The Identity Essay: What it Is, Why & How to Write It

The college application process isn’t just about test scores and transcripts, it’s about telling your story. In the current state of the college admissions landscape, where personal growth and unique perspectives matter more than ever, the identity essay has become a key component. 

This type of essay gives you the chance to reflect on who you are, the experiences that have shaped you, and how you’ll contribute to your future campus community. Whether you’re navigating new territory or simply want to sharpen your self-expression, understanding how to approach the identity essay can set you apart and help your application resonate with admissions committees.

Background Context on Identity Essays

On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to significantly limit the use of race status in college admissions. But it does not close the door to giving applicants extra consideration if they have suffered bias, discrimination, hardships, or anything else that helps define who they are. Here’s what Chief Justice Roberts wrote about the ruling:

“Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.

Many colleges, as a result, adopted another way to acquire information about students’ racial and ethnic identities by including a supplemental essay that’s commonly referred to as “the identity essay” or “the diversity essay.” The carefully worded prompt gives you the chance to explain your demographics in a way that the Supreme Court will allow.

Instead of asking outright what your race or ethnicity is, the college allows you to identify elements of your culture or upbringing that are relevant to who you are as a human being. Consider the prompt a “workaround.”

Maybe you’ve seen such a prompt. It might sound something like these, excerpted from the New York Times:

“Tell us about an aspect of your identity or a life experience that has shaped you.”

— Johns Hopkins University

“Feel free to tell us any ways in which you’re different and how that has affected you.”

— Duke University

“Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had.”

— Dartmouth College

“Tell us about when, where or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self.”

— Barnard College

The fact is: this isn’t anything groundbreaking. Numerous colleges asked these types of questions even before the SCOTUS affirmative action ruling. What changed? More schools that didn’t have an identity essay previously are now opting to include one, enabling you to elaborate on how your identity has shaped you.

No matter how the prompt is worded, don’t be intimidated or dissuaded from answering; rather, plan on using your response to your advantage. If that seems easier said than done, here’s a great place to start: Think of your identity not as a demographic fact alone, but also as a personality trait that shapes you. What an awesome opportunity for the questioner to learn something special about you that you might not have otherwise had the chance to share! Think of it as an exploration into your core being, with the contributing factors that define it.

Now that we’ve re-framed the identity essay as something positive and beneficial, let’s examine the topic more closely.

What Is an Identity Essay?

An identity essay is a written piece, often required as part of a college or scholarship application, that asks you to reflect on and express aspects of your personal background, culture, values, daily life, or life experiences. While the wording of the prompt can vary, the focus remains: how have your environment, heritage, or challenges contributed to the person you are today?

There are two main types of identity essays you might see in school or on applications:

Personal Reflection Essays: These invite you to think deeply about a defining element of your identity—such as family background, cultural roots, or a pivotal experience—and explain its significance in your life.

Diversity or Community-Focused Essays: These ask how your unique perspective or community involvement shapes who you are and how you might contribute to the diversity of a college campus.

No matter the prompt, the identity essay offers a space to go beyond grades and test scores. It shows admissions teams what motivates you and how you view yourself within your school, community, and the world at large.

Why Is Identity Important?

Identity essays aren’t just another checkbox in the application process. They challenge you to consider what truly makes you unique. Colleges want to admit students who know themselves and can express that self-knowledge in a way that will enrich their campus communities.

When you reflect on your identity, you build self-awareness, an important trait for both personal and academic growth. Students who understand their backgrounds are often more confident, resilient, and empathetic. This insight is especially valuable in today’s multicultural classrooms, from the diverse high schools of Boca Raton to Coral Springs.

Think of the identity essay as an opportunity, a chance to share a dimension of yourself that may not be obvious from your transcript. It also tests your ability to think critically about your journey and communicate your experiences in a clear, honest way.

Key Elements of an Identity Essay

Identity and Background

“What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you.”

“Expand on an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?” — University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

These prompts, while asking about your background and cultural identity, are essentially inquiries into your character. Identify what contributed to who you are, where you came from, and how your upbringing affected the person you’ve become. For many students, race, ethnicity, and culture are, indeed, defining facets of their character.

