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If you’re a senior starting to work on supplemental essays for college applications this fall, it’s likely you’ve encountered some version of this question: what do you want to study, and why?

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand what the question is asking (I know this seems like a duh, but stay with me). Like we discussed here , the way this question is asked reveals a lot about both the school itself and the way you should approach it. For some schools – many liberal arts colleges and universities where it’s relatively easy and encouraged to switch majors – this question is usually phrased as what you want to learn more about. Responses to questions like these should zing with curiosity. For others – more siloed universities where you apply into a particular college and into a specific major – this question is often asked to reveal how much thought you’ve put into your major of choice, both in how you’ve prepared for it and what you hope to do with it in the future.

For some students, if the way the question is asked makes it tough to answer, it may be a sign that the college itself isn’t the right fit. But for most students, it’s more about not knowing where to start. If you’re stuck with how to approach this style of question, this blog post is for you.

First, much like with the “why us?” supplemental essay, it’s important to know what style of question you’re answering. Once you figure that piece out, the essay is much easier to write. This question usually is asked in one of three ways:

1) Why major?

This is the most straightforward version. It’s typical of schools where you’re applying more directly into a specific major, and they want to hear how you’ve decided on that pathway. Classic examples of this one are Purdue, UT Austin, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Southern California.

Sample : Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.

2) What do you hope to study?

This is a more open-ended version of the question above. It invites you to share multiple academic pathways, perhaps if you’re undecided or see many roads ahead for yourself. CU Boulder, U Penn, and Pomona all ask a version of this question.

Sample : Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

3) Intellectual curiosity

This is a popular question for liberal arts colleges or any college that celebrates intellectual discovery and exploration (ie, where changing your academic pathway, or exploring many interests, is easy or encouraged). Some schools that ask this type of question are Yale, Stanford, Tufts, Barnard, and Haverford.

Sample : The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.

As you approach this topic, it’s important to remember that while you can be undecided (except for schools that ask that first question), you can’t be uninterested . Colleges want to hear your curiosity in these responses. It’s very likely you’ll change majors or pathways in college (frankly, it’s what most American colleges are built to encourage). But what leads to academic success is a spark of an interest, so make sure you’re demonstrating those sparks. Here’s how.

4 Tips on How to Write This Well

1) Share honest stories about yourself and how you became interested in these subjects.

Origins of interest sound like this:

"I've never seen my father angrier than the day I took our family television apart just to see how it worked. I was 12 years old, and Monday Night Football was just about to start. It wasn't the first time I'd done something like that, but it was the first time I wasn't able to put something back together quickly. It took me three hours, but I did it, just in time for my dad to see his beloved Giants lose. I never made that mistake again, but I've also never stopped trying to learn how things work."

The development of interests sounds like this:

"My junior year of high school, I volunteered to lead a fundraiser to send our soccer team to Europe to compete in a tournament. And while I enjoyed organizing the car wash and the donation drive and the now much maligned "shrimp-a-thon" (Sizzler doesn't mean it when they say, "All you can eat shrimp,” by the way), what I really enjoyed was crafting personal emails to ask for donations, and writing the regular update newsletters I sent to people who were supporting us, and updating the travel blog I wrote during our stay in Europe. Every day, I thought about new ways to share our story with people who might be interested. Yes, we raised money. But we also raised interest. People who had never cared about our team started caring. We developed a following of loyal supporters, and 18 guys who had never been to Europe finally got to go because of it. That experience was the first time I started to understand the power of the well-written word."

2) Pick stories that show you enjoying what you’re learning.

"I truly enjoy working on complex math problems. There is no better feeling than persisting through difficult formulas and eventually working out the right answer."

"My friends and I are the only people I know who have fights about math. Not physical fights (none of us are tough enough for that), but arguments. We spend a lot of our lunch hours sitting at what we call the ‘coolest table’ working through problem sets for the “Math Club,” and you’d be surprised how worked up we get about it. But I love it. I love that I can sit at a table with some of the smartest people at my school and argue about the best way to solve a complex math problem. And the best part is, nobody is ever angry when they’re proven wrong. We love math too much to be mad when someone shows us a faster, better way to solve the problem.”

3) If the question is asked as “why major” (sample question #1) or “what are your academic interests?” (sample question #2), then tie these interests to your future college plans.

Imagine yourself studying and learning in a particular college. Do you see a clear picture in your mind? Have you really investigated your chosen major? Have you looked at what classes are required, what will be expected of you, and what types of students seem to flourish there? And when you're answering those questions, how much of what interests you is specific to this school? If the question is more open-ended (version #2), you can paint a picture of multiple pathways – perhaps dabbling in music and biology or using their core curriculum to help you decide on psychology or political science.

4) If the question is like sample question #3 (intellectual curiosity), stay open-minded and get nerdy!

Remember that your answer to this style of prompt doesn’t necessarily have to align with your potential major choice. We’ve seen great responses to this question that nerd out about Spanish literature from future physics majors, or the paradoxes of time from future English majors. Don’t box yourself into writing about your intended major pathway necessarily. Think instead of what has made you truly excited about learning in the past – whether it’s when you connected the dots in a murder mystery and explored the interplay of psychology and creative writing, or that time you went down a rabbit hole about parallel universes and never got out. These responses should sparkle with inquisitive excitement.

For more on supplemental essays, make sure to check out our thorough overview here of how to crush supplemental essays, the Collegewise way.

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Blog > Essay Advice , Essay Examples , Supplementals > Writing a Great Academic Interest Essay (with Examples)

Writing a Great Academic Interest Essay (with Examples)

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Kylie Kistner, MA Former Willamette University Admissions

Key Takeaway

What is an academic interest supplemental essay.

Academic Interest essays are a kind of supplemental essay . They ask you to expand on one of your primary academic interests. Since you’re going to college to be a student, colleges ask Academic Interest supplemental essay questions because they want to get a sense of your intellectual curiosity.

In fact, Academic Interest essays are one of the main places in your application for you to geek out about the topics you’re most passionate about.

Admissions officers want to know about the questions that keep you awake at night, the problems you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and solve, and the conversations you can’t wait to partake in.

But don’t worry. When a school asks you to describe your academic interest, you don’t have to stress about having your entire life planned out. If you say, “I want to create a robot to clean up litter in the ocean,” nobody is going to come knocking on your door when you graduate looking for a robot.

Your main goal when writing your Academic Interest supplementals? Show that you’ll be a great contributor to the learning community on campus.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to do just that.

Let’s start by looking at a few examples of what Academic Interest prompts look like.

1: Stanford University

The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (100 to 250 words)

2: Pomona College

Academic Interest Statement: What do you love about the subject(s) you selected as potential major(s)? If undecided, share more about one of your academic passions.

3: Brandeis University

The Brandeis community is a diverse group of critical thinkers defined by their ability to dive deeper into their learning by questioning, analyzing, evaluating, creating, critiquing and seeking other perspectives. Share an example of how you have used your own critical thinking skills on a specific subject, project, idea or interest.

These examples should help you identify Academic Interest prompts when you come across them.

Now let’s move on to discussing three strategies you can use to answer any Academic Interest prompt colleges throw at you.

Academic Interest Essay Strategy

Great essays are strategic essays. Since supplemental essays exist to supplement the rest of your essays (like your personal statement ), activities, and letters of recommendation, it’s important to write them with intention. These three strategies will help you write your Academic Interest essays with an eye toward showing admissions officers how your intellectual curiosity makes you a perfect fit for the intellectual community at the school in question.

Write about an academic interest that aligns with what the school has to offer.

It doesn’t make much sense to write about your undying passion for pursuing a career in linguistics if you’re applying to a school that doesn’t have a linguistics program. Be sure you're doing your research on the school.

Remember that your supplemental essays exist to showcase how well you fit into a school’s academic, social, and cultural communities. While the academic interest you choose doesn’t have to exactly match up with something specific at the school like a Why this Major essay , it’s a good idea to choose an interest that can support your case for academic fit.

Be specific.

Specificity is your friend in most essays but especially in Academic Interest essays. As an admissions officer, one of the most memorable Academic Interest essays I read was about the history of corsets. It doesn’t get much more specific than that!

In a similar way, you should choose something specific to write about based on what the prompt is asking you to do. Whatever your intellectual niche is, don’t be afraid to be explicit about what it is that captivates you. Your goal is to be as specific as is necessary to bring an admissions officer into your intellectual world, give them a look around, and send them on their way with a new understanding of what you care about and why it’s important.

Reflect on the significance of your academic interest.

Academic Interest essays succeed when you demonstrate why the topic is important to you and to the world.

While these supplementals should be specific, they aren’t an opportunity for you to write a treatise on an obscure math concept or insect species. Instead, your Academic Interest essays should make it clear why your interest matters, to whom, and why.

Showing these connections lets an admissions officer know that you’re able to see the big picture and draw connections between academic interests and real-world problems.

How to write an Academic Interest supplemental essay

Alright. With those three strategies in mind, it’s time to get to writing.

Step 1: Read the prompt.

There are lots of ways colleges ask you to write about an academic interest. Take a look at the examples above. The Stanford prompt says that you can reflect on “an idea or experience,” but the Pomona prompt only asks for an “academic passion.” The Brandeis one is different yet, asking you to focus specifically on critical thinking and giving you the freedom to talk about a number of ways your academic interest has manifested.

The wording of the prompt will affect the options you have to choose from, so be sure to read it carefully.

Step 2: Decide on an academic interest.

After you’ve narrowed down your options based on the prompt, next you have to think about your application strategy.

If you’re applying to a particular college major , you should choose an academic interest that is related to your preferred major to emphasize your intellectual curiosity for that subject. Alternatively, you could pick an unrelated academic interest that shows your interdisciplinary inclinations (but that will probably be less effective). What you decide will depend on what kind of school you’re applying to and what other strengths you’ve strewn throughout the rest of your application narrative .

Step 3: Outline & Write

I. Introduction: Hook your reader into your topic with your first sentence, and expand on your academic interest throughout your introduction.

II. Body: Provide more details and introduce your reader to the problem, question, puzzle, or implications that keep you intrigued. III. Body II: Connect your academic interest to an activity you've been involved in. Use this essay as an opportunity to show a connection between your resume and your academic interests.

IV. Conclusion: Reflect on why your interest matters and why your interest in the subject is personally meaningful

Academic Interest Supplemental Essay Mistakes

There are two frequent mistakes applicants make when writing Academic Interest essays, and they typically happen when students aren’t paying enough attention to their application strategy.

Being too academic or too personal.

All college essays are tricky because they require you to balance a number of things. Academic Interest essays are no different. They are a balancing act between intellectual curiosity and personal meaning.

The first mistake applicants make is failing to find this balance. Too much or too little of either, and your essay comes across as too academic or too personal.

You don’t want to be the student who rambles on about a math proof and leaves your admissions officer without any sense of meaning to hang on to. Similarly, you don’t want to dive too deep into meaning and completely neglect to address the details of what interests you. Finding balance is essential.

Being too general.

So you want to “solve the world’s problems” or “find practical solutions to climate change.” That’s great! But when it comes to Academic Interest essays, the key is specificity. Anyone can have general interests in any topic. It’s the niche and particular academic interests that set applicants apart.

Focusing on one very specific interest tells admissions officers that you’re committed enough to your interest to have done thorough research on it. Your specificity shows familiarity with and dedication to a topic—both things that all colleges look for in their students.

If you’re too general, you run the risk of your Academic Interest essay not actually serving you. Too vague, and it’ll be like you didn’t write the essay at all.

So rather than trying to capture all of your interests or solve all of the world’s problems at once, hone in on something that you just can’t stop thinking about. Your future self (and your admissions officers) will thank you.

Academic Interest Supplemental Essay Examples

Example: what do you want to be when you grow up.

Brown: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

"How was school and what do you want to be when you grow up today?"

My mom asked me this two-part question every day when she picked me up in second grade.

