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College Essays

 Sure, you might know the theory behind what a college essay is supposed to sound and look like . But just like reading a description of the Golden Gate Bridge pales in comparison to seeing it in person, there’s no replacement for seeing actual college essays written by students just like you. Well, almost like you – they’ve since gotten into college.

But where do you find good sources for reading sample college essays? How can you make sure that these resources will actually strengthen and improve your writing? And what is the best way to use the college essay examples that you do find? In this article, I’ll go over the best books and websites for finding essays, I’ll point out a few to avoid, and I’ll explain how to make the most out of other people’s essays while avoiding common pitfalls.

Why Look At College Essay Examples?

There are some very good reasons for wanting to check out how other people have handled the college admissions essay.

First, because you'll be able to get a better sense of what colleges are looking for, you will necessarily broaden your own topic brainstorming past your first, easiest, and most c lichéd i deas . It's one thing to hear that a completely mundane topic is way better than one focusing on your greatest sports moment. But once you see other students writing about a family meal, or an obsession with a particular board game, or a love of cultivating cacti, you'll be convinced to find your essay in the small moments of your life.

Second, you'll see how your life and writing compares to that of your peers . The great diversity of voices, topics, tones, points of view will show you just how many things you could possibly write about, and how to keep the essay connected to your personality and your voice.

Finally, if you really do have a good story to tell about something that gets written about a lot, like divorce, pet death, a community service trip, or winning the big game, you can get ideas for how to approach a potentially lackluster essay topic in a novel and striking way .

What Makes A Good Sample College Essay Resource?

First, the basics. A source is only as good as its content, so make sure you're reading  college essays that worked, from people who actually got into the schools they applied to . Also, it's best to focus on new essays (not older than 10-15 years), so you are reading what has worked in the most recent past, rather than seeing outdated ideas and historical perspectives.

Next, what you really want is diversity in voice and perspective . Make sure the essays featured come from many different kinds of students: either from applicants to both top and lower-tier schools; or from students with different ethnic, economic, and racial backgrounds; or from writers using both formal and more experimental essay techniques.

Finally, the best sources of admission essays will feature explanatory material . This will give each essay some kind of context: commentary on what makes the essay good, explanations of the drafting process, or, at least, biographical information about students. Without commentary or context, it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to learn from the essays you read.

Where to Find Great College Essay Examples

Here are my recommendations for excellent resources, as well as some warnings about resources that I think you should avoid. 

College Essays Collected in Books

I've taken a look at many of the books that collect college essays, so here are my recommendations. I've divided them into three categories:

• Excellent  – meaning  having really diverse essays or very helpful commentary on each essay, or both
• Worthwhile  – meaning either a helpful collection of essays without a lot of context or commentary, or some great advice but a narrow selection of essays geared toward one particular type of school
• Don't Bother   – not useful either as a source of college essays or as a source of essay-writing advice and explanations

Also, please note that although I’ve listed the Amazon prices for all the books, you should definitely check your school and public library for copies before buying them. And even if your library doesn't have a copy, ask them to request one either from another library in the same system or even from the Library of Congress through interlibrary loan .

Excellent Books

Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked

Written by Janine W. Robinson, who blogs about college essays at EssayHell , this book features great sample essays. But it's Robinson's precise and clear explanations of how to use a narrative style in your essay to tell a story about your life that make the book really outstanding. Through long and detailed commentary on each essay, Robinson shows why narrative is exactly the kind of structure that works best for personal essays. You can check out sample sections from the book on her blog. The book retails for $10 new on Amazon.

On Writing the College Application Essay, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice

Harry Bauld used to be an admissions officer at Brown, so he certainly knows what he is talking about when he writes about  how and why to avoid clichés and explains how to find and keep your specific voice . Bauld demonstrates his points with sample essays, showing how they go from first to final draft. The book is easy to read, uses humor to make points, and his advice will carry over into your college writing as well. It is $12.50 new on Amazon, but there are much cheaper used copies available there as well.

The Berkeley Book of College Essays: Personal Statements for California Universities and Other Select Schools

This compilation features college admissions essays written by seniors from Berkeley High School (which is not affiliated with UC Berkeley). Because the city of Berkeley is economically, racially, and ethnically very diverse, these essays are about many different interests, perspectives, and experiences, and are written in many different styles and tones . Although there is no commentary for the essays, this collection is a great way to get a sense of the broad array of essay possibilities.

