Where can I find the best examples of successful college essays?
I'm starting to brainstorm for my college application essays, but I'm honestly not sure what a strong essay looks like or what topics really stand out. I know there are websites and books with winning examples, but I’m worried about just copying their style instead of coming up with something authentic.
Has anyone found a place with really great sample essays, especially ones that aren't super generic or overused? I've checked the essay sections on websites like CollegeVine and The New York Times but would love more specific recommendations, especially if they include commentary about why the essays worked. Personal insight on what makes an essay memorable, or what readers actually care about, would be super helpful.
Any advice (and links if possible) would be amazing. I’m hoping to avoid the typical clichés and just write something that actually reflects me.
Has anyone found a place with really great sample essays, especially ones that aren't super generic or overused? I've checked the essay sections on websites like CollegeVine and The New York Times but would love more specific recommendations, especially if they include commentary about why the essays worked. Personal insight on what makes an essay memorable, or what readers actually care about, would be super helpful.
Any advice (and links if possible) would be amazing. I’m hoping to avoid the typical clichés and just write something that actually reflects me.
5 months ago
•
34 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
You're definitely on the right track by wanting to study great examples but also making sure your own voice stays front and center.
Some of the best sources for authentic, successful college essays are often the official admissions websites of colleges themselves. Schools like Johns Hopkins, Connecticut College, and Tufts regularly publish real essays from accepted students, along with detailed admissions officer commentary explaining what stood out in each piece. For example, Johns Hopkins' "Essays That Worked" page doesn't just show you samples—it breaks down what the admissions committee appreciated, such as humor, vulnerability, or a unique structure.
Books like '50 Successful Harvard Application Essays' or 'College Essay Essentials' by Ethan Sawyer also provide a wide variety of sample essays across different topics and styles, with notes about what each essay accomplishes. These can help you see how students reflect their personalities and take risks, whether writing about a mundane detail (like a lunchbox) or a bizarre family tradition.
Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege forum sometimes has threads where recent applicants share their essays and comment on each other's work. While not as curated, it can be eye-opening to see what high school seniors across the globe are submitting in real time. You’ll notice the most memorable essays focus less on dramatic events and more on introspection or unique ways the writer connects their interests to their values or dreams.
As you explore, keep a notebook of ideas or moments in your life that make you curious or proud, even if they seem trivial at first. For example, an essay about repairing old radios with your grandfather or the unexpected joy of teaching your sibling to cook can be far more revealing than an essay about winning a big game or keeping top grades. What makes an essay stand out is not the "what" but the "why"—showing your thought process and genuine excitement about a subject.
Whatever examples you read, use them as inspiration—not a template. Admissions readers remember essays that could only be written by you, filled with your voice, your quirks, and your honest perspective. Good luck with your brainstorming!
Some of the best sources for authentic, successful college essays are often the official admissions websites of colleges themselves. Schools like Johns Hopkins, Connecticut College, and Tufts regularly publish real essays from accepted students, along with detailed admissions officer commentary explaining what stood out in each piece. For example, Johns Hopkins' "Essays That Worked" page doesn't just show you samples—it breaks down what the admissions committee appreciated, such as humor, vulnerability, or a unique structure.
Books like '50 Successful Harvard Application Essays' or 'College Essay Essentials' by Ethan Sawyer also provide a wide variety of sample essays across different topics and styles, with notes about what each essay accomplishes. These can help you see how students reflect their personalities and take risks, whether writing about a mundane detail (like a lunchbox) or a bizarre family tradition.
Reddit’s r/ApplyingToCollege forum sometimes has threads where recent applicants share their essays and comment on each other's work. While not as curated, it can be eye-opening to see what high school seniors across the globe are submitting in real time. You’ll notice the most memorable essays focus less on dramatic events and more on introspection or unique ways the writer connects their interests to their values or dreams.
As you explore, keep a notebook of ideas or moments in your life that make you curious or proud, even if they seem trivial at first. For example, an essay about repairing old radios with your grandfather or the unexpected joy of teaching your sibling to cook can be far more revealing than an essay about winning a big game or keeping top grades. What makes an essay stand out is not the "what" but the "why"—showing your thought process and genuine excitement about a subject.
Whatever examples you read, use them as inspiration—not a template. Admissions readers remember essays that could only be written by you, filled with your voice, your quirks, and your honest perspective. Good luck with your brainstorming!
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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