Where can I find good examples of college essays for inspiration?
I’m starting to stress about my college essays and was wondering if anyone knows where to find real (successful) examples. I keep hearing that reading sample essays can help with brainstorming, but I’m not sure where to actually look for them.
Do you guys have any recommendations for websites or books with essay examples? Also, is it actually useful to read a lot of them, or does it just make you feel more pressured to write something 'perfect'? I’m trying to get an idea of what works, but I’m worried about accidentally copying someone’s style too much.
If you’ve seen any especially memorable essays (whether online or from older siblings/friends), please share where you found them! Would love anything that’s specific to schools like the Ivies or UCs, too.
Do you guys have any recommendations for websites or books with essay examples? Also, is it actually useful to read a lot of them, or does it just make you feel more pressured to write something 'perfect'? I’m trying to get an idea of what works, but I’m worried about accidentally copying someone’s style too much.
If you’ve seen any especially memorable essays (whether online or from older siblings/friends), please share where you found them! Would love anything that’s specific to schools like the Ivies or UCs, too.
1 week ago
•
8 views
Camille L
• 1 week ago
Advisor
There are definitely some great places to find authentic, successful college essay examples, and looking through them can absolutely help you get inspired and understand what works. One of the best resources online is the admissions page of certain universities. For example, Johns Hopkins publishes several essays from students who were accepted, with comments from admissions officers about why they stood out. Brown University has also occasionally shared standout essays. These are trustworthy because they’re directly from the schools themselves.
Other reputable sources include “50 Successful Harvard Application Essays” (a book that gets updated every few years), and the New York Times annually publishes a selection of truly unique essays, often with commentary. Reading these lets you see both creative and traditional approaches. College essay advising organizations sometimes share real examples with students’ permission, so you may find collections via those channels (the official collegeboard.org student blog and Niche are also good places to check).
For UC-specific essays, you can find collections of responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions. Blogs like CollegeVine or College Essay Guy curate examples from a variety of schools and even break down why they work, which can be really valuable.
When it comes to how many you should read, moderation is key. Reading a few will definitely show you what’s possible and what makes an essay memorable (for example, I remember coming across an essay about a student’s love for crossword puzzles that showed not just their passion, but their problem-solving and creativity—totally unique). But reading too many can make you second-guess your own style or feel pressure to be overly dramatic. Try to look at sample essays as sources of technique and inspiration, not as templates.
If you worry about accidentally copying someone’s voice, try taking notes on why certain essays stand out rather than their content—are they funny? Really vulnerable? Do they tell a story through a small, specific moment? This way, you’ll develop your own approach. And if you have friends or siblings who’ve been through the process, reading their essays (with permission) can help demystify the process even more.
Let yourself be inspired by variety and remember, the best essays are usually those that could only have been written by that person. Good luck with your brainstorming—you’re already on the right path!
Other reputable sources include “50 Successful Harvard Application Essays” (a book that gets updated every few years), and the New York Times annually publishes a selection of truly unique essays, often with commentary. Reading these lets you see both creative and traditional approaches. College essay advising organizations sometimes share real examples with students’ permission, so you may find collections via those channels (the official collegeboard.org student blog and Niche are also good places to check).
For UC-specific essays, you can find collections of responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions. Blogs like CollegeVine or College Essay Guy curate examples from a variety of schools and even break down why they work, which can be really valuable.
When it comes to how many you should read, moderation is key. Reading a few will definitely show you what’s possible and what makes an essay memorable (for example, I remember coming across an essay about a student’s love for crossword puzzles that showed not just their passion, but their problem-solving and creativity—totally unique). But reading too many can make you second-guess your own style or feel pressure to be overly dramatic. Try to look at sample essays as sources of technique and inspiration, not as templates.
If you worry about accidentally copying someone’s voice, try taking notes on why certain essays stand out rather than their content—are they funny? Really vulnerable? Do they tell a story through a small, specific moment? This way, you’ll develop your own approach. And if you have friends or siblings who’ve been through the process, reading their essays (with permission) can help demystify the process even more.
Let yourself be inspired by variety and remember, the best essays are usually those that could only have been written by that person. Good luck with your brainstorming—you’re already on the right path!