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How to Close a College Essay (With 10 Examples)

Writing a conclusion can be quite difficult because, often, it can be challenging to look for something useful or interesting to say at the end of the piece.

And even though there are easy formulas for writing conclusions, which, the school adds, can be tempting to use, it’s usually best to refrain from relying on them as they do not allow you to end your composition with a bang.

As someone who is about to write a college essay, it’s definitely a good idea to steer clear of any of those!

What you will submit together with your college application can spell the difference between going to your top-choice school and attending a second- or third-choice school.

Needless to say, it’s just as vital to carefully think about how you will jump-start your college essay as how you will wrap it up with a strong and winning conclusion .

Terrified that the conclusion you have in mind might bring your entire college application essay down and flush any admission chances to your dream school down the drain?

Below, I will give you some strategies on how to close your written submission successfully.

But first, let’s talk about this very important matter every college-bound teen, especially one whose goal is to get admitted to a selective institution of higher education, needs to know before writing a college essay…

Three Worst Options to Close a College Essay

There are numerous ways to wrap up a college essay in a way that could make those hard-to-please admissions officers reckon that you would make for a wonderful addition to the campus.

But then on the other hand, there are also things you may mistakenly commit that can weaken your application and even cause a rejection letter to be sent your way.

Needless to say, you should avoid them at all costs if getting denied is not an option!

A terrible concluding paragraph can wreak havoc on your essay no matter how flawlessly and impressively written the introduction and main body are — a single problematic part is all it takes to ruin everything.

Therefore, other than having a clear idea of how any college application essay is best closed in exchange for good news when college admissions decision time comes, it’s also a must for you to be acquainted with conclusions that are absolute no-nos.

And, of course, other than being familiar with them, you should make sure that none of them will mar your college essay.

Here are some endings to dodge whatever happens:

1. Giving a summary

When it comes to writing either an academic essay or a research paper, there’s a rule that everyone should abide by without any hesitation or doubt: the conclusion should briefly talk about the key points or arguments.

So, in other words, the written piece should end with a summarization, which is why it’s referred to as a concluding summary.

The addition of any new information or idea is considered unthinkable, although a synthesis of some of the most important matters included in the composition is welcome and, in most instances, expected.

However, it’s a completely different story if what’s being written is a college essay.

If the goal is to make sure that your college essay won’t take away from the strength of your application, refrain from restating just about everything you talked about briefly in the concluding paragraph.

Not only is it redundant and, therefore, completely unnecessary but also makes it appear as though you ran out of ideas before bringing the piece to a full stop.

A college application essay can be as short as 250 words to as long as 600 words — ending yours with a brief summary might look like you just want to meet the word count requirement, which is not the only thing that admissions officers want.

And speaking of whom, giving a summary at the end of your college essay could come across as you saying:

The admissions committee member who will read my essay might fail to completely get the point of my composition because of its complexity and innovativeness, so I should summarize it to make sure that he or she will understand everything.

Again, here’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all this time, which means that I am totally banking on my ability to correctly solve practically any mathematical problem there is to have a successful career as an aerospace engineer one day.

2. Using cliché transitions

First things first: no cliché should make it to your college essay or any other written piece you will write from hereon. The use of a cliché immediately extends the fact that you lack originality and, worse, sincerity as a writer.

Definitely, you don’t want your college essay to be interchangeable with someone else’s.

And that is why ending yours with something that starts with a trite transition, most especially as a way to restate everything you have talked about, is prohibited.

College admissions officers have laid their eyes on some of the most original personal compositions of junior and senior high schoolers, and it’s effortless for them to catch clichés.

In conclusion or in essence — needless to say, using such a hackneyed phrase is a disaster as it’s both resorting to the use of a cliché as well as committing one of the mortal sins of concluding a college essay, which is summarizing.

The following are some examples of cliché transitions that lead to a summary to steer clear of:

• All things considered
• As has been demonstrated
• In a nutshell
• In summation
• On a final note
• To conclude
• To make a long story short/long story short
• To put it briefly
• To wrap things up
• When all is said and done

It’s important to note that a good essay, including a college essay, uses transitions between paragraphs to maintain a logical and smooth flow of the written piece.

Without them, your submission may make it hard for the reader to get from one point to the other.

It’s not that college admissions officers are dense — it’s just that your college essay’s paragraphs are disjointed.

Found yourself in a rut and feel that starting your conclusion with a cliché transition is the way to go?

Proceed with drafting the concluding paragraph. Once you’re through, scrap the trite word or phrase you opened your conclusion with as well as the rest of the sentence and see how that works.