For instance, a student whose family immigrated from another country could talk about the challenges of adjusting to American culture. Closer to home, an applicant from a thoroughly rural region — the kind of individual many colleges want on campus — may have an engaging story to tell. Or a student who has experienced racial discrimination could discuss the outcomes.

Please note: There are other ways to address identity if these particular topics don’t apply. Maybe you feel closer to Mom’s religion than to Dad’s. Perhaps you identify more with a gender other than the one you were born to. Even for students whose outward life seems secure, engaging, and filled with possibilities, and whose family is supportive and completely education-oriented, there’s always “an angle.”

That is, there’s a facet of character that features a singular outlook on life and its endless activities. Everyone is an individual with a unique story to tell… so tell it.

Diversity

“Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms.  This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation.  

We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences.  In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity?”

Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard? 

As you can tell from the prompts above, diversity isn’t just about race. Think about diversity as “different”; in other words, what differentiates you from other students who will be applying to this school? And how will your unique qualities add to the diversity of the school’s population?

Maybe you’re a visual learner and have had to come up with special techniques to absorb what you were being taught in class, techniques that others might benefit from knowing. It could be that you are the oldest of six siblings and have had to work harder to set yourself apart from your brothers and sisters. How did you do it?

“Diverse” means varied, and varied is interesting! What makes YOU interesting? Be mindful of a college’s desire to accept as multifaceted an incoming class as it can, because that’s what makes for a vibrant learning community. And that leads us to our third and final topic.

Community

“A defining element of the Babson experience is learning and thriving in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speak to how you will contribute to and learn from Babson's collaborative community.”

“Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong and describe that community and your place within it.”— University of Michigan

Community isn’t defined by geography, any more than being defined by the same religion, race, or income level; rather, it can simply be a sense of belonging you’ve experienced by surrounding yourself with like-minded people. 

Perhaps it’s a group of friends you made by sharing a common goal like saving an endangered species. It could be a mutual interest, like a passion for Japanese anime films. It could be your teammates on the basketball team who create a collaborative community on and off the court. Community is often built upon sharing experiences. 

Think about what community or communities you are a part of, talk about your place within them, and why they matter.

How to Write an Identity Essay?

Tackling the identity essay necessitates a good amount of introspection and self-awareness, so go ahead and dig deep. Write without fear; it’s okay to be vulnerable, and even better to remain authentic.

Your response will be used to help determine whether you’re a good fit for the learning community to which you are applying. Therefore, be sure to tie in how your uniqueness will enhance life on campus. As always, use vivid language and description to paint a picture with your words that the reader will use to “see” you. And don’t forget to connect your identity to your future goals and aspirations.

Keep this in mind: the identity essay is yet another way colleges get to find out who you are beyond the high school statistics that fill the majority of your application. Take advantage of this moment. Be your authentic self. Show them why they’ll be glad to know you, and even happier to have you as part of their incoming freshman class.

Approaching the identity essay takes thoughtful preparation. Here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Brainstorm and Outline

When considering how to write an identity essay, start by listing significant aspects of your background, culture, or community involvement. Think about challenges you’ve faced, skills you’ve gained, or values that are important to you. Don’t filter yourself yet; write down everything that comes to mind.

Try using mind maps or bullet points to visually organize your thoughts and spot connections between experiences. If you feel stuck, consider asking family or friends which traits or stories they associate with you. You may uncover details you hadn’t considered. Keep in mind this step is about exploration, so give yourself plenty of time to reflect before narrowing your focus.

2. Choose a Focus

Review your list and pick one or two themes that truly define you. Strong essays often focus on a single theme or event, telling a story that brings your identity to life. Consider which experiences feel most meaningful or have shaped your perspective in a lasting way. Ask yourself, “What do I want admissions officers to remember about me?” 

Choosing a clear focus will make your essay more memorable and impactful.

3. Structure Your Essay

Plan your essay with a clear introduction (introduce the theme), body (share specific memories, challenges, or growth moments), and conclusion (reflect on how you’ve changed and how this shapes your future). Keep your writing clear and focused; admissions readers appreciate essays that get to the point.

Introduction:

Start with a hook—an engaging anecdote, quote, or question related to your identity.

