How to Write College Essays
College essays aren’t just another writing assignment—they’re your chance to tell your story in your own words.
But with different platforms, deadlines, and expectations, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why this section of the Onward Scholars Crash Course breaks it all down for you.
You’ll learn how to approach the three most common types of college essays:
UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)
The Common App personal statement
School-specific supplement essays
Inside, you’ll find step-by-step guides, downloadable tools, and expert tips—everything you need to write with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
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Writing UC Personal Insight Questions
✔ What UC schools are looking for
✔ How to pick the right prompts
✔ Tips for writing strong UC PIQs
Writing the Common App Personal Statement
✔ What colleges are looking for
✔ What makes a strong personal statement
✔ Tips for writing a strong Common App essay
Tackling School-Specific Supplement Essays
✔ What colleges want from supplement essays
✔ Types of supplement prompts and how to answer them
✔ Tips for strong supplement essays
How to Stay on Track
✔ When to start writing your college essays
✔ Tools to help you plan, organize, and revise
✔ Tips for managing deadlines without burning out
Next Up: UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)
Start with the UC essays by learning how to choose prompts, brainstorm ideas, and write authentic responses.