What does a great college essay actually look like?

This is a great question—while there’s lots of advice out there about what makes a college essay strong, it can be tough to imagine what the final product looks or feels like. A great college essay is unique to the writer and gives admissions officers a vivid sense of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. But it doesn’t have to be dramatic or extraordinary to stand out; often, it’s the personal details and reflections that make an essay memorable.

Here’s what strong essays typically have in common:

1. They tell a focused story, usually about a small moment or series of connected moments. Instead of trying to cover your entire life or all your achievements, they zoom in on one slice of life to illustrate something bigger about you.

2. They use concrete details. Instead of saying, "I'm hardworking," a great essay might describe the cracked, faded notecards that you rewrote every night studying for a biology exam—or the feel of flour under your fingernails as you perfected your grandmother's bread recipe. When you show an experience as it happened, your reader can see themselves there with you.

3. They connect the story to a bigger theme. A successful essay doesn’t just describe an event; it explains how it changed you or shaped your view of yourself or the world. Even a mundane moment, like sitting in the passenger seat of your mom's car on grocery trips, can lead to powerful reflection if you show how it shaped your relationship or perspective.

4. They let your voice shine through. The writing feels honest, like a conversation. It doesn’t sound like you’re trying to be someone you’re not.

For example, one standout essay I read used the simple act of fixing a broken lawn mower as a lens to illustrate the applicant’s curiosity for how things work, the patience learned in the process, and a sense of accomplishment from solving practical problems. It was never about the mower itself—it was about the writer’s approach to challenges.

Another example: A student wrote about cooking dinner with their younger sibling while their parents worked late, using these evenings to show responsibility, creative problem-solving, and the special bond with their family. It wasn’t flashy, but it was warm, honest, and full of sensory details.

To recap, think about a moment—a challenge, a conversation, a hobby, an ordinary day—and consider what it reveals about you. Then, use specific examples to bring it to life, and reflect on how it shaped who you are and who you might become.

You don’t need to have survived a tragedy or achieved something out of this world. Admissions officers want to understand you—your thought process, values, and personality—through your unique lens. When in doubt, ask yourself: 'Could someone else write this essay?' If the answer is no, you’re on the right track.