What Admissions Officers Really Think When They Read Essays
You’ve heard it before: “The essay is your chance to stand out.”
But what does that actually mean when an admissions officer is reading hundreds of essays in a week, each one blending into the next?
Let’s pull back the curtain. Here’s what admissions officers really think when they read your college essay—and what separates the forgettable from the unforgettable.
👀 1. “Does this sound like a real person?”
The first thing an admissions officer notices isn’t your GPA or your grammar—it’s your voice.
They’re asking: Does this essay sound like a genuine human being or a perfectly edited robot?
Essays that sound over-polished or AI-generated lose emotional connection. The best ones feel natural—like the writer is sitting across from you, telling a story that only they could tell.
Pro Tip: Write your first draft as if you’re talking to a friend. Then clean it up later. Authentic > perfect.
💭 2. “Is this essay telling me something new?”
Admissions officers already know your GPA, test scores, and activities. The essay is where they hope to learn what can’t be found anywhere else.
If your essay just repeats your résumé, they’ll tune out.
Ask yourself:
Does this essay reveal something about my character?
Would someone reading my transcript already know this story?
Am I showing why my experiences matter—not just what I did?
💡 3. “Where’s the reflection?”
The best essays don’t just describe events—they explore meaning.
Officers are thinking: What did this experience teach the student about themselves or the world?
They love when a student connects the dots: “Here’s what happened → Here’s what I learned → Here’s how it shaped my perspective.”
Even small moments can feel powerful when paired with honest reflection.
🚫 4. “Uh oh, I’ve read this one 50 times.”
Some topics are so overused that admissions officers can predict the ending halfway through the first paragraph.
Common clichés include:
Winning (or losing) “the big game”
Moving to a new school
Overcoming a minor injury
Helping others in a generic way (“Volunteering changed my life”)
If your essay starts with one of these, flip the perspective. Don’t write about what happened—write about how it changed how you think, lead, or care.
✍️ 5. “Does this essay make me feel something?”
Admissions officers are human. They’re drawn to essays that make them pause, smile, or even tear up.
You don’t need a dramatic story—you just need an honest one. Humor, curiosity, vulnerability, or wonder—these emotions make your essay stick.
Pro Tip: End with a moment of insight, not a summary. The best essays linger in the reader’s mind long after they finish.
📚 6. “Can I picture this student on our campus?”
Every essay leaves an impression. Officers are silently asking: Would this student add something meaningful to our community?
Your essay should help them say yes—not by bragging, but by showing how your curiosity, kindness, or drive will shape the classroom, lab, or campus life.
Colleges don’t want perfect—they want purposeful.
🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus
When an admissions officer reads your essay, they’re not searching for flawless writing. They’re searching for authentic connection.
They want to understand who you are beyond grades and numbers—and how your story fits into the larger story of their campus.
Write honestly. Reflect deeply. Show who you are, not who you think they want you to be.
That’s what really gets their attention.
🎯 Call to Action
Want expert feedback from someone who’s read essays through the eyes of admissions officers?
📅 Book an Essay Strategy Session with College Refocus and let’s transform your story into one that admissions readers will remember.