Is the College Essay Guy book actually helpful for writing college essays?

The College Essay Guy book is pretty popular for a reason—it’s especially helpful if you’re just starting your Common App essay or feeling stuck. The author, Ethan Sawyer, breaks down the process in a way that’s approachable and less overwhelming than some other guides. One of its main strengths is how it helps students brainstorm unique topics through exercises and practical prompts, like the "Essence Objects" or "Values" exercises, which can spark ideas you might not have thought about on your own.

If you’re struggling with structure, the book introduces models like the "Montage" and "Narrative" structures with clear, real-world examples. For instance, one student used the Montage method to weave together short vignettes of different objects in their bedroom, each representing a significant part of their personality or family background. These models make it easier to visualize how your essay could be organized, especially if typical chronological storytelling doesn’t feel like a fit.

One potential downside is that some readers find the exercises a bit repetitive or wish there were more sample essays within the book itself. Depending on your learning style, you might also prefer working with interactive resources (videos or worksheets) instead of just reading the book. But for most students, especially if you’re going solo without a private consultant, the guidance is solid and practical.

If you’re overwhelmed by the number of resources out there, the College Essay Guy book is a good starting point because it’s not overly prescriptive or formulaic—it offers a flexible framework. The book can help you uncover different angles of your story, not just common cliches like "I worked hard and overcame [generic challenge]." Of course, supplementing with examples from actual college essays online or with feedback from people you trust is always a smart move.

In summary: Yes, the book is worth checking out if you want structured, step-by-step advice with practical exercises that actually get you writing. It might even save you time compared to combing through a dozen different guides. If after a few chapters you find the style doesn’t work for you, you’ll still walk away with some useful brainstorming strategies. And if you want another resource that’s a bit more example-driven, looking up collections of accepted student essays to read alongside the book can round out your prep nicely.