How to End Your College Essay Without Ruining It: A Guide for Students Who Are So Done

Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
3 days ago
3 min read

You’ve written the essay.

You’ve poured your soul onto the page. And now you’re staring at the last paragraph thinking:

How on earth do I end this?

You’re not alone. Ending the college admissions essay is one of the hardest parts of the entire application—not because you lack ideas, but because you care. A lot.

The good news? A strong ending doesn’t have to be dramatic, poetic, or life-altering. It just needs to feel true, intentional, and forward-looking.

Let’s break down what admissions officers actually want from an ending—and how you can give it to them without overthinking it.

What Admissions Officers Want From Your Ending (Hint: It’s Not a Mic Drop)

Contrary to popular belief, your conclusion does not need to:

Sum up your entire life
Re-teach the lesson of your essay
End with a famous quote
Declare that this college is your “dream school”

Instead, strong essay endings usually do one (or more) of the following:

Show growth or perspective
Point gently toward the future
Echo the opening in a meaningful way
Leave the reader with a clear sense of who you are now

Think of your ending as a quiet confidence, not a fireworks show.

The 3 Most Effective Ways to End a College Essay (With Real Examples)

1. The “Looking Forward” Ending

Best for: personal growth, challenges, identity, or academic curiosity essays

This ending shows where you’re headed—not in a résumé way, but in a human one.

Example:

I don’t pretend that I’ve figured everything out. But I’ve learned that asking questions—especially uncomfortable ones—is how I grow. In college, I hope to keep challenging my assumptions, listening more carefully, and learning how to turn curiosity into impact.

Why it works: It doesn’t claim perfection. It shows readiness for college as a place of continued growth.

2. The “Full Circle” Ending

Best for: narrative essays that start with a moment, scene, or object

This approach brings the reader back to where you began—but with new meaning.

Example:

The piano bench still wobbles when I sit down, and I still miss notes sometimes. But now, instead of stopping, I keep playing. That persistence—imperfect, patient, and practiced—is what I carry with me beyond the music room.

Why it works: Admissions officers love seeing reflection. This ending shows how an experience shaped you without spelling it out.

3. The “Quiet Realization” Ending

Best for: essays about values, mindset shifts, or personal insight

This ending lands on a small but powerful truth.

Example:

I used to think leadership meant being the loudest voice in the room. Now I understand that it often means making space for others to speak. That’s a lesson I didn’t learn overnight—but one I know I’ll keep practicing.

Why it works: It’s understated, mature, and emotionally honest—exactly the tone colleges appreciate.

What to Avoid in Your College Essay Conclusion

Before you hit submit, double-check that your ending does not:

Introduce a brand-new story or idea
Repeat your thesis word-for-word
Name a specific college (unless explicitly asked)
End with “This experience changed my life” (show it instead)

If your ending sounds like it belongs on a motivational poster, it’s probably doing too much.

A Simple Test to Know If Your Ending Works

Ask yourself:

Does this sound like me?
Does it feel earned based on what I shared?
Does it leave the reader with a clearer sense of who I am?

If the answer is yes—even if it feels simple—you’re on the right track.

Need a Second Set of Expert Eyes?

If you’re stuck on your ending, it’s rarely because your essay is bad—it’s usually because you’re too close to it. This is exactly where strong coaching makes the difference.

At My Admissions Sherpa, our phenomenal essay coaches help students shape endings that feel authentic, confident, and admissions-reader ready. We don’t rewrite your voice—we help you clarify it, refine it, and land it with intention.

If you’ve written the story but can’t quite stick the landing, we’re here to help you cross that finish line with confidence.