Where can I find good samples of successful college essays?

One of the best ways to understand what makes a college essay stand out is by reading real examples that were successful in the admissions process. Several reputable sources offer collections of essays that got students into highly selective schools, and reading through them can be really inspiring.

One good starting point is the book "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" (St. Martin's Griffin). It not only prints the actual essays but also provides admissions officers’ commentary on what made them strong. Another book, “College Essay Essentials” by Ethan Sawyer (also known as the College Essay Guy), has a section where he breaks down real essays and explains why they work. These books are available online or in most libraries.

For free online resources, Johns Hopkins University publishes a handful of "Essays That Worked" each year along with short admissions notes about each one. Their site is https://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays-that-worked/. Tufts and Connecticut College have similar pages.

Also, there are forums—like College Confidential and Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege — where students occasionally share their essays and feedback. Sometimes, users post threads collecting essays or essay snippets that worked for them and why. Just be careful to use these for inspiration, not to replicate content or style directly, and always fact-check the context around the essays since they're not vetted like university-published examples.

From reading samples, try to identify how students use specific stories, unique perspectives, and authentic voice to stand out. For example, one memorable essay on the Johns Hopkins site starts with the student describing their love/hate relationship with the Oxford comma—something totally unique to them—and uses it as a lens for exploring communication and belonging.

As you read essays, focus on those that tell singular, personal stories rather than generic achievements. Notice how the writers connect small moments to a larger theme about who they are. This might help you break the cycle of second-guessing and give you ideas for structure or voice.

In summary, check university admissions sites, a couple of well-known essay books, and select forum threads. Use the samples to see what resonates with you, paying attention to what feels genuine and specific. Let these inspire your writing, but don’t worry if your essay doesn’t sound like the samples—the most important thing is that it’s true to you.