Does anyone have examples of college essays written in APA format?

You don’t need to use APA format for college application essays. Application essays are not academic research papers, so things like a cover page, running head, abstract, or institutionally formatted citations are not necessary (unless a specific scholarship or program asks for it—which is very rare).

Instead, your college essay should look more like a personal narrative or a creative short story. Focus on clear paragraphs, indented or double-spaced, using a readable font like Times New Roman or Arial. Your name and contact info usually go in the general application portal, not on the essay itself. There’s no need to add a title page or formal headings unless a college asks for them.

If you reference a quote, book, or statistic, you should mention the source naturally in the text (for example, “As Maya Angelou once wrote...”). Formal APA in-text citations and reference lists are not expected unless an application gives specific instructions.

For example, instead of:

Smith, J. (2020). My Family Traditions. New York Times.

You’d write something like:

Growing up, I always remembered something my grandfather said: “Tradition is the memory of the heart.”

So, skip APA style and focus on sharing your unique story and voice. Review the college’s instructions just in case, but you’re definitely safe prioritizing engaging content and clarity over formal formatting. Most admissions officers are looking for authenticity, good writing, and reflection—not perfect citation style. Good luck with your essay!