Is watching College Essay Guy's YouTube videos actually helpful for writing my essays?
I've seen a ton of people recommend College Essay Guy on YouTube and say his tips are super helpful, but I don't know if it's really worth spending hours watching his videos.
Right now, I'm kinda stuck with my Common App essay and honestly feel overwhelmed by all the advice from different places. Has anyone actually used his methods or templates and felt their writing genuinely improved? Or does it just get confusing with too many strategies?
I'm worried that following too many different YouTube tips will make my essay sound generic or like it wasn't really written by me. Any thoughts on whether College Essay Guy helps with that, or if he just gives you stuff that sounds good but isn't quite personal enough?
Right now, I'm kinda stuck with my Common App essay and honestly feel overwhelmed by all the advice from different places. Has anyone actually used his methods or templates and felt their writing genuinely improved? Or does it just get confusing with too many strategies?
I'm worried that following too many different YouTube tips will make my essay sound generic or like it wasn't really written by me. Any thoughts on whether College Essay Guy helps with that, or if he just gives you stuff that sounds good but isn't quite personal enough?
4 months ago
•
39 views
Camille Luong
• 4 months ago
Advisor
You're definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the different sources of college essay advice out there, and it's smart to be cautious about which ones you rely on. College Essay Guy's YouTube content is actually pretty well regarded for breaking things down clearly with lots of real-world examples, so many students do find his methods helpful—especially if you're struggling to get started or organize your thoughts.
One of the strengths of his approach is that he emphasizes personal storytelling and authenticity, rather than formulaic or overused essay structures. For example, his 'montage' and 'narrative' structures are meant to help you find a unique way to tell your story, not box you into a single format. Many people use his brainstorming exercises (like the 'Essence Objects' or 'Values' activities) to uncover meaningful stories from their own lives, which can spark specific memories for your essay. I've known students who started by answering his 'Twenty Questions' exercise and were able to find a topic that genuinely reflected their voice.
That said, it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to follow every single tip you see online, which can make your essay sound more like a checklist than something authentically yours. If you find a video or strategy of his that clicks with you—maybe you like how he breaks down "show, don't tell" or how to start with an engaging hook—use that. But don't feel obligated to adopt everything he recommends.
To avoid your essay becoming generic, focus on using his frameworks as a way to organize your own thoughts and stories, not as templates to fill in. For instance, if his video suggests writing about a challenge, pick a moment that is truly unique to you—like a time you realized something important about yourself or acted on your values, rather than a generic sports win or moving experience, unless you can make it highly personal.
Bottom line: His resources are worth checking out, especially for unlocking ideas or structure, but always filter them through your own perspective. If a tip helps you say what you honestly want to share, go with it; if not, don't force it. In the end, your essay should sound like you—not like a YouTuber or a template.
One of the strengths of his approach is that he emphasizes personal storytelling and authenticity, rather than formulaic or overused essay structures. For example, his 'montage' and 'narrative' structures are meant to help you find a unique way to tell your story, not box you into a single format. Many people use his brainstorming exercises (like the 'Essence Objects' or 'Values' activities) to uncover meaningful stories from their own lives, which can spark specific memories for your essay. I've known students who started by answering his 'Twenty Questions' exercise and were able to find a topic that genuinely reflected their voice.
That said, it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to follow every single tip you see online, which can make your essay sound more like a checklist than something authentically yours. If you find a video or strategy of his that clicks with you—maybe you like how he breaks down "show, don't tell" or how to start with an engaging hook—use that. But don't feel obligated to adopt everything he recommends.
To avoid your essay becoming generic, focus on using his frameworks as a way to organize your own thoughts and stories, not as templates to fill in. For instance, if his video suggests writing about a challenge, pick a moment that is truly unique to you—like a time you realized something important about yourself or acted on your values, rather than a generic sports win or moving experience, unless you can make it highly personal.
Bottom line: His resources are worth checking out, especially for unlocking ideas or structure, but always filter them through your own perspective. If a tip helps you say what you honestly want to share, go with it; if not, don't force it. In the end, your essay should sound like you—not like a YouTuber or a template.
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Camille Luong
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Stanford University, BAH in Urban Studies
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5 years
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