Mastering the Art of Conclusion: A Guide to Ending Your College Essay Strong

Crafting a compelling college essay is a significant step in the application process. You’ve likely spent hours brainstorming, drafting, and revising your essay’s introduction and body paragraphs. However, the conclusion is just as critical, acting as the final impression you leave on the admissions committee. A weak conclusion can undermine the strength of your entire essay, while a powerful one can solidify your message and leave a lasting positive impression. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to write a compelling conclusion that leaves a lasting mark.

## Why is a Strong Conclusion Important?

The conclusion of your college essay serves several crucial purposes:

* **Reinforces Your Thesis:** It’s your last opportunity to reiterate the main point of your essay and ensure the reader understands your central message.
* **Provides Closure:** A good conclusion neatly wraps up your narrative and leaves the reader with a sense of completion.
* **Leaves a Lasting Impression:** The conclusion is the final thing the admissions committee will remember about your essay. Make it memorable and impactful.
* **Showcases Growth and Reflection:** It’s a chance to demonstrate how you’ve grown or learned from the experiences you’ve shared.
* **Connects to the Bigger Picture:** It can link your personal experiences to broader themes or future aspirations.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Conclusion

Before diving into the steps for writing a strong conclusion, it’s important to be aware of common pitfalls to avoid:

* **Summarizing:** Simply restating your entire essay in a condensed form is repetitive and uninspired. Admissions committees have already read your essay; they don’t need a regurgitation of the same information.
* **Introducing New Information:** The conclusion is not the place to introduce new ideas, anecdotes, or arguments. Stick to reinforcing what you’ve already presented.
* **Apologizing or Undermining Yourself:** Phrases like “I’m not sure if this is what you’re looking for” or “I could have done better” weaken your essay and suggest a lack of confidence.
* **Clichés:** Avoid overused phrases like “In conclusion,” “To sum up,” or “The moral of the story is.” These sound generic and unoriginal.
* **Being Vague or Ambiguous:** Your conclusion should be clear and focused, leaving no room for interpretation. Avoid generalizations and unsupported statements.
* **Wandering off-topic:** The conclusion should be directly relevant to the central theme of your essay. Avoid introducing unrelated ideas or tangents.
* **Sounding Arrogant or Entitled:** Expressing a sense of superiority or expecting admission is off-putting. Maintain a humble and appreciative tone.

## Steps to Writing a Powerful College Essay Conclusion

Now, let’s explore the concrete steps to crafting a compelling conclusion:

**Step 1: Revisit Your Thesis and Main Points**

Before you start writing your conclusion, reread your entire essay. Pay close attention to your thesis statement (usually located in the introduction) and the key arguments or anecdotes you used to support it. This will help you ensure that your conclusion aligns with your overall message.

* **Identify Your Core Message:** What is the single most important thing you want the admissions committee to remember about you after reading your essay?
* **Review Your Supporting Arguments:** How did you support your thesis throughout the essay? What specific experiences, examples, or reflections did you use?

**Step 2: Choose a Concluding Strategy**

There are several effective strategies you can use to craft a compelling conclusion. Choose the strategy that best suits your essay’s topic, tone, and overall message.

* **The “So What?” Approach:**

* **Description:** This strategy addresses the broader implications of your essay. Why should the reader care about your experiences? What lessons can be learned from your story?
* **How to Implement:** Briefly revisit your main point and then connect it to a larger context. Explain how your experiences have shaped your perspective, values, or goals. Emphasize the significance of your growth and development.
* **Example:** If your essay is about overcoming a challenging academic project, you might conclude by discussing how the experience taught you resilience, problem-solving skills, and the importance of perseverance. You could then link these qualities to your future academic pursuits and how they will contribute to your success in college.

* **The Looking Forward Approach:**

* **Description:** This strategy focuses on your future aspirations and how your experiences have prepared you for college and beyond.
* **How to Implement:** Briefly summarize your journey and then transition to your goals and ambitions. Explain how your experiences have fueled your passion and provided you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in your chosen field. Be specific and avoid generic statements.
* **Example:** If your essay is about your involvement in a community service project, you might conclude by discussing how the experience ignited your passion for social justice and inspired you to pursue a career in public service. You could then outline your specific goals for college and how you plan to continue making a positive impact on the world.

* **The Full-Circle Approach:**

* **Description:** This strategy connects your conclusion back to your introduction, creating a sense of closure and completeness.
* **How to Implement:** Refer back to a specific image, anecdote, or question that you used in your introduction. Show how your experiences throughout the essay have provided new insights or perspectives on that initial element. This creates a satisfying sense of resolution for the reader.
* **Example:** If your essay begins with a vivid description of a specific moment, you might conclude by revisiting that moment and reflecting on how your perspective has changed since then. This demonstrates growth and self-awareness.

* **The Call to Action Approach:**

* **Description:** This strategy is appropriate if your essay addresses a social issue or problem. Encourage the reader to take action or consider the implications of your message.
* **How to Implement:** Briefly summarize the problem or issue you’ve discussed and then offer a call to action. This could involve encouraging the reader to learn more about the issue, get involved in a related cause, or simply consider a different perspective. Be authentic and passionate in your call to action.
* **Example:** If your essay is about the importance of environmental conservation, you might conclude by urging the reader to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives, support environmental organizations, or advocate for policy changes.

