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How to Title a College Essay

Let set the scene. The crisp fall air has reminded you that winter is coming, so you™ve been toiling away at your common app essay is preparation for the submission of your early decision application. We hope you™re also working on your supplements! In any event, you keep coming back to your common app essay. It **almost** done, and the content looks good, but you need a title. The thought of choosing a title is scary, so you™ve put it off. 

If this sounds anything like what you™re going through, welcome to the club. Nearly 100% of TKG clients struggle to think of a title for their common app essay. And for the record, we understand. Titling essays that we™ve spent weeks and/or months on can be difficult, and it feels like a huge decision. Keep reading for our advice on settling on something you™re happy with:

  • No matter what you call it, they™re going to read your entire essay. What does this mean? The title does not make or break, but that doesn mean you shouldn try at all.

  • Your title should not encapsulate the entire essay. So if you write your common app essay about a small failure, you shouldn call it œWhat I Learned From My First Failed Business.

  • Do not go for shock value. You might get noticed, but it won be in a positive way.

  • Consider using a phrase that appears somewhere in the essay.

  • Think about the theme of your essay. Is it about art? Your tenacious attitude? From there, try to figure what kinds of words and/or phrases align with the theme.

  • If you want your essay to evoke a general feeling, make a list of words around those emotions.

We suggest making a list of five titles and choosing your favorite from there. It important to keep in mind that the title of your common app essay counts towards the 650-word maximum, so steer clear of lengthy titles. To narrow down your list, read through your list of five and cut it down until you™ve settled on a favorite.

 

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