What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Should I give my college essay a title, or is it unnecessary?

I'm getting down to the nitty-gritty of my college essay, and it hit me – do I even need a title for this thing? Some people have told me it’s more polished with a title but others say it’s just fluff. If any of you have thoughts or know what admissions generally prefer, I’d really appreciate your insight!

a year ago

It's natural to wonder whether a title adds to the impact of your college essay. In my experience, a title is not required and typically, admissions officers do not expect one. However, if you feel a brief, captivating title contributes to your essay and serves as a thematic entry point, it could be a tasteful addition.

Remember, the most crucial aspect is the content and the story you're telling, not the cosmetics of your essay. Should you decide on including a title, ensure it is succinct and reflective of your essay's core message. For example, a student I worked with gave her essay about community service the title 'Roots and Wings,' subtly hinting at her roots in community values and the 'wings' of impact these experiences provided.

Above all, it should add, not detract. If you're at all unsure, it's perfectly acceptable to forgo the title altogether and let the strength of your writing speak for itself.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.