future. Stay away from vague generalizations. Vagueness suggests a lack of care or knowledge. Neither of  these are impressive to a scholarship review committee.

Some final tips

Writing a motivation letter for scholarship applications takes time and commitment. Plan what you will say in advance, and allow at least three days to write the letter, review it, step away from it and edit it. This extra time will provide the best chance of success with your application.

A Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter

Julie Moore 9876 Smith St. Stillwater, OK 74074The Scholarship Committee 123 Learning Rd. Suite 4A Oklahoma City, OK 73127

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Julie Moore and I am a third year student at Oklahoma State University. I am currently pursuing a five-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree. My plan is to follow up with a one-year master’s degree after I graduate.

In high school, I worked extensively with my local Habitat for Humanity branch to help build homes for low income families. I learned about the construction process from the ground up, and I discovered the importance of function in architectural design. The homes we built during my four years as a volunteer were never extravagant. They served their purpose and became a beacon of hope for their owners.

My education has been focused on this mindset: function over form, stability over showmanship. I have enrolled in several classes that crossover to the Architectural Engineering major. My goal is to have a comprehensive view of how design meets structure. I have worked on three extra-credit residential design projects under the supervision of my architecture professors (Dr. X and Dr. Y). This helped speed up my research and education.

My goal is to become an architect to create accessible, affordable housing opportunities in underprivileged communities. Living in a college town, I have seen countless rental properties available. Yet there are few homes for sale that are affordable enough for college students and first-time buyers. This is the case in many towns throughout America, especially areas with a low standard of living. I want to create neighborhoods that include affordable starter homes. This would enable low and middle-class families to build equity, avoid excessive debt, and create financial stability for their futures.

This summer, I will intern with  LMNOP Architects. Upon completion of my master’s degree, I hope to continue there as I further develop my skills. After working under acclaimed residential architects Suzan Craft and Peter Wood, I would like to open my own architectural firm focused on developing inexpensive, high-quality housing. I also would like to work with Habitat for Humanity again, this time as an architect instead of a general laborer. I believe firmly in their mission to build “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” I appreciate your consideration. With your help, I can continue my schooling in architecture and design to bring accessible homes to those in need.

Sincerely, Julie Moore

• Scholarship Essay

Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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College Application Essay Writing

College Application Essay Examples

College Application Essay Examples for 2024

21 min read

Published on: Feb 12, 2021

Last updated on: Apr 18, 2024

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College Application Essay - Complete Guide with Writing Tips

College Application Essay Format & Samples

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Crafting a standout personal essay for college applications can be a daunting task. Students often struggle to create a compelling story that effectively showcases their abilities and aspirations.

Many young individuals find themselves unsure of how to navigate these expectations, resulting in anxiety and uncertainty.

However, if you are a student, stop worrying more about your college applications. This blog presents over 20 college application essay examples, carefully selected to inspire and guide applicants. 

Let's now dive into the world of impactful essays that have secured coveted spots at esteemed institutions.

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College Application Essay Example 250 Words

Some colleges require short essays of around 250 to 300 words. Writing these essays can be arduous as short essays need only important details about you, your objectives, and your accomplishments.

Carefully examine the example provided.

Sample College Application Essay 250 Words

College Application Essay Example 500 Words

If you are required to provide an essay of about 500 words, it means you have to share details about yourself. Sticking to the word count is as important as any part of your college essay.

For a 500-word college application or supplemental essay, a student can write about:

• Intellectual challenge
• Research query
• Ethical dilemma

However, it depends on the essay prompt and personal preference.

Observe how a successful college application essay of 500 words is written effectively through the example provided.

Sample College Application Essay 500 Words

College Application Essay Example About Yourself

A college application essay can be written using different prompts. One very common college application essay prompt is writing about yourself. In this, an applicant is asked to shed light on his background identity, interest, or talent that is meaningful to them.

The committee wants to know the applicant’s real personality, thinking, objectives, and achievements. Therefore, drafting an essay about yourself will be a good idea.

Sample College Application Essay About Yourself

College Application Essay Example For Harvard

Every university has its criteria for granting admission to students. For this purpose, the application essays vary as well. If you wish for admission to Harvard University, observe the college essay presented below.

Sample College Application Essay for Harvard

College Application Essay Example for Johns Hopkins

To understand how to answer the essay prompt for Johns Hopkins, an example is provided. Carefully observe the sample to draft your personal statement in an effective way.

Johns Hopkins College Application Essay

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‘Why Us’ College Application Essay Example

Another common prompt that colleges require their students to use in their application essay is ‘Why Us’. Just as the name suggests, this prompt attempts to know the writer’s reasons for “why that specific college”.

Analyze how to accurately and appropriately answer the ‘Why us’ prompt in your college essay in the example below.

Sample College Application Essay on 'Why Us'

Engineering College Application Essay Example

Apart from general personal statements , some colleges require application essays specific to the field. For example, if you are to pursue your dream of doing engineering, you will be writing an essay related to that.

Sample Engineering College Application Essay

Computer Sciences College Application Essay Example

If you apply to a college for a degree in computer sciences, below is the example provided. It will help you draft your application essay successfully.

Graduate College Application Essay Examples

The college application essay is a difficult part of the admissions process, and it can be tough to come up with something original. Luckily for you, we have compiled some great examples, so your essay will stand out!

College Application Essay Example 300 Words

Nursing College Application Essay Examples

The purpose of a nursing application essay is to show that you are the best candidate for the nursing program. We've collected some great examples that will help you write a great essay. 

Nursing College Application Essay Example

Honors College Application Essay Examples 

The following is an example of an honors application essay. You can use this as inspiration for your own project or just get an idea of what kind of thing might work best with the prompts that you're given. 

Honors College Application Essay Example

College Application Essay Writing Tips

A college application essay or a personal statement is a writing drafted by a student when applying for a college education. Being the most important part of the admission process, the essay should be written professionally.

To help you draft your essay correctly, expert writers of CollegeEssay.org have presented some tips to follow.

• Come up with compelling ideas for your essay. Think of catchy openers and a brilliant insight for the essay.
• Think of an interesting topic idea that makes you lose all track of time
• Write about the time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure that made you learn important life lessons.
• Reflect if you ever challenged a belief, a question solved, or a problem resolved.
• Share about your growth in personality as well as in your career to impress the audience.
• Be specific and clear about the essay. No matter which approach you are using to write a college essay, be explicit, clear, and focused.
• The committee officers want to know about the applicant and how he feels about different things. Do not go for monotonous resume descriptions and high school transcriptions.
• You should seem real from the essay content. The material you use in the text should be accurate enough for the readers to believe and get inspired.
• Before working, go through some existing examples to observe how winning documents are written. Moreover, the examples will let you decide on the structure and format for your essay.
• Always proofread and revise your essay after writing it. Revision makes the essay flawless, making the document appealing to the audience.