One day I wanted to be a chemist because of an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy. The next, I wanted to be a teacher like Miss Frizzle, or a paleontologist because of the dinosaur episode we'd just watched. Or maybe I wanted to produce cartoons for kids.

The idea of really learning something and trying to master it has always excited me. My only issue was that seemingly every subject was the next shiny thing I wanted to learn.

Brown's Open Curriculum is uniquely suited to satiate my broad interests–many of which I have maintained since I was a kid. I still love chemistry and have had the privilege of experiencing an advanced academic lab at UVA studying infectious diseases. I will certainly explore chemistry courses and seek out more research opportunities. I know I want to study abroad, and I'm most interested in the “Dinosaurs, Dry Bones, and Digs" course and trip that Brown archaeology professor Schultz hosts each spring to search for new dinosaur fossils in Brazil. Producing my school’s senior film with the help of my advanced filmmaking team has prompted me to also try on modern culture and media coursework at Brown and participate in the Campus Reel competition in the fall.

While my academic interests have evolved since I was seven, I look to college as a time to explore fields of interest, discover new ones, and maybe after four years have a better answer to that question, “what do I want to be when I grow up?”

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College Essay About Academic Interests

Jared hobson.

July 24, 2023

Are AP courses good for college admission

Have any classes or teachers inspired this interest? How?
Are there life experiences that you have had that have spurred your interest?
Family involvements
Personal anecdotes
What experiences have helped expand your understanding of this interest?
Club or extracurricular
Job or internship
Reading: a specific book or publication that impacted your thinking
Mentors or other influencers
Is there a connection to your future plans that you can envision?

Relate this to the college

This is also an opportunity to show that you’ve done your research. You can provide reasons why this school is a good match for you. Is there a special program, professor, or class that shows why you want to pursue your academic interest at this particular school?

Because some schools ask both about your academic interests and why their school, think about how you will answer both. You do not want to waste precious word count with any repetition of the same information or ideas.

Show, don’t tell

You are going to hear this again and again. Give the specifics that show how this academic interest has developed for you. As with your primary personal statement, you want to give evidence of your interest. Sometimes anecdotes can be very helpful in showing your interests. Avoid sweeping, vague statements.

Worry that your answer is a commitment to what you will study

Some institutions will ask applicants to apply to the major or school in which they want to study. If accepted, these applicants will be enrolled directly in that major or school. Happily, at the majority of schools, you are likely to have a great deal of flexibility to change your major later. Even with institutions that are less flexible, your response to this prompt is unlikely to lock you into a major.

Note that a small handful of schools are particularly strict with regard to you studying what you indicate on your application (e.g., Cal Poly – SLO). If you have questions about this as you fill in your application, be sure to ask your counselor.

Sweat that your answer is not very specific

Perhaps you have not settled on a major just yet. Perhaps one of the reasons you have chosen this school is that you’ll have the chance to explore and make decisions later about your major.

It’s perfectly okay to be undecided at a lot of colleges (and presumably, if you are undecided, you’ve chosen to apply to colleges that embrace your “multi-interested” character).

However, it’s likely that you have academic preferences as well as academic strengths. For example, maybe you’re super strong in science, and you anticipate exploring scientific disciplines in ways you haven’t yet in high school. You might even be able to say that it’s likely you’ll major in the sciences. You can point to the other ways in which your love for sciences shines beyond school.

For example, maybe you are a nature freak: you hike in the woods, you have had a fishing license since you were 10, and you have volunteered on trail crews every summer. Or maybe you’ve worked on a bird-banding team during migration season. Or maybe you’ve read every popular book and article and watched every video by Neil deGrasse Tyson. All these things indicate that you enjoy science and provide evidence that are likely to pursue science in college.

Provide a confusing answer

While there are many right ways to write this essay, there is one major pitfall to avoid. Don’t choose to write about an academic interest that you can’t support with any evidence revealed elsewhere in your application. This creates a confusing image of you to your application reader and could send your application to the recycling bin.

Academic interest essay examples

You might have suddenly decided that you want to study international relations. But your choices might not support the decision. For example, perhaps you stopped taking a foreign language after two years. Or maybe you haven’t chosen any relevant electives, such as human geography, world religions, or international relations. Do you follow international news? If not, then you probably shouldn’t select this academic interest unless you have some other compelling story that proves this major makes sense.

To give another example, let’s say you tend to excel in humanities classes, especially literature. You’ve taken a couple of extra English courses, and you attended a “Great Books” program over the summer. The recommendation letter from your English teacher oozes with compliments about your penchant for literary criticism and remarks how many times you have come into her office to discuss this poem or that novella. And then you write your college essay about an academic interest on how excited you are to be a math major. While it may be true that you do like math, the reader of your essay is likely to be confused about which interest represents your true priorities as you enter college.

The point is that your answer to this question has to be backed up with some sort of evidence that this academic interest is not an invention. You need to provide a clear and convincing case for how you got interested in this area or discipline, the ways in which you have explored this interest so far, and how you plan to continue this interest in the future.

Your college essay about academic interests – a summary

Colleges are schools. They like scholars. They serve up academic inquiry. This supplemental essay about academic interests is a place for you to demonstrate your academic credentials. It’s also a place to explain how your interests have developed over time and the ways in which you will pursue these interests in the future.

Give the college a picture of who you are intellectually. Demonstrate that you are ready to explore your interests, and to navigate the world of academia as a college student.

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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

1. Preparation	2. Writing	3. Revision
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Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
Do your research: Read primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
Come up with a thesis: The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

See the full essay example

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The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

Returns to your thesis
Ties together your main points
Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

Including new arguments or evidence
Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

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Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

It gives your writing direction and focus.
It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to write an interest essay.

Hey everyone, some of the colleges on my list require me to write a 'Why Us?'-style essay, focusing on what interests me about the school. Any tips on how to make it specific and genuine rather than generic? Thanks!

Hi! Writing a 'Why Us?' essay can be a bit tricky, but I'm here to help. The key to a standout interest essay is research and personalization. Here are some tips to make your essay specific and genuine:

1. Do your homework: Thoroughly research the college and its programs, departments, and resources. Go beyond just looking at the college's main website - explore individual departments, student groups, unique offerings, and recent news.

2. Focus on unique aspects: Avoid praising aspects of the school that could apply to many other colleges, such as location or campus beauty. Instead, focus on what truly sets the college apart. Think about specialized programs, research opportunities, or unique extracurriculars that align with your interests.

3. Show how you'd contribute: Colleges want to know that you'll be an engaged member of their community. Include specific examples of how you can see yourself participating in and contributing to campus life. This might be through clubs, research, volunteering, or other opportunities.

4. Be authentic: Your essay should reflect genuine enthusiasm for the college. Talk about the aspects that excite you most, and avoid simply regurgitating information from the college website. Share personal experiences or anecdotes that have shaped your interest in the school.

5. Connect the college to your goals: Show how this specific college will help you achieve your academic and career goals. For example, maybe the college has exceptional faculty in your desired field, or it offers internships that would provide you with valuable experience in your chosen career.

6. Mention specific faculty or courses: If there are professors whose work you admire or unique courses that intrigue you, mention them in your essay. Be sure to explain why these aspects of the college appeal to you and how they connect to your broader interests and goals.

7. Tailor your essay to each college: While you might be tempted to reuse the same essay for multiple colleges, it's essential to tailor your response to each specific school. Tailoring your essay shows you've done your research and demonstrates a genuine interest in the college.

To learn more about this essay prompt, read the following blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/why-this-college-essays-should-you-focus-on-yourself-or-the-college/

Incorporating these tips into your 'Why Us?' essay will help you stand out from the crowd and showcase your genuine interest in the college. Good luck!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Handle the Why College/Why Academic Interest Essay with Lisa Marker-Robbins College Bound Mentor

Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. In the first part of this episode, we share why these essays are frustrating, the format of these essays, and how to write them. We then welcome on special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Founder of Flourish Coaching, who’s helped over 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to successfully embark on their post-high school path. She busts some myths about the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays, reveals some findings of her study of the Top 50 public universities and their admissions practices, and shares her best advice for students who truly don’t know what to major in. Get Lisa’s resources at FlourishCoachingCo.com/Majors and check out her College and Career Clarity podcast, and subscribe to College Bound Mentor on your favorite podcast platform and learn more at CollegeBoundMentor.com

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Academic Essay: From Basics to Practical Tips

Has it ever occurred to you that over the span of a solitary academic term, a typical university student can produce sufficient words to compose an entire 500-page novel? To provide context, this equates to approximately 125,000 to 150,000 words, encompassing essays, research papers, and various written tasks. This content volume is truly remarkable, emphasizing the importance of honing the skill of crafting scholarly essays. Whether you're a seasoned academic or embarking on the initial stages of your educational expedition, grasping the nuances of constructing a meticulously organized and thoroughly researched essay is paramount.

Welcome to our guide on writing an academic essay! Whether you're a seasoned student or just starting your academic journey, the prospect of written homework can be exciting and overwhelming. In this guide, we'll break down the process step by step, offering tips, strategies, and examples to help you navigate the complexities of scholarly writing. By the end, you'll have the tools and confidence to tackle any essay assignment with ease. Let's dive in!

Types of Academic Writing

The process of writing an essay usually encompasses various types of papers, each serving distinct purposes and adhering to specific conventions. Here are some common types of academic writing:

Essays: Essays are versatile expressions of ideas. Descriptive essays vividly portray subjects, narratives share personal stories, expository essays convey information, and persuasive essays aim to influence opinions.
Research Papers: Research papers are analytical powerhouses. Analytical papers dissect data or topics, while argumentative papers assert a stance backed by evidence and logical reasoning.
Reports: Reports serve as narratives in specialized fields. Technical reports document scientific or technical research, while business reports distill complex information into actionable insights for organizational decision-making.
Reviews: Literature reviews provide comprehensive summaries and evaluations of existing research, while critical analyses delve into the intricacies of books or movies, dissecting themes and artistic elements.
Dissertations and Theses: Dissertations represent extensive research endeavors, often at the doctoral level, exploring profound subjects. Theses, common in master's programs, showcase mastery over specific topics within defined scopes.
Summaries and Abstracts: Summaries and abstracts condense larger works. Abstracts provide concise overviews, offering glimpses into key points and findings.
Case Studies: Case studies immerse readers in detailed analyses of specific instances, bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications in real-world scenarios.
Reflective Journals: Reflective journals serve as personal platforms for articulating thoughts and insights based on one's academic journey, fostering self-expression and intellectual growth.
Academic Articles: Scholarly articles, published in academic journals, constitute the backbone of disseminating original research, contributing to the collective knowledge within specific fields.
Literary Analyses: Literary analyses unravel the complexities of written works, decoding themes, linguistic nuances, and artistic elements, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature.

Our essay writer service can cater to all types of academic writings that you might encounter on your educational path. Use it to gain the upper hand in school or college and save precious free time.

Essay Writing Process Explained

The process of how to write an academic essay involves a series of important steps. To start, you'll want to do some pre-writing, where you brainstorm essay topics , gather information, and get a good grasp of your topic. This lays the groundwork for your essay.

Once you have a clear understanding, it's time to draft your essay. Begin with an introduction that grabs the reader's attention, gives some context, and states your main argument or thesis. The body of your essay follows, where each paragraph focuses on a specific point supported by examples or evidence. Make sure your ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next, creating a coherent and engaging narrative.

After the drafting phase, take time to revise and refine your essay. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure your ideas are well-organized and that your writing effectively communicates your message. Finally, wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

How to Prepare for Essay Writing

Before you start writing an academic essay, there are a few things to sort out. First, make sure you totally get what the assignment is asking for. Break down the instructions and note any specific rules from your teacher. This sets the groundwork.

