Lifeline: Creating the right opening line for your college essay
College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year – how can you make sure yours is
memorable? What will make an admissions officer want to read more? It is imperative that the very first line
of your essay be punchy, intriguing, and alluring. Take a look at the following tips and examples, and then
work with your Scholar peer group to develop the perfect opener.
Tips for writing the opening sentence to your college essay
Skip the fluff and filler words – make it concise and to the point.
Think of your favorite song – how does it start? If you could translate your college essay opening line
into the first 30 seconds of a song, would you want to listen?
If you’re having difficulty, write the essay’s outline first. Then, come back to your first sentence. It
may be easier to create an opener after you’ve developed the basic outline of your essay.
Look on the web. Macalester College in St. Paul, MN has a Facebook group called “First Sentence of
Your College Essay” where students share their openers via discussion board.
Example 1
Background: John is an aspiring chef, applying to culinary schools across the country. He is charged with
the task of writing about where his inspiration and passion for cooking come from.
Original opening line: My mom is the reason why I am passionate about cooking, and why I want to pursue a
degree in culinary arts.
Revised opening line: There is a secret ingredient I use in all of my dishes – it’s my mother.
Example 2
Background: Ryan is an illustrator who comes from a long line of artists in his family. He’s so good at
drawing that his dad allowed him to complete a mural on the bathroom wall. He has decided to write his
essay about this experience.
Original opening line: I want to pursue a degree in illustration because I love to draw, and it’s in my blood.
Revised opening line: At the age of 17, I still draw on the walls.
Step 1: Write your college essay question below.
Step 2: Write a basic opening line that clearly answers the essay question.
Step 3: Work with your peers to brainstorm key words or phrases of interest that could enhance your
opening line. Use a thesaurus if necessary (but be sure the opener keeps YOUR tone).
Step 4: Write your revised opening line below.