Applying to colleges in the United States as an international student comes with its own set of unique challenges and requirements.
Here are some detailed tips to help you navigate the college essay writing process.
Research: How applying to US colleges is different
For international students, the process of applying to universities in the United States differs in some significant ways. While transcripts and test scores are certainly important, US admissions officers place a strong emphasis on the college essay or personal statement. This writing sample allows them to evaluate an applicant’s communication abilities, critical thinking skills, personality, and potential fit with the campus community beyond just academics.
The college essay is a distinct genre focused on storytelling and self-reflection rather than simply listing accomplishments. It challenges students to craft an engaging personal narrative centered around a specific theme or life experience. For highly selective institutions where most applicants have outstanding grades and test scores, the essay can become the deciding factor that sets a candidate apart.
As such, many international students devote weeks or even months to brainstorming ideas, getting feedback, and revising their essays. The goal is to produce an original, insightful piece that allows admissions officers to genuinely get to know the author’s unique voice, background, and strengths.
Before beginning to write, international applicants should take time to research the particular academic programs, campus culture, and supplemental essay prompts, like diversity essays or Why this college essays, for each institution. This allows them to strategically outline how their personal story and qualifications make them an ideal fit. Some schools also require additional shorter essays, such as discussing reasons for applying or perspectives on diversity.
Applying for scholarships is another important component, as the associated essays provide further opportunities to showcase oneself. International students should create a checklist and timeline to ensure they understand all application requirements and deadlines well in advance. Careful planning and attention to detail in this process can pay major dividends.
Stories: Show your strengths
US college admissions officers aim to build a diverse student body of individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the campus community. As an international applicant, your personal statement is a key opportunity to showcase your unique background, experiences, and strengths through specific anecdotes and stories.
Rather than simply listing accomplishments, the most effective college essays use vivid narrative details to illustrate defining moments, challenges overcome, or insights about your character and aspirations. Bring your authentic voice and perspective to life on the page through concrete personal examples.
Example
Growing up, my world was a tiny village in rural Kenya where life was simple – we woke up with the sun, tended to the crops and animals, and spent evenings around the fire listening to the elders’ tales. Though we lacked material possessions, our community’s rich oral traditions kept me endlessly fascinated by the power of storytelling.
At age 11, I was offered the incredible opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school in Nairobi. Suddenly, my world exponentially expanded – I was surrounded by students from all over the country, modern technology, and a formal Western-style education. The culture shock was immense, but my insatiable curiosity and ability to embrace change allowed me to adapt quickly.
In the classroom, I developed a zeal for science, dazzled by how it could empirically unlock nature’s wonders. Yet I never lost touch with my village’s legacy of spinning engaging yarns. I joined the school’s drama club, becoming a talented storyteller adept at captivating any audience. On weekends, I volunteered teaching literacy and creative writing to underprivileged children in Nairobi’s slums.
This unique intersection of traditional and modern perspectives molded me into someone who can deftly navigate different cultures while constantly seeking new knowledge. My worldview transcends boundaries, fueled by an innate drive to synthesize manifold ways of understanding into an enriched, inclusive vision for achieving my dreams.
Tone: Be conversational, but respectful
When writing your college essay, aim to strike a balance between a conversational, relatable tone and a level of formality appropriate for an academic writing sample. You want your unique voice and personality to shine through, but without veering into overly casual language.
Avoid using slang, contractions, or colloquial expressions that may come across as too informal or risk not translating well across cultures. As an international applicant, idioms or turns of phrase that are specific to your native language can potentially confuse or distract admissions officers. Stick to clear, straightforward language.
At the same time, you don’t want your essay to sound overly stiff, formal, or thesaurus-laden. The tone should sound natural, like the way you would engage in a thoughtful one-on-one conversation. Use descriptors and phrasings that feel true to your authentic way of expressing yourself.
Culture: Write about what you know
As an international student, you possess a rich cultural background and set of experiences that can provide excellent material for your college essays when framed properly. Your global perspective is an invaluable strength that can allow you to offer fresh insights to the campus community.
However, be mindful about making assumptions that admissions officers will inherently understand cultural references or idioms specific to your home country or community. It’s better to avoid inscrutible cultural elements that require extensive context to comprehend.
Instead, focus your essays on personal stories and anecdotes that can transcend cultural boundaries. Reflect on formative moments, challenges, accomplishments, values or traditions that have been particularly meaningful or insightful for you. Explore how your experiences have shaped your goals, worldview, and sense of identity.
Example
Every morning, I awake to the pungent aroma of fried jiao zi (dumplings) wafting from the kitchen. In my household in Chengdu, China, these savory bundles are more than just breakfast – they represent togetherness, tradition, and our family’s legacy.
From the time I could hardly peek over the counter, I was tasked with helping my grandmother delicately crimp and pleat each doughy pouch before dropping it into the bamboo steamer. With deft hands hardened by decades of the same ritual, she would regale me with legends of our ancestors while we prepared the meal side-by-side.
I learned that the intricate folds symbolize the 333 turns that led our Hakka people to Sichuan after being driven from their coastal homelands centuries ago. The robust filling enveloped by the tender dough evokes the Hakka’s persevering spirit encased within an embracing new home.
As I inhale the dumplings’ aromatic flesh, I’m transported back to those mornings absorbing grandma’s words like xiao long bao soaking up broth. Though I crave new culinary adventures, no delicacy can replace the flavors of home imbued with our culture’s resilience and my family’s devotion to keeping traditions alive for future generations.
Language: Use correct grammar, word choices, and sentence structures
As an international applicant, you’ll want to take particular care in polishing your essays to showcase your English communication skills. Start by ensuring you have a strong grasp of proper grammar rules in areas like subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and verb tenses. Pay close attention to seemingly minor details like punctuation, capitalization, and article usage that can trip up non-native speakers.
Aim to use accurate and precise word choices that you are very comfortable with based on your current English abilities. Your sentence structures should also aim for clarity, concision, and variety. Too many long, rambling sentences can cause meaning to get lost. But over-reliance on short, choppy sentences can make your writing feel abrupt. Strike a balance that creates a smooth, cohesive flow.
Having a teacher who is an expert English speaker/writer review your drafts can be invaluable. They can pinpoint patterns of language errors as well as areas that may be unclear or unnatural for a native reader. Their feedback can help you elevate your grammar, word choices, and language fluency.