Then, do some good research. Check out books, articles, or trustworthy websites to gather solid info about your topic. Knowing your stuff makes your essay way stronger. Take a bit of time to brainstorm ideas and sketch out an outline. It helps you organize your thoughts and plan how your essay will flow. Think about the main points you want to get across.

Lastly, be super clear about your main argument or thesis. This is like the main point of your essay, so make it strong. Considering who's going to read your essay is also smart. Use language and tone that suits your academic audience. By ticking off these steps, you'll be in great shape to tackle your essay with confidence.

Academic Essay Example

In academic essays, examples act like guiding stars, showing the way to excellence. Let's check out some good examples to help you on your journey to doing well in your studies.

Academic Essay Format

The academic essay format typically follows a structured approach to convey ideas and arguments effectively. Here's an academic essay format example with a breakdown of the key elements:

Introduction

Hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing opening to engage the reader.
Background/Context: Provide the necessary background information to set the stage.
Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main argument or purpose of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that relates to the thesis.
Supporting Evidence: Include evidence, examples, or data to back up your points.
Analysis: Analyze and interpret the evidence, explaining its significance in relation to your argument.
Transition Sentences: Use these to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next.

Counterargument (if applicable)

Address Counterpoints: Acknowledge opposing views or potential objections.
Rebuttal: Refute counterarguments and reinforce your position.

Conclusion:

Restate Thesis: Summarize the main argument without introducing new points.
Summary of Key Points: Recap the main supporting points made in the body.
Closing Statement: End with a strong concluding thought or call to action.

References/Bibliography

Cite Sources: Include proper citations for all external information used in the essay.
Follow Citation Style: Use the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) specified by your instructor.
Font and Size: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial) and size (12-point).
Margins and Spacing: Follow specified margin and spacing guidelines.
Page Numbers: Include page numbers if required.

Adhering to this structure helps create a well-organized and coherent academic essay that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

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How to Write an Academic Essay Step by Step

Start with an introduction.

The introduction of an essay serves as the reader's initial encounter with the topic, setting the tone for the entire piece. It aims to capture attention, generate interest, and establish a clear pathway for the reader to follow. A well-crafted introduction provides a brief overview of the subject matter, hinting at the forthcoming discussion, and compels the reader to delve further into the essay. Consult our detailed guide on how to write an essay introduction for extra details.

Captivate Your Reader

Engaging the reader within the introduction is crucial for sustaining interest throughout the essay. This involves incorporating an engaging hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a compelling anecdote, or a relevant quote. By presenting an intriguing opening, the writer can entice the reader to continue exploring the essay, fostering a sense of curiosity and investment in the upcoming content. To learn more about how to write a hook for an essay , please consult our guide,

Provide Context for a Chosen Topic

In essay writing, providing context for the chosen topic is essential to ensure that readers, regardless of their prior knowledge, can comprehend the subject matter. This involves offering background information, defining key terms, and establishing the broader context within which the essay unfolds. Contextualization sets the stage, enabling readers to grasp the significance of the topic and its relevance within a particular framework. If you buy a dissertation or essay, or any other type of academic writing, our writers will produce an introduction that follows all the mentioned quality criteria.

Make a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the central anchor of the essay, encapsulating its main argument or purpose. It typically appears towards the end of the introduction, providing a concise and clear declaration of the writer's stance on the chosen topic. A strong thesis guides the reader on what to expect, serving as a roadmap for the essay's subsequent development.

Outline the Structure of Your Essay

Clearly outlining the structure of the essay in the introduction provides readers with a roadmap for navigating the content. This involves briefly highlighting the main points or arguments that will be explored in the body paragraphs. By offering a structural overview, the writer enhances the essay's coherence, making it easier for the reader to follow the logical progression of ideas and supporting evidence throughout the text.

Continue with the Main Body

The main body is the most important aspect of how to write an academic essay where the in-depth exploration and development of the chosen topic occur. Each paragraph within this section should focus on a specific aspect of the argument or present supporting evidence. It is essential to maintain a logical flow between paragraphs, using clear transitions to guide the reader seamlessly from one point to the next. The main body is an opportunity to delve into the nuances of the topic, providing thorough analysis and interpretation to substantiate the thesis statement.

Choose the Right Length

Determining the appropriate length for an essay is a critical aspect of effective communication. The length should align with the depth and complexity of the chosen topic, ensuring that the essay adequately explores key points without unnecessary repetition or omission of essential information. Striking a balance is key – a well-developed essay neither overextends nor underrepresents the subject matter. Adhering to any specified word count or page limit set by the assignment guidelines is crucial to meet academic requirements while maintaining clarity and coherence.

Write Compelling Paragraphs

In academic essay writing, thought-provoking paragraphs form the backbone of the main body, each contributing to the overall argument or analysis. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the main point, followed by supporting evidence or examples. Thoroughly analyzing the evidence and providing insightful commentary demonstrates the depth of understanding and contributes to the overall persuasiveness of the essay. Cohesion between paragraphs is crucial, achieved through effective transitions that ensure a smooth and logical progression of ideas, enhancing the overall readability and impact of the essay.

Finish by Writing a Conclusion

The conclusion serves as the essay's final impression, providing closure and reinforcing the key insights. It involves restating the thesis without introducing new information, summarizing the main points addressed in the body, and offering a compelling closing thought. The goal is to leave a lasting impact on the reader, emphasizing the significance of the discussed topic and the validity of the thesis statement. A well-crafted conclusion brings the essay full circle, leaving the reader with a sense of resolution and understanding. Have you already seen our collection of new persuasive essay topics ? If not, we suggest you do it right after finishing this article to boost your creativity!

Proofread and Edit the Document

After completing the essay, a critical step is meticulous proofreading and editing. This process involves reviewing the document for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues. Additionally, assess the overall coherence and flow of ideas, ensuring that each paragraph contributes effectively to the essay's purpose. Consider the clarity of expression, the appropriateness of language, and the overall organization of the content. Taking the time to proofread and edit enhances the overall quality of the essay, presenting a polished and professional piece of writing. It is advisable to seek feedback from peers or instructors to gain additional perspectives on the essay's strengths and areas for improvement. For more insightful tips, feel free to check out our guide on how to write a descriptive essay .

Alright, let's wrap it up. Knowing how to write academic essays is a big deal. It's not just about passing assignments – it's a skill that sets you up for effective communication and deep thinking. These essays teach us to explain our ideas clearly, build strong arguments, and be part of important conversations, both in school and out in the real world. Whether you're studying or working, being able to put your thoughts into words is super valuable. So, take the time to master this skill – it's a game-changer!

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What Is An Academic Essay?

How to write an academic essay, how to write a good academic essay.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Mastering the Academic Interest Essay for College Applications

Kate Sliunkova

AdmitYogi, Stanford MBA & MA in Education

Mastering the Academic Interest Essay for College Applications

The Academic Interest essay is a pivotal component of many college applications. It's an opportunity for students to showcase not just what they want to study, but why and how their interests have evolved over time. Here's how to articulate your academic interests effectively and authentically:

Understanding the Premise:

This essay seeks to uncover the depth of your intellectual curiosities and your commitment to a particular field of study. Institutions value students who approach their studies with genuine enthusiasm and a clear vision.

Key Steps to Craft an Engaging Academic Interest Essay:

Origins of interest:.

Reflect on the moment or experiences that catalyzed your interest in this academic field. Did a particular event, book, class, or personal encounter shape your passion?

Showcase Your Journey:

Highlight any academic endeavors, projects, internships, or readings you've pursued to deepen your understanding and knowledge in this area.

Future Aspirations:

Connect your current interest to future goals. How do you foresee this academic interest shaping your career or life path?

Synergy with the College:

Illustrate why the college's program aligns perfectly with your academic interest. Are there specific professors, courses, or research opportunities that you're keen to explore?

Narrative and Anecdotes:

Stories resonate. Instead of merely stating your interest, narrate moments when your academic passion came alive, be it a challenging project or a revelatory classroom discussion.

Example Response:

"My intrigue with environmental science was ignited when I volunteered for a beach cleanup during my freshman year. The tangible impact of human actions on the environment was eye-opening. I delved deeper, leading eco-initiatives at school and engaging with local conservation projects. I aspire to shape sustainable policies in the future, making [College Name]'s cutting-edge research and Professor [Name]'s work on urban sustainability a perfect match for my goals. I still vividly recall the thrill when my proposed recycling project got approved at school; it's this drive I wish to harness further in my academic pursuits."

In sum, the Academic Interest essay is your canvas to depict your intellectual journey and aspirations. By blending past experiences, present interests, and future goals, you'll not only elucidate why you're drawn to a particular field but also why you'd be an asset to the college's academic community. Embrace introspection, weave in personal stories, and let your genuine curiosity shine.

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Crafting the Perfect "Why Us" Essay for College Applications

Writing the Why School? Why Academic Interest? Essays

Written by Lisa Bleich.

Many admissions professionals say that they read the “Why school?” essay first. They want to see if you as an applicant truly know why you want to attend the school other than its excellent reputation, outstanding location, or world-renowned faculty. So how do you do this?

Start with your interests, goals, and school criteria. Depending on how much room is allowed, it’s good to start out with an anecdote that helps admissions counselors understand what is driving you in your school search or your academic interests. Do you want a school that will allow you to pursue engineering and music? Do you want a college with a nurturing environment where you can get to know your professors and do undergraduate research in marine biology? The more specific, the better.

Describe how you will pursue your academic interests at a given school. Even if you do not know what you want to major in, you can identify some areas of interest and why. One student described how she became interested in environmental engineering through her involvement with the energy committee at Model UN. She combined her strength in math and science with her interest in creating sustainable energy solutions. She then identified specific courses and programs at each school that would help her achieve her goal.

One of the programs that really caught my interest is the interdisciplinary Global Change Curriculum. I am intrigued by the topics listed in this curriculum, such as climate change and human impact to the environment. In particular, I would want to use my math and analytical skills in classes such as Environmental Informatics: GIS and Modeling Program. The Environmental Informatics curriculum emphasizes the science and societal issues behind environmental problems, which would allow me to dig deeper into this field of study.

Avoid sounding like a brochure. I often ask students to do the brochure test. If it looks like what you wrote came straight out of the college’s brochure or website, then go back to the drawing board. You and your interests, goals, etc. need to be front and center in this essay.

Do your research. And don’t half-ass it! The more time you spend researching specific courses, professor’s areas of research, undergraduate research opportunities, specific clubs that match with your interest, study abroad opportunities and internships the more you will be able to plan out your journey at the school. The most compelling Why School/Why Academic Interest essays help admissions see you making your mark at their school in a very specific way.

Make it personal. If you’ve visited the school or spoken to current students, admissions counselors, or professors, infuse those experiences into the essay. It’s great to tie in those encounters to why they made you interested in the school or why they helped you confirm the match.

Do the substitute test. Can you substitute another college into the essay without any issues? If so, you have not been specific enough. While the template can stay more or less the same, the specific courses, research projects, clubs, etc, are unique to each school.

After you write these essays, you should be genuinely excited about the school because you (and hopefully admissions!) see what a great match it is!

How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps

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Written by Scribendi

Are you wondering how to write an academic essay successfully? There are so many steps to writing an academic essay that it can be difficult to know where to start.

Here, we outline how to write an academic essay in 6 simple steps, from how to research for an academic essay to how to revise an essay and everything in between.

Our essay writing tips are designed to help you learn how to write an academic essay that is ready for publication (after academic editing and academic proofreading , of course!).

Your paper isn't complete until you've done all the needed proofreading. Make sure you leave time for it after the writing process!

Download Our Pocket Checklist for Academic Papers. Just input your email below!

Types of academic writing.

With academic essay writing, there are certain conventions that writers are expected to follow. As such, it's important to know the basics of academic writing before you begin writing your essay.

Step 1: Preparing to Write Your Essay

The essay writing process involves a few main stages:

Researching

As such, in learning how to write an academic essay, it is also important to learn how to research for an academic essay and how to revise an essay.

