What are the best books to help with writing college essays?

I’m a Yale graduate and college admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience helping students gain admission to top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. I’ve guided thousands of students through the essay process and can recommend books that not only inspire but also provide clear, practical steps to get from a blank page to a polished draft.

One of my top recommendations is *College Essay Essentials* by Ethan Sawyer (the College Essay Guy). It’s popular because it breaks the process into manageable steps, offers brainstorming strategies, and includes sample essays with commentary explaining why they work. Sawyer’s approachable tone helps make even the most intimidating writing tasks feel doable. Many of my students have found his exercises at the start especially useful for identifying which personal stories to tell.

Another strong option is *50 Successful Harvard Application Essays* by the Harvard Crimson. While the examples are from Harvard admits, the insights apply to any highly selective school. Each essay is paired with analysis, showing what made it effective. Reading a wide range of real student voices can spark inspiration and show how personal and varied strong essays can be.

For a focus on editing and revising, I recommend *On Writing the College Application Essay* by Harry Bauld. It’s a bit older, but still one of the best resources for avoiding clichés, writing authentically, and trimming unnecessary content. Bauld’s advice on “cutting fluff” and refining language has helped many students tighten both their main and supplemental essays.

While books are a great starting point, don’t feel you must follow every formula exactly. Use their brainstorming prompts and sample essays as launching pads for your own ideas. Sometimes simply reading two or three strong examples can inspire a structure, tone, or anecdote you hadn’t considered.

If you’re looking for inspiration, many of these books include essays with unusual approaches or prompts. Seeing how other students successfully told their stories can be motivating and help you find your own narrative voice.

Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools, including the Ivy League and Stanford. To give each student the highest level of attention, I keep my caseload small — booking early guarantees a place. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families where we’ll review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book directly through my profile.

I know this process can feel overwhelming at times, but you are fully capable of navigating it successfully. I’m always here to help guide you through it.