Writing the "Right" Essay

More often than not, what will distinguish you in a competitive pool isn’t one more “A” or a slightly higher test score. Instead, we focus on the things that make you, you — involvement and passion in extracurricular activities and responsibilities you’ve taken on within your family or in your community. Ultimately, we want to know who you are, who you want to become, and why you want Hamilton to be part of your journey. These final and most important questions are best exemplified in the essays we ask students to write as part of their application.

I’ve read tens of thousands of applications throughout my career in admission, and I can tell you without hesitation that student essays remain my favorite part of an applicant’s file. Every other component is mediated in some way. Grades are reported by schools. Test scores are generated by testing agencies. Activities are listed and summarized by students or counselors. Recommendations are written by teachers and counselors.

But the essays are different. They provide a direct connection between you and the admission officer reading your application. They offer us the chance to hear from you directly, in your own words, unfiltered and authentic.

Students typically complete two types of essays as part of their Hamilton application. The first is a personal statement, selected from prompts offered by the Common Application. I encourage students to be themselves, always, because that’s who we want to get to know. If you’re funny, then go for it. I’ve read essays that still make me laugh out loud years later. But if you’re not funny, now is probably not the time to start trying. The personal statement is your opportunity to reveal the dimensions of your character, perspective, and experience that numbers cannot possibly capture. It’s where we encounter your resilience in facing challenges, intellectual curiosity about the world around you, and your sense of purpose.

The second essay is the school-specific essay, in our case “Why Hamilton?” Here’s some candid advice: Be thoughtful and specific. Because many schools ask some version of this question, it can be tempting to craft one template that can be easily modified for multiple institutions. Too often, “Why Hamilton” essays that could just as easily be “Why Colgate,” “Why Williams,” or “Why generic-prestigious-liberal-arts-college-with-strong-academics-and-a-strong-residential-culture.”

If you can replace “Hamilton” with another school’s name and the essay still reads perfectly, it’s probably not a great essay for either school. Instead, identify specific things that matter to Hamilton and to you. Show us concretely how this particular institution can help you achieve your goals in a way no other place can. How will you make use of our v? What draws you to our community of 2,000 students on a hill in the Mohawk Valley? How do you envision your time on campus? When you ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly, you’re on the right track.

I should address one final question, as it’s by far the one we receive most often: Can I use AI to help me write my essay? The answer is nuanced. Go ahead and use AI to support your writing process through brainstorming, organizing ideas, or checking grammar. For years, students have used parents, counselors, and friends to provide feedback. AI can serve a similar role. But here’s something to keep in mind: AI output tends toward standardization and sameness. If many students input similar prompts into the same engine, the outputs will inevitably look quite similar. The result will be fine, but it probably won’t be particularly distinctive.

So don’t miss your opportunity to stand out, be yourself, and speak to us in your authentic voice. The best essays are those where your honesty, genuine reflection, and the courage to be you shine through on the page.