<p>A college essay is your essay-length response to a question (aka prompt) posed in an application for college. Prompts are given; sometimes you get to choose from a number of prompts. Typically you write something from personal experience or something about why you want to attend the college in question. Your essay demonstrates your writing skills, but much more importantly it gives the admissions committee a better understanding of who you are – your background, your values, your thought process, your goals, your ability to handle a situation, et cetera.</p>