Read More: Online Research Tips for Students and Scholars

To beef up your research skills, remember these essay writing tips from the above article:

Learn how to identify reliable sources.

Understand the nuances of open access.

Discover free academic journals and research databases.

Manage your references.

Provide evidence for every claim so you can avoid plagiarism .

Read More: 17 Research Databases for Free Articles

You will want to do the research for your academic essay points, of course, but you will also want to research various journals for the publication of your paper.

Different journals have different guidelines and thus different requirements for writers. These can be related to style, formatting, and more.

Knowing these before you begin writing can save you a lot of time if you also want to learn how to revise an essay. If you ensure your paper meets the guidelines of the journal you want to publish in, you will not have to revise it again later for this purpose.

After the research stage, you can draft your thesis and introduction as well as outline the rest of your essay. This will put you in a good position to draft your body paragraphs and conclusion, craft your bibliography, and edit and proofread your paper.

Step 2: Writing the Essay Introduction and Thesis Statement

When learning how to write academic essays , learning how to write an introduction is key alongside learning how to research for an academic essay.

Your introduction should broadly introduce your topic. It will give an overview of your essay and the points that will be discussed. It is typically about 10% of the final word count of the text.

All introductions follow a general structure:

Topic statement

Thesis statement

Step 3: Writing the Essay Body

When learning how to write academic essays, you must learn how to write a good body paragraph. That's because your essay will be primarily made up of them!

The body paragraphs of your essay will develop the argument you outlined in your thesis. They will do this by providing your ideas on a topic backed up by evidence of specific points.

These paragraphs will typically take up about 80% of your essay. As a result, a good essay writing tip is to learn how to properly structure a paragraph.

Each paragraph consists of the following:

A topic sentence

Supporting sentences

A transition

Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion

Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally.

The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction. It shows the reader that you have accomplished what you intended to at the outset of your essay.

Here are a couple more good essay writing tips for your conclusion:

Don't introduce any new ideas into your conclusion.

Don't undermine your argument with opposing ideas.

Read More: How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph in 3 Easy Steps

Now that you know how to write an academic essay, it's time to learn how to write a bibliography along with some academic editing and proofreading advice.

Step 5: Writing the Bibliography or Works Cited

The bibliography of your paper lists all the references you cited. It is typically alphabetized or numbered (depending on the style guide).

Read More: How to Write an Academic Essay with References

When learning how to write academic essays, you may notice that there are various style guides you may be required to use by a professor or journal, including unique or custom styles.

Some of the most common style guides include:

Chicago style

For help organizing your references for academic essay writing, consider a software manager. They can help you collect and format your references correctly and consistently, both quickly and with minimal effort.

Read More: 6 Reference Manager Software Solutions for Your Research

As you learn how to research for an academic essay most effectively, you may notice that a reference manager can also help make academic paper editing easier.

Step 6: Revising Your Essay

Once you've finally drafted your entire essay . . . you're still not done!

That's because editing and proofreading are the essential final steps of any writing process .

An academic editor can help you identify core issues with your writing , including its structure, its flow, its clarity, and its overall readability. They can give you substantive feedback and essay writing tips to improve your document. Therefore, it's a good idea to have an editor review your first draft so you can improve it prior to proofreading.

A specialized academic editor can assess the content of your writing. As a subject-matter expert in your subject, they can offer field-specific insight and critical commentary. Specialized academic editors can also provide services that others may not, including:

Academic document formatting

Academic figure formatting

Academic reference formatting

An academic proofreader can help you perfect the final draft of your paper to ensure it is completely error free in terms of spelling and grammar. They can also identify any inconsistencies in your work but will not look for any issues in the content of your writing, only its mechanics. This is why you should have a proofreader revise your final draft so that it is ready to be seen by an audience.

Read More: How to Find the Right Academic Paper Editor or Proofreader

When learning how to research and write an academic essay, it is important to remember that editing is a required step. Don ' t forget to allot time for editing after you ' ve written your paper.

Set yourself up for success with this guide on how to write an academic essay. With a solid draft, you'll have better chances of getting published and read in any journal of your choosing.

Our academic essay writing tips are sure to help you learn how to research an academic essay, how to write an academic essay, and how to revise an academic essay.

If your academic paper looks sloppy, your readers may assume your research is sloppy. Download our Pocket Proofreading Checklist for Academic Papers before you take that one last crucial look at your paper.

About the Author

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing transformed into a great one. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained numerous degrees. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

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Essays on Academic Interests

What makes a perfect academic interests essay topic.

Choosing the perfect topic for your academic interests essay is not just about showcasing your passion, but also about captivating your readers. Here are some creative ways to brainstorm and select an exceptional essay topic:

Brainstorm : Let your imagination soar as you brainstorm ideas aligned with your academic interests. Consider your favorite subjects, research areas, and impactful experiences that have shaped your academic journey. This will help you generate a diverse range of potential topics to explore.

Reflect on your goals : Dive deep into your aspirations and goals in pursuing your academic interests. How does your chosen field contribute to your personal growth and future career? This reflection will assist you in identifying topics that align perfectly with your ambitions.

Unique perspective : Seek out a topic that allows you to unveil your unique perspective or share your personal experiences. Steer clear of generic topics that have been overdone. Your essay should stand out and offer fresh insights that captivate your readers.

Research potential : Ensure that your chosen topic offers ample research material and access to scholarly resources. This will enable you to effectively provide evidence and support your arguments. Evaluate the availability of academic journals, books, and reputable sources on your topic of choice.

Impact and relevance : Select a topic that holds significant impact on your academic interests or the field as a whole. It should be relevant and contribute to existing knowledge in that area. Choose a topic that allows you to explore new ideas and contribute to the ongoing academic discourse.

A remarkable academic interests essay topic should be engaging, personal, and thought-provoking. It must vividly demonstrate your passion and commitment to the subject matter, while also providing an opportunity for you to showcase your critical thinking and analytical skills.

How to Write Essay about Academic Interests

Writing about your academic interests allows you to showcase your passion for a particular field and highlight your goals and aspirations. Here are some steps to help you effectively write about your academic interests:

1. Introduction

Begin with a brief introduction that captures the reader's attention. Mention the field or subject you are passionate about and why it interests you. Provide a glimpse of what inspired your interest in this area.

2. Personal Connection

Explain how your academic interests relate to your personal experiences, hobbies, or background. Share any specific events or influences that have shaped your passion for this subject. This helps to make your essay more personal and engaging.

3. Academic Experiences

Discuss any relevant academic experiences, such as courses, projects, or research that have deepened your interest in the subject. Highlight any achievements or recognitions you have received in this field. This demonstrates your commitment and expertise.

4. Future Goals

Outline your future academic and career goals related to your interests. Explain how pursuing this field will help you achieve these goals and make a positive impact. Mention any specific programs, internships, or opportunities you are excited about.

5. Conclusion

Conclude by summarizing your academic interests and reiterating your passion for the field. Express your enthusiasm for future learning and contributions. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Example Outline

Introduction: Hook, brief mention of the field of interest, initial inspiration.
Personal Connection: Experiences, hobbies, or background that relate to the interest.
Academic Experiences: Courses, projects, research, achievements.
Future Goals: Academic and career aspirations, specific programs or opportunities.
Conclusion: Summary, reiteration of passion, closing statement.

Exceptional Academic Interests Essay Topics

Looking to make your academic interests essay truly stand out? Here is a collection of 20 unique and captivating ideas to ignite your creativity:

1. Revolutionizing Education: The Futuristic Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping Learning

2. Climate Change: A Global Health Crisis - Navigating Policies for a Sustainable Future

3. Literature as a Catalyst: How the Written Word Drives Social Change

4. Unveiling the Universe: Exploring the Enigma of Dark Matter in Astrophysics

5. Psych-Tech Fusion: The Intricate Dance Between Psychology and Technology in Modern Society

6. Ethics in the Mosaic: Cultural Diversity and Its Influence on Business Ethics

7. Genetic Engineering: Unlocking the Pandora's Box of Ethical Dilemmas

8. Breaking Barriers: The Inspiring Journey of Women in STEM

9. Fashion as Identity: Tracing the Evolution of Personal Expression

10. The Power of Narratives: How Stories Shape Societies

11. Social Media's Impact on Mental Health: Navigating the Digital Maze

12. Urbanization vs. Sustainability: Balancing Progress and Environmental Responsibility

13. Melodies of the Soul: Exploring Music's Transformative Effects on Emotional Well-being

14. Renewable Energy: From Past to Present - Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future

15. Animal Testing: An Ethical Quandary in Scientific Research

16. The Socioeconomic Equation: Unraveling Factors Influencing Educational Achievement

17. Media's Role in Democracy: Shaping Public Opinion and Nurturing a Vibrant Society

18. Decoding Decisions: The Intricacies of Human Behavior

19. Crafted Traditions: The Cultural Significance of Traditional Crafts in a Globalized World

20. Pop Culture's Impact on Youth: Navigating the Influences of the Digital Age

Academic Interests Essay Questions

If you desire to delve deeper into your chosen topic, here are ten thought-provoking questions to explore:

1. How does artificial intelligence revolutionize education, and what are the potential benefits and challenges it presents?

2. To what extent does climate change affect global health policies, and how can we mitigate its impact?

3. How does literature serve as a catalyst for social change, and what examples can you provide to support your argument?

4. What evidence supports the existence of dark matter, and how does it contribute to our understanding of the universe?

5. How does the fusion of psychology and technology shape modern society, and what ethical considerations should be addressed?

6. Discuss the cultural diversity challenges faced by businesses, and how can they promote ethical practices within a multicultural environment?

7. Evaluate the ethical implications of genetic engineering and its potential impact on future generations.

8. How do women break stereotypes in STEM, and what measures can be taken to encourage more female participation in these fields?

9. Analyze the influence of fashion on personal identity expression and its role in shaping societal norms.

10. How does social media impact mental health, and what strategies can individuals adopt to maintain a healthy relationship with these platforms?

Creative Essay Prompts

If you seek inspiration for your academic interests essay, here are five creative essay prompts to ignite your imagination:

1. Imagine you have the power to create a new academic discipline. What would it be, and how would it address the challenges of the modern world?

2. Reflect on a specific research project or experiment that sparked your interest in your academic field. Describe the process, your findings, and the impact it had on your academic journey.

3. If you could have a conversation with any influential figure in your academic field, who would it be, and what topics would you discuss? Explain your reasons and the potential insights you hope to gain.

4. Choose a controversial topic within your academic field and present arguments from both sides. Discuss your personal stance and the reasons behind your beliefs.

5. Imagine you are presenting a TED Talk on your academic interests. What would be your main message, and how would you captivate and inspire your audience?

Navigating the World of Academic Interests Essay Writing

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about writing an academic interests essay:

Q: How do I make my academic interests essay engaging for readers?

A: To captivate your readers, infuse your essay with personal anecdotes, captivating storytelling, and vivid examples. Use a conversational tone and ensure that your passion for the subject shines through.

Q: Should I include technical jargon in my academic interests essay?

A: While it's important to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the subject, be mindful of your target audience. Avoid overwhelming them with excessive technical jargon. Strike a balance between showcasing your expertise and making your essay accessible.

Q: Can I discuss multiple academic interests in one essay?

A: While it's possible to discuss multiple interests, it's generally more effective to focus on a single main interest. This allows you to delve deeper into the subject matter and provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Q: How long should my academic interests essay be?

A: The length of your essay may vary depending on the specific requirements. However, aim for a concise and focused essay of around 500-800 words. Remember, quality over quantity is key.

Q: Is it necessary to include a conclusion in my academic interests essay?

A: While a conclusion is not mandatory, it can provide a sense of closure and reiterate your main points. Consider including a brief conclusion to summarize your key arguments and leave a lasting impression on your readers.