Also, because many of the students from Berkeley High apply to UC schools, this collection separates out UC application essay packages. (If you are interested in UC, also check out our own guide to writing excellent UC essays !) This book is currently $15 on Amazon. 

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays: What Worked for Them Can Help You Get into the College of Your Choice

Edited by the staff of the Harvard Crimson, this is a great collection of essays from a not particularly diverse group of students. It is very useful to see how the very top students approach the college essay, as long as their best effort neither intimidates nor stymies you. The contextual material is excellent, with helpful explanations of what makes each essay work well. This book retails for $12 new on Amazon, with much cheaper used copies also available.

Worthwhile Books

College Essays That Made a Difference, 6th Edition

This Princeton Review guide is mostly distinguished by its introductory material, which has detailed interviews with many different colleges at many different tiers about what role essays play in college applications, what kind of mistakes are okay, and what to write and not to write about. The sample essays themselves come without commentary, but each features a very short bio of the student, including test scores, GPA, a list of colleges where the person applied, and a list of colleges where the person got in. Right now, it's $11.50 new on Amazon, but there are cheaper used copies as well.

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

This collection of of college essays that worked, edited by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, has somewhat spare, but insightful, commentary explaining what each essay does well and what it could have done better . It also includes an interview with an admissions officer explaining how essays are used in admissions decisions and some comments from students about the writing process. The link above is to a downloadable PDF file.

50 Successful Stanford Application Essays: Get into Stanford and Other Top Colleges  

If you like the Tanabes' approach (they are the authors of the previous book), then you will find this one useful as well. The narrow diversity of essay content and the style of commentary (thoughtful, but not particularly detailed or expansive) is very similar. It's priced at $13.25 new on Amazon with some used options as well.

Fiske Real College Essays That Work  

The "Fiske" of the title is Edward Fiske, who used to be the Education editor of the NY Times, and who therefore has some experience with what colleges want from their applicants. The book itself features an introduction with some helpful essay-writing tips, a diverse selection of essays built around narrative, but unfortunately has very little commentary to go with each essay . It retails for $12.50 new on Amazon, with cheaper used options available.

2015 Elite College Application Essays

Although there's almost no commentary or discussion of what makes these essays work, this book is a reasonably good collection of essays from students who are now enrolled at Ivy and other top-tier schools. What's particularly appealing about this college essay compilation is how very new these essays are: all are from students who became freshmen in 2015 . The book is $14 new on Amazon.

Don't Bother

100 Successful College Application Essays

I'd recommend not spending your time on any of the editions of this collection. The essays are decades old in some cases, the topics are clichéd and boring, and there is little to no commentary to make any of them useful. 

College Essays Published Online

I'll split my recommendations here into "worthwhile" and "don't bother" categories. There aren't any truly great collections of sample college essays online.

Individual College Websites . There are many essays published online by the various colleges where these students now go. This means these essays are guaranteed to be real, authentic, and to have worked on someone's application . Some of the essays even come with brief commentary by admissions officers about what makes them great. (The link will take you to our list of over 130 essays from more than 15 different colleges.)

Teen Ink Magazine . Teen Ink publishes all sorts of writing by teens, including college admission essays, which are split off into their own section on the site. The essays necessary feature a wide range of experiences and perspectives, so this is a great place to get a broad sense of what other students are writing about. The essays don't have any context except comment sections that run the gamut from generic “this is good” comments to some insight. Readers also get a chance to vote on which essays are featured as #1, #2, etc., which may be misleading because readers of Teen Ink aren't admissions officers.

Don't Bother 

Watch out for paid websites like AdmitSee, CollegeMapper, and Acceptional, which claim to give you access to college essays for a monthly or fixed fee. Because of the paywall, there's no way to verify the quality of the essays these sites have. Also, there are enough books that you could borrow from your library that you don’t need to pay monthly fees to these places. Finally, I would particularly stay away from AdmidSee, which uses Amazon reviews for other essay resources as a marketing platform.

The Best Ways To Use College Admission Essay Samples

So now that you've rounded up a bunch of sample college essays, what should you do with them? Here are some tips for your next steps.

