How do I write a strong community essay using advice from College Essay Guy?

A community essay stands out when it goes beyond listing your memberships or surface-level involvement. The strongest ones create a window into who you are by focusing on an authentic, specific moment or experience where you made a meaningful impact or grew as a person.

College Essay Guy’s advice about showing vs. telling is crucial: instead of saying, "I'm a leader in my school," you show it through a story. For example, rather than describing all the ways you've contributed to different clubs, pick a particular moment—maybe the time you organized a tutoring night for underclassmen struggling with chemistry. Walk the reader through the challenge, your thought process, your actions, and (importantly!) how it affected others and you.

Essays that stand out often zoom into one small but telling slice of your experience. Suppose your school is huge and you’re worried about sounding generic—think about a unique intersection of your identity, interests, and community. For instance, maybe you’re a gamer who started a lunch club for students who didn’t feel at home in the typical social circles. Describe an interaction in that club: a moment of vulnerability, inclusion, or growth.

Some applicants do write about multiple contributions, but it can dilute the emotional punch. Admissions officers usually remember essays with a clear thread: a single club, event, or initiative that serves as a lens into your character. If you need to mention more than one involvement, try to choose a common theme that ties them together—like bringing quiet people together, solving problems creatively, or celebrating diversity.

Counselors often suggest that authenticity is just as important as impact, so don’t exaggerate. If your community impact feels personal to you, it will come through as genuine. Consider this structure, similar to College Essay Guy’s advice:

1. Open with a vivid anecdote (show, don’t tell).
2. Reflect on what the community means to you.
3. Illustrate growth or impact (on others or yourself).
4. End with an insight, forward-thinking statement, or personal takeaway.

For example, a student wrote about creating a Spanish Club in a predominantly English-speaking school—not just to celebrate language, but to build a space where students could share their family stories. The essay focused on one particular meeting where a shy classmate finally spoke up, and how that changed the group dynamic. It was specific, heartfelt, and showed real impact.

If you’re stuck, brainstorm moments—not just activity lists—and ask yourself, "What’s one story or interaction that changed how I see myself or my community?" Those are the strongest building blocks for this prompt.