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Academic interests refer to the specific areas of study or subjects that individuals are passionate about and wish to pursue further in their academic endeavors.

Academic interests often stem from personal experiences, curiosity, or a desire to make a positive impact on society.
They can evolve over time as individuals discover new passions or interests.
Academic interests can vary widely, from STEM fields to arts and humanities.
They play a crucial role in shaping career paths and guiding individuals towards fulfilling and meaningful work.
Research shows that pursuing academic interests can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and overall academic success.

Understanding academic interests is important as it helps individuals identify their passions and strengths, leading to more focused and fulfilling academic pursuits. By exploring and nurturing their academic interests, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals, ultimately leading to personal and professional growth.

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The 4 Main College Essay Prompts You Need to Know

When you start applying to colleges, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different essay topics you have to write. Each college you apply to is likely to have anywhere from one to three supplementary prompts, and each one is going to be different. Or is it?

We at CollegeVine have analyzed the vast majority of college essay prompts to help students receive the guidance they need to succeed in the college admissions process. We’ve noticed that most of the prompts that fall under one of the following archetypes:

Academic Interests
Culture, Values, and Diversity
Extracurricular Interests
Impact on Community

If you know what the different prompt archetypes are and craft a winning college essay for each one, you’ll find yourself being able to reuse your essays for various prompts, with some tweaks of course. Keep reading to learn all about these prompt archetypes, some examples of these archetypes in real college essay prompts, and a detailed walk-through of how you should approach your essays.

Prompt Archetype 1: The Academic Interest Essay

The Academic Interest essay prompt is the one where the Admissions Committee seeks to learn more about your intellectual passions, deciphering what areas of academia most fascinate you and why. You are also going to have to explain why you chose the intended major that you did.

Here are some examples of actual colleges that have used Academic Interest Prompts:

1. Bucknell University: Please explain your interest in your first-choice major/undecided status and your second-choice major, should you opt to list one.

2. Trevecca Nazarene University: Explain how you anticipate your education at Trevecca Nazarene University will prepare you for your future career and help you to fulfill your goals and aspirations.

When planning out this essay, you need to think hard about why you chose your intended major in the first place. Don’t list superficial reasons like money or prestige. Think of some specific things that you like about the major and your best experiences with the subject inside and outside of the classroom. Also think about how you would describe your feelings and your state of mind when you’re exploring this field of study. Why is it so appealing that you want to immerse yourself in it for four years? The more specific you can be, the better.

Once you’ve thought about the things above, you’re ready to put together your essay. A good answer to an Academic Interest prompt will explain why you’re interested in the major, give specific examples both inside and outside the classroom of your positive experience with the subject, and reflect further on those experiences if you have the word count.

Once you have that general essay written, you can edit it to conform to the specific prompt you’re dealing with. For example, if the prompt asks you to explain why you want to study that major in that college specifically, you’ll need to add in some thematic elements of that university’s take on the major that you find interesting. You should also do some research and find a specific class or program that you are excited to be a part of, along with any related extracurriculars that the university offers that you find fascinating.

If you’re an undecided major, this essay is definitely still within your reach. Even if you’re not sure what major you may want to study, you can discuss the kind of intellectual pursuits that are meaningful to you, and point to the reasons you want to take some time to explore many interests. For more tips, see our post on how to write the “Why this major?” essay if you’re undecided .

Here’s an example of an effective essay with a maximum word count of only 150:

The student briefly explains his background, what inspired his love of science, and why Brown is the best place for him to explore that interest. Academic Interest Essays should not only explore your interest in the subject, but also why the school in question would best help you achieve your academic goals.

Since the word count was small, there’s less of an opportunity to bring readers to a specific moment, and to show us his thoughts and emotions in that moment. If your essay as a higher word count, you might consider zooming in on some important experiences with your academic interest, and showing us your passion through storytelling, rather than simply describing it.

For more tips on writing this essay, see our complete guide to the “Why this major?” essay , including a real sample essay.

Prompt Archetype 2: Culture, Values, and Diversity Prompts

Many colleges give prompts that ask you to talk about your background, culture, and the communities that have shaped you. Sometimes, they will add in a special component to the prompt that asks you to discuss how you would bring diversity to the campus.

Let’s make this description more concrete with some real examples of Culture, Values, and Diversity Prompts:

1. Rice University: The quality of Rice’s academic life and the Residential College System are heavily influenced by the unique life experiences and cultural traditions each student brings. What personal perspectives would you contribute to life at Rice?

2. University of Mount Union: What values do you cherish the most and how have you demonstrated them through the choices that you have made?

When you’re trying to answer prompts like these, you need to first choose a specific community that you belong to, or a background that you have that has impacted your development. This could obviously be an ethnic, gender, or racial background, but it could also be a community based on experiences that are unique to you. For example, you could be in a community of people who grew up in a low income bracket or had a certain illness. As a general rule, you should pick a community or identity that is significant to you; if extracurricular-related, that identity should take up at least 3-4 of the 10 activities on your Common App list.

Once you’ve narrowed down the part of your background that you are going to talk about, start asking yourself deeper questions about your experiences growing up in that community. What is the strongest emotion you feel about your background? Have your emotions about your background changed over time, or do you have any strong negative emotions towards your background? Have you developed any skills or talents as a result of your background? What challenges have you faced as a result of this community membership? Through these questions, you should be able to outline three formative experiences you had as a result of your upbringing.

With these things in mind, you can start crafting your essay. A good essay in this category will discuss your current emotions about your background or membership in a community and how those emotions evolved over time. To support, you should try to weave in 2-3 anecdotes (more or fewer based on word count) throughout the essay and discuss the evolution of your emotions.

Here’s an example of a student who grew up with a bipolar sister, and how that impacted his perspective:

This curve has existed, or at least has manifested itself, for the past six years. It takes every ounce of my compassion to watch my sister struggle, knowing I can do nothing to help her. I choose my words delicately around her, screening out comments that could trigger a swing. When we were kids, the disorder was more dormant and we had a typical sibling relationship. We bickered over which type of cereal to buy or which seat at the dinner table was ours. We shared secrets and jokes under the covers and hummed our favorite songs. Now we hardly exchange text messages over the course of months at a time. She has become completely withdrawn to the point that I don’t even know her anymore.

I try to push aside my inherent desire to understand and categorize her volatility because I know that this is not what is needed. Instead, I do my best to love her and let her know that I will always be there as a pillar for her, and my parents, to rely on. I am stability, and that is how I must stay.

The author effectively uses the sine curve metaphor to illustrate the ups and downs his sister experiences, and that he and his family experience as a result. He shows us the evolution of their relationship by comparing his fond memories to his current lack of contact with his sister. Rather than try to analyze and judge his sister’s behavior, the author chooses to be as supportive as possible. He shows us through this essay that he can remain stable in volatile and emotional situations, and understands how to support those touched by mental health disorders.

For more tips, see our post on how to write the Diversity college essay .

Prompt Archetype 3: Extracurricular Interest Prompts

This prompt archetype is all about your extracurriculars, the activities you participated in outside of the classroom. You’ll have ample opportunity to discuss your extracurricular achievements in the resume portion of your college application, but these essay prompts ask you to go in much more detail about one specific activity that really stood out.

Here are some actual college essay prompts that fit into this prompt archetype:

1. Davidson College: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

2. Stanford: Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

The activity you choose to write about should usually stand out to you rather quickly. Choose activities you’re most committed to, not those you think would look good on a resume. Choose the one that you’re most passionate about. Just try to avoid writing about the same activity twice; if you wrote about something already in your Common App essay, or another supplement the school will see, pick another activity.

Once you’ve chosen an activity, think about what the activity means to you, and how that may have changed over time. Further think about how you feel and what goes through your mind when you participate in this activity. Has this activity shaped your personality in any way? Have you developed any specific skills as a result of this activity? How does this activity affect the rest of your life?

Now, when you’re writing your Extracurricular Interest essay, make sure that you are not simply listing your achievements in an activity. That’s what the activities section is for! Focus on one of two things: your emotions and state of mind while you do this extracurricular, or how that activity helped you develop as a person. Most of these prompts are shorter, so you will need to be very precise in your language and make sure you’re communicating a reflective tone that shows admissions committees your emotions and personality.

This author’s writing style is endearingly flippant, and the analogy comes full circle. The author shares her sense of humor, her passion for journalism, and her ability to work in a team and manage her time. This is an example of a strong and creative extracurricular interest essay that doesn’t dramatize the moment of the activity, which is a common trope.

For more tips on writing this essay, see our complete guide to the Extracurricular Activity essay , including a real sample essay.

Prompt Archetype 4: Impact on Community Prompts

Colleges love to see students who have given back to their community in some way. Such activities illuminate a student’s interests, passions, and skill set. So, it’s not surprising that some colleges like to have an entire essay prompt devoted to your impact on your community.

Such prompts often look like the following:

1. Texas A&M University: Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.

2. Barnard College: Barnard women seek to make a difference in their community, whether through the residence hall, classes, clubs, volunteer work, or a part-time job they hold. Describe how you make a difference in your community and what you have learned from that experience. In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the community at Barnard, inside or outside the classroom?

Some students have more impactful community service stories than others. The best case scenario is if you have had a deep involvement in some sort of community service activity for years or have worked on a project of activism. If the answer is yes, treat this prompt more or less like an extracurricular essay topic and delve into that commitment.

If the answer is no, no worries. Perhaps you can think of a situation or event where you showed true altruism, kindness, activism, social change, social justice, generosity, or selflessness. These can’t be too short, e.g. helping a lady cross the street. It also shouldn’t be too self-serving, like participating in Habitat for Humanity for a week. Genuine commitments tend to be long-standing and really reflect your values.

If you can’t think of an activity that showed any of the above traits, you should focus on any experiences that made a social impact. For example, if you do data entry for medical research, that has a positive social impact, albeit indirect.

Once you’ve picked your community service story, go into detail about what happened and what motivated you to participate in this endeavor. Be ready to discuss a positive outcome that came from your involvement in this activity; this can be as tangible as a policy goal or as intangible as providing comfort to people.

Every year, my community hosts Partnership Walk, a campaign spearheaded by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) that aims to alleviate global poverty. During this event, I work with the Youth Ambassadors organization to deliver presentations on AKF’s efforts in Africa and Asia. The Foundation assists the underprivileged in numerous ways, but social sustainability is the area that has always appealed to me the most. At the AKF, this field involves challenging perceptions and attitudes about sustainable initiatives in order to spark social action. Ever since my presentation on social sustainability, I knew that my seva will thrive in this field.

I was fortunate to intern for the University of North Texas Office of Sustainability, where I initiated my own project called Green in Grid Out. This project challenges students to remove their cell phones and laptops from the grid and subscribe to bike energy stations instead. I aim to change the way students perceive energy as a commodity rather than a resource to take for granted. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by devoting my seva to social sustainability.

This student ties together two different community efforts with the concept of seva . She effectively conveys her dedication to social sustainability in these three paragraphs, though the second paragraph reads a little vague. It leaves us with questions as to how exactly AFK works–to whom is she giving presentations? What sort of initiatives does AFK lead? This paragraph and overall essay would’ve been much stronger had she been more specific, and focused more on her role; the part she plays is really mentioned only in passing.

The final paragraph is much clearer, and explains the exact project and mission. This is the kind of specificity that would’ve strengthened the second paragraph and overall essay.

Final Thoughts

We at CollegeVine hope that these archetypes can help you organize and understand the essay prompts that are likely coming your way. If you’re applying via the Common Application, you’ll also need to write a Common App essay. The Common App’s broad, personal prompts might seem daunting, but CollegeVine’s essay experts have compiled an extensive and comprehensive post to walk you through the optimal strategy to approach these essays.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Finding, Understanding, and Explaining Your Academic Interests

By: Author Dr. Patrick Capriola

Posted on Published: July 9, 2019

Academic interests are educational topics about which the student is curious and wants to spend more time exploring. Examples of academic interests include biology, history, mathematics, language, coding, and robotics. Students find their academic interests by exploring a wide range of topics and reflecting on those that appeal most to their skill set and curiosity.