3. Stating hopes of acceptance

It’s no secret that you submitted a college application essay because it’s one of the various admissions requirements. And it’s no secret, too, that you completed all admissions requirements because you wanted to get accepted.

Therefore, expressing your hopes of receiving an offer to enroll is stating the obvious.

As mentioned earlier, high school teens gearing up for their postsecondary education careers are usually limited to 250 to 600 words when writing a college essay.

Needless to say, ending your composition with an entire paragraph devoted to how much you want to attend the institution is a complete waste of precious space.

Because you can submit a college essay containing only as many words, it’s of utmost importance to make the most out of the opportunity to be able to flex your thoughts, creativity, originality and superb writing skills.

There is no point squandering the word limit by your college essay’s conclusion coming across as saying:

I would really appreciate it if you could add my college application to the pile of accepted applications because I have been dreaming of earning an undergraduate degree from University X since time immemorial.

There’s nothing wrong with associating the college career you have envisioned for yourself with what you talked about in your college essay. However, there is no need to explicitly mention it or, worse, beg to be admitted to the institution.

But it’s not just the obvious fact that you want to get accepted that you should avoid mentioning.

Instead of ending with a high note, your college application might exit with a whimper if, for example, you highlighted a number of your personal skills and strengths and unique experiences and then concluding everything with something like:

Clearly, I am a hardworking individual.

It’s apparent that I would make for a great engineer because of my math skills.

5 Winning Ways to Wrap Up a College Essay

There are many different ways to ruin a perfectly remarkable college application essay with a mediocre or appalling conclusion.

It’s a good thing that there are also numerous ways to turn your written composition from one good essay into a one-of-a-kind essay with the right concluding paragraph — all you have to do is choose from some recommended ones.

You are not going to have a shortage of options when it comes to closing a college essay the right way.

Because some are simply better than the rest, which, it goes without saying, could help you ace the admissions review process, it’s important that you decide on something that suits your writing style and personality, too.

See which of these strategies in ending a college essay can give you that a-ha moment:

1. Going back to where you began

Some people call it full circling. Others refer to it as bookending.

No matter the name, one thing remains true: this particular style of closing a college application essay involves seamlessly tying the conclusion to the introduction by reintroducing a word, phrase, individual or the point of the opening paragraph.

What’s really nice about opting for this approach is that it allows you to hem your composition.

Of course, to be effective, the main body of your college essay should veer away from the introduction, to the point of making sure that the readers almost forget what you just talked about at the onset, only to suddenly remind it of them in the end.

When executed correctly, this style can give your written submission a satisfying and self-contained appeal to it.

Suppose that you opened your college essay talking about how a large rock fell on and fractured your leg in 3rd grade. A great ending to it using this particular approach would look something like this:

A rock may once have crushed my legs, causing me to spend a fraction of my childhood donning a leg cast, but, in high school, I established a rock band — and we crushed every gig on and off campus!

2. Peeking into the future

Any essay ending on a positive or hopeful note can always put a smile on the reader’s face.

Needless to say, a concluding paragraph that talks about a bright future ahead allows you to highlight your academic and career goals, giving the audience a much better idea of what sort of college student and professional you could be.

While you should refrain from ending your college application essay by talking about how much it would mean the world to you to get accepted to your dream school, you can make college admissions officers realize you’d make for a wonderful addition to the campus without blatantly doing so by mentioning your hopes and dreams.

Just take a look at this conclusion to an essay of a student applying to a college specializing in engineering:

I can’t wait to see the very first rocket ship I helped design blast off from earth, exposing the crew to the lowest G forces possible for I, as a terrible roller coaster rider, cannot stand high accelerations on the body myself.

3. Ending things with an action

As far as concluding your college application essay with an action goes, the sweeter and shorter, as a general rule of thumb, the better. But it’s also important to wrap things up at the critical moment: right after your piece’s high point.

Making admissions officers wish it hadn’t ended so soon is the main goal.

With them wanting more, they won’t be able to stop thinking about you.

And if you’re still in their mind long after they have taken a look at your application and the rest of the supporting documents, it’s not unlikely for them to want to see you on the campus instead of allow another institution to welcome you.

Here’s an example of ending your college essay with an action that can cause the reader to want more:

After taking a deep breath, I approached the lectern to the thundering applause of the audience.

4. Leaving with a dialogue

Talking about things you have personally experienced and lessons you have arduously learned in your college application essay is always nice.

After all, your piece is something that gives admissions officers a different perspective of you, as a teener who is preparing to work on an undergraduate degree, beyond your GPA, standardized test scores and extracurricular activities.

