600 word college essay

600 Word Essay Examples & Topic Ideas

In the modern era of information overload, the ability to convey a compelling message in just 600 words is a skill every student must wield. We will help you master this skill!

Six hundred words are considered a standard word count for college admission essays, personal statements, five-paragraph essays, critical writing, movie analysis, or book reviews. Such papers are 1 single-spaced or 2 double-spaced pages long and are a good chance for students to show their knowledge of the topic.

From this article, you’ll learn how to write, format, and structure your 600-word essay. Also, we have prepared some practical examples, writing prompts, and topics to write on! And if you want to explore more ideas, check out our collection of free essays online for students .

• 📝 Personal Statement Examples
• 🪧 Prompts on Politics
• ❤️ Examples on Romeo and Juliet
• 🖊️ Narrative Essay Ideas
• ✍️ How to Write a 600 Word Essay
• ✈️ Essay on Aviation: Examples
• ⚖️ Argumentative Essay Topics
• 📧 Communication Technology Examples
• 🖼️ Descriptive Essay Topics
• 📊 Analytical Paper Ideas

📝 600 Word Personal Statement: Best Examples

• Personal Statement for a Major in Geography and Planning From my perspective, geography is a prominent professional field that has incredible potential, and I want to contribute to the advancement of this area to improve the lives of societies and organizations.
• College Technology Application Before my grandmother passed on in 2004, she took me to Disney world every year during my vacations and the great experience I earned has always stirred my interest to want to associate with them.
• Personal Teaching Philosophy Statement: Encouraging Lifelong and Individual Learning Thus, the learners will more easily relate to music, and as a result, necessary prerequisites for active engagement in the studies, and an enthusiasm for the required material, can be expected.
• Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating.
• A Career in Acupuncture: Personal Motivation TCM adopts a non-invasive and holistic approach to healing, and it is this style of treatment that I have grown to prefer.
• The Role of the Clinical Application Analyst Clinical application analyst is one of the healthcare IT roles requiring appropriate knowledge and experience to sustain the effectiveness of the use of healthcare technologies.
• Professional Nursing Associations Role for an African-American Male Nurse Registered nurses join professional nursing associations such as the American Assembly of Men in Nursing, the National Black Nurses Association, and the Emergency Nurses Association for various reasons.
• Professional Certification: Top-Grade Engineering With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and aspiring to be a project manager in the near future, I will sign up for a trade certificate at the school to advance my knowledge and skills […]

🪧 Prompts for a 600 Words Essay on Politics

• Loyalty to the king and country: essay 600 words. You can start this paper by analyzing the concept of loyalty and then provide key reasons why people are loyal to the monarchy. Also, you can explain the impact of loyalty on citizens’ lives in political, historical, and cultural contexts.
• The Bantu Education Act : essay 600 words. Provide the definition, reasons, peculiarities, and consequences of the Bantu Education Act. Then, explain why this act is considered one of apartheid’s most offensively racist laws.
• Separate Amenities Act: essay 600 words. You can estimate the role of the Separate Amenities Act in increasing racial segregation. Also, it is vital to indicate the challenges it poses to civil rights.
• A 600-word essay about apartheid . Here, you can start by explaining what apartheid means and its main consequences. To make your writing more dynamic, provide facts and statistics on its origins, implementation, and resistance.
• A 600-word essay on Paul Revere . You can write a biographical essay on Paul Revere, providing key facts and events from his life. Also, you can analyze his role in the American Revolution and his most memorable achievements.

❤️ Examples of 600 Word Essay on Romeo and Juliet Theme

• Analysis of the Play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Another interesting scene of the production that makes it real understanding of the authors work is the casting of the romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, the physical love of the nurse and the contractual […]
• The Renaissance Time During Romeo and Juliet Men and women performed different roles in the household; the man was responsible for farming while the woman took care of the poultry and dairy. In the upper-class, marriages were arranged and the parents chose […]
• Analysis of “Romeo and Juliet” Directed by Simon Godwin The actors played in the theater without an audience, and the shooting itself took two and a half weeks, but also due to the director’s attempt to combine the action on the theater stage and […]
• Shakespeare’s Romeo as a Tragic Hero Romeo and Juliet’s love, no matter how strong, was not able to break the bounds of the rigid social order in the 13th-century Verona. In Romeo and Juliet, a slim chance to live and to […]
• Romeo and Juliet: Analysis of Play Being a tragedy, the story narrates the challenges two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, go through due to the enmity between their respective families. For example, the story of Juliet and Romeo presents a romantic and […]
• Personality and Maturity in the Romeo and Juliet Play by W. Shakespeare While this idea is not always true in specific cases, it can be assumed to be true in the case of Romeo and Juliet because of the ways in which they act.
• Nurse and Friar Laurence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” The way Friar Laurence supported Romeo and Juliet to get Married, The way the Nurse is opposing in her regards of Romeo and Paris, When Friar Laurence clandestinely married them, the way the Nurse is […]
• “Analysis of Causes of Tragic Fate in Romeo and Juliet Based on Shakespeare’s View of Fate” by Jie Li The article is easy to read and makes a compelling case for the reasons that precipitated the tragedy in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

🖊️ Narrative Essay 600 Words: Interesting Ideas

• Describe your most precious childhood memory.
• Write a narrative on personal achievements that make you proud.
• Describe an incident that taught you a lesson in empathy.
• Write an essay about your personal credo and values.
• Create a story discussing the digital life side effects that you face.
• Share your experience of traveling to another country.
• Describe a unique tradition of your family.
• Compose a story about the actions you take to stop global warming.
• Tell about the toughest challenge you’ve overcome.
• Write a narrative story of 600 words describing your experiences with writing up till now.