These incredible tips can do wonders for your college essay. Follow them to get admission to fulfill your dream of studying in college. 

Small elements can either make or break your essay. This essay type must be drafted correctly and professionally if you desire to study in a dream college. This essay requires a writer to be good at self-evaluation. Also, impress the committee with his personality and knowledge. 

A college essay is your only chance to get admission, so get it right with an AI writing tool . 

Or get help from professional essay writing services such as CollegeEssay.org. It is a writing company that provides college essays, research papers, term papers, and any other writing type students want. 

Hire an essay helper at the most reasonable price today!

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College Application Letters: Cover Letters & Letters of Continued Interest

College application letters.

College application cover letters support your college applications, college resume, and college application essay prompts. In combination with the other elements of your college applications, particularly your college entrance essay, college application letters help establish your “why.” In short, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications that describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. When looking at college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the values that they express. College application letters and college entrance essays are similar in that they are exercises in personal branding. When reading college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the messages they convey. 

If you’re wondering how to write a college application letter, CollegeAdvisor.com has advisors who can walk you through every part of the process. If your goal is to get into top colleges, CollegeAdvisor.com can help. We’ll analyze examples of college application letters and discuss the letter of continued interest to help you craft successful applications. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the different kinds of college application letters you may encounter when completing your college applications. We’ll discuss the college application letter and the letter of continued interest, as well as teacher recommendation letters.

If you want to read college application cover letter samples, you’ve come to the right place!

What is a college application letter?

To learn how to write a college application letter, you must first understand its purpose. Do this by checking out college application cover letter examples. College application letters and college resumes serve as introductions for your college applications. Unlike college application essay prompts, there are no specific questions to answer in your cover letter. Instead, include the essential elements of university application letters: your background, what makes you unique, and your reasons for wanting to attend that particular college. In short, what makes you, you .

As you’ll see when reading example college application letters, college application cover letters are not all that different from what you would write in a cover letter when applying for a job or graduate school. The purpose of college application cover letters, college entrance essays, and college resumes is to persuade colleges that you are the strongest candidate for admissions. 

College application cover letters are not the time to be shy, but they’re not the time to be pretentious either. When reading college application cover letter examples, you’ll see that there’s a fine line. Your tone matters. In your university application letters, show your experiences and accomplishments while portraying character traits that colleges value. To get into top colleges, find a balance between being proud of your accomplishments and being humble.

College application letters – Who requires them?

Unlike college entrance essays, college application letters are required by very few colleges. However, the skills you’ll develop by writing university application letters will serve you well as you approach your college application essay prompts. When researching college application examples, you’ll notice that there are optional materials to submit. If you’re serious about your college applications, submit university application letters to show your interest. 

College application cover letters are particularly effective if the college does not have college application essay prompts that ask you to explain why you want to attend the school and/or why you want to study your major. They are even more strongly recommended when applying to colleges that don’t have any supplemental essays. You’ll see many college application cover letter examples that focus primarily on academics, but you can include so much more.

Though university application letters are rarely required, they provide an ideal way to introduce yourself. After all, you’ll notice when reading college application cover letter samples that the goal is to help the admissions committee get to know you as a person. You are more than just your grades and scores.

If you want to get into top colleges that don’t allow you to submit a college resume or don’t provide interviews, you need to take extra steps to earn acceptance. Often, you can repurpose content from college application essay prompts that ask why you want to study your major! The college application essay format differs from that of a college application letter, but they serve a very similar purpose.

Test your knowledge about other aspects of the college admissions process in our quiz below!

What is a letter of continued interest?

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a letter you send to a college when you are deferred or placed on the waitlist. So, not everyone will need to write a college application letter of continued interest.

Your letter of continued interest has three primary goals: 

• Reaffirm your interest in the school.
• Provide additional context for your application. 
• Discuss accomplishments on your college resume that have occurred since you submitted your application.

In this guide on how to write a college application letter, we discuss all forms of college application letters in detail. We’ll expand on the above goals to explain the strategies for writing effective letters.

Explaining teacher recommendation letters 

In addition to submitting a college application cover letter and, potentially, a letter of continued interest, your application will also include recommendation letters . These letters enhance your college application entrance essay and build on answers to supplemental college application essay prompts. 

Due to the shift away from standardized testing, other parts of your college applications are inevitably getting more attention in the evaluation process. When assessing your college applications, admissions committees will often rely on letters from your teachers and counselor in place of interviews.

When reading sample college application letters of recommendation, you’ll observe that some are better than others. But, it can be a bit harder to find example teacher recommendations than it is to find college application cover letter examples. To ensure high-quality letters, create a plan well in advance of your senior year. You’ll want to ask teachers to write your recommendations who know you best beyond your grades. The strongest sample college application letters of recommendation speak to both your personal and academic strengths. 

College application sample recommendation letters with the biggest impact typically come from teachers from your core junior year courses – math, science, English, and social studies. If there’s a teacher from your junior year who taught you during your sophomore or senior year too, even better! Teachers who know you through multiple environments – clubs, classes, sports, or other areas – can often do the best job speaking to your growth and achievement over time. 

Choose teachers who know you best

Ultimately, the most effective sample college application letters of recommendation are written by the teachers who know you best. Pay attention to the college application requirements for each school on your list. Note when reading example college application letters of recommendation who the intended audience is. Some schools require math or science teachers for STEM and business majors , while others require English or social studies teachers for humanities majors .

For example, when looking at college application sample requirements, MIT writes “One recommendation should be from a math or science teacher, and one should be from a humanities, social science, or language teacher.” Caltech also requires one math or science teacher evaluation and one humanities or social sciences teacher evaluation. 

Some applicants are tempted to send more letters than the college applications require. However, aim for quality over quantity. If you want to ask another teacher to write a recommendation letter for you, ask yourself what perspective they will bring to your college applications that isn’t already covered in your college entrance essay or other recommendation letters. 

Don’t hesitate to provide materials to help your teachers and guidance counselor write their letters of recommendation for you. In fact, you should! When reading college application sample letters of recommendation, you’ll note that they are specific and provide examples where possible. Some teachers will even have you fill out a standard form to gather information from you. So, by having additional information already prepared, you are helping them tremendously. 