Just like what was mentioned earlier, summarizing is off-limits when it comes to concluding a college essay .

But there’s a nifty way to reiterate the main point of your composition without simply giving a recap of everything you have cited from the very beginning. And it’s by ending your college application essay with a dialogue.

In most instances, the shorter and crisper the dialogue, the better the effect. It’s like abruptly ending your submission, too.

However, closing yours with words spoken to someone keeps the reader from having to do the guesswork since your point is implied, anyway, which is a textbook connect-the-dots scenario.

Planning on highlighting in your college application essay the fact that you developed a sense of social responsibility? Here’s how you can close it without merely giving a summary:

“I will talk to you later,” I said to my best friend on the phone. “I’m currently on my way to help feed the hungry.”

5. Revealing the central idea

It’s true that the introduction is meant to give the reader an idea of the topic of the essay as well as the various points that will be made about it.

But because a college application is no ordinary essay, there are instances when your composition can make a bigger impact if you save your main point until the very end.

Execute it correctly and you can keep admissions officers gluttonously devouring the intro and main body of your personal essay until they get to the concluding paragraph, which, hopefully, would end in you getting an acceptance letter.

Needless to say, you will have to hold back what you are trying to say long enough.

But the biggest challenge that comes with disclosing the central idea last is keeping the readers engaged and interested adequately for them to keep reading until they reach the end and learn what you have been trying to say all this time.

Failure to do so may leave admissions officers eagerly wanting to reach for another application essay that would make more sense.

Giving snapshots of how you shopped for your first bicycle with your dad in 2nd grade, how you first cannonballed in the water at Bandemer Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan and how you founded a running club in your high school could end in this:

By the time I earn a bachelor’s degree in sports science, hopefully, I have also run my very first Ironman Triathlon, which would serve as an homage to some of the most important and memorable moments of my life thus far.

Read Next: How to Start a Compelling Essay About Yourself

Independent Education Consultant, Editor-in-chief. I have a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and training in College Counseling. Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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How to End a College Essay: The Do’s and Don’ts

Last Updated: July 22, 2024 Fact Checked

Strategies to End Your College Essay

• Things to Avoid

How Do You End a College Admissions Essay Effectively?

Expert interview.

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,227 times.

Deadlines are whizzing by, primary-colored pennants are waving, and keyboards are clicking and clacking…it’s college admissions season! Beyond the test scores and grade point averages, your personal statement is your one chance to show colleges who you are—and for some reason, wrapping up that essay can be the hardest part. We spoke to expert academic tutor and educational consultant Alexander Ruiz to give you strategies for concluding your college essay, along with the examples included in this comprehensive guide to college essay conclusions.

Things You Should Know

• End your college essay by returning to an idea or image you included in your intro or as your hook. This callback satisfies your reader with a full-circle effect.
• Look to the future to conclude your college essay on a positive and hopeful note. Describe your goals and the impact you’ll have on the world.
• Finish your college essay with a lesson learned. After sharing life experiences, describe what you’ve learned and how they’ve prepared you for your next step.

Ask the wikiHow College Coach

• As expert educational consultant Alexander Ruiz explains, universities are “trying to understand ‘How do you see that you fit within our school?’ Even though the prompt is asking ‘Why did you choose the school?’, it really is truly asking ‘How do you fit within the student body? How do you fit within our campus?’”
• Example of a “college address” conclusion: I want to be part of the long legacy of civil rights activists and leaders, from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have studied within the walls of Boston University. I’ve planted the seeds of this work through my two years of volunteering and campaigning in local elections. If admitted to your globally renowned Political Science program, I will be thrilled to grow my skills in Public Policy Analysis and ultimately serve the dynamic and deserving communities of Greater Boston.

• Example of a “full circle” conclusion: This year was a challenge in many ways. But I know that when I drive across those state lines again next fall, I’ll be looking back at the swirling blues and grays of the Boise sky, already anxiously awaiting the next time I get to come back home.
• Example intro hook for above conclusion: As my parents drove us across the Idaho state line, I looked out at the cloud-covered sky and thought: Well, this sure doesn’t look like home.

• Example of a “lesson learned” conclusion: Having the opportunity to travel around Latin America—bouncing between coastal towns like Sayulita and sprawling cities like Buenos Aires—I learned the importance of understanding other cultures and their perspectives. In expanding the limits of my physical world, I also had the opportunity to expand my worldview.

• Example of a “look forward” conclusion: When my great-great-grandchildren fasten their shoes with a futuristic version of Velcro and head down the road to school, they will do so with excitement and purpose. They’ll look forward to the day’s tasks of digging in the garden for Biology, journaling on their socio-emotional well-being in Health class, and debating the issues of their times in Social Studies. An education system built around students, their needs, and their futures—as a hopeful member of your teaching college, that is a future I am enthusiastic to have a hand in.