✍️ How to Write a 600-Word Essay

Writing a 600-word essay requires expressing your thoughts clearly and concisely due to a limited number of words. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the structure of this type of essay in detail.

What Does a 600-Word Essay Look Like?

A 600-word essay is relatively short, with 5-8 paragraphs. Each paragraph has 3-5 well-written sentences and is around 75-125 words long.

The main components of a 600-word essay include:

• Introduction . The introduction should take 1 paragraph or 75-100 words.
• Main body . The main body may include 3 to 6 paragraphs with a total of 350-450 words. You can write each paragraph using the PEE scheme (point, evidence, explanation).
• Conclusion . Like the introduction, the conclusion takes 1 paragraph of 75-100 words.

If you need help structuring your 400-600-word essay, try our free outline generator .

600-Word Essay Introduction

Introduction is crucial to any essay since it sets the scene for the rest of the paper. It takes around 75-100 words or 3-4 sentences. To make your 600-word essay powerful, ensure that its introductory paragraph has the following components:

• Attention-grabber . You can pique your reader’s interest in your topic with a joke, statistics, or rhetorical question.
• Background information . This part explains why you are focused on the chosen issue and leads to the main argument of your paper.
• Thesis statement . It clearly states what your essay will be arguing.

Do you need inspiration to write a solid introduction? Try our research introduction maker and essay hook generator ! You can also create a strong thesis with the free thesis statement tool .

600-Word Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is a vital section of your essay since it is the final thing the reader sees, so it sticks in the reader’s memory. This part takes around 75-100 words or 3-4 sentences.

A compelling conclusion should have the following elements:

• Restated thesis.
• Summary of core points.
• Call to action or an effective concluding sentence.

You can also try our closing sentence generator to finish the last part of the essay with an effective concluding statement!

How Many References Should I Use in a 600-Word Article?

The number of references can vary depending on the type of work and the professor’s requirements. For example, a literary analysis of 600 words usually requires only one source — the analyzed book, while a personal statement does not require any sources. If you haven’t been provided any guidance on the number of references, aim for 1 source per 1 page. This way, a 600-word essay will require 1-2 references.

Our citation generator is already waiting for you to help create the list of references for your essay!

✈️ 600 Word Essay on Aviation: Examples

• History of Aviation The idea of the airscrews, propellers and parachutes contributed to great heights in the aviation industry. Kites were used in testing aerodynamics and the stability of the flight.
• The Use of Computers in the Aviation Industry The complicated nature of the software enables the Autopilot to capture all information related to an aircraft’s current position and uses the information to guide the aircraft’s control system.
• Amelia Earhart: Contributing to the Aviation Development Her contributions include the first solo cross-Atlantic flight completed by a woman, the books she wrote on the topic of aviation, and the establishment of “The Ninety-Nines” group.
• Automation in the Aviation Industry Even though automated systems increase the efficiency of operations in the aviation industry, automating the roles of first officers is a bad idea.
• Personal Protection Equipment in Aviation Airline workers are habitually exposed to numerous hazards, the significance of which can vary from minor to immediately dangerous to life and health. It is worth remembering that eye PPE can limit the field of […]
• Aviation: The Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The Black Hornet Nano UAV is the result of such an effort. The Black Hornet Nano is a miniature helicopter and flies like the one.
• Aviation: F/A-18E Super Hornet Due to the strengthening of chassis supports in particular and the design of the aircraft in general, the upgraded fighter bomber has a maximum landing weight of 4100 kg more than the F/A-18C/D.
• American and European Aviation Safety Agencies Even though the two organizations rely on various documents to regulate and create their ICAs, one can admit that the approach is the same.
• General Aviation and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Due to the lack of regulation and screening procedures, general aviation airports may be used to smuggle weapons, explosives, drugs, and even people.
• Aviation Weather: Atmospheric Pressure On the other hand, temperature changes the air pressure; therefore, altimeters mostly indicate an altitude different from the true altitude. Thus, the altitude of an airport is the most meaningful altitude to a pilot.
• The Aviation Advancements Overview The Bernoulli’s principle assisted in the shaping of the airplanes wings such that the air on top of the wings has a different pressure with the air underneath the wings. This was a major advancement […]
• Cost of Goods Sold & Favorable Variance: Aviation Industry To: XXX From: XXX Date: May 7, 2016 Subject: The Favorable and Unfavorable Variances’ Impact on Cost of Goods Sold While discussing the interdependence between Cost of Goods Sold and the favorable variance, it is […]
• The Guarantee of Aviation Security The key events on this path were the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration on the national arena in 2001-2002, as well as signing the aviation […]
• Crew Resource Management in the Aviation Industry According to the recording transcripts preceding the crash, the captain was heard saying that they were already at the runaway and therefore the first officer should not have pulled the yoke.
• The Importance of Reports in the Aviation Practice The purpose of the current essay is to analyze the reasons that lead students not to fill in safety reports, stating their mistakes, and the measures that can be taken to improve the situation.
• Screening for Terrorist for Aviation Security Screening for terrorist has acquired a special importance after the events of 11 September 2001, and reflecting on the consequences of the events of those sad days it seems that any measure which would help […]
• Aviation and Aerospace Issues of Information Security Information Sharing and Analysis Centers are a significant part of the information sharing strategy in the U. There is such a center responsible for the aerospace industry, and its goals are the sharing of threat […]
• Aviation Training Efficiency and Evaluation The literature review reveals that plenty of research studies on the topic of aviation training are directed at the provision of security and safety to both the crew and the passengers.
• Aviation Safety: Ground Accidents and Their Prevention To understand the difference and worth of direct and indirect costs, it is possible to imagine the iceberg because of which the Titanic sank.
• The Key Organizational Elements of the Aviation Industry One of the measures that should be taken by the aviation association is the implementation of safety management systems whereby, the different stakeholders in the aviation industry such as pilots, engineers and the rest of […]

