Where can I find amazing college essay examples for inspiration?

Finding high-quality college essay examples can absolutely help spark inspiration and give you a sense of how to convey your voice and unique experiences. While it’s true that some examples online can feel generic, there are some excellent resources where you’ll find authentic essays that successfully helped students get into competitive schools.

A few places to start:

1. The "Essays That Worked" section on many college admissions websites, like Johns Hopkins, Hamilton College, and Tufts. These schools regularly publish essays from accepted students and often include staff notes about what made each essay powerful. For instance, some JHU essays use quirky metaphors or focus on small, vivid moments, not big, sweeping life changes.

2. Books like "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" or "Heavenly Essays" by Janine Robinson feature essays plus commentary that breaks down what works. You'll see a range from deeply personal essays about family challenges to lighter, more humorous pieces—this can help you see the huge range of topics and tones that can be effective.

3. YouTube channels and blogs run by student admissions advisors occasionally share anonymized sample essays with tips about why they stood out.

As for what makes essays memorable, specific moments and authentic voice go a long way. For example, one student wrote about working at a local bakery and related the process of kneading dough to building resilience after a hard year. Instead of describing trauma in detail, they focused on the comfort found in a daily ritual and used vivid sensory language—this specificity helped the essay stand out.

If you're looking for inspiration, consider jotting down a list of "small moments"—the way you felt when you helped a neighbor, how a particular hobby has shaped your daily routine, or a challenge you've faced that changed your perspective in a subtle but meaningful way.

Finally, if you’d like, you can start by writing a short paragraph about a time you felt truly yourself, or when you learned something unexpected about someone else—that initial draft, even if rough, can often spark your best ideas. Remember: what matters most is your own voice and genuine story. Once you find a moment or theme that means something to you, the structure and style will often start falling into place.