If you’ve spent any time around high school Seniors during college application season, you’ve probably witnessed students beginning their essay outlines by listing accomplishments. 

You may want to offer advice like, “Tell them about your leadership award. Don’t forget the robotics competition.” Or, “You should definitely mention that internship.”

In other words, many families approach the essay the same way they approached college admissions 20 years ago: as a sales pitch. And that’s exactly why so many students end up writing essays that read more like a resume. 

Twenty Years Ago: “Here’s Why I’m Great”

Historically, the college essay functioned largely as supporting evidence for academic and extracurricular achievement. Admissions offices were interested in accomplishments, credentials, and proof that a student deserved a seat in the freshman class. 

The underlying question was simple: “Why should we admit you?”

Students responded by listing achievements, leadership positions, volunteer hours, and enough honors to make a trophy case blush. That approach made sense in a more numbers-driven admissions environment. Test scores, class rank, GPA, and accomplishments carried enormous weight.

But college admissions have shifted dramatically toward a more holistic review. Today, colleges increasingly evaluate applicants as complete individuals, considering character, experiences, values, and personal growth alongside academic performance.

And when admissions offices already have your transcript, activity list, recommendations, and test scores, they don’t need another document telling them what you’ve done.

They need a document telling them who you are.

Today’s Essay Has a Different Job

This is where Class 101’s philosophy stands out. 

“Students often fall into the trap of listing accomplishments instead of helping admissions officers understand why they stand out,” says Randy Stegemoller, co-owner of Class 101 College Planning offices throughout Indiana and Tampa, FL. “When we work with students, we emphasize showcasing the finer positive points of a person’s character in the context of achievement, rather than simply recounting a list of achievements.” 

That’s a subtle distinction, but it’s everything.

“The old approach says, ‘Look how impressive I am,’ explains Stegemoller. “The modern approach says, “Let me help you understand me, and why I’m a great fit for your institution.” 

Who Are You When Nobody Is Handing Out Trophies? 

Modern admissions officers use essays to understand a student’s perspective, values, and other personal qualities. The essay has become a vehicle for understanding how experiences have shaped an applicant, not simply what experiences they’ve had. For that reason, Class 101 encourages students to reveal traits, characteristics, and ways of thinking that transcripts cannot capture. In short? The essay is the place to prove you’re human.

The Real Purpose of the College Application Essay

The best college essays today don’t convince colleges that a student is impressive: the rest of the application already handles that. Instead, the best essays help admissions officers understand the person behind the accomplishments. That’s why Class 101 focuses on helping students tell their stories rather than simply cataloging their achievements. 

Or, put another way:

Twenty years ago, students wrote essays telling colleges how great they were. Today, students write essays helping colleges see how great they can become. It’s not just a different writing strategy; it’s an entirely different purpose.

Interested in college essay prep services through Class 101? Book a free consultation to learn more about how we help students prepare for college at every step of the journey.