Should I write a montage or narrative-style essay for my college applications?
I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my Common App essay, but I'm having a hard time deciding if I should go for a montage (where different parts of my life are pieced together) or stick to telling one story in the narrative style.
I've read that both can work, but I'm worried that a montage might be too scattered. But then again, with a single narrative, it feels like there's too much pressure to find one defining moment. For context, I'm a curious person with a lot of interests -- from debate club to playing the violin to volunteering at my local animal shelter. I can't really point to one big 'aha' moment in my life, but I do have lots of smaller experiences that helped shape who I am.
Has anyone else been in my shoes? How do you figure out which style would highlight what colleges want to see? Would love to hear any advice or examples of what worked for others.
I've read that both can work, but I'm worried that a montage might be too scattered. But then again, with a single narrative, it feels like there's too much pressure to find one defining moment. For context, I'm a curious person with a lot of interests -- from debate club to playing the violin to volunteering at my local animal shelter. I can't really point to one big 'aha' moment in my life, but I do have lots of smaller experiences that helped shape who I am.
Has anyone else been in my shoes? How do you figure out which style would highlight what colleges want to see? Would love to hear any advice or examples of what worked for others.
5 months ago
•
41 views
Camille Luong
• 5 months ago
Advisor
Choosing between a montage and a narrative-style essay really comes down to what best captures your authentic voice and helps admissions officers understand you. Based on your description—a wide range of interests and no singular life-defining moment—the montage might actually be a natural fit.
Montage essays let you connect various experiences under a common theme or value, showing different sides of yourself. For example, you could weave together scenes from debate club, violin practice, and volunteering, all tied to your curiosity or another trait. The key is to have a thread connecting each story: maybe each activity sparked a new question for you, or taught you to view the world differently. This approach works well when your personality can't be summarized by one event alone.
However, montages can fall flat if they just list accomplishments. To avoid this, focus on the emotional thread or evolution. For instance, a student wrote a successful montage about her hands—describing how they were used for robotics, music, cooking for family, and comforting a friend. The unifying motif (her hands) gave cohesion to otherwise separate moments.
Narrative essays are great when you have a compelling story with clear conflict and change. If you do find one experience that represents a big shift (even if it's not dramatic), narrative can be effective. For example, someone might write about a quiet moment at the animal shelter where they realized how they handle uncertainty or responsibility, then show how that moment influenced their actions elsewhere.
Bottom line: If your life feels more like several defining vignettes rather than one big event, montage usually lets you shine in a way that feels honest and creative. Brainstorm your experiences, look for underlying themes, and test writing a paragraph or two in both styles. Sharing drafts with a trusted reader can also clarify which version helps colleges see your story most clearly.
If you’re stuck, start by jotting down your most memorable experiences, then look for what connects them—values, questions, or personal growth. Whichever route you choose, depth and reflection are what ultimately stand out to admissions committees.
Montage essays let you connect various experiences under a common theme or value, showing different sides of yourself. For example, you could weave together scenes from debate club, violin practice, and volunteering, all tied to your curiosity or another trait. The key is to have a thread connecting each story: maybe each activity sparked a new question for you, or taught you to view the world differently. This approach works well when your personality can't be summarized by one event alone.
However, montages can fall flat if they just list accomplishments. To avoid this, focus on the emotional thread or evolution. For instance, a student wrote a successful montage about her hands—describing how they were used for robotics, music, cooking for family, and comforting a friend. The unifying motif (her hands) gave cohesion to otherwise separate moments.
Narrative essays are great when you have a compelling story with clear conflict and change. If you do find one experience that represents a big shift (even if it's not dramatic), narrative can be effective. For example, someone might write about a quiet moment at the animal shelter where they realized how they handle uncertainty or responsibility, then show how that moment influenced their actions elsewhere.
Bottom line: If your life feels more like several defining vignettes rather than one big event, montage usually lets you shine in a way that feels honest and creative. Brainstorm your experiences, look for underlying themes, and test writing a paragraph or two in both styles. Sharing drafts with a trusted reader can also clarify which version helps colleges see your story most clearly.
If you’re stuck, start by jotting down your most memorable experiences, then look for what connects them—values, questions, or personal growth. Whichever route you choose, depth and reflection are what ultimately stand out to admissions committees.
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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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