What are some of the most unique college essays you've heard of or written?

Unique college essays tend to come from very personal experiences or interests that aren’t the focus of most applicants’ essays. The fact that you’re thinking about your collection of old postcards is actually a great sign—you’re mining your real life for inspiration, which is key to making your essay stand out in a crowded field of similar voices.

Here are a few examples of memorable and distinctive essays (with identifying details adjusted for privacy):

1. Someone wrote about their habit of carrying a tape measure everywhere and measuring odd things in daily life, which led to musings about precision, impermanence, and curiosity.

2. An essay organized around the menu from their favorite family diner, with each dish connected to a distinct family memory and life lesson.

3. A student explored everything they had ever broken, from a neighbor’s window to a friendship, focusing on what it taught them about repair, responsibility, and growth.

4. An applicant used the format of a transcript from their podcast, interviewing different versions of themselves at various ages to reflect on how their goals and perspective changed. Creative structures like this can be compelling if they’re done clearly and tie back to your central message.

Your postcard idea has a lot of potential. The key is not just the collection itself but what each card means to you—did finding a certain postcard spark your interest in a new place or inspire a relationship with someone unexpected? Did any postcard ever get you thinking differently about home, travel, or nostalgia? The more you can tie each physical object to a personal insight, emotion, or change, the more compelling the essay becomes.

One thing to be careful of: don’t just list the cards and their stories; pick the 2-3 most meaningful and dive deep. Show how these small, unique objects connect to bigger personal themes: your curiosity, your desire to connect with others, or your perspective on history/humanity. For example, maybe one postcard led you to research its sender and write them a letter, teaching you something about empathy or connection across generations.

To sum up, truly unique essays almost always spring from ordinary things viewed in a wonderful or personal way. If your writing shows authentic passion and reflection, even a quirky topic will land well. And remember, your goal isn’t to be weird for weird’s sake, but to show admissions officers something only you can offer.