Here are some materials you can provide to help your recommendations augment your college applications:

• College entrance essay
• College resume or a list of your extracurricular activities and awards
• Responses to college application essay prompts.
• A sample college application letter that you’re sending to one of your colleges.
• A few paragraphs about why you want to study your major or pursue your intended career. 
• Key elements of the course you took with them, such as a favorite project or unit. 

When preparing materials to give to teachers, read the instructions given to recommenders by MIT. Even if you aren’t applying to MIT, the information can still be helpful to know. By understanding the process of writing recommendation letters on the teacher’s side, you can see what information will help them write a strong letter for you. 

Don’t wait until you’re submitting your college applications to ask your teachers for recommendations. Some teachers limit the number that they will write, and you want them to have plenty of time to write a quality recommendation. To make sure you have the best recommendations , ask teachers late in your junior year or early in your senior year.

The College Application Letter

As we’ve mentioned, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications. It describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. It’s different from both the college application essay format and the letter of continued interest. When reviewing college application samples, you’ll see that your cover letter works together with your college resume and college entrance essay to help admissions officers get to know you. 

Below, we’ll discuss how to write a college application letter and walk through a sample college application letter. But remember, you want your letter to be original! Don’t feel limited by what’s in any examples of college application letters.

Do all schools require a college application letter?

No — few schools actually require college application letters. However, learning to write a strong college application letter can help you in other aspects of the college admissions process. Reading college application cover letter examples can also help you learn how to write for the admissions committee audience. 

One of the ways to learn how to write a college application letter is to read sample college application letters. For instance, the same skills that help you write a strong and concise college application letter will help you in the college essay format, too.

The college application letter – What should I include?

So, you know the purpose of college application letters, but what should you include in them? Reading college application cover letter samples can help you determine this. While the college application essay format lends itself to focusing on one topic or story, college application cover letter examples highlight the importance of covering several different topics.

College application letters should contain the following elements: 

1. school name and address.

You college application letter should follow formal letter formatting guidelines, which include writing the full name of the college or university you are applying to in the upper left hand corner of the letter. Try to be as specific as possible with the address you choose to use.

2. Salutation

A standard salutation is suitable for your college application letter. However, it is a great idea to do your research and use the full name of the admissions officer assigned to your region.

3. Introduction

The best examples of college application letters open strong. Thank the admissions committee for reviewing your application, and introduce yourself. Do you have a unique connection to the school? Can you hook the reader in some way to make them want to keep reading?

4. Explanation of academic interests

Your primary purpose in college is to earn a degree, so notice that in example college application letters most of the space is often devoted to discussing academic plans. Include your intended major and career path, as well as interdisciplinary interests.

5. Discussion of extracurricular interests

The college application essay format may be a place for you to discuss extracurricular involvement, so use this space to elaborate or discuss additional interests. These could be connected to your academic plans, but they don’t have to be.

6. Conclusion

Express your interest in the school! Impactful example college application letters have a clear and brief conclusion that reaffirms your desire to attend and enthusiasm for the opportunity to join the next class of undergraduates. Point to specific classes, professors, programs, organizations, and aspects of the college that pique your interest. No one is going to hold you to your plan, but colleges want to see that you have one.

8. Complimentary Close

Lastly, every good college application letter should include an expression of gratitude alongside your close and your signature.

In the example of a college application letter above, there are a few key details to highlight. The letter is essentially a five-paragraph essay, with one paragraph for each of the five elements. This differs significantly from the college application essay format. In this college application example, the college application letter has clear and distinct sections, and this is very common in college application cover letter samples.

Depending on your interests and plans, you could take a more integrated approach. You’ll read some examples of college application letters that center around a theme or broad plan rather than separated into individual paragraphs.

This sample college application letter is a narrative. The applicant’s goal is to tell her story to the admissions committee. The best sample college application letters paint a picture for the reader and draw the reader into the storyline. Though it can feel like being vivid and descriptive is a waste of your space, “showing instead of telling makes for stronger college applications.

How to format your college application letter?

When reading sample college application letters, you’ll observe that they are formatted very similarly to professional cover letters. Your university application letters should be one page single-spaced. The heading should also be consistent across college application letters. 

• Your full address
• The date you will send the letter
• The admission officer’s name
• The college name
• The college address

Then, open your letter with a salutation. Many examples of college application letters open with “Dear” and are addressed to the admission officer. If you cannot find your regional admissions officer, it is fine to address the letter to the admissions office as was done in the sample college application letter above. Once you write the body of your letter, don’t forget your closing salutation – “Sincerely,” and then your name. 

Once you read several sample college application letters, you’ll understand the best practices. After writing a university application letter for one school, you don’t need to start from scratch for additional schools. Adapt what you have to fit the next college’s context and your specific interests on their campus. 

Being concise is key. Your university application letter should not be redundant. If it exceeds one page, see where information you mention is repeated elsewhere in your application. In your cover letter, focus on the content that makes you as original and unique as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to proofread your university application letters! 

Can a college application letter help me with other parts of my application?

Think of the college application cover letter as the glue that holds your college applications together. When writing it, think about it as your opportunity to show your best self. After brainstorming the content, you’ll be better equipped to craft your candidate profile into a cohesive narrative and articulate why you want to attend the college.

Though many parts of your college applications will be out of your control by the time you reach your senior fall, the college application cover letter is one that you can control. Use it to elevate your college applications, show interest in your top schools , and make yourself stand out among other applicants!

The Letter of Continued Interest

Another form of college application letter is a letter of continued interest . In sample college application letters of continued interest, you’ll see that the primary purpose is to reaffirm your candidacy for a spot in the next incoming class of undergraduates. 

Though it can feel like a waiting game, the waitlist should not be passive. As soon as you are waitlisted or deferred, begin crafting a letter of continued interest. The best college application sample LOCIs are submitted promptly. Put in the effort to show you’re serious about attending. 

College application example LOCIs should focus on recent updates. Likely, a lot has happened since you submitted your application, particularly if you applied by the early deadlines. Strong college application sample LOCIs convey accomplishments and experiences that either add to previously mentioned ones or provide another dimension to your application. 

Letter of continued interest – When and where to submit?

Learn as much as you can by reading college application example LOCIs, but know that each school’s process for when and how to submit them is different. Additionally, the process may vary based on whether you were deferred to the regular decision round of admissions or waitlisted after the regular decision round. It’s important to follow each university’s directions.

