How do I write a successful montage-style college essay like College Essay Guy suggests?

Great questions! Writing a successful montage-style essay can definitely help you showcase different parts of your identity—but you’re right, it needs to be more than a list of random experiences. The key is choosing a unifying theme that acts like a thread tying your vignettes (short scenes or moments) together.

First, identify your central idea or value. Ask yourself: what big-picture qualities do my interests (chess, volunteering, family) share? Maybe your core theme is strategic thinking, resilience, or community. The montage format works best when all your mini-stories reveal different facets of the same theme.

For example, one student wrote about the different kitchens in her life (family kitchen, soup kitchen, chemistry lab) to illustrate her love for experimentation and connection. Each "kitchen moment" added a new twist to her identity, but all circled around curiosity and care. That’s the goal: every scene should relate back to your main thread.

To brainstorm, try jotting down 4-6 moments, objects, or memories (College Essay Guy calls these “essence objects” or “episodes”) that represent your interests. Then, write a sentence or two about what each moment says about you—not just what happened, but why it matters. Next, look for commonalities and weave your moments together using transitions that reflect the theme. Ask yourself between each section: is it clear how this connects to my core idea?

Keep your vignettes short and vivid, focusing on showing rather than telling—a detail from a chess match, a snapshot from a volunteering shift, a warm family tradition. For example, you might open with: "The snap of the chess clock. My sister’s laughter echoing from the kitchen. The hum of fluorescent lights at the community center." Then, briefly describe what happens in each scene and end each one by reflecting on how it’s shaped you.

Most importantly, end your essay by tying everything back together—showing how these experiences collectively inform who you are and what you'll bring to college. If you can read your draft and someone can easily identify the central theme (not just the topics), you’re on the right track!

Try looking at some sample montage essays (College Essay Guy's site has great ones), and notice how each piece is like a tile in a mosaic that reveals something bigger. The magic comes from both variety and cohesion.

Good luck! The montage format is a creative choice, so let your unique connections and voice shine.