Where can I find good examples of college compare and contrast essays?

It’s completely normal to feel a bit lost when facing a new essay format like compare and contrast, especially for college applications where the stakes feel higher. There are a few solid places where you can find real examples, along with reliable guidance to better understand how to structure and personalize your response.

One of the best sources for seeing authentic college essays—including some that use compare and contrast—are official college admissions websites. Schools like Johns Hopkins and Hamilton College publish successful student essays on their websites. These usually aren’t labeled as 'compare and contrast essays' directly, but you’ll find some that use this format, especially in response to prompts that ask students to reflect on two ideas, experiences, or values.

Books like "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" or "College Essay Essentials" by Ethan Sawyer ('College Essay Guy') also contain essays that, while not always strictly compare-contrast, often compare two experiences, places, or points of view. They also break down structure and offer explanations, which might spark ideas for how to arrange your essay. You can check these out at your local library if you don't want to buy them.

Educational websites like the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) or university writing centers (search for resources from UNC-Chapel Hill or Harvard's Writing Center) cover the basics of compare and contrast essays. They offer sample outlines and hypothetical examples, which really help nail down things like using block or point-by-point structure, creating strong thesis statements, and using transitions effectively.

For a more informal example, here’s a quick one: A student responding to a prompt about comparing two communities they’ve belonged to might start the essay with a short scene from their robotics club, then a contrasting scene from their church choir rehearsal. In the body, they might explore how each group shaped their problem-solving or social skills differently, but both challenged them to become a stronger leader. By the end, they’d wrap up by explaining how balancing these two environments prepared them for college.

If you're looking for peer essays, sites like CollegeVine and Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege have students occasionally sharing their successful essays (redacted for privacy). Search for threads about supplemental essays or specific compare/contrast prompts.

A tip: Even when using a compare and contrast format, try to focus the essay on a specific moment or realization—the more narrowly you can frame your topic, the more engaging and memorable your essay will be. Good luck, and if you end up drafting something or have a topic idea, feel free to ask for feedback!