• Clearly introduce the main theme or aspect of your identity you’ll explore.

• Provide a brief context so the reader understands why this theme matters to you.

Body:

Share specific examples or stories that illustrate your theme.

• Explain challenges faced or lessons learned, and how these experiences influenced your perspective.

• Use sensory details and emotions to make your experiences vivid and relatable.

• Show (not just tell) how your identity has shaped your actions, beliefs, or relationships.

Conclusion

Reflect on how the experiences you’ve shared have contributed to your growth.

• Connect your identity to your future goals or how you’ll contribute to the college community.

• End with a memorable final thought or call-back to your introduction to give your essay a sense of closure.

4. Revise and Edit

Read your essay aloud to catch awkward sentences or unclear ideas. Ask someone you trust like a teacher or counselor from your local school to provide feedback. Revise for clarity and to make sure your authentic voice shines through. Consider printing your essay out or reading it in a different setting to spot mistakes you might otherwise miss.

Check that your essay fully answers the prompt and stays within any word or character limits.

Important: Take breaks between drafts. Sometimes stepping away allows you to see your writing with fresh eyes and improve it further.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Feeling Unsure About What to Share

It’s normal to wonder if your story is “interesting enough.” 

Many students struggle with this. Remember, you don’t need a dramatic tale to write a powerful essay. Focus on why an experience matters to you, even if it’s something simple. Sometimes, everyday moments can be just as revealing as major life events when you reflect on their meaning. 

Trust that genuine self-reflection and honesty will make your essay resonate with readers.

Balancing Authenticity With Requirements

Some prompts can feel restricting or formal, but resist the urge to write what you think admissions officers want to hear. Your honest reflections will stand out more than generic answers. Stick to the requirements (answer the question in the prompt and stay within word limits), but make sure your essay sounds like you. If you feel stuck, try writing a first draft completely for yourself, then revise it to meet the prompt.

This approach helps preserve your authentic voice while still addressing what the college is asking.

Addressing Sensitive Topics

If you want to share about challenges such as discrimination or family struggles, be truthful but thoughtful. Focus on how these experiences shaped you or taught you resilience, rather than only describing the difficulty itself. Remember to maintain your privacy and only disclose what feels comfortable to you. If the topic is especially personal, consider how sharing it demonstrates your growth and the positive ways you’ve moved forward.

Tips for Standing Out in Your Essay

Use Specific Examples

Instead of saying, “My family values hard work,” tell a short story about helping at your family’s business on weekends or a project where you demonstrated persistence. Details help admissions officers picture you in action and understand the context of your growth. 

Describe the sights, sounds, or emotions you experienced during these moments. Even a brief anecdote can make your essay more memorable and engaging.

Be Honest and Reflective

Show how experiences have changed you. Maybe playing in the marching band at your Broward County high school taught you discipline and teamwork that now shape your academic goals. Don’t shy away from admitting moments when things didn’t go as planned—growth often comes from setbacks. Reflecting honestly on your journey helps readers connect with your story. Authentic self-reflection makes your essay feel real and relatable.

Connect to Your Goals

Reflect on how your background or identity has influenced what you hope to do in college or beyond. This shows self-awareness and intention. Explain how specific experiences have inspired your academic interests or career plans. Consider linking your personal story to a larger goal or passion. When you draw clear connections, admissions readers see your purpose and drive.

Keep It Genuine

Admissions committees read thousands of essays every year. They can tell when students are sincere. Let your personality come through, even if that means sharing small but meaningful moments. 

Avoid exaggerating or inventing experiences just to impress. Genuine writing resonates more than trying to fit a mold or use overly formal language. Trust that your true voice is enough to make your essay stand out.

Embrace the Process!

Writing about your identity can feel daunting, but it is also a unique opportunity for growth. You get to share the aspects of your life that have helped shape you into the person you are today — and the person you hope to become. The identity essay invites you to celebrate your story, adding rich detail to your college application.

If you’re a student or parent in Palm Beach or Broward County navigating this process, remember that your story is both valuable and one-of-a-kind. Take time to reflect, write with honesty, and trust that your voice has a place in the larger campus community you hope to join.

If you have any questions about how to write an identity essay, our college essay experts are here to help! Call us!