Does anyone have examples of successful UB Honors College essays?

UB Honors College essays are generally looking for authenticity, intellectual curiosity, and a sense of how you’ll contribute to the campus community. While I can’t share anyone’s full essay for privacy reasons, I can describe the qualities that made past essays stand out, along with topic examples and advice about how to approach yours.

A strong essay is always personalized to your experiences and interests, but the best ones I’ve seen usually center around a specific moment, project, or realization that shaped the applicant’s growth. Instead of general statements like "I love learning" or "I want to help people," try to focus on a concrete experience—maybe the time you organized a local sustainability initiative or tutored a younger sibling in math, realizing how much you enjoy bridging gaps for others.

For instance, one accepted student wrote about building a community garden in an abandoned lot. The applicant shared how this small initiative brought people together and taught them to listen to different perspectives when disagreements came up. The essay balanced a telling personal story with broader reflections, connecting the project to their interest in urban planning and desire to bring diverse communities together at UB. They also touched on what excited them about the Honors College: access to research opportunities and a diverse cohort of motivated peers.

Another approach is to reflect on a challenge or curiosity you tackled—maybe you noticed food waste at your school cafeteria and worked with staff to start a composting program. A strong essay would detail what specific steps you took, what you learned when things didn’t go to plan, and what questions or ambitions you’re bringing with you to UB Honors.

When writing, keep these tips in mind:
- Stay genuine and avoid exaggeration.
- Connect your story to your future goals and how the Honors College specifically can help.
- Show self-reflection—admit what you didn’t know at first and how you grew.
- Be specific: details make your story memorable.

Balancing personal experience with staying on topic often means anchoring your essay in a single, significant event, then zooming out to analyze its impact on who you are and who you want to be. Don’t stress about sounding overly formal—UB’s Honors College wants to see your authentic self. Good luck with your application!