Where can I find strong Ivy League college essay examples?
I'm starting to brainstorm for my personal statement and realized I have no real idea what an Ivy League-level essay looks like. I keep hearing that showing your personality is more important than the topic itself, but that's still pretty vague to me.
If anyone has links to example essays that got students into Ivy Leagues (Brown, Harvard, Yale, etc.), or knows where they're posted online, I'd appreciate it a lot. It would also be useful to know which samples seem overdone or risky based on your experience. I want to avoid a cliché but I'm not sure what that looks like!
Also, if there are published examples for supplemental essays (like 'Why Us?' questions), I'd love to see those too.
If anyone has links to example essays that got students into Ivy Leagues (Brown, Harvard, Yale, etc.), or knows where they're posted online, I'd appreciate it a lot. It would also be useful to know which samples seem overdone or risky based on your experience. I want to avoid a cliché but I'm not sure what that looks like!
Also, if there are published examples for supplemental essays (like 'Why Us?' questions), I'd love to see those too.
3 weeks ago
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4 views
Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Looking at sample Ivy League essays can really help you see what successful applications look like—and more importantly, what makes them stand out. Some reliable places to find strong, authentic examples include:
- College admissions books like "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" or "Essays That Worked for Brown". These are available at most major bookstores and public libraries and often include annotations pointing out what works in each essay.
- Many Ivy League admissions websites post selected 'essays that worked.' For example, Johns Hopkins (frequently mistaken for an Ivy) has an entire section titled Essays That Worked, and while the school isn't officially Ivy, their standards are similar. University of Pennsylvania's undergraduate admissions website sometimes shares real student submissions as well.
- Online resources like the New York Times’ “Standout College Application Essays” series feature essays written by accepted students, sometimes even with student commentary or admissions officer notes. These have included Ivy League admits.
- Admission consulting blogs sometimes feature sample essays (make sure they're not overly generic and come from reputable sources).
As for recognizing overdone topics, be wary of essays solely about a generic volunteer trip, winning or losing a big game, moving schools, or the classic immigrant story unless you have a truly original angle or personal moment to highlight. Instead, essays that zoom into a very specific moment or internal conflict tend to be more powerful.
For example, rather than writing about being captain of your team, a standout essay might focus on a single occasion where you negotiated a dispute between players, revealing your leadership style and personality through action. Or, instead of a broad essay about moving to the U.S., you might anchor the story on one afternoon when you helped a newly-arrived neighbor settle in, showing empathy in action.
When looking at 'Why Us?' supplements, notice how strong essays are tailored. Instead of broad statements like “the campus is beautiful,” they explicitly name courses, professors, or unique opportunities. For example, "I’m excited by Yale’s Directed Studies program because of its focus on primary-source learning and small seminars, which matches my love for immersive discussion."
Ultimately, use sample essays as inspiration, not as templates. Once you’ve read a few (and reflected on which ones feel unique or authentic to you), focus on finding your own story or lens that only you could write. Good luck with your brainstorming!
- College admissions books like "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" or "Essays That Worked for Brown". These are available at most major bookstores and public libraries and often include annotations pointing out what works in each essay.
- Many Ivy League admissions websites post selected 'essays that worked.' For example, Johns Hopkins (frequently mistaken for an Ivy) has an entire section titled Essays That Worked, and while the school isn't officially Ivy, their standards are similar. University of Pennsylvania's undergraduate admissions website sometimes shares real student submissions as well.
- Online resources like the New York Times’ “Standout College Application Essays” series feature essays written by accepted students, sometimes even with student commentary or admissions officer notes. These have included Ivy League admits.
- Admission consulting blogs sometimes feature sample essays (make sure they're not overly generic and come from reputable sources).
As for recognizing overdone topics, be wary of essays solely about a generic volunteer trip, winning or losing a big game, moving schools, or the classic immigrant story unless you have a truly original angle or personal moment to highlight. Instead, essays that zoom into a very specific moment or internal conflict tend to be more powerful.
For example, rather than writing about being captain of your team, a standout essay might focus on a single occasion where you negotiated a dispute between players, revealing your leadership style and personality through action. Or, instead of a broad essay about moving to the U.S., you might anchor the story on one afternoon when you helped a newly-arrived neighbor settle in, showing empathy in action.
When looking at 'Why Us?' supplements, notice how strong essays are tailored. Instead of broad statements like “the campus is beautiful,” they explicitly name courses, professors, or unique opportunities. For example, "I’m excited by Yale’s Directed Studies program because of its focus on primary-source learning and small seminars, which matches my love for immersive discussion."
Ultimately, use sample essays as inspiration, not as templates. Once you’ve read a few (and reflected on which ones feel unique or authentic to you), focus on finding your own story or lens that only you could write. Good luck with your brainstorming!
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