Many schools will request that you upload your letter of continued interest to a portal. Some will request that you email it to an address – typically the admissions office. Others won’t allow you to submit any additional materials. If you’re in doubt, call or email the admissions office and ask. 

What to include in your letter of continued interest?

You’ll notice common trends when reading college application sample LOCIs. Effective college application example LOCIs convey a tone of sincerity, gratitude, and enthusiasm for an opportunity to attend. A strong sample college application letter of continued interest includes four elements. 

First, reaffirm your interest in attending the school if offered the chance to matriculate. Then, discuss relevant developments to your application, such as additional extracurricular accolades and continued academic successes. Sometimes, you’ll see a sample college application letter of continued interest that mentions how a student improved a lower mid-year grade or discusses a new leadership role. 

When reading a sample college application letter of continued interest, remember that colleges are looking for reasons to admit you, so don’t be shy! Offer to answer any questions they have and provide additional info in the conclusion of your letter. 

It’s important to back up your claims with supporting evidence. Strong college application sample LOCIs provide examples and specific details, just as you would in a cover letter or essay. Be vivid and descriptive as you share your story!

However, college application example LOCIs that include overly emotional appeals or merely complement the university are unlikely to be effective. Your letter of continued interest should be all about you. Though it can be difficult to realize this when reading college application example LOCIs, recognize that the content of your letter should fit within the context of the rest of your application. 

The many types of college application letters – Final Thoughts

In this guide, we covered several types of letters associated with your college process – college application cover letters, teacher recommendation letters, and letters of continued interest. Reading sample college application letters, whether they are college application cover letter samples or LOCIs, can help you do your best work. But, remember that every applicant’s college application process is unique. 

Our final tips for writing college application letters:

• Proofread. College application letters with typos or grammatical errors reflect poorly on your effort and candidacy. Use a polished and professional tone in everything you write for your college applications.
• Be yourself. Though this goal can get lost in the requirements, scores, and grades, you should focus on helping the colleges on your list get to know who you are . 
• Follow the requirements. Each college has their own requirements for how they want you to submit materials. Pay close attention to the details for each college as you go through the admissions process. 

CollegeAdvisor.com can help guide you through every step of the college application process. Check out our blog , webinars , or register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Good luck!

This guide to college application letters and letters of continued interest was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ‘22. At CollegeAdvisor, we have built our  reputation  by providing comprehensive information that offers real assistance to students. If you want to get help with your college applications from CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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7 Cover Letter Mistakes Entry-Level Candidates Make—and How to Fix Them Now

If you’re a first-time job-seeker, you probably feel a lot of pressure to find a job quickly. And at this stage, the fastest way to land more interviews is to take your cover letter seriously.

Yes, your resume is also important, but here’s the thing: In a sea of youthful candidates, most of your resumes will look very similar. And as most companies deal with a huge influx of entry-level applications, so hiring managers find that judging candidates based on virtually indistinguishable resumes ends up being inefficient and cumbersome. Instead, they’ll use your cover letter to gauge your potential.

The clincher? Entry-level and internship candidates tend to make the same cover letter blunders, which are fatal to their applications. Here are seven big mistakes entry-level candidates make, and how you can avoid them to come out on top .

Problem #1: It’s Too Long

Everyone learns how to write a 500-word, one-page essay in school. To most of us, it sounds like “the bare minimum.” But for a cover letter, it’s way too much—and will only serve to annoy the hiring manager.

The Fix: Keep it Simple, Direct, Clear, and Short

Aim for 250 words. According to the Orange County Resume Survey , almost 70% of employers either want a half page cover letter (250 words) or “the shorter the better” approach.

If that seems short, just remember: All you really need to include in your cover letter is the job you want to fill, the reason you can do the job, and how you intend to do the job—with a little flair of personality. No need to write out your whole resume. No need to pen your personal manifesto. Keep it short and sweet for the hiring manager who’s reading through dozens of these.

Problem #2: It’s Overly Formal

Too many cover letters have sentences that read like this: “I wish to convey my interest in filling the open position at your fine establishment.”

Is that so, Mr. Shakespeare?

The problem with this stilted and unnatural language is that it’s off-putting to hiring managers: It makes you seem insincere and even robotic, not anything like the friendly, approachable, and awesome-to-work-with person that you are.

The Fix: Use Common Language and Speech Patterns

Skip the frills, and just use clear language —“I’m thrilled to be writing to apply for the [position] at [company].” You can sense that this sentence has a much more genuine and friendly tone than the first example. Here are some other complicated terms and their simpler, more natural synonyms:

• Advantageous — helpful
• Erroneous — wrong
• Leverage or utilize — use
• Attempted — tried
• Subsequently — after or later

There are a couple ways to spot overly formal language in your cover letter. First, try reading it out loud to see if there are areas that feel unnatural coming off the tongue, and rework them to flow better. You can also try using a program like Hemmingway App to help you identify over-complicated language in your writing.

Problem #3: It Sounds Disingenuous

All career advisors will ell you to target your cover letter. Unfortunately, too many people think that this simply means writing something like “I love [insert target company here].”

I’ve got news: That’s simply not good enough to show a hiring manager your enthusiasm for a company.

The Fix: Demonstrate Your Understanding of the Company With Details

Instead, you’ll need to read enough about the company to make a truly personalized comment in your cover letter. First, you should study the content, advertising, branding, business strategies, and culture of the company. Pay especially close attention to the department you’d like to join. Find out what the team is doing and how they’re doing it, and take note of the areas that you know you can contribute to.

Including that specific information in the cover letter shows that you’re interested and already have ideas for how you can help the company. So let’s say that you’re applying for an internship position at a company like The Muse. You might say something like:

I really enjoy reading the productivity section on The Daily Muse— it’s got a great blend of psychological and technical tips, many of which I’ve taken to heart. I’m a sucker for this type of “food for thought” material, so I have my own ideas and resources that would make me a strong contributor in this vertical.

Problem #4: You’re Underselling Yourself

If you have any lines in your cover letter that read like these, you must remove them:

I’m probably not the most qualified candidate…

I’m sure you have many other more qualified candidates who have applied…

Give me a chance to prove myself…

Why would the hiring manager not hire the most qualified candidate? That would be absurd!

The Fix: Make an Argument for Yourself

Even if you feel under-qualified, put on a brave face and tell the hiring manager the attributes that would make you a strong candidate. Respond to the job description, and play up the directly related and transferable skills you have that would allow you to meet the challenge.