• Example of a “last-minute reveal” conclusion: After multiple paragraphs of stories from swim meets throughout the writer’s life, they conclude with, I wasn’t just swimming to beat the stopwatch hanging around my coach’s neck. I was swimming because it gave me freedom, a place to reflect, and an ability to push back against even the strongest currents.
• This strategy is difficult to pull off, as our instinct is to put our thesis right at the top. However, when it comes to college admissions, academic tutor Alexander Ruiz warns against “the five-paragraph format, the intro, body, body, body, conclusion.”
• As Ruiz continues to explain, “When it comes to telling your story and sharing how valuable your experience will be to a school, [the five-paragraph format] is not going to be able to portray that in a way that's going to be very attractive. So I think that one of the main mistakes that people make is saying these quantitative measures are going to speak for themselves, and they don't put enough work into being able to tell their story in their essays.”

• Example of a “plot twist” conclusion: Every law office I interned at over the past four years, despite their intensity, was instrumental in shaping my path and who I am. They prepared me for college and a career and gave me a clear view of what I wanted to do: not study law. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of learning about the inner workings of our legal system, but now I want to put that knowledge toward my true passion: helping foster kids via a social services career.

• Example of a thought-question conclusion: After all, with no other world to compare ours to, who are we to say a better world isn’t possible?
• Example of a “call to action” conclusion: Now that I’ve spent some thousand-odd words advocating for voter rights, voter registration, and rattling off anecdotes of my door-to-door campaigning, I just have one question left: are you registered to vote?

Things to Avoid in Your College Essay Conclusion

• Don’t: In conclusion, my family’s struggle with poverty over the past five years taught me much about resilience.
• Do: Tonight, my dad will put food on the table, as he always manages to. My mom will kiss him on the cheek as soon as she walks in the door from work, sighing as she finally sits down for the day. Despite all the challenges of the last five years, I’ve watched my parents overcome every obstacle with resilience and grit—and what I’ve learned from them is something I wouldn’t give up for the world.

• Don’t: I’m a hard worker.
• Do: Juggling rigorous academics with grueling morning soccer practices has taught me the value of hard work and discipline.
• Don’t: Climate change is a problem.
• Do: My generation is already suffering the real-time effects of climate change, like our snow days turning to smoke days as wildfires burn around our homes.

• Don’t: Please consider me.
• Do: As shown by the four years I volunteered at my local children’s hospital, community service is a priority for me in my future personal and professional life. Seeing what your university does for its surrounding neighborhood and the people there, I feel confident I would be a natural fit at your school.

• Don’t: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
• Do: In my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would be the lead in my senior play. Cut to now, and I’m singing my heart out to an applauding audience of parents and peers. From this moment forward, I will always understand and uphold the value of betting on yourself, even when you don’t know the outcome.
• Don’t: College will help me reach my dreams.
• Do: I’m enthusiastic about starting my next chapter—attending a school that will help me grow, learn, and take my next step toward my dream of becoming a doctor.

Expert Q&A

Reader videos.

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

• Be specific in your essay—admissions officers want to hear about you and your life, so tell details about who you are and your experiences. [10] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Be authentic—admissions officers have read enough college essays to know when someone is phoning it in. Be true to yourself, write how you speak, and let your personality shine through. [11] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Show enthusiasm—if you’re talking about the school or your future, show excitement for what the next four years will hold for you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about preparing for graduation, check out our in-depth interview with Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. .

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/write-amazing-closing-line/
• ↑ https://essaypro.com/blog/how-to-write-a-conclusion
• ↑ https://students.tippie.uiowa.edu/sites/students.tippie.uiowa.edu/files/2022-05/effective_claims.pdf
• ↑ https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/how-to-write-your-best-college-application-essay-493692/

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How to End a College Admissions Essay | 4 Winning Strategies

Published on October 16, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on May 31, 2023.

The ending of your college essay should leave your reader with a sense of closure and a strong final impression.

Table of contents

Endings to avoid, option 1: return to the beginning, option 2: look forward, option 3: reveal your main point, option 4: end on an action, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A bad conclusion can bring your whole essay down, so make sure to avoid these common mistakes.

Summarizing

Unlike an academic essay, an admissions essay shouldn’t restate your points. Avoid ending with a summary; there’s no need to repeat what you’ve already written.

Phrases like “in conclusion,” “overall,” or “to sum it up” signal that you have nothing to add to what you’ve already written, so an admissions officer may stop reading.

