College.us.com May 2026

Sharing a story about a talent, interest, or cultural heritage (like a family tradition) that is central to who you are.

For a longer academic piece, such as a 12-page research paper, a clear structure is essential to maintain the reader's interest and meet page count requirements. college.us.com

Recounting an obstacle or failure and, more importantly, what you learned from the experience. Sharing a story about a talent, interest, or

Establish the topic and provide a clear thesis or controlling idea. Establish the topic and provide a clear thesis

Explaining your specific interest in a major and why a particular institution is the right place to pursue it. Structuring an Extended Academic Paper

Use placeholder headings during the drafting phase to organize complex arguments.

Summarize key findings and reiterate the importance of the topic using vocabulary from your specific field of study. Topics and Pitfalls to Avoid