The Importance of Academic Interests

Sometimes the most ambiguous challenges young adults face is figuring out their academic interests, so they can finally focus their enery on pursuing topics for which they care deeply and learn to find meaning in their work.

Once the student has their interests piqud by a topic, they should spend more time learning about it and spend quality time exploring it by setting dedicated periods aside just for that one topic, to better understand if it is a fit. If it is, they can take it a step further by joining a club, league, team, online class or take private lessons.

By discovering and expressing your academic interests, you’ll pay more attention in class because the topic intrigues you. You’ll also be better prepared for life after high school, finding it easier to choose your college major and potentially your career path as well.

In this guide, we will provide an in-depth look into the process of finding, understanding, and explaining one’s academic interests. From the humble beginnings of this self-discovery process to writing an academic interest essay and everything in between, teens and the parents who support them who are on the fence won’t want to miss this article.

What Are Academic Interests and Why Do They Matter?

Academic interests are academic topics that are of particular interest to you as a student. Everyone has different interests, depending on what gets them going. There really is no formula to how they develop. But there are important to find and nurture.

Before we can get into finding one’s academic interests, we have to discuss why they matter. Here are several points to consider that we touched on in the intro.

You’re More Likely to Pay Attention in Class

The first reason you should explore your academic interests in full is one of the more obvious ones. It reasons to assume that when you like what you’re learning about, you’re going to pay more attention in class.

This 2016 article in The Daily Texan cited a study from the UT College of Education. Erika Patall, the college’s professor, did the study. Patall wanted to know whether the subject material students learned could inspire them to retain information, pay attention, and do better work in class.

As part of the study, Patall worked with more than 200 students, all in high school. The students participated in a science class. According to Patall, engagement went up when the students learned about a topic they cared about.

A class that’s more engaged is one that’s more eager to learn. That means they get the maximum out of each lesson because the teacher feeds off the energy of the students. With better retention and an increased work ethic for topics of interest, students would likely get higher grades on assignments and tests about these topics as well.

If you would like to learn more about finding your academic strenghts (and weaknesses), I wrote an article on the topic that you will find helpful.

Choosing a College Major Becomes Much Easier

If you’re getting okay grades and you aren’t failing, then isn’t that enough? Sure, none of the topics you learn in school really spark your attention or passion, but that’s okay. Isn’t it all about your grades at the end of the day?

No. While a record of good grades will make the college admissions process easier, at some point, you must select a college and thus choose a major. Now, instead of being fed topics like math, history, language, and science as you were in high school, you’re the one in power.

You get to choose your path completely on your own. Your parents, teachers, and mentors aren’t there to guide you. It comes down to you.

This can be scary if you’ve never had an opportunity to think about what you like academically before, nor make major, life-changing decisions. If you just haven’t had an interest in school, you may also struggle with choosing a major. This decision is monumental enough even for students who know their interests. It becomes 10 times more difficult for those who don’t.

On the other hand, if you’ve followed a passion for a year or two or longer, then it may seem like a given to pursue it in the realm of higher education. You can then spend less time stressing about your major and more time preparing for your transition to life as a college student.

Selecting a College Could Become Less Stressful

It’s a dream of many high school students to be inundated with dozens upon dozens of college offers. If they cast a wide net, then most well-achieving students will hear back from a handful of universities and colleges that may want to have them. It’s not quite the dream, but it’s good enough.

How do you decide which college you should attend? For some, it’s all about proximity. Certain students may want to stay near their hometown, but many more will wish to spread their wings and fly as far away from home as they can get.

Other students will focus on tuition costs. More still might decide on a college based on the academic programs it offers. Let’s say, for instance, you’ve discovered in the past few years that you have an interest in English. If you had your eye on a certain college and it didn’t offer an English program, then you might reconsider attending.

Either way, setting and achieving you academic goals will become easier if you take the time to figure out where your interests lie. If you want to learn more about setting goals that align with your interests, check out this article I wrote on the topic.

You Have a Better Chance of Graduating College on Time

Most college students strive to finish their education and obtain a bachelor’s degree within four years. If they’re only chasing after an associate’s degree, then they split that time in half. Just because this is the goal doesn’t mean it’s always reality, though. The need for time off, the demand of outside jobs, and other personal matters can slow a student’s progress down.

Then there are the students who flip-flop on their major. First, they decide they want to study science, then psychology, then back to a branch of science. By switching from one major to another, students can lose credits. As you may know, you need a certain amount of college credits to move on and eventually graduate. Without these, you’re stuck there even longer.

As we said before, if you know what you want from the get-go, you can shave some of this extra time off. That’s not to say you can’t ever change your major. Sometimes you get to college and realize the topic you chose isn’t for you. Knowing your academic interests well will let you make a quicker decision and then continue on with your college coursework.

You Could Find Your Career Path Through Academic Interests

While some students change their major several times before graduation, you just may find the opposite happens for you. Instead, you like your first major so much that you decide to make it your career. After college, you may go on to obtain your master’s degree or just get into the working world in your career of choice. All this stems from learning about your academic interests in high-school.

Finding Your Academic Interests

Now that you know the significance of learning your academic interests, you feel like you should cultivate yours. How do you even do this?

That’s a good question, especially if you’ve never given academics much serious thought before. While many academic experts recommend finding your interests as young as possible, it’s never too late, especially if you haven’t graduated high school yet.

Here are some things you can try to discover which topics intrigue you the most.

Join a Club

If there exists a club about a topic you might be interested in, then join. We recommend starting at your school first, as there are many extracurricular clubs in just about any topic and interest you could imagine. If there’s not, then feel free to start one yourself!

Write a Blog

It’s easier than ever to create one’s own blog. When you have the time between homework, after-school activities and some much-needed downtime update the blog. Write as much or as little as you feel. Remember, you’re not getting a grade on your writing. Let your passion and creativity guide your blog.

Read Magazines and Other Publications

If writing isn’t your strong suit, you can still engage in your selected topic by brushing up on it. Subscribe to magazines, blogs, and publications in the industry. Not every article has to interest you, and that’s okay. Dive into the content that does and see what you take away from the experience.

Try Some Online Classes

If you truly enjoy learning, then you can always sign up for an online class afterschool. Look for a free one so you’re not putting any financial strain on yourself or your parents.

Understanding Your Academic Interests

By now, you’re narrowing down what your interests are. You may have found something out of leftfield that appeals to you that you never would have guessed you’d like. Perhaps the topic you thought you always would enjoy didn’t really do it for you.

Why did one subject spark your interest over the other? That question isn’t always easy to answer. That’s why we’re presenting a handy list of questions to ask yourself as you decide which academic interests call out to you the most.

Do I really like this topic or am I only interested in it because I learn it every day in school now?
What is it about the topic that makes me interested in it? Is it history? The chance to make an impact on people’s lives? The future of the industry/topic?
Is this something I want to learn everything about or does the information I have now suffice?
Is this topic something I could make a career out of? Is there another interest I could follow that makes for a more suitable career?
Will this interest or industry be around in the next five years? What about the next 10 years?
Do I have another interest I like and can fall back on?
How much work will it take to pursue my topic of interest in college or even as a career?

We suggest you take each question on this list and go one at a time. You might want to write your answers down so you can refer to them later. Just be open to the fact that your answers may change over time.

These are deep, thought-provoking questions. It’s okay if you look at one of them, or more than one, and don’t have an answer right now. It’s also more than okay if you have to sit down with a parent or advisor and talk out these questions together. These adults can provide guidance that makes discovering your answer easier.

Exploring Your Academic Interests

By this point, you’ve pinpointed some academic interests that speak to you. You’ve also sat down and deeply pondered why these interests matter to you as much as they do. Now it’s time to explore those interests in full.

You can follow the same tips we shared for finding your academic interests. Instead of now dipping your figurative toes tentatively into the water, you’d dive right in. In a club, you’d strive to take on a leadership role if you’re not already doing so. Perhaps you write an article and try to get it published in your favorite industry magazine or website. You juggle online courses with your high school homework.

You might expand your interests to a community level as well, organizing a bigger club for those of all ages who are passionate about this interest. You could volunteer your time at organizations or charities related to your interest as well.

Not only does exploring your academic interests feed your passion, but it will also look amazing on your resume when you apply to colleges. The level of initiative you’ve taken in the pursuit of your academic interests will certainly impress many a college recruiter. Thus, you could increase your chances of getting into a great college and continuing to follow your interests through higher education.

Writing an Academic Interest Essay

Another great reason to figure out your academic interests is you might have to showcase them in an essay. Some colleges require this as part of their admissions process. You might be asked to write only 500 words or a much lengthier submission. A long essay with a lot of thought and passion put into it will look best.

You shouldn’t have any great difficulty writing such an essay if you’ve completed the work described up to this point. Still, we thought we’d talk about how to structure your academic interest essay for best results.

Introduce Your Academic (and Non-Academic) Interests

Begin your essay by laying out all the interests that drive your everyday decisions and motivations. These don’t exclusively have to be related to academics, either. Colleges know you’re a real person who doesn’t live and breathe school. If you can tie your non-academic interests to your academic ones in any way, then you can talk about the latter longer. Otherwise, a simple mention will do.

Discuss How You’ve Chased Your Academic Interests

What have you done at a high-school level to follow your passion? If you started or joined a club, wrote a blog, took an online course, or did anything else related to your academic interest, now’s the time to showcase it.

Talk about Your Future Goals

With your present and past out of the way, you want to focus on the future next. Describe your goals in college, including the major you will choose and the topics you want to focus on. You may even opt to touch on your career goals if you truly already know what you want. Don’t just mention them to impress college admissions, though.

For the most part, that’s it, you’re done! Some colleges will have more strict criteria for their essays. If so, then always defer to what they want. This section just provides a loose guideline of what you can write about for your academic interest essay.

We do advise you to be authenitc in your writing no matter the format of your essay. If you can show the same kind of passion and interest in your essay that you feel for your academic interest, then you’re sure to start hearing from colleges soon.

As a high school student, some students feel like they’re floating through each day without paying much attention to tomorrow. Sooner than later, though, colleges will come a-calling, so it helps to know what your academic interests are by that point.

These interests are for so much more than college admissions. An academic interest should spark your curiosity and imagination. You should feel like a sponge, absorbing as much information about the topic as possible. You can’t wait to get to college to learn more about your interest. In fact, you may even pursue it as a career path.

If you’re not quite sure what your academic interests are yet, we hope this article helps you look deep into yourself and begin the exploration process. Good luck!

Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay

Find the right college for you.

Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.

Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application ? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.

Tips for Essay Writing

A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.

1. Start Early.

Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.

You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.

2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions.

Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.

3. Create a Strong Opener.

Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.

Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.

4. Stay on Topic.

One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.

A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.

5. Think About Your Response.

Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.

6. Focus on You.

Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.

7. Stay True to Your Voice.

Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.

8. Be Specific and Factual.

Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.

9. Edit and Proofread.

When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.

Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.

What is the format of a college application essay?

Generally, essays for college admission follow a simple format that includes an opening paragraph, a lengthier body section, and a closing paragraph. You don't need to include a title, which will only take up extra space. Keep in mind that the exact format can vary from one college application to the next. Read the instructions and prompt for more guidance.

Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.

How do you start an essay?

The goal here is to use an attention grabber. Think of it as a way to reel the reader in and interest an admissions officer in what you have to say. There's no trick on how to start a college application essay. The best way you can approach this task is to flex your creative muscles and think outside the box.

You can start with openers such as relevant quotes, exciting anecdotes, or questions. Either way, the first sentence should be unique and intrigue the reader.

What should an essay include?

