Can anyone share examples of college essays about overcoming challenges?
I'm in the process of brainstorming topics for my main college essay, and it seems like a lot of prompts focus on resilience or overcoming obstacles. I know the general idea of what they want, but I have no clue how to actually put it into words or structure the story effectively.
If anyone is comfortable, could you share samples of your own essays (or even just summaries) about overcoming challenges? I just want to see how people connect their experiences to the bigger picture, like growth or lessons learned. I’m worried mine will sound forced or cliché. I had some issues with adjusting to high school during freshman year due to moving to a new city, but I’m not sure if that’s “big enough” or interesting.
Any advice, perspectives, or links to essays would be really appreciated!
If anyone is comfortable, could you share samples of your own essays (or even just summaries) about overcoming challenges? I just want to see how people connect their experiences to the bigger picture, like growth or lessons learned. I’m worried mine will sound forced or cliché. I had some issues with adjusting to high school during freshman year due to moving to a new city, but I’m not sure if that’s “big enough” or interesting.
Any advice, perspectives, or links to essays would be really appreciated!
2 weeks ago
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4 views
Anonymous
2 weeks ago
Your concern about sounding cliché is very common, especially with topics like moving or adjusting to a new environment. What sets a strong essay apart isn’t the size of the challenge, but the depth of your reflection and how you convey personal growth.
For example, one student wrote about her experience struggling in advanced math after switching schools. Rather than telling a generic success story, she focused on a pivotal moment: sitting in the library staring at a failed test, feeling isolated, and overhearing another student mention similar struggles. She described reaching out, forming a small study group, and discovering new learning strategies. Her essay wasn’t really about failing math; it was about building community, finding confidence in vulnerability, and discovering her love of peer mentoring. She closed by sharing how these lessons made her less afraid to seek help and more willing to lead.
Another example: a student wrote about her speech impediment. She zoomed in on one debate tournament where she froze mid-speech and had to decide if she’d quit or keep going. She chose to continue, stuttering her way through but earning a standing ovation from her team. Her reflection focused on how this moment made her realize that success wasn’t about perfection, but about courage and authenticity.
If you want your own story about moving to a new city and adjusting to high school to stand out, dig into a specific memory or moment: maybe the first lunchtime when you felt lost, or the day you joined a club you never would have at your old school. Show the reader your emotions and what you did in response. Then, tie it to how these experiences shaped your outlook, interests, or relationships.
A helpful structure: set the scene with your challenge, show a key moment of conflict or decision, describe what changed (both externally and internally), and close with a reflection on what it means for your future. Details and honest emotion make even "ordinary" stories memorable.
Don’t worry about having a huge, dramatic obstacle; the most compelling essays are authentic, specific, and self-aware, not necessarily sensational.
For example, one student wrote about her experience struggling in advanced math after switching schools. Rather than telling a generic success story, she focused on a pivotal moment: sitting in the library staring at a failed test, feeling isolated, and overhearing another student mention similar struggles. She described reaching out, forming a small study group, and discovering new learning strategies. Her essay wasn’t really about failing math; it was about building community, finding confidence in vulnerability, and discovering her love of peer mentoring. She closed by sharing how these lessons made her less afraid to seek help and more willing to lead.
Another example: a student wrote about her speech impediment. She zoomed in on one debate tournament where she froze mid-speech and had to decide if she’d quit or keep going. She chose to continue, stuttering her way through but earning a standing ovation from her team. Her reflection focused on how this moment made her realize that success wasn’t about perfection, but about courage and authenticity.
If you want your own story about moving to a new city and adjusting to high school to stand out, dig into a specific memory or moment: maybe the first lunchtime when you felt lost, or the day you joined a club you never would have at your old school. Show the reader your emotions and what you did in response. Then, tie it to how these experiences shaped your outlook, interests, or relationships.
A helpful structure: set the scene with your challenge, show a key moment of conflict or decision, describe what changed (both externally and internally), and close with a reflection on what it means for your future. Details and honest emotion make even "ordinary" stories memorable.
Don’t worry about having a huge, dramatic obstacle; the most compelling essays are authentic, specific, and self-aware, not necessarily sensational.
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