Why Your Teen’s Story Matters in College Essays

College Admissions for Parents was recently featured in a Washington Times article discussing diversity-themed essays in college admissions. While the piece focused on policy debates, we want to shift the conversation to what matters most for families: helping teens write college essays that authentically reflect their story, perspectives, and experiences.

For parents guiding high schoolers through the admissions process, it’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of deadlines, test scores, and financial aid forms. Yet when it comes to essays, the most powerful thing your child can do is share who they are. Not just their grades or activities, but the experiences that shaped them, the challenges they have overcome, and the values they will carry forward to college.

College Essays Are About Story and Perspective

Admissions officers and colleges’ admissions pages say it all the time: they want to understand how applicants think, what they care about, and how they might contribute to campus life. A student might write about growing up in a military family, caring for a younger sibling, navigating a learning difference, or finding their voice through theater. These stories reveal resilience, leadership, and perspective—qualities that don’t show up in a GPA.

How Parents Can Support the Process

Parents often ask how they can help without taking over. As we discuss in greater detail in our self-paced video series, From Freshman Year to Acceptance, there are several ways to support your child while keeping their essays authentically theirs. Here are some highlights:

• Start with conversations. Ask open-ended questions: What is a challenge you have faced? What is something you are proud of? What is a moment that changed how you see yourself?

• Encourage reflection. Journaling and talking through experiences can help teens identify themes that matter to them.

• Focus on growth. Colleges are interested in how students learn from setbacks and evolve.

• Avoid scripting. Resist the urge to “fix” the essay. Your role is to listen, encourage, and remind your child that their voice is enough.

Why Storytelling Matters

Admissions officers read thousands of essays. What makes one stand out is authenticity. A student who writes about the lessons learned from a summer job, or the perspective gained from volunteering, shows maturity and self-awareness. These qualities signal readiness for college life.

Storytelling also helps kids see themselves differently. The process of writing forces them to articulate what they value and how they have grown. That reflection is valuable whether or not it leads to admission at a particular school.

Final Thoughts

College application essays don’t have to be dramatic tearjerkers or perfectly scripted masterpieces. But they should tell a real story, one that reflects experiences, perspectives, and growth. Whether a student writes about family, community, challenges, or passions, it should always be a genuine glimpse into their lived experience.

As author Robert McKee once said, “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.” Helping your child embrace their voice in this way not only strengthens their application; it also prepares them for the self-reflection that college life demands. And that is what truly matters.