Every application essay you write should include details about yourself and past experiences. It's another opportunity to make yourself look like a fantastic applicant. Leverage your experiences. Tell a riveting story that fulfills the prompt.

What shouldn’t be included in an essay?

When writing a college application essay, it's usually best to avoid overly personal details and controversial topics. Although these topics might make for an intriguing essay, they can be tricky to express well. If you’re unsure if a topic is appropriate for your essay, check with your school counselor. An essay for college admission shouldn't include a list of achievements or academic accolades either. Your essay isn’t meant to be a rehashing of information the admissions panel can find elsewhere in your application.

How can you make your essay personal and interesting?

The best way to make your essay interesting is to write about something genuinely important to you. That could be an experience that changed your life or a valuable lesson that had an enormous impact on you. Whatever the case, speak from the heart, and be honest.

Is it OK to discuss mental health in an essay?

Mental health struggles can create challenges you must overcome during your education and could be an opportunity for you to show how you’ve handled challenges and overcome obstacles. If you’re considering writing your essay for college admission on this topic, consider talking to your school counselor or with an English teacher on how to frame the essay.

Crafting the Perfect College Essay: Tips from Admissions Experts

Writing a college application essay can be one of the most challenging parts of the college admissions process.

However, with the right approach and tips from our admissions consultants, you’ll have no problem crafting an essay that stands out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, explaining everything you need to know about writing your college essay. We’ll also share some college essay tips, formats, examples, and common pitfalls to avoid.

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How to start a college essay

Understand the prompt.

Before you start writing, make sure you thoroughly understand the essay prompt. You might find it helpful to break it down into smaller sections to better understand what the admissions committee is asking.

Look for keywords in the prompt that highlight the main focus, such as “describe,” “explain,” or “reflect.”

Understanding the prompt’s objective is important. Work out whether it’s asking you to share a personal story, explain your motivations, or discuss your goals. If any part of the prompt is unclear, seek clarification from teachers, parents, or peers to avoid misinterpreting it.

Brainstorm ideas

Consider free writing. It can help uncover potential topics by allowing you to write freely about different experiences and ideas without worrying about structure or grammar.

Creating a mind map with the prompt at the center and branches for different ideas and experiences may also be helpful. Similarly, making lists of significant life events, accomplishments, challenges, and influences can generate ideas.

Ask yourself reflection questions like “What am I most proud of?”, “What challenges have I overcome?”, and “What experiences have shaped my values and goals?” to find meaningful topics.

Spend some time brainstorming potential topics. Think about experiences, achievements, or personal stories that highlight your character and strengths.

Choose a unique angle

Select a topic that is personal and unique to you. Admissions officers read thousands of essays, so finding a distinctive angle will make your essay stand out.

Write about something meaningful to you rather than what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.

Choose a topic that demonstrates personal growth, resilience, or a significant change in perspective. Highlight your core values and beliefs through a story that reflects them.

Create an outline

Start with an introduction that includes a hook to grab the reader’s attention , introduces the main theme or story, and provides a brief overview of what the essay will cover.

Develop your main points with clear, concise paragraphs in the body of the essay, each focusing on a single idea and providing evidence or examples to support it.

Summarize your main points in the conclusion. Restate your thesis in a new light, and end with a strong closing statement.

Organize your thoughts by creating an outline. This helps you structure your essay logically and ensures you cover all necessary points.

Set the tone

The introduction sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Make sure it reflects your voice and personality. Whether your tone is serious, humorous, reflective, or passionate, it should be consistent throughout the essay.

End your introduction with a roadmap that outlines the main points you’ll cover in your essay. This helps the reader follow your narrative and understand the structure of your essay.

College essay format

As mentioned above, the introduction is your first chance to make an impression. You should start with a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention. It could be an anecdote, a thought-provoking question, a striking statement, or vivid imagery.

After the introduction comes the body of your essay. You should develop your main points with specific examples and clear, concise paragraphs.

The conclusion summarizes your main points, restates your thesis in a new way, and ends with a strong closing statement.

Formatting tips

Font and Spacing: Use a readable font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in size 12. Double-space your essay.
Margins: Set margins to one inch on all sides.
Title: Include a title if not specified otherwise. It should reflect the main theme of your essay.
Length: Adhere to the word limit specified by the college, typically between 250 and 650 words.
Consistency: Ensure consistent formatting throughout the essay, including font size, spacing, and paragraph structure.
Proofreading: Carefully proofread for spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Consider an external review.
Adherence to Guidelines: Follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by the college, such as submission format and file naming conventions.

7 college application essay tips

01 be authentic.

Your essay should reflect your true self. Admissions officers can tell when you’re not being genuine, so write about what matters to you, not what you think they want to hear. Authenticity can make your essay stand out because it showcases your voice and perspective.

02 Show, don’t tell

Use descriptive language and specific examples to illustrate your points. Instead of stating that you’re determined, describe a situation where your determination helped you achieve a goal. This makes your essay more engaging and memorable.

03 Stay focussed

Stick to the topic and avoid drifting off. Each sentence should contribute to your main theme or story. Keeping your essay focused ensures that your message is clear and concise, making a stronger impression on the reader.

While it’s important to provide enough detail to support your points, avoid being too wordy. Concise writing is more powerful and keeps the reader engaged.

student focussing on writing his college essay

04 Proofread

Carefully review your essay, checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. A well-polished essay shows attention to detail and respect for the admissions process. Consider asking a teacher, parent, or friend to read it over and provide feedback.

05 Follow instructions

Adhere to the word limit and any formatting guidelines provided by the college.

Following the instructions shows you can pay attention to details and follow directions, both of which are important skills for college students.

06 Seek feedback

Get feedback from teachers, parents, and friends, but make sure the final essay reflects your voice. Constructive criticism can help you improve your essay, but it’s important that it remains your own work.

07 Practice good time management

Start early to give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise your essay. Rushed writing often lacks depth and clarity, so taking your time can significantly improve the quality of your essay.

Types of college essays

01 personal statement.

The personal statement is a general essay that provides an opportunity for you to share your story, experiences, and personal qualities. It often addresses broad prompts that ask you to reflect on significant life experiences or describe your goals and motivations. Look at it as your chance to give the admissions committee a deeper understanding of who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

02 Supplemental essays

Supplemental essays are additional essays that many colleges require in addition to the personal statement. These essays often ask specific questions related to the college’s values, culture, or specific programs. Examples of common supplemental essay prompts include:

“Why do you want to attend this college?”
“Describe an extracurricular activity or work experience.”
“Discuss an issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.”

03 Scholarship essays

Scholarship essays are written as part of an application for a scholarship. These essays typically focus on your academic achievements, leadership experiences, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarship essays often ask you to explain why you deserve the scholarship and how it will help you achieve your educational and career goals.

04 Common App essays

The Common Application (Common App) essay is a personal statement required by colleges that use the Common Application platform. The Common App provides several prompts each year, allowing students to choose the one that best fits their story. The prompts are designed to be broad and open-ended, giving students the flexibility to write about a wide range of topics.

05 Coalition application essays

Similar to the Common App, the Coalition Application also requires a personal statement. The Coalition Application offers different essay prompts, but they serve the same purpose: to allow students to share their personal stories and reflections.

06 University-specific essays

Some universities require essays that are specific to their institution. These essays can vary widely in topic and format. They might ask you to discuss how you would contribute to the university community, your interest in a particular program, or your thoughts on a current event or societal issue.

07 Diversity essays

Diversity essays ask you to discuss your background, experiences, and perspectives on diversity. These essays are an opportunity to reflect on how your unique experiences have shaped your worldview and how you will contribute to a diverse and inclusive campus environment.

08 Career goals essays

Career goals essays require you to outline your professional aspirations and how your chosen college and program will help you achieve them. These essays are common for applications to business schools, engineering programs, and other professional degree programs.

09 Creative essays

Some colleges may ask for creative essays that allow you to showcase your creativity and originality. These essays might include prompts that ask you to write a short story, imagine a hypothetical scenario, or describe a unique perspective.

10 Analytical essays

Analytical essays require you to analyze a text, event, or issue. These essays test your critical thinking and writing skills by asking you to provide a well-reasoned analysis supported by evidence. They are more common in applications to humanities and social sciences programs.

11 “Overcoming Adversity” essays

Essays on overcoming adversity ask you to describe a significant challenge or obstacle you have faced and how you dealt with it. These essays highlight your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and personal growth.

Winning college essay examples

Reading examples of successful college essays can provide inspiration and guidance. Look for essays that have a strong voice, clear structure, and compelling content.

Analyze what makes these essays effective and try to incorporate similar elements into your own writing.

Do all colleges require essays?

Not all colleges require essays as part of their application process. Some schools, particularly those with open admissions policies, may not require an essay. However, most selective colleges do require at least one essay, and many have additional supplemental essays.

Things to avoid when writing a college essay

There are things you should include in your college essay, but there are also some things you should try to avoid if you want to give the best impression.

Avoid overused topics and phrases. Be original and authentic in your writing.

02 Controversial topics

Steer clear of highly controversial topics unless you can address them thoughtfully and respectfully.

03 Negativity

Focus on positive experiences and growth rather than negative events.

04 Overly complex language

Use clear, straightforward language. Avoid using complex words, phrases, and ideas just to impress the reader.

05 Redundancy

Don’t repeat information already covered in other parts of your application.

Additional tips

In this final section of our guide on how to write a college application essay, we’ll share some quick and easy tips.

Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and revise your essay.
Seek feedback: Get feedback from teachers, parents, and friends, but make sure the final essay reflects your voice.
Stay positive: Highlight your strengths and positive attributes.
Be honest: Write truthfully about your experiences and aspirations.

By following these tips and guidelines, you can write a compelling college application essay that showcases your unique qualities and stands out to admissions officers.

Remember, your essay is an opportunity to share your story and make a personal connection with the admissions committee. Use it wisely!

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

Writing essays in science subjects
Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
Writing extended essays and dissertations
Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions.

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline.

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

Approaching different types of essay questions
Structuring your essay
Writing an introduction
Making use of evidence in your essay writing
Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
Explanation of the focus of your work.
Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources.

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work .

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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The Best AI Tools for Students & Researchers in 2024 (Top Recommendations)

Best AI Tools for Students and Researchers in 2024

There is no doubt that AI tools have not only made writing easier but have also helped many students and researchers improve the quality of their work. However, finding a good tool might be difficult, especially with the recent increase in AI tools online.

In this blog, we have mentioned a few incredible AI writing tools that have proven to be helpful not only with writing and research but also with other factors. These factors include citation generation, grammar checking, image generation, etc.

Let's have a look!

Interesting Topic Selection to Get Started

Choosing a good topic is important for writing engaging academic work. Many students struggle with finding ideas that match their interests or assignment requirements.

AI tools use advanced technology to suggest topics and refine ideas based on what students need. Here are some suggested tools to help you generate ideas:

ChatGPT - Get Ideas for Your Research

ChatGPT uses smart technology to have conversations and suggest interesting topics. It helps students overcome writer's block by offering different perspectives and ideas that fit their assignments.

EssayService.ai - Generate Research Specific Topics

EssayService.ai helps students by generating essay topics based on what students need. It analyzes prompts and suggests topics that are relevant and interesting, helping students start their essays with clarity.

Generate Content to Overcome Writer's Block

It is not uncommon for students to face writer's block from time to time. AI can boost creativity by suggesting new ideas and ways to write. This can make writing more interesting and help explore new ideas.

Take a look at these AI tools that can help students write creatively:

MyEssayWriter.ai - Helps You Write Clear Essays Since 2021

MyEssayWriter.ai assists students in writing essays by generating ideas and improving the clarity of their writing. It helps structure essays so they are easier to read and understand. This essay writer also helps with organizing thoughts and making sure the writing flows well.