When Should You Read Essay Examples?

I'd advise waiting until after you've done some brainstorming of your own before you start immersing yourself in other people's work and ideas. (If you're not sure how to brainstorm, check out our guide to coming up with great college essay topics .)

This way, you can use other people’s essays to think about different possibilities for writing about your own topic. For example, looking at how other people tackled their life experience can show you:

• how to focus on a different detail in your own story
• how to change the insight you want to draw from your story
• how to think about different ways to start and end your narrative

What Can Good College Essays Teach You?

There are both broad and specific learning opportunities to be found in reading other people's work.

Broadly speaking, seeing how other people are approaching the problem of writing a college essay can jog your own creative process. Likewise, reading a diversity of thoughts and voices will show you that even the most normal and boring seeming experiences be made into riveting essays.

More specifically, if you find essays from applicants to your target school, you can get some sense of the level of sophistication they expect to see from your writing. 

Finally, good context and commentary on the essays can show you how they are put together and what makes them work. You can then put this advice to use when rewriting your essay later.

Pitfalls To Avoid

Of course, being surrounded by other people's work, especially when some of that work is much better than what you think you can manage, has its share of temptations. So what do you need to guard against when looking at sample essays?

Plagiarism. This one is basic and obvious. Do not copy these sample essays! Admissions officers have seen them all, read them all, memorized them all – you will not get away with it.

Copying and mimicry. Think of this as a softer kind of plagiarism. Even if you really like someone else’s style, don’t borrow it. Even if someone’s life sounds more exciting than yours, don’t steal a piece of it for your own essay. Why? Because if you don’t sound like yourself, it will be visible to an experienced reader (and guess what, admissions officers are very experienced readers). Also, if you’re writing about experiences that aren't yours, your unfamiliarity will show through the lack of believable details.

Resources for Essay Writing Advice

In researching this article, I came across books and websites that don't necessarily feature a lot of sample essays, but that give really excellent advice on writing your own college essay. I strongly recommend you spend some time checking them out.

Essay Hell blog . This great resource is written by Janine Anderson Robinson, an English teacher and a journalist, whose book Heavenly Essays I recommended above. The blog posts feature lots and lots of well-explained, detailed, easy to understand advice about how to write your essay, and are broken down into easy to understand, bite-sized nuggets of usefulness.

Slate 's Getting In podcast . The entire series is an interesting look at the college application process, with useful tips and explanations about all aspects what seniors are going through. Check out Episode 2: The Essay , in which a student gets feedback in real time on their essay from a former Princeton director of admissions and a panel of experts talk about essay dos and don’ts. The episode is 26 minutes long.

The College Essay Trap: Rescue Your College Application Essay From the "Maybe" Pile

This is incredibly concise and excellent explanation of what not to do and what to avoid when writing your personal statement. It's short, sweet, to the point, and is praised to the skies by legendary Princeton admissions dean Fred Hargadon. Currently $12 new on Amazon.

The Bottom Line

• Look at college essay examples to broaden your own topic brainstorming and get ideas for fixing lackluster topics.
• Look for resources with diverse and recent essays, from many different kinds of students and with explanatory material that explains what makes each essay good.
• Look at essay samples after you’ve generated some of your own ideas to think about different possibilities for writing about your own topic.
• Seeing how other people are approaching the problem of writing a college essay can jog your creative process.
• Avoid both actual plagiarism and “borrowing”: don’t use someone else’s style, voice, or life experiences as your own.

What’s Next?

If you’re starting to work on college essays, check out our article laying out every single kind of essay prompt out there and a step by step guide to writing a great college essay .

Are you working on the Common App essay? Read our breakdown of the Common App prompts and our guide to picking the best prompt for you.

Or maybe you're interested in the University of California? Check out our complete guide to the UC personal statements .

Working on other pieces of your college applications? We’ve got guides to choosing the right college for you ,  writing about extracurriculars , and requesting teacher recommendations .

Thinking about taking the SAT one last time, or prepping for your first run at it? Read our ultimate guide to studying for the SAT and make sure you're as prepared as possible.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Book Report

What is a Book Report & How to Write a Perfect One

Published on: Jan 26, 2022

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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Writing a book report is a terrifying experience for many students. The terror begins with reading and understanding what you're reading but then continues as your thoughts become paper in front of you.

