As any applicant knows, it's important to set yourself apart when it comes to college applications. On paper, students likely start to look the same to admissions officers—good grades, high test scores, heavy involvement in extracurricular activities.

That's why the college essay is so crucial to giving a university a sense of who you are as a person. It is a way to showcase your personality and unique point of view. This is especially important at a school like UCLA, that receives more than one hundred thousand applications each year.

This may seem daunting—how do you separate yourself from thousands of others?

On one particular college tour during my junior year of high school, an admissions officer offered some of the best advice about how to write a stand out college admissions essay. This tour was at UCLA, believe it or not.

The admissions officer asked the group of aspiring Bruins, "If you were to leave your essay in the cafeteria of your school without your name on it and another student picked it up, would he or she know to whom it belonged?"

This question stayed with me when writing my essay. It reminded me to stay true to myself and to really showcase what I bring to the table. I also kept in mind how the school and I fit together. I did some research about the school and targeted information which complemented the points I tried to convey. And I think my essay helped give the officers reading my application get a better sense of who I am.

When it came time for me to apply to UCLA, one of the prompts I selected to answer was this (paraphrased):

"Thousands apply to UCLA each year. What makes you different from other applicants?"

I learned during my research that, other than California, the most well-represented home state among the student population was Texas. Having grown up in The Lone Star State, it certainly is a part of who I am. But I had to find a way to distinguish myself from the thousands of other Texas applicants.

Here was my answer:

"I am from Texas. But I'm not of Texas. I've gone to a rodeo, but never roped a steer. I wear hats but they're not ten-gallon. I wear boots. They don't have spurs.
I don't say "y'all".
I've eaten salmon and even tried venison, but I can't bait a hook or load a gun. I've also had barbecue, but I couldn't tell you the difference between a rub and a sauce.
I do have a great granola recipe. It's the nutmeg that makes it.
I'm a good dancer, but not in a line or a square or a circle. I love concerts, and especially enjoy being in the Pit. I do not, however, listen to country music. At all. Ever. Seriously.
I'll admit, I've pledged allegiance to Texas, one state, indivisible. It's a requirement. Driving a tractor to school is not. Neither is "muddin' with my buds".
I love art, especially the impressionists. I don't think bumper stickers that read "Secede" are artistic or impressive.
Don't get me wrong, Texas was a great place to grow up. From riding the surf at Padre Island National Seashore, to spray painting old cars at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and cheering on my Tomball Cougars under Friday night lights, it really is its own country.
I can't help but bring a little bit of the Lone Star State with me, and I'll be a good Bruin. But like Texas, I won't be perfect even if I think I am."

With all of that being said, I am not an admissions officer. I don't know the secret sauce to get into a top university but as getting admitted to an elite school, like UCLA, becomes increasingly competitive, it is more important than ever to set yourself apart.

I've read several essays written by my friends and peers, and one thing that they all have in common is that each essay is unique to them. While we may have a lot of the same basic ingredients, each of us brings a special flavor to the table.