Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and

you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and
the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first
sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers,
setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation
with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader
want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check
out these 22 first sentences from Stanford
applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of
those essays to find out what happens!
A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this
case, your reader is an admissions officer who has
read thousands of essays before yours and will read
thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader.
Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés,
include your own offbeat observations—anything that
makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone
else.
 
 Enchanted Prince Stan
decided to stay away from any frog-kissing princesses
to retain his unique perspective on ruling as an
amphibian.
 
Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no
grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation
snafus—each of these sample college essays has
been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of
exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All
colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked
over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and
anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay
must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing
wrong with getting help polishing it.
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Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite

accepted college essays that worked, and I've put
together a selection of over 100 of these (plus some
essay excerpts!).
 
Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay

examples may be responding to prompts that are no
longer in use. The current Common App prompts are
as follows:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest,
or talent that is so meaningful they believe their
application would be incomplete without it. If this
sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter

can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time
when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How
did it affect you, and what did you learn from the
experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged

a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What
was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd

like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a
research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of
personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its
significance to you and what steps you took or could be
taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization
that sparked a period of personal growth and a new
understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so

engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why
does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when
you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be
one you've already written, one that responds to a
different prompt, or one of your own design.
 
Connecticut College
 15 Common Application essays from the classes of
2019-2022