Have you ever been assigned a book report and thought, ‘Ugh! This is going to be terrible?’ Well, we're here to help. 

Below you can find a helpful guide to understand how to write a perfect report. Here we have also provided some sample book reports and a free book report template for your help. 

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What is a Book Report?

A book report is an informative piece of writing that summarizes the novel and presents some brief analysis on its main elements like plot, setting, characters.

This could either be a work of fiction or nonfiction with a tone covering everything from serious to humorous.

A book review is not the same as a book report.

Although they may look similar, one requires in-depth analysis and an objective point of view while the other is more descriptive and subjective.

Some course instructors may ask students to add relevant themes of the book and plot elements into their book reports. But, on a very basic level, a book report is an extremely simple form of review for any given text - no matter what its genre or author.

How does a book report writing benefit you?

Writing a good report will help students to improve their analytical and communication skills. They also get the opportunity to practice expressing themselves through creative or critical thought about the different aspects of books they read.

Assessing the Book Before Writing the Review 

Before delving into the content of a book, it's essential to gather some key information. Begin by noting the following details:

• Author: Who authored the book? Are you familiar with any other works by this author?
• Genre: What category does the book fall into—fiction, nonfiction, biography, etc.? 
• Which audience would find this type of book appealing? Is this your typical genre preference? Do you enjoy reading books within this genre?
• Title: How does the title impact you? Does it pique your interest? Does it align well with the book's content?
• Pictures/Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: Analyze the book jacket or cover. What does it convey? Is it an accurate representation of the book? Did it generate excitement for you to read it? Are there any illustrations or images within the book? If so, what type are they, and do they captivate your interest?

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Book Report Outline

Writing a book report becomes more manageable when you follow a structured outline. Here's an outline you can use as a guideline for your book report:

How to Write a Book Report? - H2

Writing a book report involves several key steps that can help you effectively communicate your understanding and analysis of a book. Here's a guide on how to write a book report:

Introduction

• Begin with an engaging introductory paragraph that includes the book's title, author, and publication information.
• Provide a brief overview of the book's genre and main theme.
• Include any initial reactions or expectations you had before reading the book.
• Summarize the main plot or central idea of the book without giving away major spoilers.
• Highlight key events, conflicts, and characters that drive the narrative.
• Focus on the most significant aspects of the story and avoid excessive details.

Analysis and Evaluation

• Analyze the author's writing style, storytelling techniques, and use of literary devices.
• Discuss the book's strengths and weaknesses, supporting your statements with examples from the text.
• Evaluate how effectively the author conveys their message and engages the reader.
• Consider the book's impact on you personally and its relevance to broader themes or issues.

Themes and Messages

• Identify the main themes or messages explored in the book.
• Discuss how these themes are developed throughout the narrative.
• Provide specific examples or quotes to support your analysis.

Character Analysis

• Analyze the main characters in the book, their development, and their relationships.
• Discuss their motivations, personalities, and how they contribute to the story.
• Use examples and quotes to illustrate your points.
• Summarize your main points and overall assessment of the book.
• Offer your personal opinion on the book, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
• Reflect on the impact the book had on you and who you would recommend it to.

Formatting and Proofreading

• Structure your book report into paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
• Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
• Ensure your report is well-organized and follows a logical flow.
• Citations may be required if you quote or reference specific passages from the book.

Remember, a book report is not just a summary; it also involves critical analysis and interpretation. 

By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive and insightful book report that effectively conveys your understanding.

Book Report Examples

Before you head into the writing process of your book report, it's a great idea to take some time and look at examples of other people's book reports.

In this way, you'll see how others have written their own work in an engaging manner that will inspire creativity on your part as well.

Book Report Sample

Book Report on Harry Potter

Book Report on Matilda

Book Report on Pride and Prejudice

Book Report for Kids

Book Report MLA Format

Book Report Worksheet

High School Book Report Template

Non-Fiction Book Report Template

Book Report Template 4th Grade

3rd Grade Book Report Template

Book Report Ideas

Picking a book for your report can be an intimidating task. You don't have any idea which books to read or what the professor will prefer, but there are some ideas of different subjects you could write about:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• The Fault in Our Stars book report
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Hunger Games book report
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Charlotte's webbook report

If you are still not sure about how to write a book report that will help you earn an A, then our essay writer AI is the perfect solution for you. Consider taking professional essay writing assistance from one of our experienced writers who specialize in this area.

