Using Spoken Words to Capture Powerful Details for College Essays

The college essay asks a lot of its applicants.

Write something powerful and impactful, but keep it authentic.

Write in a style that is personal and narrative-driven, but keep the language simple and clear.

Just be yourself.

I believe that writing the college essay doesn’t have to be a painful experience. I’ve found that interview-style conversations can make the experience less stressful and more meaningful. Interviews get students talking, with reflection, and in their own voice – with confidence.

From Talking to Writing

These conversations do more than get people talking. The interviewer’s notes and transcripts serve as high-quality source material for the student’s actual essay writing process. Spoken words stand on their own and inform a writer’s voice and style.

A few examples of excerpts from my college essay interviews with students that continue to inspire me.

Overcoming A Fear of Public Speaking

“I told myself that I’m allowed to make mistakes. I said to myself, this is the time to do it. This is your best opportunity to really start breaking down the barrier that you have with your anxiety related to this. And so that’s what I did.”

This student could be talking about anything. It doesn’t matter, I’m hooked. I need to know what they’re talking about. I can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Learning How to Learn

“I’ve always really doubted myself when it came to testing, especially standardized testing. I don’t know if it’s the environment or the pressure or just the stigma. But I’ve always felt like I didn’t perform as well as I should.

But this year it’s started to improve because I started using flashcards to study. Going through my notes to study for a test is so incredibly boring to me. But this year I started making [flashcards] for tests and I kind of turned it into a game, which is part of what has made memorization more fun.

I’m so proud of myself for discovering flashcards, but more so for discovering a way that works for me.”

There are a lot of things that are hard for 18-year-olds to talk about. Sharing preferences for learning or opinions on teaching are not among them.

Putting literary flourishes on the seemingly mundane

“I like the feeling of writing, especially with my pencils, the feeling of the graphite on paper.”

This excerpt came at the end of a long interview. The student was talking about their growth in a specific subject and the role of a favorite teacher. We started talking about note-taking habits and strategies, and this excerpt provided a jolt of energy to an ordinary routine.

If you are interested in learning more about my process as a college essay coach, please contact me or schedule a free meeting consultation.