For instance, someone applying for an entry-level position as a salesperson might write:

During college, I was responsible for ad sales in our newspaper, The Blue and Gold . I learned how to create, manage, and maintain professional relationships with business owners around our campus. My direct efforts led to a 10% profit margin increase over the year, and I believe that those skills can be directly applied to your open position.

If you’re still unsure, check out career counselor Lily Zhang’s suggestions for drawing out your strengths instead of your weaknesses.

Of course, remember that having too much bombast (“I’m absolutely the best and you better believe it!”) also isn’t good.

Problem #5: It Sounds Selfish

The following is one of the most important rules to remember about writing your cover letter: It isn’t just about you.

In other words, avoid writing about how working at your target company will create a great boost for your resume and career. Hiring managers are fully aware of that. What they need to know is how you’re going to provide a boost for the company.

The Fix: Ask What You Can Do for the Company

Your cover letter should state what you can do for the company . Ask yourself—what is it about your education and experience that would allow you to meet the challenges of the open job position? How can you leverage your expertise for the benefit of the company? What ideas do you have to move the business forward?

It’s perfectly fine to mention that being hired would be mutually beneficial—the hiring manager wouldn’t want you to be a demoralized worker in a role that doesn’t suit your career prospects. Just keep it to a quick sentence and then move on to wooing the reader with what you can do for the company.

Problem #6: It’s Full of Irrelevant Filler

Got a paragraph about your semester abroad, or some other travel experience where you found your “true calling?” You should probably delete it. Do you have sentences like, “I am a hard working, efficient, and loyal person?” Don’t make a series of lists of positive sounding words about yourself. It’s not convincing.

Most importantly, if you’ve included personal information about your religion, marital status, or race, delete it. Even if you think it’s adding personality, it’s actually irrelevant to the job and could cause you to be discriminated against.

The Fix: Focus on Your Relevant Skills and History

Only talk about the experiences that directly relate to your skills and abilities that will help you succeed in the position. So if you learned a relevant skill while you were abroad, like a language? Then it’s perfectly fine to bring it up.

You should also make sure to show the hiring manager proof of your skills rather than simply say that you have them. For any word you choose to describe yourself, make sure to include an example from your work experience to back up your claim.

For example, instead of saying that you’re “hard-working” or “a problem solver,” write something like:

I felt like my own training could have been better, so I took the initiative to create new documents and checklists to make employee training less resource-intensive, which led to shorter training periods and faster content production.

Problem #7: It Has Too Much Information About College Metrics

This may be strange to hear, but here are four things that don’t really factor in your cover letter: the university you attended , your GPA, the classes you took, or your senior thesis.

You should be proud of yourself if you got into an Ivy League school and have a great GPA, but in most cases, they aren’t great metrics for determining whether you’ll be a strong employee.

The Fix: Stick to Activities and Responsibilities

To the greatest extent possible, talk about activities you participated in both inside and outside of college that have some relevance to the job. A student with a 2.9 GPA but with experience as editor of a college newspaper is still very likely to get an interview for a media job.

The reason that activities speak louder than statistics is because they act as proof that you have the soft skills necessary to be a good employee and co-worker. Activities provide experience you can use to show that you are organized, have leadership skills, can work in a team, and can easily get used to a professional environment.

Above all, activities show that you were motivated to succeed beyond simply earning a degree.

By fixing these seven mistakes, your application will stand out from the sea of other entry-level candidates jockeying for the same position. A genuine, refreshing, and smart cover letter is sometimes all it takes to get attention—and kick start your career.

Photo of cover letter courtesy of Shutterstock .

• 12 Scholarship Application Letter Samples (PDF, DOC)

Published: 03 May 2024 Scholarship Application 3,352 views

A scholarship application letter is a formal letter written by a student to an organization that provides financial assistance to support a student's education. Scholarships are available to students of all levels of education, from high school to postgraduate level.

If you're a student, applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to fund your education and a well written scholarship application letter is required to help you get one.

In a scholarship application letter, you will be expected to provide useful information about your accomplishments as a student and why you think you're a deserving candidate.

Before you start drafting your scholarship letter, review the requirements for the scholarship. This will help you have a better understanding of the ideal candidate the scholarship committee requires. You'll also know the credentials and information to include in your letter.

In this guide, we will discuss how to write a good scholarship application letter, a good application letter format and also provide 12 scholarship letter templates for you to download in pdf format.

What is a Scholarship Application Letter?

A Scholarship Application Letter is a formal letter a student writes to a scholarship committee to persuade them to be considered for a scholarship opportunity.

In a scholarship application letter, students are required to highlight their academic achievements as well as relevant skills and experiences that may not be outlined in their resume.

How to Write a Scholarship Application Letter?

Writing a scholarship application letter requires thorough understanding of the steps to write a good application. 

If you want to learn how to write the best scholarship application letter that will guarantee a positive response from the scholarship review community, follow the steps below;

Always start your scholarship application letter with a professional salutation.

Keep your letter short, a good scholarship letter typically ranging from 300 to 500 words. 

Ensure you give a clear reason for applying for the scholarship.

Always introduce yourself properly

Write about your relevant academic achievements, work experience, extracurricular activities, and any skills you may have.

Explain why you need the scholarship and how it will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

Write about your long term goals and close your letter with a strong conclusion summarizing key points in the letter.

Proofread your letter before submitting. You can give your letter to a friend to proofread for you- good scholarship application letters do not have typos or grammatical errors.

Always thank the scholarship committee for taking their time to read your letter and consider you for the scholarship.

Follow the correct scholarship letter format 

Application for Scholarship Format

To write a good scholarship application letter, you have to be familiar with its structure.

Following the right scholarship format will help you compose your letter in a better way. A scholarship application letter has six major components which includes; the header, the salutation, introduction, the body, the conclusion and the closing. 

The body of the letter contains the most important details required by the scholarship committee and it is usually divided into 2 or 3 paragraphs.

Here, we'll discuss the different components of a scholarship application letter. Keep reading to find out more.

Header: The header is the first part of a scholarship application letter located at the top of the letter.  It should include your complete contact information such as your name, address, phone number, and email address.

You can also include the title of the letter typed in a bold font.

Salutation: Next is a professional salutation to begin the scholarship application letter. Examples of salutations you may use include; "Dear Scholarship Committee" “Respected Sir/Ma” or "To Whom It May Concern."

Introduction: After the salutation is the introductory paragraph. This is the official first paragraph of the letter where the scholarship applicant is expected to briefly introduce themselves and state the purpose of the letter.