Stating the obvious

Instead of stating the obvious, let your work speak for itself and allow readers to draw their own conclusions. If your essay details various times that you worked tirelessly to go above and beyond, don’t finish it by stating “I’m hardworking.” Admissions officers are smart enough to figure that out on their own.

You should also avoid talking about how you hope to be accepted. Admissions officers know you want to be accepted—that’s why you applied! It’s okay to connect what you discuss in the essay to your potential future career or college experience, but don’t beg for admission. Stay focused on your essay’s core topic.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Many successful essays follow a “sandwich,” or full-circle, structure , meaning that they start with some image or idea, veer away from it in the middle, and then return to it at the end.

This structure is clean, self-contained, and satisfying for readers, so it’s a great choice if it works with the topic you’ve chosen.

In the “sandwich” essay outlined below, a student discusses his passion for musical theater. Instead of simply stating that interest, his essay starts with a funny anecdote about a minor fire that erupted on set. At the end, it returns to this anecdote, creating a sense of closure.

• Intro: I may be the world’s worst firefighter.
• Flashback to working on the school musical
• Demonstrate my passion for theatre
• Detail the story of the theater set catching fire
• Show how I made the most of the situation
• Conclusion: I proved my value as a director, an actor, and a writer that week一even if I was a terrible firefighter.

Many successful essays end by looking forward to the future. These endings are generally hopeful and positive—always great qualities in an admissions essay—and often connect the student to the college or their academic goals.

Although these endings can be highly effective, it can be challenging to keep them from sounding cliché. Keep your ending specific to you, and don’t default to generalities, which can make your essay seem bland and unoriginal.

Below are a good and a bad example of how you could write a “looking forward” ending for the musical theater “firefighter” essay.

Sometimes, holding back your main point can be a good strategy. If your essay recounts several experiences, you could save your main message for the conclusion, only explaining what ties all the stories together at the very end.

When done well, this ending leaves the reader thinking about the main point you want them to take from your essay. It’s also a memorable structure that can stand out.

However, if you choose this approach, it can be challenging to keep the essay interesting enough that the reader pays attention throughout.

In the essay outlined below, a student gives us snapshots of her experience of gymnastics at different stages in her life. In the conclusion, she ties the stories together and shares the insight that they taught her about different aspects of her character and values.

• Passionate, excited
• Sister born that day—began to consider people beyond myself
• Realizing that no matter how much I love gymnastics, there are more important things
• I’d been working especially hard to qualify for that level
• It came after many setbacks and failures
• I had to give up time with friends, first homecoming dance of high school, and other activities, and I considered quitting
• Conclusion: I’m still all of those selves: the passionate 7-year-old, the caring 11-year-old, and the determined 15-year-old. Gymnastics has been a constant throughout my life, but beyond the balance beam, it has also shown me how to change and grow.

Ending on an action can be a strong way to wrap up your essay. That might mean including a literal action, dialogue, or continuation of the story.

These endings leave the reader wanting more rather than wishing the essay had ended sooner. They’re interesting and can help you avoid boring your reader.

Here’s an example of how this ending could work for the gymnastics essay.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

There are a few strategies you can use for a memorable ending to your college essay :

• Return to the beginning with a “full circle” structure
• Reveal the main point or insight in your story
• Look to the future
• End on an action

The best technique will depend on your topic choice, essay outline, and writing style. You can write several endings using different techniques to see which works best.

Unlike a five-paragraph essay, your admissions essay should not end by summarizing the points you’ve already made. It’s better to be creative and aim for a strong final impression.

You should also avoid stating the obvious (for example, saying that you hope to be accepted).

There are no set rules for how to structure a college application essay , but these are two common structures that work:

• A montage structure, a series of vignettes with a common theme.
• A narrative structure, a single story that shows your personal growth or how you overcame a challenge.

Avoid the five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in high school.

When revising your college essay , first check for big-picture issues regarding message, flow, tone, style , and clarity. Then, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

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How To End A College Essay For Admission: 12 Tactics & Tips

Ending your college essay with a strong conclusion is crucial for making a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

In this guide, we’ll explore 12 effective tactics and tips to help you craft memorable and impactful endings. From connecting to your core values to employing the twist/reveal technique, these strategies will ensure your personal statement stands out.

Whether you’re looking to evoke emotion or highlight future aspirations, these tips will provide the perfect way to conclude your college essay and enhance your admission prospects.

How To End A College Essay For Admission

Why Your College Application Essay Ending Is Important?

