{"id":907,"date":"2025-03-09T00:37:25","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T00:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/?p=907"},"modified":"2026-08-31T10:12:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T18:12:49","slug":"write-college-essay-that-stands-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/write-college-essay-that-stands-out\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a College Essay That Actually Stands Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Let\u2019s be real\u2014writing a college essay can feel like <em>a lot<\/em>. You\u2019re supposed to sum up who you are, impress admissions officers, and somehow not sound like a robot. No pressure, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here\u2019s the truth: your college essay isn\u2019t about using big words or listing every accomplishment. It\u2019s about telling a story <em>only you<\/em> can tell. Something real. Something that makes the reader <em>feel<\/em> something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s break it down and make this process way less stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-to-Write-a-Standout-College-Application-Essay-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-to-Write-a-Standout-College-Application-Essay-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-to-Write-a-Standout-College-Application-Essay-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-to-Write-a-Standout-College-Application-Essay-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/How-to-Write-a-Standout-College-Application-Essay.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Pick a Topic That <\/strong><strong><em>Matters<\/em><\/strong><strong> (to You, Not Just Admissions Officers)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Forget what you <em>think<\/em> colleges want to hear. What\u2019s a moment in your life that shaped you? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/college-visit-checklist-student\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Made you see things differently<\/a>? Made you <em>you<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maybe it\u2019s a challenge you overcame, a passion that fuels you, or a random <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/college-admissions-changed\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">moment that changed your perspective<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid the \u201cbiggest game of my life\u201d or \u201cthe time I went on a mission trip\u201d essays\u2014unless you have a unique angle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think small if needed! Sometimes, the most powerful stories come from everyday moments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M12 3 1 8l11 5 9-4.1V15h2V8L12 3z\"\/><path d=\"M5 12.7v3.3c0 1.2 3.1 3 7 3s7-1.8 7-3v-3.3l-7 3.2-7-3.2z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Find Your Best-Fit College<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#c9d9e6\">Explore your options and find the campus that&#8217;s right for you.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/college\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#072A40;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Find Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Hook \u2018Em From the First Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine your essay is a TikTok. If it doesn\u2019t grab attention in the first few seconds, people (aka admissions officers) will zone out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start with a moment. A weird thought. A question. <em>Something<\/em> that makes them want to keep reading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the scene\u2014make them feel like they\u2019re <em>there<\/em> with you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skip the \u201cEver since I was a kid\u2026\u201d intro. You\u2019re better than that.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Show, Don\u2019t Just Tell<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You know how movies <em>show<\/em> emotions instead of just saying them? Your essay should do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Instead of saying, \u201cI worked really hard,\u201d tell a story that <em>shows<\/em> your determination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use dialogue, real moments, and details that make your story come alive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about how your best <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/common-app-additional-info-use-wisely\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">friend would describe the moment<\/a>\u2014write it like that.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Lower Your College Costs<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a4212\">Search 6,500+ verified scholarships matched to your GPA, major, and interests.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Search Scholarships<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Reflect\u2014Why Does This Story <\/strong><strong><em>Matter<\/em><\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cool, you told a story. Now what? Colleges want to see <em>why<\/em> this moment was important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What did you learn? How did it change you?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect it to your future\u2014how does this moment shape who you want to be?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show why you\u2019d be an awesome addition to their campus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Keep It Simple, Keep It <\/strong><strong><em>You<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your essay isn\u2019t an English paper. You don\u2019t need fancy words or overcomplicated sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stick to the word limit (500-650 words).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cut the fluff\u2014no need for filler sentences that say nothing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read it out loud. If it doesn\u2019t sound like <em>you<\/em>, rewrite it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Edit Like a Pro (Because First Drafts Are <\/strong><strong><em>Never<\/em><\/strong><strong> Perfect)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/mental-health-and-well-being\/perfectionism-high-school-combat-pressure\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">one writes a perfect essay<\/a> on the first try. That\u2019s normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/resume-and-portfolio-building\/portfolio-feedback-frenzy-student\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Get feedback from a teacher<\/a>, mentor, or friend who <em>gets you<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check for grammar and flow, but don\u2019t edit out your personality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it doesn\u2019t <em>sound<\/em> like you, tweak it until it does.