* **The Reflective Question Approach:**

* **Description:** This strategy leaves the reader with a thought-provoking question that encourages further reflection on the themes explored in your essay.
* **How to Implement:** Craft a question that is both relevant to your essay’s topic and open-ended. Avoid questions that have simple yes/no answers. The question should prompt the reader to consider the broader implications of your message.
* **Example:** If your essay is about the challenges of adapting to a new culture, you might conclude by asking, “How can we create more inclusive and welcoming communities for people from all backgrounds?”

**Step 3: Craft Your Conclusion with Purpose**

Once you’ve chosen your concluding strategy, it’s time to write your conclusion. Keep the following tips in mind:

* **Start with a Transition:** Use a transition word or phrase to signal that you’re moving into the conclusion. However, avoid clichés like “In conclusion” or “To sum up.” Instead, try phrases like “Ultimately,” “Looking back,” “As I reflect on,” or “The lessons I’ve learned from this experience…”
* **Reiterate Your Thesis (Subtly):** Remind the reader of your main point without simply restating your thesis verbatim. Rephrase it in a new and insightful way, drawing on the experiences and reflections you’ve shared throughout the essay.
* **Connect to the Bigger Picture:** Explain how your personal experiences relate to broader themes or issues. Show how you’ve grown, learned, or developed as a result of your experiences.
* **Express Gratitude and Humility:** Express gratitude for the opportunities you’ve had and acknowledge the support you’ve received from others. Maintain a humble and appreciative tone.
* **End with a Strong Sentence:** Your final sentence should be memorable and impactful. It should leave the reader with a sense of closure and reinforce your central message.

**Step 4: Show, Don’t Tell**

Just like in the body paragraphs of your essay, it’s important to use vivid language and specific details in your conclusion. Avoid generalizations and abstract statements. Instead, use concrete examples and sensory details to bring your conclusion to life.

* **Use Imagery:** Paint a picture with your words. Use descriptive language to create a lasting impression on the reader.
* **Share a Final Anecdote:** A brief and relevant anecdote can be a powerful way to illustrate your point and connect with the reader on an emotional level.
* **Quote Someone Meaningful:** A quote from a person who has inspired you or influenced your thinking can add depth and resonance to your conclusion.

**Step 5: Revise and Edit Your Conclusion**

Once you’ve written your conclusion, it’s important to revise and edit it carefully. Pay attention to the following:

* **Clarity and Conciseness:** Is your conclusion clear, focused, and easy to understand? Eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases.
* **Tone and Style:** Does your conclusion match the overall tone and style of your essay? Maintain consistency throughout.
* **Grammar and Spelling:** Proofread your conclusion carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
* **Relevance:** Does your conclusion directly relate to your essay’s thesis and main points?
* **Impact:** Does your conclusion leave a lasting impression on the reader?

**Example Conclusion Using the “Looking Forward” Approach**

Let’s say your essay describes your experience volunteering at a local animal shelter. You could conclude with something like this:

> *As I reflect on the countless hours I spent caring for abandoned animals, I realize that my time at the shelter has been more than just a volunteer experience; it’s been a transformative journey. The unconditional love and unwavering resilience of these animals have inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I am eager to apply the compassion, patience, and problem-solving skills I’ve developed at the shelter to the rigorous challenges of veterinary school. I envision myself not only providing medical care to animals in need but also advocating for animal welfare and promoting responsible pet ownership. My experiences at the shelter have solidified my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of animals, and I am confident that I can contribute meaningfully to the field of veterinary medicine.*

**Example Conclusion Using the “Full-Circle” Approach**

Imagine your essay starts with a description of a nervous feeling before a debate competition:

> *I still remember the knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach as I stood backstage before my first debate competition. The fear of public speaking, the pressure to articulate my arguments flawlessly, and the weight of representing my team all felt overwhelming. However, as I step onto the debate stage today, that knot of anxiety has transformed into a surge of excitement and confidence. The countless hours of research, practice, and collaboration have not only honed my debating skills but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of reasoned discourse. While the initial fear may have lingered, it no longer defines my experience. Instead, it serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come and the transformative power of facing my fears head-on. The debate stage is no longer a source of anxiety but a platform for sharing my ideas, engaging in critical thinking, and advocating for the issues I care about most. The journey from that nervous beginner to a confident debater has shaped my perspective, strengthened my resolve, and ignited my passion for engaging in meaningful dialogue.*

## Additional Tips for Writing an Exceptional Conclusion

* **Get Feedback:** Ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend to read your essay and provide feedback on your conclusion. A fresh perspective can help you identify areas for improvement.
* **Read Other Essays:** Read successful college essays to get a sense of how other students have crafted their conclusions. Pay attention to the strategies they use and the impact their conclusions have on you as a reader.
* **Practice and Experiment:** Writing a strong conclusion takes practice. Experiment with different strategies and approaches until you find what works best for you.
* **Be Authentic:** Let your personality shine through in your conclusion. Be genuine and express your thoughts and feelings honestly.

By following these steps and tips, you can write a powerful and memorable conclusion that will leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Remember, your conclusion is your last chance to showcase your personality, values, and aspirations. Make it count!