4 Free Resources to Aid in Writing Your College Essay

Don’t let the process overwhelm you, we’ve lined up the best free resources that will help make your essay standout

Dan Jackman

Sitting down and writing your college essay can be a daunting task. A blank page staring back at you with 650 words remaining to set you apart from all the other candidates. Not to mention convincing a total stranger that you belong at their school. 

While students may find themselves stuck searching for an impressive topic or story that will jump off the pages, it’s important to remember that Admissions Officers want to know what you have learned, rather than what you did.

a student sits quietly to write her college essay. With the right resources writing your college essay doesn't need to be a daunting task.

“It’s the one place in your admissions application where admissions officers get to hear about you. Who you are and what you value in your own voice,” says Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review in his College Admissions 101 web series.

As Franek mentions, the key for students in writing your college essay is finding your voice. A voice that distinguishes you and allows you to connect with the reader through an experience that has shaped you into who you are.

Finding the time to craft your essay during the school year is easier said than done, with multiple priorities all vying for your attention. Take a deep breath!

The summer months offer a great opportunity for rising seniors to begin writing your college essay, including the personal statement. Prompts for the personal statement for the Common App post on May 1, meaning you can begin crafting essays over the summer. 

While many high schools have well-established college counseling programs that guide students through the essay writing process, others may find limited resources within their schools. If you need additional support, we have several resources listed below, including FEEA sponsored assistance from Tutor.com.

And while you will find an endless number of blogs related to crafting the “perfect” college essay, we can sum them all up with three points: Be authentic, proofread, and tell your story as only you can tell it.

  • FEEA & Tutor.com

    FEEA offers free, online academic tutoring for most K-12 subjects, including 24/7 Essay Writing Help from Tutor.com. Students can work one-on-one with an essay-writing tutor going through the process of brainstorming ideas, writing an outline, structuring the essay, and proofreading.

    Visit FEEA.org/tutoring to learn more about the service along with eligibility requirements. Applications for the free service through FEEA will reopen in August.

  • BigFuture.com

    BigFuture.com from the College Board has a number of incredible resources available from practicing for the SAT to strengthening your college list to paying for college. They have two essay sections that we have found value in with tips on Writing an Effective Essay and College Essays: FAQ.

  • Undergrad Admission Websites

    Colleges and universities with robust admission sites offer free webinars on a variety of topics, including essay writing. Below we have listed a few schools with upcoming events to provide a sample of the resources schools are providing to assist applicants through the process. Be sure to check in with the admissions sites of schools you intend on applying.

    • Johns Hopkins University has a number of free resources available to students ready to begin applying to colleges. In August, the university has three essay preparation webinars available for students with topics including: Telling Your Story, Writing Supplemental Essays, and Personal Statements. Visit Johns Hopkins undergraduate admissions workshop site for more information and to register for upcoming webinars.
    • Drexel University has a recorded workshop on writing your personal statement in addition to an Insider’s Guide to the Admissions Committee and Crafting Your Art Portfolio.
    • University of North Carolina has a recorded essay workshop with the Assistant Directors of Admissions. The 13-minute workshop covers important topics, reviews samples, and offer concrete steps you can take to make sure your writing best represents you

FEEA champions the pursuit of higher education with merit-based scholarships totaling nearly $300,000 awarded to over 200 students each academic year.

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The information provided in this piece is for your convenience and informational purposes only and not to be construed as professional advice. FEEA and its coauthors and sponsors are not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act with regard to the content in this piece.