Has anyone used Ethan Sawyer's 'College Essay Essentials' to write their personal statement?

I’ve actually read 'College Essay Essentials' by Ethan Sawyer, and I found it genuinely helpful as a starting point for crafting my personal statement. The book breaks down the process in a way that feels a lot less overwhelming, especially if you’re staring at a blank page and not sure where to begin.

For me, the exercises that mapped out personal qualities and moments were most useful. The 'Essence Objects' exercise, for example, asks you to list physical objects that are meaningful to you. It sounds simple, but thinking about what makes those items special led me to some memories and stories I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. One student used this to write a standout essay about their kitchen table—each scratch and stain tied to a memory or family tradition. It ended up as a really unique essay that still revealed tons about their character.

The structure suggestions are good too, especially with examples of essays that worked. Sawyer explains the "montage" essay format versus the traditional "narrative" style, so you can choose an approach that fits your story. If you’re worried about sounding generic, the book often emphasizes focusing on small, specific moments rather than big, clichéd topics. For example, if you played basketball, instead of writing about winning the championship, you might explore a moment you spent shooting hoops in the driveway after a loss, and how that time alone changed your mindset.

Overall, I did feel my essay was stronger because the book helped me dig deeper into my own experiences. I still had to do a lot of editing and get feedback from others, but having concrete exercises to get started made a big difference.

If you’re overwhelmed by options, this book is approachable—just don’t feel like you have to follow every single suggestion! Take what works for you, and use it as a toolkit to draw out your own voice and stories.