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your college essay isn\u2019t just another assignment\u2014it\u2019s your chance to show <em>who you really are<\/em>. Be real, tell a story that matters, and don\u2019t stress trying to sound perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You got this. \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Want more college admissions tips?<\/strong>&nbsp;Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Library<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>for expert advice and tools to help you build a&nbsp;<strong>winning college application<\/strong>&nbsp;and land a spot at your&nbsp;<strong>dream school<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><strong>Cirkled In<\/strong> <\/a>and start owning your future today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">$2,500 No-Sweat Scholarship<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a3a10\">Real students win our $2,500 scholarship every quarter \u2014 yours could be next.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-related\" style=\"background:#e7f1fb;border-radius:16px;padding:20px 24px;margin:30px 0 16px;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#2b6f9c;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px\">Keep Reading<\/div><div style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:800;color:#0A3D5C;margin:0 0 10px\">Related Articles<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/college-application-essays-that-shine\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">College Application Essays That Shine: Decoding the Secrets of Success<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/crack-why-this-college-essay\/\" 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7<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/common-app-essay-prompts-question-5\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Common App Essay Prompts: Question 5<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/resume-and-portfolio-building\/how-to-stand-out-in-competitive-college-applications\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">How to Stand Out in Competitive College Applications<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/common-application-essay-prompts-question-2\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Common App Essay Prompts: Question 2<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>.ci-why-tiles{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:11px}.ci-why-tiles .ci-wide{grid-column:span 2}@media(max-width:600px){.ci-why-tiles{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.ci-why-tiles .ci-wide{grid-column:span 2}}<\/style><div class=\"ci-auto-footer\" style=\"border-radius:16px;padding:26px 26px 24px;margin:16px 0 6px;background:linear-gradient(150deg,#0A3D5C 0%,#0c3350 55%,#072A40 100%);color:#fff;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#F5C563;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.4px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 6px\">Why Cirkled In?<\/div><div style=\"font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 9px\">You\u2019re more than a test score \u2014 get discovered.<\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#d6e4ef;margin:0 0 18px\">You have a story, and Cirkled In helps you tell it \u2014 shining a light on who you are so the right colleges find you. Find your dream college, gain real experience, and win scholarships, all at one hub.<\/p><div class=\"ci-why-tiles\"><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#2EA9E0;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M4 5h5l2 2h9a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v10a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H4a1 1 0 0 1-1-1V6a1 1 0 0 1 1-1z\"\/><\/svg>Create My Portfolio<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/college\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#147097;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 3 1 8l11 5 9-4.1V15h2V8L12 3z\"\/><path d=\"M5 12.7v3.3c0 1.2 3.1 3 7 3s7-1.8 7-3v-3.3l-7 3.2-7-3.2z\"\/><\/svg>Research 7,000+ Colleges<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg>Find 6,500+ Scholarships<\/a><a class=\"ci-wide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/internship-and-jobs\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#1F5F8B;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><rect x=\"10.3\" y=\"2.4\" width=\"3.4\" height=\"2.2\" rx=\"1.1\"\/><rect x=\"5\" y=\"4.6\" width=\"14\" height=\"16.8\" rx=\"2.4\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"7.4\" y=\"7.4\" width=\"9.2\" height=\"3.4\" rx=\"1\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"13\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"16\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"19\" width=\"5\" height=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg>Explore 24,000+ Internships, Jobs &amp; Volunteering<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg>Win the $2,500 Scholarship<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s be real\u2014writing a college essay can feel like a lot. You\u2019re supposed to sum up who you are, impress admissions officers, and somehow not sound like a robot. No pressure, right? But here\u2019s the truth: your college essay isn\u2019t about using big words or listing every accomplishment. It\u2019s about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":1060,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[17,18,34,72,73],"class_list":["post-907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-applications-and-admissions","tag-college-applications","tag-college-admissions","tag-the-common-app","tag-college-essay-tips","tag-standout-college-essay"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Write a College Essay That Actually Stands Out - Cirkled In<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to write a college essay that stands out with proven tips, examples, and strategies to make your story memorable and effective.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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