The introduction can be written in three to five concise sentences. 

An important tip to keep in mind when writing your introduction is to keep things as straight to the point as possible.

Body: the body of a scholarship application letter is where the main content lies. In the body of the letter, you'll provide details about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any relevant experiences that will convince the scholarship committee to grant you the scholarship.

As we discussed earlier, the body of a scholarship application letter can be divided into 3 paragraphs. Let's discuss each of the paragraphs.

First Paragraph: in the first paragraph, write about your academic achievement and record. You can outline all the degrees you have gotten and their grades, you can also highlight your future plans for your academics.

Second Paragraph:   The second paragraph details your work experience and extracurricular activities that may be relevant to the scholarship.

Third Paragraph:   In the third paragraph, you can go a little further to explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your academic goals and why you deserve the scholarship.

Conclusion:  The conclusion should be a strong statement summarising why you are a good fit for the scholarship. It should highlight key points you have made in the previous paragraphs and should fit into 2 or 3 sentences.

Lastly, thank the scholarship committee for their time and consideration in one sentence.

Closing:   Always end your Scholarship Application Letter with a simple closing remark, like "Yours Sincerely" or "Kind Regards.” 

It is important to keep your closing as professional as possible. The scholarship application letter is a formal letter so you want to avoid using any form of informal or casual remark or language.

Scholarship Application Letter Writing Format

A good scholarship application letter is required to follow a simple letter format that is easy to read and understand by the scholarship provider. 

Here, we'll share a simple format for your scholarship application letter.

Always use a professional font like Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial

Use a font size between 10 and 12 points.

Your margins should be 1 inch on all sides, this makes your work easy to read.

Use single-spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between paragraphs.

Avoid using a casual or informal tone in your Scholarship Application Letter.Also avoid the use of slangs or cliche words.

The scholarship application letter should have a formal tone.

Always include your name and contact information at the top of the scholarship application letter and introduce yourself in the first paragraph 

Ensure you address the letter to the appropriate person or committee. Of you do not know who to address it to, use a generic term like ‘ Dear Sir/Ma’ or ‘Dear Scholarship Committee’ 

Scholarship Letter Template 

Here are 12 scholarship letter template for you.

Application for Fellowship Sample Letter 

Fellowship Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Government Scholarship 

Government Scholarship Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Grant Scholarship 

Grant Scholarship Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Masters Scholarship 

Masters scholarship sample letter for download, application letter for nursing scholarship , nursing scholarship sample letter for download, application letter for phd scholarship .

PhD Scholarship Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Undergraduate Scholarship 

Undergraduate Scholarship Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Scholarship Grant 

Scholarship Grant Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Scholarship to Mayor

Scholarship to Mayor Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Scholarship in University 

Scholarship in University Sample Letter for download

Application Letter for Scholarship for Poor Students

Scholarship for Poor Students Sample Letter for download

Application for Scholarship to Principal

Scholarship to Principal Sample Letter for download

Application for Merit Scholarship Sample

Merit Scholarship Sample Letter for download

Do’s and Don'ts your Scholarship Application Letter

Here are some do's and don'ts to guide you as you draft your scholarship application letter.

Do not use the same application letter for every scholarship application 

Do not paraphrase your CV

Do not quote others in your letter

Do not write about your flaws or deficiencies

Do not use slangs or informal language 

Do not wait until last minute to submit your application letter 

Do keep a positive tone

Do be concise 

Do be honest

Do avoid typos or grammatical blunders 

Do proofread

Do proper research before drafting your letter

Do highlight your accomplishments 

With these scholarship application letter templates, you stand a chance at getting that scholarship you've always wanted. Download a template today and edit it the way you like.

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The Best College Essay Length: How Long Should It Be?

College Essays

Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

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Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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How to Write a Compelling 500-word MBA Essay

May 8, 2023

Worried about word count?

The three keys to a compelling essay: theme, story, and structure, key #1: theme, key #2: story, key #3: structure.

• Managing word count
• Get expert help

Update : This article was originally posted on July 27, 2019. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

One of the most difficult parts of applying for a graduate degree in business administration can be creating a truly compelling essay. How do you make an MBA essay not only sound like you but also really stand out from the crowd?  

This can be especially intimidating with so little space. You may have a lot you wish the admissions board to know about you. But how do you reduce that down to a 500-word essay while at the same time making sure you say everything you should?

Don’t fret – instead, focus on a few key elements that will help you down that path.

So what is the first step to writing a compelling MBA essay in 500 words?

Forget about your word count.

Go ahead – let’s even take it to extremes. Take your ideas about word count, crumple them up, and throw them in the recycling bin. Or hide them in with the dirty laundry or wherever else you know you won’t look until you’re on the final draft of your essay. Did that? Good.

Although most essays will have a word limit, that is not where you should begin – and it is definitely not what you should focus on while trying to develop your MBA admissions essay. In fact, trimming word count is the very last thing you should do before you finalize your draft. 

We will revisit the subject of word count at the end of the process – and at the end of this post. Until then, keep it in the laundry.

So, you might ask, if I shouldn’t focus on word count, what should I be thinking about? 

There are three answers to this question: theme, story, and structure . But what are these exactly?

Your theme is like your topic. It is the main thing you want your readers to know and remember about you while reading your essay. Everything – and I mean absolutely everything – in your MBA essay should pertain to and relate back to your theme.

Story is how you express your theme. An MBA essay can have one or multiple stories. Your stories are personal (as in, they really did happen to you!) anecdotes about your past that contribute to the person you are today. These must (underline must ) relate back to your theme. 

Structure is how you combine the two in a way that makes it easy for your reader to get from one idea to the next. A strong structure will reinforce the meaning of your essay.

All three of these elements are interrelated, and all are necessary for creating a truly compelling MBA admissions essay. Now that you’ve got the basics, there is a lot more to learn. Let’s take a look at each of these key points in detail.

The first key, or element, of a compelling essay is a strong theme. Y our theme is the main message of your essay. Basic examples may be “teamwork is paramount” or “empowering others is what I value most”. Your choice of theme will depend on the essay question.

A theme is important for your MBA essay because it is what ties everything you say together. Instead of random stories that have no common thread, your theme is what allows you to use multiple stories to reinforce what you really want to say about yourself . 

Looking for example 500-word essays to help you start writing? Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of successful sample essays, in addition to all types of essays from countless schools, brainstorm guides, resume templates, interview mocks and answer models, and much more. Find out more about your one-stop shop for MBA application success here .

