Can someone share a sample college essay that worked for them?

Absolutely—seeing examples can make a huge difference in understanding tone and structure. The truth is, most successful essays focus on something specific and deeply personal, even if it's a small moment, rather than trying to cover your entire life story or resume. Being authentic matters more than using fancy words or dramatic stories.

Here’s a sample essay (from a real student) that worked for admission to several top-20 schools. The student wrote about something seemingly mundane: folding origami cranes in the back row during math class.

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The hum of fluorescent lights blanketed the classroom as I folded my twentieth paper crane. Ms. Sharma’s voice faded into the background as my thumbs pinched creases into neon sticky notes. To my classmates, it looked like I was zoning out, doodling shapes. In reality, I folded worry and hope into each crisp triangle, crafting a flock that perched along the edge of my desk.

It began with a challenge in seventh grade: fold 1,000 cranes and make a wish. But my wish—finding calm in the middle of my parents’ separation—wasn’t something a single crane could grant. Cranes multiplied, and so did my ability to listen through chaos. When I lost count at 663, I realized I wasn’t folding magic, but focus. Each crane gave me a reason to sit with discomfort, hold it, and let it pass—crease by crease.

Today, when I teach origami to the younger kids at the community center, their hands shake at first. “This is impossible,” they say, and I remember the helplessness. I tell them to start with one fold. They grin as tiny wings take shape. We line their cranes up along the window. Outside, the Bronx bustles, but for a few minutes, all that matters are four corners and a thousand possibilities.

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Notice how this essay isn’t about a huge achievement—it’s a close-up on a very personal coping mechanism, showing vulnerability, reflection, and a sense of growth. The setting and dialogue make it vivid. It also gives meaningful insight into this student’s personality, resiliency, and how they relate to others.

As you draft, consider what small moments or routines reveal something deeper about you. Focusing on a single memory or recurring habit often lets you go deeper and stand out. Admissions teams usually prefer a story only you could tell.

You’re not being too generic if you focus on something real, especially if you explain why it matters to you. Good luck, and let your voice shine through!