Many students struggle with showing rather than telling—using vague statements like "I'm a hard worker" instead of proving it through specific stories. Others try to sound overly formal or write what they think admissions officers want to hear, losing their authentic voice in the process. Organization issues are also common, with essays that jump between ideas or lack a clear thesis, making it hard for readers to follow the main point.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who provide detailed feedback on your drafts, helping you identify where your voice shines and where your argument needs strengthening. Tutors work with you through the entire writing process—from brainstorming and outlining to revision—teaching you strategies for self-editing that you'll use long after the application. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you get guidance tailored to your specific writing challenges and the schools you're applying to.

A strong structure typically includes an engaging opening that hooks the reader with a specific moment or question, a clear thesis that answers the prompt directly, body paragraphs with concrete examples that support your main idea, and a conclusion that reinforces who you are. The key is making sure each paragraph has a purpose and flows logically to the next. Different schools may have different prompt styles, so flexibility in structure matters—a narrative essay might look different from a "why our school" essay, but both need clarity and purpose.

Your authentic voice comes through when you use specific details, honest examples, and language that feels natural to you—not overly formal or trying too hard to impress. Read your essay aloud to hear how it sounds; if you wouldn't say it that way in conversation, it probably needs adjustment. Tutors can help you identify where your personality shines and where you're being too safe, giving you confidence to let your real perspective come through while maintaining appropriate tone for a formal application.

Start by stepping away for a few days so you can read with fresh eyes, then revise in layers: first for big-picture issues like organization and thesis clarity, then for paragraph-level coherence, and finally for sentence-level grammar and word choice. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing, and ask yourself if every sentence serves the essay's purpose. Working with a tutor during revision is especially valuable because they can spot gaps in logic or places where your argument needs strengthening that you might miss on your own.

Each school's essay prompt is an opportunity to show how you'd fit into that specific community, so avoid generic responses—research what makes each school unique and tailor your examples accordingly. You'll likely have overlapping themes across essays, but the specific details and focus should shift based on what each school values. Tutors can help you develop a strong core narrative about yourself while teaching you how to adapt it authentically for different prompts and school cultures.

Varsity Tutors connects Dayton students with experienced tutors who specialize in application essays and understand the competitive landscape of private high school admissions. You can work with a tutor on your schedule, getting personalized feedback on your essays as you develop them. Getting matched with the right tutor means you'll have expert guidance through every stage of the writing process, from initial brainstorming through final revisions.