How do you choose your theme? A question of values

So how do you go about choosing the right theme?

Your theme expresses a value (ex: “community”, “giving back”, “innovation”) that you feel has defined you in some way. You can choose practically any value that you can relate back to your personal experiences. However, it is essential that you choose a value you truly believe in – faking it to sound good will be immediately obvious to any admissions board.

A good theme also relates back to the school and its values. The school’s values will give you an idea of who the school is looking for, and you should always take these into account when choosing your theme. Each school will have different, individual values. 

The school’s values may be implicit or explicit – you may need to take a long look at their website, visit their campus, ponder their motto, or study their application materials to figure out what they are. (If you find yourself struggling to determine these, this is something that our editors at Ellin Lolis Consulting are glad to help you with.)

For example, when applying to the Stanford Graduate School of Business , their values include the following:

Global awareness, community-oriented, integrity, collaborative team leadership, passion, intellectual vitality, etc.

The theme of your Stanford essay should not , therefore, simply be “integrity” or “global awareness”. Instead, give the value a personal touch that says something about you: for example, you could go with “honesty above everything” or “the importance of an international team”. If you’ve chosen your theme well, it may even overlap with multiple values of your target school. 

We have seen clients use a wide range of diverse themes to create successful essays that landed them a spot in their top MBA program. For example, one client used the theme of solving a Rubik’s cube to demonstrate their drive for problem-solving . Another client used the theme of ballet to express her values of determination . Other clients have used topics like their cultural heritage , learning from past failures , or family hardship as successful themes. 

Keep in mind that your choice of theme must answer the essay question . While this might be easy in open-ended essays, some answers may require much deeper thought to determine your underlying values.

Theme: roadblocks and solutions

The most common problem pertaining to theme often comes down to this: too many or too few. Even if you’ve chosen the most awesome theme, encountering either one of these problems could make or break your MBA admissions essay. 

How can you have too many themes? It may be hard to narrow down what you value most or which of your target school’s values is the most important to you. If you can’t decide, you may end up trying to build in more than one. You may begin your essay by exuberantly exclaiming the importance of teamwork while emphasizing how much your community means to you in your conclusion. This discrepancy will not only confuse your reader, it will lead to a weak message and a weak essay . 

On the other hand, your theme must be explicitly clear . You cannot assume that your reader will simply understand your theme after reading your essay. You must state this for them multiple times. 

Either option will cause your theme to feel unclear to your reader . Make sure you have a single theme (even if it might represent multiple values!) that you clearly stick with throughout the entire essay. 

Stories are the examples you use to underline your theme . 

They should be based on your personal experiences and are the most tangible element of your MBA admissions essay. The choices here are endless, and may come from the workplace, school, or your personal life . 

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, this article in The Economist offers some good starting points . The most important thing is that your stories illustrate how they have contributed to the value that you’ve presented in your theme. 

How to choose the best stories? Theme and story go hand in hand

The stories you choose need to relate to your theme. Your theme will relate to your stories. The two of these – and choosing them – go hand in hand. 

You may first brainstorm inspiring stories from your past and then choose which theme aligns with them. Or you may want to start by contemplating your theme and then deciding where it has been exemplified in your past. Either method will work, as long as you use honest examples and really believe in your theme. 

If you find yourself at an impasse, however – where you just can’t get your stories to align with your theme – we find it best to rethink your theme . After all, you can choose your theme freely, while your stories must be limited to personal experiences from your past.

How many stories you tell in your MBA essay depends on your theme and the topic of the essay (and possibly your word count!). In some cases, you may need multiple stories while in others a single story will suffice .

What makes a good story? You do.

A good story can be a lesson you learned, a challenge you faced, or an experience that you will never forget. Remember here that the admissions board already has your CV, so a good story is by no means a recap of your professional history. Instead, your stories should touch on the things that the admissions board cannot see in your CV: your personality. 

This means your stories need to dig deep into personal questions . What made a situation challenging? How did this experience make you who you are today? What lessons did you learn? A good story highlights motivations, feelings, and attitudes behind the information on your CV. 

As you can see, a story is not only action. It has two parts: the experience itself and what you learned from it .  In our experience, it is best to use the well-known STAR method to make this format clear to readers.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results . All of these elements must be clear in each story you tell in your MBA admissions essay. They can be used to tell almost any story. 

For example, let’s take a look at a passage from a client’s IESE essay:

“For example, when I worked as a site engineer coordinating dredging works (Situation) , I saw an opportunity to give workers that I saw potential in the chance to learn specific technical work. We had over 12 workers with no post-secondary education responsible only for timekeeping machinery activities on site. I knew that, after the job was done, they would struggle to find new work. (Task) I decided to choose some of them to assist our hydrographic survey technicians collecting and processing survey data a few days per week, a crucial activity for the project’s success. (Action) I was proud that two of them could learn their responsibilities quickly enough to start working as full-time survey assistants even after the job was finished. (Results)

In this passage, using the STAR method really helps the client clearly present a story that shows his proactivity and highlights both external (that his employees started working full-time) and internal (that he was proud) results. The client used this story to underline his theme of supporting others . 

To understand more about aligning your theme with your stories , let’s go back to our Stanford example where we’ve chosen the theme “the importance of an international team”. A good story here might be:

• A time you’ve led an international team at your firm and the benefits it brought to the project;
• Talking about time you’ve spent abroad and how this changed your perspective;
• How you helped international students in college and what you learned from the experience

Story: roadblocks and solutions

The main problem you see with stories in MBA essays is that they do not match the theme. If this is the case, you need to rethink your story – or your theme.

In contrast to your theme, you cannot have too much information at this stage in your essay (you’ve hidden away all your ideas about word count, remember?). Remember here that although the details about what happened, how you felt about it, or why an event was significant may be clear to you, it will not always be clear to your reader . Including sufficient information about context, your motivations, and what you learned is essential to make sure your message is clear. 

This is where a second set of eyes is absolutely necessary. Our editors here at Ellin Lolis Consulting are good at spotting the details that may be implicit in your essay, but have not been stated clearly enough for all your readers. 

Another common problem is not highlighting your role in the story. Even if the experience was a team effort – and even if teamwork is your theme – it is necessary to highlight the individual part you played. After all, the admissions board is focusing on you .

The third essential element to a compelling MBA admissions essay is your structure. Y our structure is like your map: it helps your readers get flawlessly from A to B . 

