With admissions officers needing to review thousands of applications in a limited timeframe, having an engaging and well-structured introduction is crucial for making your college essay stand out. As you draft and revise, look for opportunities to hook the reader right from the opening line.
The golden rule? Don’t give too much away upfront. Your introduction shouldn’t allow the reader to predict the entire narrative arc after just the first sentence. A surprising or unconventional opening moment captures attention, piques curiosity, and compels them to keep reading until the very end.
An effective introduction immerses admissions in a vivid scene or raises intriguing questions about an engaging personal anecdote still to unfold. If you can entice them to linger on your essay slightly longer than others, you create more opportunity to showcase why you would provide a valuable perspective to their incoming class.
Some potential strategies include the following:
Start with a surprise
One effective way to craft an intriguing introduction is to open with an element of mystery or an unexpected statement. Consider this example hook:
“In my 17 years, I’ve mastered astrophysics, neurosurgery, and the art of living backwards.”
This claim immediately piques the reader’s curiosity. How could someone so young accomplish such lofty feats? And what does “living backwards” even mean? The admissions officer has to keep reading to understand the context behind this surprising proclamation.
Rather than a clichéd opening line that reveals everything upfront, an unconventional hook like this creates an aura of intrigue. It stands out from the sea of essays beginning with overused generalizations and immediately raises questions that compel further reading.
Start with a vivid, specific image
If directly opening with surprise isn’t a natural fit, you can instead immerse the reader by vividly describing a specific, compelling personal moment or experience.
For essays focused on a particular event or story, hone in on tangible details to bring one pivotal scene to life through action, dialogue, and sensory descriptions that recreate what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt in that instant. Transport the reader into the middle of the unfolding narrative by rendering the setting, emotions, and circumstances with clarity and resonance.
An introduction that establishes a richly descriptive time and place piques curiosity about the larger significance and plotline still to unfold around that captured personal vignette.
Bad Example:
The hot sun beat down as I dribbled down the court, sweat dripping into my eyes. This was my chance to win the championship game.
Good Example:
I squinted against the harsh glare as my sneakers squeaked across the court’s worn surface. The scoreboard’s final seconds ticked louder than my pulse.
To craft a compelling metaphorical introduction, vividly describe a symbolic object or scene that represents you or your personal journey. Rich sensory details transporting the reader into that distinctive visual metaphor will pique their curiosity to learn the deeper meaning it holds.
Bad Example:
I had a good day.
Good Example:
When I woke up this morning, I could tell it was going to be a good day. The sun was shining, and I felt well-rested and energized. Throughout the day, little things went my way – I got to work on time, my coworkers were friendly, and I was able to cross a few tasks off my to-do list. By the time I got home in the evening, I found myself feeling content and grateful. It’s the simple days like this one that remind me to appreciate the positive moments, no matter how small they may seem.
Avoid clichés
It’s important to avoid using common, overused phrases when you’re writing your essay introduction. Sentences like “My family is the most important thing to me” or “I work hard to achieve my goals” are too ordinary and don’t really say anything unique about you.
The college essay is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are as a person. If you use the same old clichés that everyone else uses, your introduction won’t be memorable or interesting to read.
Instead, try starting your essay in a more unique way. You could tell a short story about an important moment in your life, or ask a thought-provoking question that reveals something about your personality. The goal is to grab the reader’s attention right away and make them want to keep reading.
Bad Example:
I love to travel.
Good Example:
One summer, my family and I decided to take a trip to a faraway country I had never been to before. When we arrived, everything was so new and different from what I was used to. The food, the language, even the way people dressed – it was all so fascinating to experience. Even though it was out of my comfort zone, I embraced the adventure and tried my best to immerse myself in the local culture. That trip opened my eyes to the incredible diversity of the world and left me with a deep appreciation for exploring new places.
Sometimes people use famous quotes at the start of their essays, but this can often come across as boring and unoriginal. There might be a few cases where using a quote makes sense – for example, if it’s a piece of advice that’s really important to you. But in general, you don’t need to use quotes to start your essay.
Instead of relying on a quote, try opening your essay with something more original – like a vivid description of an important moment in your life, or a thought-provoking question that gets the reader interested in your perspective. This will make your introduction stand out and give the admissions officers a better sense of what makes you, you.
Bad Example:
“Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” This famous quote has always inspired me in my academic pursuits.
Good Example:
Tonight, as I pore over my textbooks late into the evening, the weight of my goals feels heavy. But I remember the advice my mentor once gave me: “The only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself.” Fueled by that sentiment, I recommit myself to reaching for the stars, knowing that even my missteps will propel me forward.