Using “I”
The myth (and it’s definitely a myth) that you can’t use “I” in essays is especially problematic for college applications.
Why?
Because your personal statement is supposed to be personal. Using first-person pronouns isn’t just acceptable—it’s essential for telling your story effectively.
The admissions committee wants to hear your unique perspective and experiences. It’s pretty hard to imagine how you could write an essay without “I”. Or at least do so and not sound a little bizarre…
Avoiding “I” creates awkward constructions like “One feels that…” or “This student believes…” that create unnecessary distance between you and your reader. Which is the opposite of what you want to do—you’re sharing parts of yourself and your story that let them feel closer to you.
(For more on what colleges are looking for in students, head here.)
Starting sentences with conjunctions
But wait—can you really start sentences with coordinating conjunctions like “and,” “but,” or “so”?
Absolutely.
This “rule” against starting sentences with conjunctions isn’t actually (and never has been) a grammatical rule. It’s a simplistic guideline taught to young students to prevent sentence fragments (we’ll talk about those in just a minute). For college-level writers, starting sentences with conjunctions can:
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Create emphasis effectively
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Provide smooth transitions
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Add rhythm to your writing
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Sound more like natural speech
To clarify that first bullet point: You should avoid beginning too many sentences with a conjunction—it’s a great tool for emphasizing contrast (with “But” or “Yet”) or connection (with “And”) for example, but if you use it all over the place, you dilute the strength of that tool.
One sentence paragraphs
Like this one.
Single-sentence paragraphs can be incredibly effective. They create emphasis, provide breathing space for readers, and can deliver powerful moments in your narrative.
While you wouldn’t want an entire essay of one-sentence paragraphs, strategically placing them can dramatically improve your essay’s impact.
In particular, think about using this for particular moments of insight, or shifts in the story, or sentences that set up the thematic thread of a montage.
Sentence fragments
Sometimes, perfect grammar isn’t perfect communication. Intentional fragments can create emphasis, develop voiceand make important points stand out. Powerful. Memorable. Effective.
So sometimes it’s totally fine to have something like
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Running down the street.
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Because I was lost.
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The old book.
As intentional sentence fragments, to play with flow and emphasis.
Just be sure your fragments are clearly intentional and not accidental grammatical errors.
The most important guideline for college essays is clear communication that authentically represents you. These stylistic choices—when used purposefully—can help your essay stand out from the pile of formulaic applications that admissions officers read daily.
Remember that these techniques are tools, not requirements. Use the writing style that best conveys your unique story and voice, whether that includes contractions, fragments, or traditional structures.