How should I approach the college community essay?

Colleges ask for a community essay to get a sense of how you interact with others and what kinds of groups or environments shape who you are. "Community" can mean almost anything—a physical place (like your neighborhood), a formal group (school club, sports team, debate team), or a more informal network (group of friends who share an identity, online gaming community, or a passion).

You definitely don’t need to focus only on your town or high school. In fact, sometimes a more specific or less obvious community can help your essay stand out. For example, if you have a close-knit friend group who supports each other through challenging AP classes, or you’ve built friendships in an online forum for music producers, those can be just as rich as more traditional groups.

When deciding what community to write about, think about where you’ve felt belonging, responsibility, or growth. Reflect on a group that represents something meaningful about you, and focus on a story that highlights how you’ve contributed, learned, or changed because of your involvement.

An essay stands out when it captures something personal and specific. For instance, instead of writing, "I like my swim team because we all support each other at meets," dig into a moment or event that says a lot about you. Maybe you organized a ride-sharing system for early morning practices that helped teammates arrive on time and fostered closer connections. Or perhaps your online friend group helped you through a tough period, leading you to realize how support can exist in digital spaces—then share what you did to give back to that community.

Being authentic is the key here. Pick a community where you genuinely had an impact or felt impacted. Show your personality through details and real experiences, not by describing a community you think the college wants to hear about.

When I wrote my own community essay, I chose my school’s robotics club. But instead of focusing just on our team wins, I talked about how I redesigned our onboarding process for new members who felt intimidated by older students. This not only showed my technical skills but also highlighted empathy and initiative.

Take some time to brainstorm different groups you belong to and pick one where your story isn’t just what you did together, but why those experiences mattered to you. That specificity and reflection will make your essay memorable and honest.