What are some helpful tips for writing a montage-style college essay?

The key to a successful montage-style essay is finding a thread or motif that connects your separate moments in a way that feels intentional and meaningful. You're right to be wary of it sounding like a list—without a unifying element, it can come off as disjointed. To avoid this, start by brainstorming 5-7 experiences or interests that feel important to you, then look for an underlying theme, value, or metaphor that ties them together.

For example, you might notice that music plays a role in your life at very different times—playing piano at family gatherings, helping backstage at a school play, or even sharing playlists with a friend during a tough period. Use musical terms or the concept of harmony as your motif, then weave each story into a "track" or "note" in your life’s ongoing composition.

Here's how you can structure the essay:
1. Pick a clear theme or motif (something symbolic is great—food, journeys, colors, lessons, etc.).
2. Open strong: Start with a vivid mini-scene from one of your moments, maybe out of chronological order, to hook your reader.
3. Move through your vignettes, but after each, use a short reflection sentence or two to connect it back to the theme. Show growth or reveal a different facet of yourself with each piece.
4. End with a reflective conclusion that pulls the whole thing together, circling back to your theme and explaining how these experiences form your worldview or ambitions.

A standout montage essay typically has some elements of surprise in how events connect, shows breadth without losing depth, and uses transitions or motifs to keep the reader engaged. For example, one student used different types of meals—breakfasts in America, lunches in Korea, late-night snacks while studying at home—to illustrate their family’s shifting traditions and their own ability to adapt.

Read your essay out loud to catch anywhere it feels choppy or list-like. The magic often happens in the transitions. Small touches—repeated images, callbacks, a running metaphor—make the essay feel cohesive. Ultimately, the best montage essays are like well-made movies: lots of scenes, but they add up to a bigger picture.