Finding Your Voice for Application Essays

One of the most tedious and challenging parts of being a student is having to write application essays. Scholarships, fellowships, colleges, and even some internships typically require at least one essay upon applying, which can often be a very daunting project. However, while essay writing can be difficult, crafting a good essay for your applications is extremely important and may even be the extra push you need to stand out to the people reading it. And one of the best ways to produce a great essay is to find your writing voice. 

What is a writing voice? 

Put simply, your writing voice is your unique way of both seeing and describing the world. It is your unique ability to take your own experiences and perspective and put them into words. Using your writing voice is crucial for giving the person reading your application a sense of who you are beyond the words on the paper. Conveying your personality through an essay can sometimes be challenging, and your writing voice is your most important tool for painting a vivid and well-rounded picture of you as a real person. 

How do I find my voice? 

Here are a few tips that could help you settle into your style of writing: 

• Find your unique perspective. As you write, pay attention to the stylistic choices you make and what feels most authentic to you. What tone do you take? Do you write short, brief statements or longer, more descriptive sentences? What aspects do you include, and which do you leave out? These choices are all part of your individual perspective, and therefore, your writing voice.
• Reflect on your passions, values, and morals. These elements are core parts of who you are and, therefore, will heavily influence how you reflect who you are in your writing. Channel these pillars and how they make you feel, and use them while you write.
• Focus on telling your own story. When writing, people often focus too much on what they think other people want to hear. This could cause your focus to stray away from your own organic thoughts and experiences, which may reduce the authenticity of your writing. While it is good to consider what your audience is looking for, try to maintain a general focus on your own authentic story and how the things you’ve gone through in life have helped shape you.

The Bottom Line 

Application essays may not be required for all the opportunities you’re interested in; however, if you do need to write an essay, finding your writing voice will be instrumental. When selection committees read hundreds of applications for any given slot or position, having a well-crafted essay with a strong writing voice could be what helps you stand out. In doing so, anyone reading your essay may understand more of the person you are beyond your accomplishments. There are plenty of people with high GPA’s and prominent accolades, but there’s only one you – and that is your biggest strength.