CU Boulder Essays: The Quest for Admission (And Avoiding the “Why This College” Cliché)
So, you’re dreaming of a future at CU Boulder, huh? Maybe you envision yourself skiing down the slopes in the morning, then delving into a mind-bending physics lecture, only to end the day at a legendary Folsom Field tailgate. But before you start packing your ski gear, let’s talk about something a little less glamorous: essays.
The dreaded essays. The bane of every high school senior’s existence. But before you go hide under your desk, let’s be real: these essays are the key to unlocking the doors of CU Boulder. They’re your chance to show the admissions committee you’re not just a GPA and a test score – you’re a living, breathing, passionate human being with something to offer the world (and CU Boulder, of course).
Here’s the lowdown: CU Boulder wants to see two essays from you:
- The Common App Essay: This one’s a classic. You get to choose from a list of prompts, and you have 250-650 words to write about something that makes you tick. Think of it as your chance to tell the world what makes you unique. Are you a passionate environmental activist? A budding entrepreneur? A master of the spatula? This is your time to shine.
- The CU Boulder Supplement: This is where things get interesting. This essay is specifically about your academic interests and why CU Boulder is the perfect place for you to pursue them. Think of it as your love letter to CU Boulder. And trust me, they’re looking for something more than a generic “I’ve always loved the mountains and CU Boulder is the best school in the world”
Now, let’s talk about how to make these essays stand out from the mountain of application files they receive.
The Common App Essay: Beyond the Clichés
Let’s face it, everyone’s got a story about overcoming adversity or a time when they learned a valuable lesson. While these stories can be powerful, you need to bring something fresh to the table. Think about it: what makes your story unique? What are the specific details that set you apart from the other applicants?
Here are some tips for making your Common App essay stand out:
- Embrace Humor (and a Little Sarcasm): Don’t be afraid to inject your personality into your writing. A well-placed witty remark can go a long way in showing the admissions committee you’re not just a robot churning out essays. Just make sure it’s appropriate and doesn’t come across as disrespectful.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Don’t just tell the reader what happened; show them. Use vivid descriptions, sensory details, and dialogue to bring your story to life. Imagine you’re writing a captivating novel, not just a dry report.
- Dig Deeper: Don’t just skim the surface of your story. Explore the nuances, the complexities, and the emotions that you experienced. What did you learn from this experience? How did it shape you as a person?
- Make it Relatable: Even if your story is about something seemingly mundane, find a way to connect it to the broader human experience. Everyone can relate to feelings of doubt, fear, or excitement—use these common threads to weave a story that resonates with the reader.
- Don’t be Afraid to Be Vulnerable: Sharing your vulnerabilities can make you more relatable and authentic. This doesn’t mean you have to spill all your darkest secrets, but letting the reader see your flaws can make you more human and less like a perfect, polished resume.
The CU Boulder Supplement: Beyond the Obvious
This is where you need to show CU Boulder that you’ve done your research. Don’t just say you’re interested in their engineering program—tell them about a specific research project being conducted by one of their professors that excites you. Don’t just say you love the mountains—mention a specific hiking trail you’re dying to explore (and how it connects to your love for nature).
Here are some tips for making your CU Boulder Supplement standout:
- Go Beyond the Brochure: Don’t just regurgitate information you found on the CU Boulder website. Do some digging. Read about their faculty, their research, their alumni, their student life. Find something unique and specific that resonates with your academic interests.
- Connect the Dots: How does your chosen major connect with your passions, experiences, and future goals? How will CU Boulder help you achieve these goals? Show the admissions committee that you’ve carefully considered how your academic journey will unfold at CU Boulder.
- Think Big Picture: Don’t just focus on what you want to learn; think about how your education at CU Boulder will contribute to the world. What kind of impact do you want to make? How will your education prepare you to tackle the challenges of the future?
The Bottom Line:
Remember, the essays are your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. They want to get to know you beyond the numbers. So be authentic, be passionate, and be yourself.
And if you’re still struggling to find your voice, remember that there are tons of resources available to help you. Talk to your teachers and guidance counselors, join a writing group, or seek out professional essay editing services.
CU Boulder is waiting for you. Now it’s your turn to show them why you deserve a spot in their amazing community.
Want more help with your CU Boulder essays? Reach out to the JobLoving community! We’re a group of passionate educators and writers who are here to help you craft essays that will make you stand out from the crowd.