We all know the reason why you write your college application essay – to convince the university of your choice to admit you. One part that may make the difference and help you stand out is the ending.

Your college application essay ending is crucial for several reasons. It’s your final chance to impress the admissions officer and leave a lasting impression. 

Encapsulates Your Personal Growth

One reason your college essay conclusion is important is that it encapsulates your personal growth. Instead of merely summarising the points you made, use this part of your essay to reflect on how you’ve evolved.

If you’ve written about overcoming a challenge, conclude by highlighting what you’ve learned and how it’s shaped who you are today. This gives your essay a sense of closure and shows maturity.

Creates A ‘Full Circle’ Effect

Another reason is that a strong ending can bring your essay full circle. If you started with a compelling anecdote or a vivid image, refer back to it at the end.

This technique creates a cohesive narrative and helps to underscore the main point of your essay.

You can write about your memory of your first science fair, and then ends it by connecting that experience to your aspirations in scientific research. This not only wraps up the essay neatly but also reinforces your passion and goals.

Creates Positive Perceptions

The way you end a college essay can significantly impact the admissions committee’s perception of you. Admissions officers read countless essays, so an ending that stands out can make your application memorable.

Avoid clichés and general statements. Instead, use your conclusion to leave the reader with a powerful thought or question. This strategy not only makes your essay unique but also showcases your creativity and critical thinking skills.

How To End A College Essay For Impact – 12 Ways

Connect to your values.

Connecting to your values is an effective way to end your college application essay. Reflect on the values shown throughout your essay and name them explicitly in your conclusion.

This technique can leave a lasting impression on the admissions officer by highlighting your core beliefs.

If your essay describes various community service activities, you might conclude by stating:

“Through these experiences, I learned the importance of empathy, commitment, and leadership.

These values will continue to guide me as I pursue my college education and beyond.”

This approach not only wraps up your essay neatly but also reinforces the main point of your personal statement. It gives a sense of closure and shows your ability to self-reflect, which is something admissions committees appreciate.

Avoid simply summarising what you’ve already said. Instead, emphasise the key values that have driven your journey, making your essay ending resonate more deeply. 

The Bookend or Callback

The Bookend or Callback technique is a powerful way to end your college application essay. By referring to something you set up earlier in the essay, you create a sense of closure that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions officer.

If you started your essay with a story about a childhood experience, you could conclude by linking back to that moment. Here’s an example:

“I began my journey with a simple question from my younger self, ‘Why do the stars shine?’

Now, as I pursue a degree in astrophysics, I find that same curiosity driving me to explore the universe’s mysteries.”

This technique allows you to restate the main point of your essay in a way that feels cohesive and complete. It’s an effective way to end a college essay because it brings your narrative full circle, making the essay feel well-structured and thoughtful.

Avoid common essay endings to ensure your conclusion reflects the essence of your personal statement, leaving the reader with a strong and memorable final impression.

The Road Forward

Ending your college application essay with “The Road Forward” technique can create a hopeful and positive outlook, showcasing your future potential. 

Use this strategy to leave the admissions officer with a lasting impression of your ambition and readiness for exploration.

Say after discussing your passion for environmental science and the projects you’ve undertaken, you might end your essay like this:

“As I look to the future, I see myself at the forefront of innovative solutions to combat climate change. I am excited to join a community that fosters impactful research.

The journey ahead is filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and make a significant difference in the world.”

This type of ending not only summarises the main point of your essay but also gives a glimpse into your aspirations.

It helps to wrap up your essay by emphasising your readiness to embrace new challenges and your commitment to your chosen field. 

Save Your Thesis for the End

Saving your thesis for the end of your college application essay can create a powerful and surprising conclusion.

This technique allows you to build your narrative and then reveal the main point, leaving a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

If your essay details various volunteer experiences, you could end with a statement that ties them all together. Here’s an example:

“After years of organising community clean-ups, and tutoring underprivileged kids, I realised that my true passion lies in public service.

I am committed to creating impactful change, driven by the belief that small acts of kindness can transform lives.”

This method works because it keeps the reader engaged, wondering how all the pieces fit together. When you reveal your thesis at the end, it brings the essay full circle and provides a satisfying conclusion. 

Connect to Your Career

Connecting to your career is a way to end your college application essay. Here, you tie your experiences to your future aspirations. Here’s an example: 

“Working as a camp counsellor taught me leadership, patience, and convinced me to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.

I am eager to bring the same dedication and compassion to medical school, knowing that I am prepared to make a difference in children’s lives.”

This method shows your clear vision and ambition. It demonstrates how your past experiences have shaped your career goals, providing a sense of purpose and direction.

