Does anyone have tips for using College Essay Guy's advice specifically for the Boston College supplemental essays?

You’re not alone in feeling that Boston College’s supplements, especially the ‘values’ prompt, can be tough to approach! College Essay Guy’s advice around ‘Montage’ and ‘Narrative’ structures can definitely be adapted, but you should tailor them more tightly for BC’s style and word limit.

For the ‘values’ prompt, BC isn’t looking for drama—they want depth. CEG recommends brainstorming your core values, then grounding your essay in specific experiences that show you living out those values. Even if your story is simple, what matters is how meaningfully you reflect and what you reveal about yourself.

One way to use his structure ideas: try the ‘Values Exercise.’ List your top values, pick one, and jot down mini-moments when you embodied that value. Then, choose one vivid, personal moment as your anchor. Instead of a sweeping narrative, zoom in on a moment of decision, conflict, or realization that illustrates your value in action. For example, rather than telling your entire journey volunteering at a local shelter, focus on one interaction where your value of empathy or justice was tested—maybe a difficult conversation, or an instance when you had to challenge someone’s assumptions.

College Essay Guy’s ‘This is what X taught me about Y’ structure can also be helpful: state the event, what value it connects to, and how it shapes you moving forward. Don’t worry if the story itself seems small—thoughtful reflection makes any story compelling. For example, one student wrote about the quiet dignity in washing dishes with his grandmother, connecting that to humility and family ties.

If you’re stuck, review the BC mission statement or Jesuit values to see what resonates, but keep the reflection personal—not just about what BC wants to hear. Authenticity trumps showing off. And don’t be afraid of simplicity; being real and self-aware is what colleges notice most.

In summary, use CEG’s frameworks as guide rails, but focus each BC supplement sharply, with detail and sincere reflection on a single value-centered moment. That approach is what makes your essay both authentic and memorable for Boston College’s readers.