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If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

Note that the content in the two essays above are roughly 50% about the school and 50% about the student, which is a nice balance. Below is an example essay that uses a similar structure (thesis followed by main reasons), but is more like 75% about the school and 25% about the student. This isn’t not “wrong,” it’s just a slightly different approach.

Looking for supplemental essay examples? Click below to access sample essays for every supplemental essay prompt from the top universities and BS/MD programs in the United States. 235+ essays and counting.

This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.

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In the case of these examples, we have categorized them as “bad” because they don’t adequately meet the expectations of a college essay. That doesn’t mean that they’re objectively bad or that their writers are bad writers. It means that the essays need some more attention.

This essay could work for prompts 1, 2 and 7 for the Common App.

This essay could work for prompts 1, 2, 5 and 7 for the Common App.

College Application Essay Examples

Ultimately, my college application essay aimed to showcase the person I had become—a compassionate, driven, and authentic individual. I wanted to convey my unique perspective and the diverse experiences that had shaped me. By sharing my story, I hoped to inspire admissions committees to see the value in embracing one's true self and the potential for growth and positive change that lies within each of us.

The Why Michigan “Why this College” Essay Example

The Why Penn “Why this College” Essay Example

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

According to the , the common app essays topics are as follows: