What does a good college essay actually look like?

Great question! A strong college essay doesn't have to fit a specific template like the five-paragraph essays you write in English class. In fact, you have a lot of freedom with structure and style, as long as your voice comes through clearly and your story reveals something meaningful about who you are.

Most successful essays are personal stories, but they're crafted with purpose—every detail connects back to what you want colleges to learn about you. Some essays are straightforward, following a clear beginning, middle, and end, while others jump right into the action or use creative formats like dialogue, flashbacks, or even a list. The key is picking a style that feels authentic and serves your story.

An essay can be creative, but it should also be easy to follow and focused. For example, a student once wrote about baking bread with their grandmother, but used sensory details and specific memories to explore their family's culture, resilience, and how those moments shaped their identity. Another student structured their essay like a Google search history, using their searches to reveal their curiosities, fears, and growth over time. Both essays stood out because they were unique to the writer—and the storytelling felt honest, not forced.

Aim for a tone that's conversational but polished. You don’t want it to feel like a text to a friend, but it shouldn’t be so formal that it hides your personality. Ask yourself: does this sound like me? Would a reader feel like they learned something real about who I am?

Here are a few practical tips:
- Start your essay in an engaging way—an image, a moment, a line of dialogue.
- Show growth or change, even if it’s subtle.
- Focus on a specific story or theme, rather than trying to cover your whole life.
- Use vivid details to bring your experience to life.
- Keep your language authentic; don’t use a thesaurus for every word.

And don't stress if your first draft feels messy! Revision is where essays really come to life. If you want an example, search for 'college essay examples that worked'—plenty are published online. But remember, your goal is to sound like yourself, not copy someone else’s format.

Let your essay reflect your personality and experiences. If you’re genuine and intentional, you’re on the right track.