No matter if you need help with your college essay, book review, book report, or full-length research paper, we provide essay writing service for students . Contact our expert essay writing service today to get the best assistance with all your academic tasks! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main parts of a book report.

The main parts of a book report are the bibliography, characters, setting, themes, and plot. These four elements form a descriptive book report. However, most reports that you will read in high school or college are expository-based, meaning they explore an idea rather than discuss it. 

Are book reports essays?

A book report is, quite simply, an essay about a book. A book report is a type of essay that students are asked to write by their teachers. Different formats for this writing assignment may be used, but the most common one is expository style (i.e., telling about something). 

How long should a book report be?

Your book report should not exceed two double-spaced pages, and it should be somewhere between 600 and 800 words in length. 

What is a thesis in a book report?

After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic. This sentence is the thesis statement and serves as an overview of what will be discussed in this paper. 

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Best books on writing college essays? Answered

I'm working on my essays and though I am looking at essay samples, I still feel a little lost. Any good books on writing essays?

Earn karma by helping others:

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe is incredibly good in telling you what to do. Although it is just 50 more samples, they give structured feedback on why they are good and even why they are bad. Hack the College Essay by John Dewis is equally good because although it is short, it helps you brainstorm ideas while also giving you examples on how to write college essays.

If you want general writing improvement, I highly recommend The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. Whatever edition works but even though it is entirely about grammar and how to remove fluff, it is not boring as he incorporates jokes and sometimes passive aggressive remarks that makes it entertaining. Also read autobiographies like Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. They help you learn how to use imagery and can even teach you some useful vocabulary.

Hi there! I don't know of any books in particular, but our ultimate guide to college essays may be helpful: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-your-college-essay-the-ultimate-step-by-step-guide/.

It's a compilation of blog posts on the entire process of writing essays, including why they're important, the different types of essays, how to format and structure your essay, and successful examples.

Hope this helps!

I strongly recommend "50 Successful Harvard Application Essays.". It is a great one for breaking down and analyzing the college application essays with a good variety of successful Harvard accepted applications.

Writing college essays can be a daunting task. It's important to know what the expectations are and what resources are available to help you create a successful essay. To that end, there are a number of great books available to help you learn the craft of writing superior college essays. I have read a lot of essay books, but sometimes I ask for help here norfolkhomelearning.com These books contain essential advice, tips, and strategies to help you craft an essay that will stand out from the crow

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Interview: NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe on the beauty of Colorado, her new book, and the upcoming presidential election

Ayesha Rascoe, the host of National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Sunday" since 2022, recently edited a series of essays written by some of the biggest celebrity names in the Black community.

In HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience , Oprah Winfrey, Stacey Abrams, Branford Marsalis, and more share their experience attending historically Black colleges and universities. The collection of essays also highlights why they feel the historic institutions founded during the days of legal racial segregation in America are impactful and still very relevant today.

Colorado Matters Host Chandra Thomas Whitfield sat down with Rascoe during her visit to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. They talked about her motivation for releasing the book, her thoughts on the need for more diversity in media, including public media, and what she wants journalists to know about covering the upcoming presidential election.

Read the interview

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Chandra Thomas Whitfield: This is your first time visiting Colorado. What do you think?

Ayesha Rascoe: Yes. It seems like a beautiful city. I wish I could get to see more of (Fort Collins.) A lot of times when you come in for trips like this, you're kind of in and out, but it does really seem like a beautiful city. I got to see a little bit of the mountains and a little bit of Colorado State University, so it seems nice.

Thomas Whitfield: Yes. I will say as a fellow Southerner myself, Colorado is very beautiful and picturesque. We have to bring you back and show you a good time here.

Rascoe: That's what I need to come back and see!

Thomas Whitfield: I have to say, reading up on you, our backgrounds are shockingly similar, including both of us being graduates of HBCUs, which of course stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This book basically is about HBCU pride. What inspired you to work on this project?