In terms of your essay, this means that structure helps your reader transition between what you said before, what you’re saying now, and what you will say next. 

Without a solid, clear, and defining structure, your essay can be good, but won’t be excellent . Your stories may be fascinating – but only if your reader understands why they are reading about them in the first place. In other words, structure implicitly emphasizes relevance . 

How is a typical MBA essay structured?

Although this will vary according to the topic of the essay, the basic outline is often similar, as pointed out by Karen Schweitzer . The outline of your MBA essay will usually have the following format:

• Introduction : present your theme and its larger contextual significance
• Story 1 and the lesson(s) you learned from it
• Story 2 and the lesson(s) you learned from it ( if the essay prompt allows for more than one story)
• (Maybe more stories and lessons…)
• How your stories/theme relate to your target school ( such as classes you intend to take, groups you want to participate in, or the unique things that the school offers that will help you expand on these values )
• Conclusion : tie all of this back into your theme

Keep in mind that this is only a basic outline for an MBA admissions essay, and t here are other formats that may work just as well . You may find a different format works better for your message. In that case – go for it! 

No matter which format you choose, however, make sure your reader can clearly and easily understand and navigate the structure of your essay . With thousands of other essays to read, sending a confusing essay to “stand out” is likely to get your essay tossed aside. 

What make s a good structure? Sandwiches.

How do you ensure that your MBA essay is well-structured? Here, it is best to rely on the classic sandwich method .

The sandwich method ensures that each of your stories (the lettuce, meat, cheese, and other particularly yummy parts of your structural sandwich) is surrounded by an explicit emphasis on your theme (the bread that holds your structural sandwich together). 

You are going to need a few structural sandwiches for a good essay. Not only should the essay itself be one big sandwich, but each paragraph – each story – needs to be one as well. In other words:

Sandwich #1: The essay as a whole

In your essay-structural-sandwich, your theme needs to surround your stories. The introduction of your essay should clearly present your theme and your conclusion needs to pick it back up.

Sandwich #2: Each and every story

Each story needs an introduction sentence and a concluding sentence. Both of these sentences need to relate your story back to your theme. 

The sandwich method is a way to ensure your reader stays on the same page as you. They make it explicitly clear why what you are saying is relevant to the larger picture and how you got there in the first place. 

Hungry? Have an example sandwich

In spring 2017, we helped Axel from Argentina compose and refine his Stanford essays. In this essay, he chose to focus on the theme “being an agent of change”. Take a look at one of the stories he told to highlight this theme:

“Later, while volunteering in São Paulo’s favelas, I wanted to convey the power of change to children by showing them what I learned from the book on the cosmos. By connecting my hobby of space with my desire for change, I shared my knowledge of cosmology and mathematics and gained valuable lessons from people with backgrounds in education. In learning from each other’s strengths, we were able to complement the children’s formal education and inspired them to look at past science geniuses who defied conventions so that the students might also be inspired to challenge their social standing. This experience showed me that working to create change is as important as its positive effects .”

As you can see in bold, the relevance of this story to Axel’s theme is clear in both the introduction and conclusion of the paragraph.

Looking for example essays to help you start writing? Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of successful sample essays, in addition to all types of essays from countless schools, brainstorm guides, resume templates, interview mocks and answer models, and much more. Find out more about your one-stop shop for MBA application success here .

Managing word count: the final step to a stunning MBA essay

Now that you have the three key elements of your MBA admissions essay down – theme, story, and structure – it is time to go dig your ideas about word count back out of the dirty laundry.

You may find yourself with an essay that is way too long. How can you go about shortening it?

Although this may seem like a challenge, it is one you can overcome. Our editors are very practiced at this, and are glad to help you if you get stuck. For example, in a recent essay for UCLA , one of our clients found herself with an essay of nearly 900 words; the limit for the essay was 500. Using the following strategies, we were able to get her word count down to 486.  

Strategy #1: Revisit your stories

The easiest way to reduce word count is to take another pass at each of your stories . Are there any parts that are repetitive ? Is there anything that is not essential to the story? Tangents ? Searching for these is a good way to drastically reduce your word count.

Strategy #2: Reduce “of” constructions

There are two ways to express possession in English. Take a look at the difference between these two sentences:

“I won the admiration of my supervisor” (7 words) vs. “ I won my supervisor’s admiration” (5 words)

Simply by trading out the “of” phrase here and replacing it with the possessive noun phrase, you can make your sentences shorter. 

Strategy #3: Reduce “I think/wish/believe…” phrases

Everything in your essay is authored by you, a fact that is obvious to your admissions board. Beginning sentences with “I think…” phrases are, therefore, unnecessary. Removing phrases like this not only reduces word count, it will also make your statements stronger. Take a look at the following example:

“I believe that Stanford Graduate School of Business will be the key to furthering my professional career.” (17 words)

Now take a look at the sentence with the “I think…” phrase removed:

“Stanford Graduate School of Business will be the key to furthering my professional career.” (14 words)

Strategy #4: Reduce passive voice

You are the center of your essay, so the action should always be focused on you. This means you should avoid being the object of the sentence and passive voice.

Take a look at this example:

“The project was completed by my team in November 2017.” (10 words)

Here, the project is the subject of the sentence and in focus, not your team. Instead, you could bring the focus back to you by phrasing it like this:

“My team completed the project in November 2017.” (8 words)

This is only one example of passive voice and how you can reduce it in your MBA admissions essay, but there are other passive constructions that you can watch for. If you want to learn more about how to avoid passive voice, the University of Toronto offers some insightful writing advice on the topic.

Get Expert Help

At Ellin Lolis Consulting , we have a lot of practice helping clients cut words and reduce their message to what is truly important – part of what we call technical editing . To read more about what else we offer in terms of technical editing – and its big brother strategic editing – take a look at our blog post . 

These tips will help reduce your word count while unlocking your MBA essay’s true potential. Not only will their application limit your essay to the most essential information , but it will also make sure your reader gets an authentic look at the person behind the words.

Now that you have the most useful keys for a stunning MBA admissions essay, it is time to create one that will have the admissions board hoping you will choose to attend their school. 

As long as you’ve expressed a clear theme , backed it up with personalized stories , and packed it into a structural sandwich , your MBA essay is sure to stand out from the crowd.

If you still feel unsure about your essay, need some help brainstorming, or just want an extra pair of eyes, reach out to our team . Our team has the writing abilities and the marketing know-how to transform your essay into an attention-grabbing piece that will get you a spot in your top-choice MBA program. Remember, we’re here to help! 

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