This approach can make your essay memorable and showcase your readiness for the challenges ahead.

The “Why Us?” Set-Up

Using The “Why Us?” Set-Up to end your college admission essay can effectively bridge your personal story with the specific offerings of your chosen college. Highlight how your experiences align with the school’s:

• opportunities.

Here’s an example:

“My passion for environmental science grew through community clean-ups and research projects. I’m excited to bring this dedication to the University of X’s Environmental Sciences program, where I can work with leading researchers.

The interdisciplinary approach and community focus at Michigan align perfectly with my goals of creating sustainable solutions and driving impactful change.”

This type of ending not only wraps up your essay but also sets the stage for a compelling “Why Us?” essay. It shows the admissions committee that you’ve done your research and see a clear fit between your aspirations and what the college offers.

Back to the Beginning, but Something’s Changed

You can consider to end your college admission essay by reflecting on how you’ve changed since the beginning.

Start by mirroring language from your opening to create a full circle effect. Here’s an example:

“I began my essay describing the fear I felt when I first stepped into the debate room, unsure of my voice and place. Now, after countless debates and finding strength in my convictions, I realize that fear was the catalyst for my growth.

I’ve learned that my voice can inspire change and foster understanding. This journey has not only shaped my confidence but has also ignited my passion for law and advocacy.”

This way to end your college essay showcases personal growth and highlights your journey. It provides a sense of closure and demonstrates to the admissions committee your ability to reflect and evolve. 

The Twist/Reveal

Using The Twist/Reveal to end your college admission essay can create a memorable and impactful conclusion.

Set up an expectation throughout your essay and then pivot against it for a surprising reveal. 

“Throughout my essay, you’ve seen my dedication to becoming a doctor, shadowing physicians, and volunteering at hospitals. You might think my path is set in stone. But the truth is, these experiences taught me that my true calling lies in medical research.

I realized this while working in a lab, where I found a passion for discovering new treatments and understanding diseases at a molecular level. This pivot from patient care to research was unexpected, but it’s where my heart truly lies.”

This technique engages the reader by setting up a narrative and then revealing a surprising conclusion, showcasing your ability to reflect deeply and adapt. 

The “Theater of the Oppressed” Ending

Using The “Theater of the Oppressed” Ending can make your college admission essay stand out by leaving the conclusion unresolved, putting the power in the reader’s hands.

This technique engages the admissions officer, making them a participant in your narrative. Here’s an example:

“As I stood before the judge, testifying for my community, I felt a surge of hope and fear. Would my words make a difference?

My journey, filled with moments of advocacy and learning, leads me to wonder: What impact can one voice truly have? The next chapter of this story isn’t written yet, and perhaps you, the reader, will be part of its unfolding.”

This method prompts the reader to think deeply about your story and its potential outcomes.

To me, this is  a powerful way to end your college application essay. It leaves a lasting impression by highlighting your unresolved questions and inviting the admissions committee to envision your future potential.

This approach emphasises your engagement with complex issues and your commitment to ongoing growth and change.

The Ellipsis

Ending your college admission essay with an ellipsis can leave a lasting impression by creating an open-ended conclusion that leaves some questions unanswered.

This technique invites the reader to ponder your future and the potential paths you might take. Here’s an example:

“After years of exploring the world of robotics, from building my first simple machine to leading a team in a national competition, I stand on the brink of new discoveries.

Will I create the next groundbreaking technology? Only time will tell…”

This approach draws the admissions officer into your journey, leaving them curious about what comes next. It’s an effective way to end your college essay, highlighting your sense of potential and unfinished business.

The ellipsis suggests that your story is still unfolding, emphasising your readiness for growth and exploration.

This type of ending not only keeps the reader engaged but also underscores your ambition and drive, making your personal statement memorable.

Address the College Directly

Ending your college admission essay by addressing the college directly may sound simple. But there’s power in simplicity and being explicit about things.

Conclude by explaining how the college aligns with your future plans and why you’re excited to attend. Here’s an example:

“The interdisciplinary approach at Stanford, with its unique blend of engineering and environmental studies, perfectly fits my goal of developing sustainable technologies.

I am thrilled at the prospect of working with Dr. Smith, whose research on renewable energy sources has inspired my own projects. Joining Stanford means collaborating with like-minded individuals who share my passion for innovation and sustainability.”

This approach shows the admissions officer that you’ve done your homework and understand how the college’s offerings align with your goals. It demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and a clear vision for your future.

By addressing the college directly, you create a strong, personalised ending to your essay that leaves a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

This technique effectively wraps up your personal statement, highlighting your commitment and readiness to contribute to the college community.