Rascoe: The publisher came to me and said, "What would you think about pulling together a collection of essays from HBCU graduates about how these institutions have impacted and shaped their lives?" And so, for me, once I heard that and they said this had not been done before, I was really shocked because it seems long overdue. It seems like this would've been done long ago. I really wanted to take it on so that you could allow alumni, in their own words, in their own voice, to talk about why these universities are so important and the role that they've played in making the world a better place.

Thomas Whitfield: I am a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University and you are an esteemed alum of Howard University, which many refer to as the Harvard of the HBCUs.

Ayesha Rascoe: Yes. HU!  HU! The Mecca. The Mecca.

Thomas Whitfield: For me, it was growing up in the South, New Orleans and Atlanta, and being able to physically see these institutions and watching young Black people educating themselves and walking on campus. And of course, pop culture played a lot in that. I saw “School Daze,” which was the breakout film by filmmaker Spike Lee. And, of course, “A Different World,” which was the groundbreaking  television series spinoff of “The Cosby Show.” What inspired you to attend an HBCU?

Ayesha Rascoe: Like you, I grew up in the South, North Carolina, so there were lots of HBCUs. My mother went to an HBCU, Winston-Salem State University and my uncle went there, so I had a lot of family that went to HBCUs. So it was always on my radar. I think for me, I really wanted to go to school outside of North Carolina; I didn't want to stay in the state. I wanted to get the experience of going away from home and really being able to define myself outside of my hometown. And so when I looked at it, Howard, to me, was the school that was cool. As you said, it had this mystique about it. It was the basis for Hillman, which is the college in “A Different World,” and so many incredible people had gone there, like Debbie Allen, like Phylicia Rashad, Thurgood Marshall and so on and so forth. So, I really wanted to go there.

Thomas Whitfield: So in this book, you have essays from Oprah Winfrey who attended Tennessee State University and you talked to Branford Marsalis from my hometown of New Orleans, and Stacey Abrams, a very well-known star in the Democratic Party, who went to Spelman College. You have said that this book is really a testimony to say that these institutions have given so much to the world. What do you want people to know, especially those who aren't as familiar with HBCUs, what do you want them to know about HBCUs?

Rascoe: I want them to know that HBCUs are not a thing of the past, that they are very much of the present, but that over the years you have all of these incredible people who have sought out HBCUs. They have provided a safe haven for Black people to educate themselves away from the harsh gaze of racism and to be able to discover themselves and to do just like everybody else. HBCUs have really punched above their weight; they have been able to do a lot with a little bit of resources and you see their impact even today.

I think the great thing about Oprah Winfrey's essay in the book is that she's talking to students about her story. And I think that tells you that this is of today; this is now. Because the students that she talks to in this essay are students who later on will have names that we will know and that we will be looking at. Who knows the mark that they will make on the world. And so what I want people to know is that HBCUs haven't just made the world a better place, they are continuing to make the world a better place.

Thomas Whitfield: So it is really a legacy that really until the show “A Different World,” a lot of people weren't aware of?

Rascoe: Yeah. A lot of people didn't know, and I mean “A Different World,” played such a big part in all of these different essays, and the people didn't talk to each other beforehand, but you just see how naturally, when you start talking to people about why they attended an HBCU, they start talking about “A Different World.” They start talking about the impact of seeing that show and it shows how much art can have an effect on people and really make a difference. Because as you said, so many people were not aware of this culture, whether it's the stepping, whether it's the fraternities and sororities, whether it is the style, whether all of these things. And so that's what they were exposed to on “A Different World.”

Thomas Whitfield: I'm always telling people it was really a beautiful experience to just learn and be exposed to a lot of the culture. There are no HBCUs in Colorado, but I have noticed that, at least anecdotally, a lot of the children of my friends here in recent years, especially after George Floyd and after 2020, have said, "I am choosing an HBCU." Have you noticed an increase in interest and what do you attribute it to?

Rascoe: There has been this resurgence and I think that it has to do with a whole lot of things. I think from, as you said, the racial reckoning after George Floyd and the election in 2016 of Donald Trump; there came a lot of conversations about race, about investing in our own communities, Black people investing in Black communities and Black institutions. I also think you look at the fact that the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, is an HBCU graduate, again Howard University. I will say that there are about 100 HBCUs around the country, so it hasn't necessarily been a huge increase at some of the smaller ones, but the larger, more well-known HBCUs have seen a spike in applications. I was talking to the former head of Spelman College and she said they used to get maybe 3,000 applications for 500 spots, and recently they got 15,000 applications and they ended up with 700 students in their freshman class. So there is a definite resurgence of interest.

