Start Your Essay?
Sometimes, even though you write a perfect essay with good structure and coherent text, when the final part turns out to be bad, it may ruin the whole last impression of the essay. It is hard indeed to come out with a good ending since making such conclusions takes a lot of work and previous mistakes.
Sometimes writing the last part of an essay is much more difficult than the introduction because incompleteness may scare you and make you doubt yourself. So what should you write in your final section?
Table of Contents:
What Is the Purpose of Your College Essay Conclusion?
There is a certain pattern we are already used to. We often come across the structure of various texts, essays, and articles. That is why we have already gotten used to the fact that the final part summarizes key points, or simply gives some final thought.
Still, the purpose of the conclusion section in your essay is slightly different. Your main goal is to make a strong personal impression on the admissions committee by offering new content rather than “recapping” old one.
What to avoid when writing college essay endings?
As we’ve already said, it’s best to avoid summarizing. All phrases that start with “In conclusion…” may not seem very convincing to others, and simple summarization can be downright boring. Also, such a transition will be considered bland.
Refrain from repeating and/or saying something obvious. The reader can see the “bottom line” for themselves if you have clearly defined and conveyed your message.
Don’t show how much you want to be accepted into the school. It is a poor tactic for expressing your desire and will make you seem like a naive person who doesn’t want to take the time to write an essay.
It is also better not to use famous quotes for this part of the essay. It can make your creation more mysterious, but such quotes sometimes ruin the whole impression. Using quotes makes your text somehow awkward when the citing doesn’t fit very well into the context of your story or doesn’t fit in with the text at all. Therefore, unless you are 100% sure of your decision, you should not use quotes in the final part of your writing.
Many students feel the need to spell everything out for the reader, fearing they might miss the point. This can lead to a big, overly detailed end of your essay. Just trust that your college application essay has conveyed your main message clearly, and let the conclusion reflect on those ideas without repeating them.
Common phrases like “I’ve always dreamed of attending XYZ University” or “This experience taught me to never give up” sound too general and can make the end of a college application essay look impersonal. Aim for unique, specific insights that only you can share.
What’s more, some students fall into the trap of using very complex vocabulary or sentence structures to sound intellectual. But in reality, simplicity is even more effective. Be authentic and real, use language that shows who you are, not who you think the college admission committee wants to see.
Also, it is quite useful to look at many examples of other essays. However, you should under no circumstances copy them, because trying to fit your answer into the framework of the letter you like can make your text look like everyone else, and this in no way helps to make you stand out from the crowd.
How Do You Make College Essay Conclusions?
A strong conclusion doesn’t just repeat the essay’s key points — it gives a final, personal touch that leaves a lasting impression. For example:
“As I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, I wasn’t thinking about the challenges I had faced, but about the next steps. I was already dreaming of the courses I would take at *college name* College, the professors I’d learn from, and the ways I could apply my passion for environmental science to make a difference. The journey is just beginning, and I know *college name* College is the place to help me grow.”
The college essay conclusion examples above show ambition and a clear connection to the specific college. It somehow leaves the reader with a sense of hope and vision for the future. It hints, very lightly, to the admissions committee why the writer is a great fit for the institution.
How Can I Improve My Essay Conclusion?
There are some small tips on how to make your personal statement conclusion much better.
Connect your future with the university.
This is a good tactic in the right hands. If you have a very clear idea of what you want from your writing. The straightforward approach is sometimes confusing, but it shows determination.
For example, instead of standard phrases about how you want to make this world a better place, it would be better if you wrote out a detailed plan of how you want to achieve your goal.
Don’t reveal the main point until the very end
The move will make the reader wonder until the very end what the essence of this essay is. The final part that ties your story together is a very interesting structure. Still, the main challenge is to hold the reader’s attention until the very end.
Open up to the reader
Don’t be afraid to sound different, it can make your writing come alive. Reveal painful points and show how you overcame them. The admissions committee loves to see the moments of growth and change we glean from different experiences.
Ask for feedback
Let people close to you read your essay. Ask them how they feel and, maybe, your friend can give you some good advice on how to improve or fix your text. Or you can rely on EssayEdge’s professional editors.
Ways How to End a College Essay
The most popular topics are the ones that are easiest to build on. While writing, don’t forget to create your own, unique and different story. Sometimes a simple topic can help reveal yourself best:
- How adversity grew you.
Reflecting on your essay shows you from a healthy, mature perspective. We all grow and change as a result of some experience, and most often it is a negative experience that allows us to realize a lot.
- Important acquaintance\connections.
Writing an essay can be associated with the fact that you have met a very important person or made a very useful acquaintance. While your friendships or relationships may be inspiring, think about what conclusion would be appropriate here. Maybe it’s about an important lesson, or about the values that your friend instilled in you.
- Lesson learned.
Applicants often use the topic for admission essays. It gives a good look at who you are as a personality, and why you should be chosen for that college. However, you should not use phrases like “The important lesson I learned is…”. It seems pretty plain, and the admissions committee can take this into account. Try not to say directly that this is an important lesson for you.
- Connect yourself piece by piece.
You are the result of all your past decisions and experiences, and you remain yourself, but at the same time, you change. This is a great topic for a story, and by starting with your past, you can take the reader through a chain of events leading to a satisfying conclusion of you being who you are now.
How to End a College Essay Emotionally?
The emotional impact of your conclusion can be the factor that helps it remain in the reader’s mind long after they’ve finished your college application essay. To achieve the effect, aim to balance sincerity with professionalism:
- Show Vulnerability: Don’t be afraid to reveal personal struggles or personal growth moments. Admissions officers want to see who you are at your core, what made you who you are, and showing such vulnerability can make your essay more relatable. Still, avoid being overly dramatic or self-pitying. For example, instead of writing, “I was completely broken by the experience,” you could say, “The challenges I faced were difficult, but they helped me become the person I am today.”
- Create a Sense of Closure: If your essay talks about overcoming adversity, end your college essay could reflect on how that experience has prepared you for college life. It feels complete and satisfying.
- Inspire the Reader: Emotionally powerful conclusions often inspire the reader to believe in your potential. If your essay is about a passion or a goal, write your conclusion to reaffirm your dedication and excitement for the future.
How Should You End a College Essay: Bottom Line
Think about exactly how to end your essay. The conclusion is an important part of your text, which should dispel all the reader’s questions.
Remember that writing an essay is quite a challenging task and requires a lot of time and concentration. Often it requires a reliable mentor or editor who can advise you at the right moments. A look from the objective side of a trained eye can greatly improve your writing. Our editors adapt to your wishes. They try to understand what exactly you want to achieve with your story. Based on that info, they advise you to improve certain parts of your essay. Thus, by learning from your mistakes, you polish and improve your writing, bringing it to perfection.
