Your application is an opportunity to tell us more about who you are. Your personal essay and short-answer responses add context to your academic record, helping the admission committee better understand your experiences, interests and perspectives. Use this space to share what matters to you, in your own voice.

But where should you start? How do you choose a topic? What makes a story worth telling? And how can you make sure your personality comes through on the page?

We asked members of Emory University’s admission team to share their advice on writing the Common Application personal essay and Emory’s supplemental short-answer responses. Here’s what they want you to know.

Your Personal Essay: Tell Us Something We Don’t Already Know

Your application tells us about your classes, grades, activities and accomplishments. Your personal essay gives us a chance to learn more about the person behind those experiences.

Think of it as telling a story, not writing an assignment.

“I think it’s wise to frame this opportunity as sharing a story. Framing this as an essay feels very formal, but when it’s re-framed as a story, there is a welcoming and casual nature to the exercise,” said Mark Butt, assistant vice provost and executive director of admission.

You don’t need a dramatic life event or extraordinary accomplishment to write a meaningful essay. Sometimes, the experiences that seem ordinary to you reveal the most about who you are.

Cecilia Vu, senior admission advisor, offers another way to think about it. “The best essays are like core memories from ‘Inside Out.’ These are highly personal life events that make you uniquely you!”

Focus on how you tell your story.

Choosing a topic can be one of the hardest parts of getting started. You might wonder whether your experience is interesting enough or whether another prompt would make a stronger impression.

“Don’t worry too much about the prompt you choose. What you write about is not as important as how you write it,” said Laurine Kim, senior admission advisor.

Instead of searching for the perfect topic, think about what you want readers to understand about you. The details you choose, the reflections you share and the way you connect your experiences to your growth can make even a familiar topic feel personal.

Make sure the story leads back to you.

A memorable experience can be a great starting point, but the essay should ultimately help us understand the person who experienced it.

“The personal essay is a narrative about you as the applicant. Always bring the narrative back to you and ‘why’ the narrative is impactful for the shaping of you as a person, learner,” said Torrie Dunn, senior admission advisor.

As you write, consider what the experience taught you, how it shaped your thinking or why it continues to matter. Those reflections help us see beyond what happened and understand its significance to you.

Write in your own voice.

You don’t need complicated vocabulary or an overly formal writing style to make an impression. We want to hear from you, not a version of you that sounds like someone else.

“Be as authentic as possible when using your voice. We understand that you’re only 17 or 18, so we don’t expect essays that sound professional or overly proper,” said Jenna Miller, assistant dean of admission.

Try reading your essay aloud. If a sentence feels awkward or sounds unlike something you would actually say, consider rewriting it. Clear, natural language often communicates more than elaborate phrasing.

Ask someone what they learned about you.

Once you’ve finished a draft, getting another perspective can help you see whether your message is coming through.

“Read your essay out loud to someone in your life who knows you well and ask them if it sounds like you. All we’re looking for in your personal statement is to get to know you deeper in your own authentic voice,” said Josh Beskind, assistant dean of admission.

Choose someone you trust to give thoughtful feedback. They can help you spot confusing passages, identify details that deserve more attention and recognize moments when your personality comes through.

Remember that the essay should still sound like you after you’ve made revisions.

Emory’s Supplemental Essays: Make Every Word Count

Your Common Application personal essay gives us a broader picture of who you are. Emory’s supplemental short-answer responses provide another opportunity to share your interests, curiosity and what draws you to our community.

Because these responses are shorter, it’s especially important to be thoughtful about what you include.

Be concise, but give us something meaningful.

“Be as concise as you can. They are short, but a great opportunity for you to share with us what is academically interesting to you,” said Zaynab Abuhakema, assistant dean of admission.

With limited space, focus on the details that matter most. You don’t need a lengthy introduction or a complicated conclusion. Get to the heart of your answer and use specific examples when they help explain your thinking.

Show us why Emory is a good fit for you.

Your supplemental responses are an opportunity to connect your interests with what you hope to explore in college.

“Make sure to focus not just on what you want to study, but why Emory is where you want to study it!” said Chandler West, assistant dean of admission.

Spend time exploring Emory’s academic offerings, opportunities and campus community. Think about what genuinely interests you and how those opportunities connect to your goals.

You don’t need to name every program or organization you’ve discovered. A few thoughtful connections can tell us more than a long list.

Don’t write what you think we want to hear.

It’s natural to wonder what an admission officer hopes to see in a response. But trying to guess the “right” answer can make your writing feel less personal.

“Pick a question that really applies to you! For the kind of ‘Why Emory’ question, talk about it like you’d talk to a teacher or parent instead of just churning out details you think we want to hear,” said Caton Reynolds, admission advisor.

Choose a question that gives you something meaningful to share. Explain your interests in a way that feels natural, and let your own perspective guide the response.

Help us understand why your interests matter.

A strong short answer does more than identify what you’re interested in. It helps us understand what makes that interest meaningful to you.

“We want to finish reading your application with a better understanding of not only what matters to you, but why it matters to you,” said Katie Palmer, assistant dean of admission.

Whether you’re writing about an academic subject, a personal interest or an experience that shaped your perspective, make room for the why. That’s often where we learn the most about you.

One Last Piece of Advice: Trust Your Own Story

Before submitting your essays, give yourself some time away from them. Then return with fresh eyes.

Ask yourself: Do these responses sound like me? Have I explained why my experiences and interests matter? Will someone reading my application learn something about me that isn’t already clear from my transcript or activities list?

There’s no single formula for a successful college essay. You don’t need to have all the answers or tell a story that sounds like anyone else’s.

Your experiences, interests and perspective are your own. Let them come through in your writing.

We’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Ready to apply? Visit Emory’s application requirements to learn more about the application process and what you’ll need to submit.