Thomas Whitfield: Arguably DEI, which of course stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, initiatives and policies are currently being targeted nationwide. In your view, does that include HBCUs and what concerns do you have about the future of HBCUs?

Rascoe: I think that it could and I think part of the reason why this book is important is because it offers a testament to people that would wonder why these institutions matter, and what role they play in society. I mean, it's not a research document, but these are very personal stories. And for people that are willing to hear, I think that it really does provide a very personal and visceral testimony. So, I do think it's important because, as you said, DEI, the very idea of diversity is under attack. I don't think that HBCUs are necessarily immune to that, and so I do think that these stories need to be told and that's why it's important that they're told.

Thomas Whitfield: Shifting gears a bit to your career. Before joining NPR, you spent the first decade of your career at Reuters rising from news assistant to an energy reporter, to eventually covering the White House, including three presidential administrations. What are your reflections on this current election cycle?

Rascoe: I think this will be an election cycle like none other. I think you'll have two candidates who are both in their 70s, so some of the oldest candidates for the presidency. You will also have a candidate who lost re-election, which has not happened, where that person has come back to run again in recent years. So this is a unique time. You also have one of the contenders for the GOP nominee who's facing over 90 indictments so this is a very unique time period. I do think it is a pivotal point for the U.S. and for the future of the U.S., I think it will be a historic election. It is something that the country hasn't really seen before.

Thomas Whitfield: You have a lot of experience. In your view, how should journalists be covering this presidential election?

Rascoe: Don't take it lightly; it's not like other elections. So you can't approach it necessarily the same way. You have to try to figure out, “How can you give people the sense that this is something different?” This isn't like a normal election. This isn't like every four years. This is something different. This is something historic. It requires foresight and intention. You can't just approach this the way you've approached every other election. Think about how you can get at the truth, how you cannot be kind of pulled by the extremes of the political framework right now. How can you provide people with the information and really provide them and let them know about the stakes and where the stakes really are and trying to figure out how to get at that?

Thomas Whitfield: I alluded to this earlier that I was so struck by the similarities in our backgrounds, both having attended HBCUs. We both started our journalism careers in high school and served as editor-in-chief of our school papers and both of us are originally from the South. I have to admit, I was pretty taken aback reading about the reception that you had from some listeners at NPR for, as you have said; “being a Black woman from the South and sounding like a Black woman from the South” on air. What do you want to say about that?

Rascoe: I will say that, for the most part, I have been so embraced by the NPR audience and here in Colorado, people have been so kind, so I want to point that out. But there have been people, and I still get the tweets and the negativity who are not used to hearing a voice like mine and will say that I'm loud, or unprofessional, or lazy, or this or that; and even questioning my intelligence. And so it has been a part of the journey. I think that, hopefully, there will come a time where voices like mine don't stand out as much on the air and that you can have all sorts of accents and dialects on the air and it won't be as jarring to people. But I do understand that people are not necessarily used to hearing someone that sounds like me delivering the news and being a voice of authority. And so that is a difference and a change for people.

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Thomas Whitfield: On the other hand, some have criticized NPR for lack of diversity. Do you feel that NPR has made progress in that area?

Rascoe: I think NPR, like all media organizations, still has a lot of work to do. Yes, there is diversity of hosting and you have a lot of women of color on the national networks hosting right now, also A. Martinez, I don't want to leave him out. But I do think you have to look at it as not just at the host level. You really have to look at it at the reporting level, and then also, those people that you don't necessarily always hear on air, producers and editors.

Thomas Whitfield: The decision-makers.

Rascoe: Yeah, the decision-makers, the high-level people, and the mid-level people. There has to be more done to not only to recruit people of color and people from different identities, but also to maintain and to retain them, and so that retention so that people feel like they can go up in the organization. And I think NPR is like every other media organization, there has been progress made, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

Thomas Whitfield: You're hosting, you have this book, what's next for Ayesha Rascoe?