CollegeEssay.org's AI Essay Writer - Expert College-Level Essays

CollegeEssay.org's AI Essay Writer specializes in writing college-level essays on various subjects. This essay maker helps students create well-written essays that follow academic guidelines. This tool also ensures sources are cited correctly and helps students develop their ideas effectively.

MyPerfectWord.com's EssayBot - Comprehensive Essay Assistance

MyPerfectWord.com's EssayBot covers a wide range of essay topics and assists with essay structure and originality. This essay writer tool helps students brainstorm ideas, organize their writing logically, and ensure their essays are unique and well-structured. This tool is useful for improving writing skills across different subjects.

MyPerfectPaper.net's AI Essay Writer - Original, Plagiarism-Free Essays

MyPerfectPaper.net's AI Essay Writer generates essays that are original and free from plagiarism. It conducts thorough research and ensures the essays meet academic rigor. This paper writer helps students produce high-quality essays that meet specific academic requirements.

Citation Generation: Keeping Your References in Order

When working on any academic assignment, it is important to cite the information. Using the right citations is important in academic writing to give credit to sources and avoid plagiarism.

However, with so many rules to follow, citing accurately might be a problem.

AI citation tools make this easier by automatically formatting references in different styles, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

Here are some of the suggested tools that might be helpful:

MyBib - Generate Citations Fast

MyBib is easy to use to generate citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, and other formats. Students can input details about their sources, and MyBib formats the citations correctly for their research papers.

PerfectEssayWriter.ai - Get Accurate Citations in 20+ Styles

PerfectEssayWriter.ai handles citations in over 20 styles, including APA and MLA. It helps students accurately cite sources from books, journals, and websites. This tool makes citing sources easier, so students can focus more on their writing and ensure their papers meet academic standards.

Writing and Editing Tools: Enhancing Clarity and Coherence

Clear and well-structured writing is important in academic work. Many students face challenges with grammar, style, and making their writing flow smoothly.

AI writing tools provide helpful support by checking grammar, suggesting improvements, and even rewriting sentences to make them clearer. Take a look at these tools to help you:

Grammarly - Improve the Content

Grammarly is a popular tool for checking grammar and improving writing style. It helps students correct mistakes in punctuation, spelling, and word choice, making their writing more polished and professional.

PerfectEssayWriter.ai - Enhancing Clarity and Quality

PerfectEssayWriter.ai offers advanced grammar checking and rewriting suggestions. It helps students improve sentence structure and clarity in their essays and research papers, ensuring their writing meets high academic standards. Moreover, its style and tone suggestion can also help students understand whether the tone is suitable or not.

Image Generation: Enhance Visuals & Presentations

Visuals play a key role in presenting complex ideas in academic work. AI tools for image generation empower students to create compelling visuals without needing design skills, enhancing the impact of their presentations.

Here are some of the best tools for image generation:

Leonardo - High Quality Images

Leonardo uses AI to create high-quality images from descriptions. It's useful for illustrating concepts and data trends in academic presentations, making ideas clearer and more engaging.

Canva - Let Your Creativity Flow

Canva is an easy-to-use tool with AI-powered design features. It offers templates for creating presentations, infographics, and posters, helping students create professional-looking visuals that enhance their academic projects.

Free to Use AI Tool for Students

The tools mentioned above all offer something great. However, they might not be a good fit for students on a budget. Though their prices are low, they still might not be feasible for students. Here is a free AI tool that can help with all of the functions mentioned above and perhaps more:

5StarEssays.com - AI Essay Writer - Budget-Friendly Option

5StarEssays.com - AI Essay Writer tool is free to use and helps with writing well-written drafts. This free AI essay writer is good for students who need help with their work but don't want to pay money. This tool helps students improve their writing and do well in school without needing to worry about money.

To Wrap it Up!

AI tools are changing how essays are written by making them faster, more creative, and better for students' needs. AI makes writing easier and helps students learn more about different things.

Using these AI tools can greatly improve productivity, research quality, and the overall presentation of academic work. Whether you're a student working on assignments or a researcher advancing in your field, these tools help with various tasks and ensure your work meets high academic standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ai text writer.

PerfectEssayWriter.ai is considered one of the best AI text writers. It creates customized drafts, generates citations, and checks grammar, ensuring your writing is clear and accurate. It's especially useful for students and professionals who need to produce high-quality drafts quickly and efficiently.

Which AI tool is the most advanced for writers?

MyEssayWriter.ai is one of the most advanced AI tools for writers. It offers a range of features such as idea generation, paraphrasing, summarizing, and the Humanizer tool, which makes writing sound more natural and human-like. This tool is ideal for those looking to enhance their writing quality and creativity.

Can AI writing tools help with all types of writing?

Yes, AI writing tools can help with many types of writing, including essays, research papers, creative writing, and more. Different tools have different strengths, so it's good to choose one that fits your needs.

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College Essay Format: Simple Steps to Be Followed
College Essay Sample
Academic Essay Writing
How to Write an Academic Essay: Full Guide by Handmadewriting.com
Academic Interests Essay
College Application Essay Format Rules

COMMENTS

How to Write the "Academic Interests" Supplemental Essay
But what leads to academic success is a spark of an interest, so make sure you're demonstrating those sparks. Here's how. 4 Tips on How to Write This Well. 1) Share honest stories about yourself and how you became interested in these subjects. Origins of interest sound like this:
Writing a Great Academic Interest Essay (with Examples)
Step 3: Outline & Write. I. Introduction: Hook your reader into your topic with your first sentence, and expand on your academic interest throughout your introduction. II. Body: Provide more details and introduce your reader to the problem, question, puzzle, or implications that keep you intrigued. III.
How to Write the Academic Interest Essay for UPenn
You want to find the balance between the past and the future. The best way to write this essay is to connect your passions to what UPenn has to offer. Write about the intellectual experiences you've had and why you now want to study that at UPenn. This approach is meant to help you tell the story of the kind of student you are.
College Essay About Academic Interests
A few recent examples of the prompts eliciting a college essay about academic interests include: With the understanding that the choice of academic school you indicated is not binding, explain why you are applying to that particular school of study. (150-word limit, Rice University) Expand on your academic interest (250-word limit, USC)
How to Write the "Why this Major" College Essay + Examples
Answering the "Why This Major?" prompt may seem like a difficult task. However, there are tips to help simplify the process and ensure your response addresses the question fully and effectively. Here are three steps for writing a standout essay about your major of choice: 1. Share how your academic interest developed.
Why This College Essay Guide + Examples
How to Write A "Why this College" Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide. Step 1: How to Find All the Resources You Need to Learn about a Particular School. The Top Secret Three-Word Trick to Finding Specific Info for Your "Why this College" Essay. Step 2: Organize Your Research. Step 3: Decide on Your Approach: Approach #1: The Basic, Solid "Why ...
The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay
Come up with a thesis. Create an essay outline. Write the introduction. Write the main body, organized into paragraphs. Write the conclusion. Evaluate the overall organization. Revise the content of each paragraph. Proofread your essay or use a Grammar Checker for language errors. Use a plagiarism checker.
PDF Writing a Graduate School Application Essay
o Writing in chronological order (from past to the present) often works best • End strong: End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the intro and restates your thesis. This helps unify your essay as a whole, connecting your experiences back to the reason you are writing this essay in the first place —to detail your
How to write the academic interest essay with Yesh
The academic interest essay is one of the most common supplemental essays you'll come across in the admissions process. This prompt is the one where the Admissions Committee seeks to learn more about your intellectual passions, deciphering what areas of academia most fascinate you and why.
How to Write an Interest Essay?
Here are some tips to make your essay specific and genuine: 1. Do your homework: Thoroughly research the college and its programs, departments, and resources. Go beyond just looking at the college's main website - explore individual departments, student groups, unique offerings, and recent news. 2.
‎College Bound Mentor: How to Handle the Why College/Why Academic
Some of the trickiest essays to pin down on college applications are the Why College/Why Academic Interest essays. In the first part of this episode, we share why these essays are frustrating, the format of these essays, and how to write them. We then welcome on special guest Lisa Marker-Robbins, Fo…
Academic Essay: From Start to A+ Finish
Here's an academic essay format example with a breakdown of the key elements: Introduction. Hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing opening to engage the reader. Background/Context: Provide the necessary background information to set the stage. Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Mastering the Academic Interest Essay for College Applications
In sum, the Academic Interest essay is your canvas to depict your intellectual journey and aspirations. By blending past experiences, present interests, and future goals, you'll not only elucidate why you're drawn to a particular field but also why you'd be an asset to the college's academic community. Embrace introspection, weave in personal ...
Writing the Why School? Why Academic Interest? Essays
The most compelling Why School/Why Academic Interest essays help admissions see you making your mark at their school in a very specific way. Make it personal. If you've visited the school or spoken to current students, admissions counselors, or professors, infuse those experiences into the essay. It's great to tie in those encounters to why ...
How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps
Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion. Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally. The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction.
Academic Interests Essay
How to Write Essay about Academic Interests. Writing about your academic interests allows you to showcase your passion for a particular field and highlight your goals and aspirations. Here are some steps to help you effectively write about your academic interests: 1. Introduction. Begin with a brief introduction that captures the reader's ...
PDF HOW TO WRITE AN ACADEMIC ESSAY
He wants his students to "suck the marrow out of life", "to seize the day", and to make their lives "extraordinary". Keating teaches poetry, but his students get a lot more than that - they learn passion, courage, and romance. A group of his students dare to form the Dead Poets Society, a secret organization.
The 4 Main College Essay Prompts You Need to Know
The Academic Interest essay prompt is the one where the Admissions Committee seeks to learn more about your intellectual passions, deciphering what areas of academia most fascinate you and why. You are also going to have to explain why you chose the intended major that you did. Here are some examples of actual colleges that have used Academic ...
Finding, Understanding, and Explaining Your Academic Interests
Writing an Academic Interest Essay. Another great reason to figure out your academic interests is you might have to showcase them in an essay. Some colleges require this as part of their admissions process. You might be asked to write only 500 words or a much lengthier submission. A long essay with a lot of thought and passion put into it will ...
PDF Introductions
Harvard College Writing Center 1 Introductions The introduction to an academic essay will generally present an analytical question or problem and then offer an answer to that question (the thesis). Your introduction is also your opportunity to explain to your readers what your essay is about and why they should be interested in reading it.
Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay
Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor. 1. Start Early. Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school.
Beginning the Academic Essay
The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient ...
How to Write Great UC Essays (Examples of All Personal Insight
UC personal insight question 6: Academic passion. Here is the sixth personal insight essay prompt, with notes from the UC Admissions website about how to think about it: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
How to Write a College Application Essay?
Scholarship essays are written as part of an application for a scholarship. These essays typically focus on your academic achievements, leadership experiences, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarship essays often ask you to explain why you deserve the scholarship and how it will help you achieve your educational and career goals.
Essay and dissertation writing skills
A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.. Short videos to support your essay writing skills. There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing ...
Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give
Writing the personal essay for your college application can be tough, but we're here to help. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, but the sooner you begin, the more time and thought you can put into an essay that stands out. Check out some tips: 1. Keep it real.
How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This ...
What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter.
How To Write A Thesis Statement For An Essay
How To Write A Thesis Statement For An Essay Crafting an essay on the intricacies of formulating a thesis statement for an essay is a task that demands a keen understanding of both the subject matter and the nuances of effective academic writing. Delving into this topic requires a comprehensive grasp of the various components that contribute to a well-crafted thesis statement.
017. Essential Vocabulary for Essay Writing
Elevate your essays using impactful introduction, body, and conclusion phrases. Enhance coherence and clarity in your arguments with transitional phrases. Explore a range of expressions to strengthen your writing and craft compelling essays effortlessly.
The Best AI Tools for Students & Researchers in 2024 (Top ...
CollegeEssay.org's AI Essay Writer specializes in writing college-level essays on various subjects. This essay maker helps students create well-written essays that follow academic guidelines. This ...