Read college essay examples from admitted students
Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.
Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.
Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.
Why does the Common App Essay—and other college essays—matter?
Throughout this guide, we’re going to refer to a few Common App Essay examples. These examples are closely based on essays we have worked on with students over the past two decades—students who successfully met their admissions goals, including getting into multiple Ivy League and other top-tier schools.
Ultimately, this essay is successful due to its satisfying ending. Because readers experience the student’s struggles with them, we also feel the resolution. . As the student describes how, in the end, their complicated cultural identity still exists but transitions to a source of strength, readers are left feeling happy for the student. This means that they have formed a connection with the student, which is the ultimate goal!
In this essay, the student tells us how reading was an escape from the pressure she felt to define who she was. Later, reading became an integral part of her identity as a learner intrigued by stories. Given that the student plans to major in engineering, this fact adds depth and intrigue to the student’s personal brand. A college admissions officer would find this student an appealing candidate because they will likely be engaged and passionate. Through this example, we see that any topic can be a successful one if it is important to the reader and connects to a core aspect of their identity.
As I move forward, I carry both cultures with me. From my family, I have inherited the importance of perseverance, humility, and loyalty. From my modern American upbringing, I have learned to be independent, open-minded, and unafraid to explore new ideas. These two cultures, rather than being in conflict, have given me a unique perspective that allows me to appreciate the richness of diversity and the complexity of the human experience. Straddling two cultures has shaped who I am today, and I am grateful for the lessons it has taught me. Now, as I look toward the future, I know that I am ready to embrace whatever comes next with an open heart and an adaptable mind.
Brainstorming Common App Essay topics
Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.
Let’s review the seven that inspired our Common App essay examples:
Lastly, as we see in many great examples of college essays, this student includes many details. They even reference dialogue from a favorite book, further illustrating their love of reading.
This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.
The second of our Common App essay examples takes the unique—and potentially challenging—approach of talking about another person. In this essay, the author describes her relationship with Sophia, a child with special needs that she meets while volunteering.
This essay could work for prompts 1, 2 and 7 for the Common App.
When applying to college, few tasks seem as daunting and pivotal as crafting the . This personal statement offers more than just a chance to showcase writing skillsâit's a unique opportunity to share your story, illuminate your personality, and convince admissions committees that you belong on their campus. At Crimson Education, we understand the challenge and importance of this task. That's why we've compiled a selection of standout essays from past students who have successfully navigated the complexities of the Common App.
Video: 6 Common App Essay Mistakes To Avoid | i've edited 50+ essays
In this blog post, we'll dive into real student essays that correspond to this year's prompts. Each essay example is followed by a detailed analysis of what makes it effective, offering insight and inspiration for your writing process. These reviews have been meticulously crafted by our founder, Jamie Beaton, to provide you with expert guidance. Whether you're exploring your background, reflecting on a challenge you've overcome, or sharing a passion that consumes you, these essays serve as a guide to help you craft a narrative as compelling as your journey.
What I wrote about for my Common App Essay
Furthermore, keep in mind that the contains an optional, 250-word space to describe. Therefore, you do not need to use your Common App Essay to provide this context. That said, it’s also perfectly fine to write about or touch on COVID-19—if the pandemic is a backdrop that allows you to shine a light on what’s unique and interesting about you in the manner we described above.