SEO Keywords vs Writing a Great College Essay
What do educational consulting websites and college essays have in common? You're competing with thousands of people to make a lasting impression. As I’ve built my business over the last year, I’m still learning how I can stand out. Buzzwords in a college essay and keywords for an SEO search engine are similar. It’s important to be authentic, specific, and detailed.
Know your audience
Keywords like ‘educational consulting’, ‘college consulting’, and ‘Bozeman college counseling’ are all keywords that can drive traffic to my website. Just like buzzwords in an essay for a college applicant. From my expertise, colleges want to know how you can contribute to their community, and how you will personally grow from your experience at said college. I often find myself telling students to add the words ‘community’ and ‘growth’ when they are writing their essays. For SEO, you are writing keywords to engage a human audience for your website clicks. College essays are targeted at admissions counselors to notice a student with depth, personability, and character.
Don’t be Generic
You need to stand out by showing your authentic side for both SEO keywords and essays. You're not going to find the perfect essay topic, nor the algorithm that will give you the most website visits. Instead, make it clear who you are and what you are offering.
Be clear.
Be intentional.
Be you.
Authenticity wins
Google rewards websites that are real. The term “keyword stuffing” is a reminder to avoid making your website into something that is not authentic to your brand. Your essay should tell a story that reflects who you truly are, not a version you think colleges want to see. Just as websites perform better when they’re useful and honest, college essays stand out when they’re personal, reflective, and real.
Whether you’re building a website or writing a college essay, success comes down to clarity, strategy, and heart. You need to know your audience, say something real, and present it in a way that’s both smart and sincere.
