Finding the Life Lesson
in Your College Admission Essay
A key component of a powerful personal narrative (essay) is what’s called a “universal truth.”
They are also called “life lessons.”
Basically, when the writer starts to reflect upon the personal lessons learned from an experience, she or he needs to make sure to show why the lesson is important to everyone else as well—that is, why it is true on a universal level.
What is a universal truth?
Often, they are so “true” that they seem almost silly to say out loud.
Examples:
Love hurts.
Be true to yourself.
What goes around comes around.
Cheaters never win.
Never say never.
Sometimes you have to lose in order to win.
You can’t always get what you want.
Face your fears.
What goes around comes around(eg Karma).
You reap what you sow (you get out of life what you put into it).
(Try putting, “In life, …” before the universal truth to test it out.)
Read some sample essays and see if you can find the “universal truth.”
In your own college application essay, you don’t necessarily have to state the universal truth, however, at some point you should at least touch on it, usually toward the end.
If you need help getting started with your college application essay or personal statement, try my Jumpstart Guide.
Not sure if you remember me, but our paths crossed while I was the editor at Orange Coast magazine under Ruth Ko. I found your lagunawriter website through Google. Great work you’re doing! I’m now the editor over at OC METRO magazine, and I’d love to connect with you again.
hi tina,
i just noticed your friendly post on my blog. thanks! it’s so nice of you to comment! i feel like i send these little posts out into a huge, dark void. (no one ever comments!) anyway, good to hear from you. actually, i responded to an email you sent me about looking for freelance writers for your magazine. i responded, but never heard back. maybe my emails go out into the dark void as well. anyway, would love to talk to you anytime!
how can i include this in my essay in a subtle way? i dont want the “universal truth” to sound too cliched or showy…
do you have any suggestions?
thanks!