What is a good format example for the college application essay?
I’ve started drafting my main college application essay, but I’m really unsure about what kind of format I should use. Should it be like a five-paragraph essay, or is it okay to write it more like a story?
I would love it if someone could share an example of a successful essay format. Also, should I include a title or is it better to skip that? This is one of the more stressful parts of the process for me because I want my essay to stand out but still feel polished and organized.
Do different colleges care if you use a more creative format versus a standard one? Any advice or sample structures would be really helpful!
I would love it if someone could share an example of a successful essay format. Also, should I include a title or is it better to skip that? This is one of the more stressful parts of the process for me because I want my essay to stand out but still feel polished and organized.
Do different colleges care if you use a more creative format versus a standard one? Any advice or sample structures would be really helpful!
1 week ago
•
12 views
Lydia Schooler
• 1 week ago
Advisor
I’m a Yale graduate and college admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience helping students gain admission to top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. I’ve worked with thousands of students on structuring their essays, and I can tell you there’s no requirement to follow the rigid five-paragraph format from English class. In fact, most successful college essays are written as narratives — essentially short stories that highlight your personality, values, and growth.
A proven structure is the “narrative arc,” which starts with a specific moment — something intriguing, funny, challenging, or emotional — then zooms out to provide context, shows what you learned, and ends with reflection on how it shaped you and your goals. This keeps the essay engaging and easy to follow.
Here’s a simple outline you can adapt:
1. Hook – Start with an action or line of dialogue that drops the reader into the scene. Example: “My hands shook as I adjusted the microphone, but the words I’d practiced echoed in my mind…”
2. Background – Explain briefly why this moment matters or what led up to it.
3. Rising Action/Challenge – Describe what happened, your feelings, the obstacles, and your thought process.
4. Outcome/Resolution – Share what you did and how things turned out.
5. Reflection – Explain what you took away from the experience and how it changed your perspective or goals.
For instance, a student writing about fixing her family’s broken toaster might open with the sizzle and pop of the appliance, then move into how tinkering with broken gadgets sparked a passion for engineering and eventually led to starting a robotics club.
You can also use non-linear timelines, dialogue, or a circular structure that ends by echoing the opening scene. What matters most is clarity, flow, and authenticity — not a specific formula. Titles are optional for the Common App; they won’t make or break your essay, so only include one if it adds value.
Colleges see a wide range of essay formats, and as long as your structure enhances your message rather than distracting from it, creative approaches are welcome. In short: start with a moment, build context, show growth, and reflect. Keep it focused, personal, and polished, but don’t be afraid to break out of the traditional five-paragraph mold if it better serves your story.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools, including the Ivy League and Stanford. To give each student the highest level of attention, I keep my caseload small — booking early guarantees a place. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families where we’ll review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book directly through my profile.
I know this process can feel overwhelming at times, but you are fully capable of navigating it successfully. I’m always here to help guide you through it.
A proven structure is the “narrative arc,” which starts with a specific moment — something intriguing, funny, challenging, or emotional — then zooms out to provide context, shows what you learned, and ends with reflection on how it shaped you and your goals. This keeps the essay engaging and easy to follow.
Here’s a simple outline you can adapt:
1. Hook – Start with an action or line of dialogue that drops the reader into the scene. Example: “My hands shook as I adjusted the microphone, but the words I’d practiced echoed in my mind…”
2. Background – Explain briefly why this moment matters or what led up to it.
3. Rising Action/Challenge – Describe what happened, your feelings, the obstacles, and your thought process.
4. Outcome/Resolution – Share what you did and how things turned out.
5. Reflection – Explain what you took away from the experience and how it changed your perspective or goals.
For instance, a student writing about fixing her family’s broken toaster might open with the sizzle and pop of the appliance, then move into how tinkering with broken gadgets sparked a passion for engineering and eventually led to starting a robotics club.
You can also use non-linear timelines, dialogue, or a circular structure that ends by echoing the opening scene. What matters most is clarity, flow, and authenticity — not a specific formula. Titles are optional for the Common App; they won’t make or break your essay, so only include one if it adds value.
Colleges see a wide range of essay formats, and as long as your structure enhances your message rather than distracting from it, creative approaches are welcome. In short: start with a moment, build context, show growth, and reflect. Keep it focused, personal, and polished, but don’t be afraid to break out of the traditional five-paragraph mold if it better serves your story.
Over the past 8 years, I’ve helped thousands of students craft essays and applications that stand out at the most selective schools, including the Ivy League and Stanford. To give each student the highest level of attention, I keep my caseload small — booking early guarantees a place. I’m currently offering free consultations for new Sundial families where we’ll review your goals, brainstorm essay ideas, and outline a clear application strategy. You can book directly through my profile.
I know this process can feel overwhelming at times, but you are fully capable of navigating it successfully. I’m always here to help guide you through it.