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Great examples of college admission essays?

Hey everyone! I'm getting started on my college essays but I'm having a hard time getting inspired. Do you know any good places to find examples of great college admission essays? Just need something to help spark some creativity. Thanks!

3 months ago

Hey there! Finding inspiration can definitely be a challenge when it comes to writing college essays. To help you get started, you can check out the CollegeVine blog, which features many essay examples written by successful applicants - both personal statements and supplemental essays for many schools. These posts include commentary that analyzes the methods and techniques the students used to convey their stories effectively, and addresses any areas for improvement.

For example, you can find numerous strong Common App essays here: https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-essay-examples/. You can also check to see if they have examples for your top choice schools' supplements here: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/essays/essay-examples

Another resource you could use is the "Essays that Worked" page, provided by several colleges, including Johns Hopkins University, Tufts University, and Connecticut College. These pages showcase real-life essays that helped students gain admission, often with comments from the admissions officers explaining what made the essays stand out.

Additionally, many books compile successful college essays with analyses of what worked well. A few popular titles include "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays," "100 Successful College Application Essays," and "Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked."

As you read through these examples, remember that what makes an essay exceptional is the writer's authenticity and unique voice. While examples can certainly be a good source of inspiration, it's essential to make your essay reflect your own experiences and personality, rather than trying to copy someone else's writing style.

Happy writing, and best of luck with your essays!

3 months ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.