End on an Action

Ending your college admission essay with a decisive action or dialogue can leave a strong impression on the admission committee.  

This approach adds a dynamic conclusion that showcases your initiative and forward-thinking attitude. Here’s an example:

“As I stood on the edge of the stage, ready to present my research on renewable energy, I felt a surge of confidence.

“Let’s change the world together,” I began, looking directly at the audience, knowing this moment marked the start of my journey in environmental science.”

This method not only wraps up your essay with a vivid scene but also highlights your readiness to take action. It avoids common essay endings to ensure your personal statement stands out to the admissions committee.

By concluding with a specific action or piece of dialogue, you demonstrate your proactive nature and commitment, leaving a lasting impression on the admission committee.

4 Types Of College Essay Endings To Avoid

While you are certainly free to end your college essay in any way you want, here are three very common ones that may not only looks lazy, but could be detrimental to your application:

Writing A General Summary

Ending your essay with a summary of what you’ve already said can feel redundant and uninspired.

Admissions officers read countless essays, and a summarising conclusion doesn’t add any new value or insight. Here’s an example of a summary ending to avoid:

“To summarize, my experiences have made me hardworking, dedicated, and eager to learn.”

This approach merely restates what you’ve already shared without offering a fresh perspective. Instead, aim for a conclusion that provides a sense of closure and reflects on your journey or aspirations.

Dropping General Quote(s)

Using a famous quote to wrap up your essay might seem like a good idea, but it often comes across as cliché and impersonal. The admissions committee wants to hear your voice, not someone else’s.

Ending with a quote like “Be the change you wish to see in the world” doesn’t tell the reader anything unique about you.

Instead, use your own words to express your thoughts and reflections. Make sure your essay ending is original and showcases your personal growth or vision.

Show Your Neediness

Avoid ending your essay by begging for admission or excessively expressing your desire to attend the college.

Phrases that sound desperate are like these:  

• “Please accept me”,
• “I really want to go to your school”, or
• “Can I join your school”

Instead, demonstrate why you are a good fit for the college through your experiences and aspirations.

Show, don’t tell, why you belong there by highlighting how the college aligns with your goals and how you can contribute to its community.

Show You Have Options

While ending your college admission essay by being needy can be a turn off to admissions committee, going the opposite can also backfire significantly.

In this case, we are talking about showing you have options. This means you mention that you plan to apply to multiple schools and universities , and know you will receive multiple offers to go to several universities. 

Some may think writing this way shows their value, and how many universities want them. But in general, this approach may more likely to achieve the opposite, instead of the intended effect.

Writing in this manner shows disrespect, which can be a turn-off to admissions committee. It also shows you do not take your applications seriously, which can be a reflection of poor personal character .

Your essay, and application may likely be discarded right away by the admission committee.

Instead, focus on how you and the university are aligned in values, and how you can contribute to the university or school’s overall aims and objectives.

End Your College Essay In Style – And Get Admission

Crafting a strong ending for your college essay can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. By employing one of the 12 tactics and tips, such as connecting to your values or ending on a decisive action, you can ensure your personal statement stands out.

These strategies not only provide a sense of closure but also highlight your unique qualities and aspirations, making your essay memorable and impactful. 

Use these tips to effectively wrap up your essay and make a compelling case for your admission.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to end a college essay effectively.

Hey, peeps! I'm working on my college essay and I'm really stuck on how to end it. Can anyone share examples of impactful endings or give some advice on how to finish strong? I want to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Hello! Ending a college essay effectively can indeed leave a lasting impression on the reader. You can try different techniques based on the content and tone of your essay. Here are four strategies to consider:

1. Reflective statement: This involves bringing your essay full circle by connecting the ending to the beginning. This can create a sense of completion for your reader and emphasize the personal growth or lessons learned during your story.

Example: "I started my journey with doubts and apprehension, yet through persistence and commitment, I discovered newfound confidence and a love for my chosen path."

2. Powerful imagery: A vivid image or description can leave a strong impact on the reader, particularly if it captures the theme or essence of your essay.

Example: "As I stood on the mountaintop and looked out at the vast horizon, I realized how small my fears were in comparison to the endless opportunities waiting for me."

3. Thought-provoking question: Ending with a question can encourage the reader to think deeply about the issues you raised in your essay, ensuring that your story stays with them.

Example: "In a world that constantly evolves and presents new challenges, how do we continue to adapt and reinvent ourselves while staying true to who we are?"

Remember, the ending should feel authentic to you and your story, so go with the technique that best suits your essay's tone and content. Good luck with your college essay!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.