Rascoe: I'm certainly going to be on “Weekend Edition Sunday” We're going to be focused on the election and everything else as always. My hope is to continue to do this work, to tell people's stories, and maybe at some point to get a little rest – not to stop working  – but maybe at some point it'll slow down a little bit. I could take a little bit of a vacation, just a little breather. But right now, I'm so blessed to be doing not only my work with NPR, but also the book. So yeah, I think I'll be focused on those things.

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On Writing the College Application Essay, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice Paperback – August 7, 2012

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One of the most stressful aspects of the college application process is the essay. Most students worry about what an admissions officer looks for in a writing sample. But that’s the wrong way to approach this vital component, says former Ivy League college admissions officer Harry Bauld. At Brown and Columbia, he saw what prospective students often did wrong—and now tells you how to do it right.

In this fully revised and updated edition of the classic guide to writing the best essay of your life, Bauld has written an insider's guide to writing an essay that will stand out from the pack. He advises you on how to find your authentic voice, gives you tools and ideas that will spark your imagination, and shows you how to approach themes with originality and panache to make even the most tired topics fresh. He’ll tell you straight out what admissions officers aren't looking for: another platitudinous variation on one of the following themes (if you see your initial idea reflected in this list, think again):

• The trip (“I had to adjust to a whole new way of life.”)
• My favorite things (puppy dogs, freedom, and chocolate chip cookies)
• The pageant contestant (“I think World Peace is the most important issue facing us today.”)
• The jock (“Through wrestling I have learned to set goals and to work with people.”)
• The autobiography (“Hello, my name is . . . ”)
• Tales of my success (“But, finally, when I crossed the finish line . . . ”)
• Pet death (“As I watched Buttons’s life ebb away, I came to value . . . ”)

Getting into the college of your dreams is tough. The competition is fierce. For more than twenty-five years, On Writing the College Application Essay has helped thousands of students improve their chances. Now, let it work for you.

• Part of series Harperresource Book
• Print length 192 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Collins Reference
• Publication date August 7, 2012
• Dimensions 0.3 x 7.8 x 5.2 inches
• ISBN-10 0062123998
• ISBN-13 978-0062123992
• See all details

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From the back cover.

What does an admissions officer look for in a college application essay?

You. It's that simple. There's no formula, no trick, no strategy, says Harry Bauld, a former Ivy League admissions officer. But with acceptance rates at all-time lows, just being yourself in an essay means understanding your readers and the unique form in which you are writing. In this fully revised and updated edition of the classic guide to writing the best essay of your life, Bauld reveals the big clichés (The Trip, The Jock, Miss America, Pet Death) and helps you discover ways to come alive on the page as a real person instead of applicant number 13,791.

About the Author

Harry Bauld has been a writer, teacher, and speaker for thirty years. He has worked in admissions and college counseling at high schools and universities, including Brown and Columbia, and is currently an English teacher at Horace Mann School in New York.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Collins Reference; 25th Anniversary ed. edition (August 7, 2012)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062123998
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062123992
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.3 x 7.8 x 5.2 inches
• #37 in College Guides (Books)
• #109 in Words, Language & Grammar Reference
• #118 in College Entrance Test Guides (Books)

About the author

Harry bauld.

For more, visit: harrybauld.com

As a former college admissions officer at Columbia University and Brown University, and as a high school English teacher for many years, Harry Bauld has given countless presentations and workshops for students, parents and teachers all over the country. His book, "On Writing the College Application Essay," is the classic guide in the field, "the best essay book yet written," according to Dave Berry and David Hawsey in Princeton Review's "Americas Elite Colleges: The Smart Buyer's Guide."

Also an award winning poet, his work has appeared in many publications and anthologies in the U.S. as well as Ireland and Scotland. He was selected by Matthew Dickman for inclusion in the University of Virginia's annual anthology, Best New Poets (2012), and his poems have been reprinted on both Verse Daily and Poetry Daily and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. "The Uncorrected Eye," his recent collection of poems published by Passager Books (passagerbooks.com) is a collection of Bauld's observations on fatherhood, marriage, fading youth, Jazz, magic, Basquiat, religion,... a "jazz take on the joy and pain of contemporary life" (Jo Sarzotti).

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