Where can I find perfect college essay examples to help guide my writing?
I'm starting to draft my personal statement for college applications, but I'm feeling really overwhelmed by how to make mine stand out. I know that reading examples of strong essays can be helpful, but I'm not sure where to look or what really counts as "perfect."
Did reading sample essays help any of you, and if so, where did you find them? I'm especially interested in essays that got students into top schools, but I'd also like to see what makes an essay genuinely memorable even outside of that. If anyone has sites, books, or even essay prompts they found effective, I'd really appreciate the recommendations.
I'm just struggling to find my story, so looking at real essays might spark some inspiration for me.
Did reading sample essays help any of you, and if so, where did you find them? I'm especially interested in essays that got students into top schools, but I'd also like to see what makes an essay genuinely memorable even outside of that. If anyone has sites, books, or even essay prompts they found effective, I'd really appreciate the recommendations.
I'm just struggling to find my story, so looking at real essays might spark some inspiration for me.
6 months ago
•
54 views
Lydia Schooler
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Reading sample college essays can be a huge help—not just to get ideas for structure and voice, but also to see the surprising ways students tell their personal stories. Some of the best places to find strong, detailed essay examples are official college admissions websites. For example, Johns Hopkins University publishes a selection of 'essays that worked' each year, complete with commentary from admission officers. These are especially helpful because you get insight into what makes the essay effective and memorable.
Another excellent source is books like 'College Essay Essentials' by Ethan Sawyer or '50 Successful Harvard Application Essays.' These books offer a range of real essays with notes about what made them successful. If you have access to your school library or local bookstore, browsing through these can really help demystify the process.
Online, there are nonprofit and educational sites that share essays—look for essays published by universities or organizations dedicated to college access. Blogs run by college counselors or admissions offices sometimes have genuine, anonymized examples you can read for free. Just be cautious with random internet sources, as not all essays labelled as 'perfect' are actually good models. It's always best when there’s expert commentary included.
What matters most isn't that an essay is 'perfect,' but rather that it's authentic, personal, and uses storytelling to highlight something unique about the writer. For example, I’ve seen standout essays on everyday moments, like a student describing the quiet routine of making breakfast for a younger sibling every morning—the small details and reflection made it memorable, even though it wasn’t a dramatic event.
If you’re struggling to find your story, take note of the kinds of topics and tones you enjoy when reading sample essays. Try jotting down five moments or experiences that shaped you, however ordinary they may seem. Then, revisit those examples with your own life moments in mind—it can often spark inspiration!
Remember, a memorable essay isn’t about the topic itself but the lens you use to examine it. Good luck with your writing, and definitely spend some time reading real essays with commentary for the best guidance.
Another excellent source is books like 'College Essay Essentials' by Ethan Sawyer or '50 Successful Harvard Application Essays.' These books offer a range of real essays with notes about what made them successful. If you have access to your school library or local bookstore, browsing through these can really help demystify the process.
Online, there are nonprofit and educational sites that share essays—look for essays published by universities or organizations dedicated to college access. Blogs run by college counselors or admissions offices sometimes have genuine, anonymized examples you can read for free. Just be cautious with random internet sources, as not all essays labelled as 'perfect' are actually good models. It's always best when there’s expert commentary included.
What matters most isn't that an essay is 'perfect,' but rather that it's authentic, personal, and uses storytelling to highlight something unique about the writer. For example, I’ve seen standout essays on everyday moments, like a student describing the quiet routine of making breakfast for a younger sibling every morning—the small details and reflection made it memorable, even though it wasn’t a dramatic event.
If you’re struggling to find your story, take note of the kinds of topics and tones you enjoy when reading sample essays. Try jotting down five moments or experiences that shaped you, however ordinary they may seem. Then, revisit those examples with your own life moments in mind—it can often spark inspiration!
Remember, a memorable essay isn’t about the topic itself but the lens you use to examine it. Good luck with your writing, and definitely spend some time reading real essays with commentary for the best guidance.
Related Questions
Students also ask…