⚖️ Argumentative Essay 600 Words: Topics

• Procrastination has a negative influence on creative skills.
• Do social media reinforce harmful stereotypes?
• Schools should provide teenagers with free contraception.
• Workforce diversity is crucial in global organizations.
• Do colors play a vital role in marketing campaigns?
• People should care about their mental health.
• Should people protect nature and the environment?
• Nuclear energy has a negative side.
• Listening to podcasts is very beneficial.
• Does religion cause more conflict than it solves?
• Happiness is the most essential goal in life.
• Should alcohol be allowed for teenagers under 18?
• The government should improve the parking situation.
• Why should computer addiction be treated seriously?
• Harassment at the workplace should be punished.

📧 600 Word Essay for Communication Technology: Examples

• Information and Communications Technology Benefits in Healthcare ICT has also made it possible for caregivers and their institutions to easily transfer information from one place to the other.
• Technology is Making Communication Easier at the Expense of Personal Contact The availability and easy access to the internet has also influenced the use of communication gadgets. In face-to-face communication, it is possible to detect foul play and deceit, but it is very hard to do […]
• The Influence of Technology on Communication and Team Management Due to the growing impact of technological innovations, globalization, the internet, and social media, the approach to team management and organizations has undergone changes.
• The Technology Use in Communication Processes It is important to note that the case titled “The Challenge of Organizational Communication” address the topic of the ever-increasing use of technology and the internet in the communication processes.
• Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology There are various guides that emanated from the computer ethics institute. It is unethical to write a program with wrong motives.
• Psychology of Communication Technology In the computer age, cutting-edge technologies are dominating the work places, but to get more productivity from the workers the heads of the organization must look after the personal communication technology, which will ultimately lead […]
• 21st Century Communication Technology This helps increase the motivation of the employees with returns that are substantial in nature and can be used for business purposes as well.
• Communication and Gender: Management Communications With Technology Tools The differences that emerge between the two genders are based on the fact that what is perceived as a mutual benefit by one gender might seem the exact opposite to the other.
• Technology and Communication: Visual Presentations The use of technology in communication can lead to work-flow disruption at the workplace. On the other hand, overuse of communication technology can lead to a breakdown in organizational communication.
• Telecommunications, the Internet and Wireless Technology The rest of the tag is an antenna that transmits data to a reader using radio waves. 0 tools by organizations in a bid to foster a relationship with the main stakeholders, including associates and […]
• Technology and Communication Connection: Benefits and Shortcomings Communication media circled from verbal to print in the early 60s, as TV and radio stretched the reach of addressees. This emphasizes the relationship between the densities of society and how it influences the forces […]

🖼️ Descriptive 600 Words Essay Topics

• The atmosphere of an old bookstore.
• My first day in college.
• The mystical beauty of a foggy morning.
• The place I will never forget.
• Powerful street art messages on the walls of a city.
• The book I love the most.
• Challenges of living with anxiety.
• My favorite family holiday.
• The enchanting aroma of a local market.
• The greatest lesson I have learned in life.
• My favorite superhero.
• The most challenging moment in school.

📊 Analytical 600 Word Paper Ideas

• Why are obesity rates skyrocketing worldwide?
• The importance of college football for a university.
• The effects of transracial adoption on children.
• The economic consequences of war or political conflict.
• Why do people see nightmares?
• The influence of mass media on public opinion.
• Can writing help people to recover from grief?
• The psychological consequences of horror films on humans.
• How has globalization influenced cultural exchange?
• The importance of tests and exams in schools.
• What are the economic, social, and cultural consequences of migration?
• Global warming’s influence on climate and ecosystems.
• Why is having a single racial identity so important to Americans?
• The distinctions between watching sports live and on television.
• The effects of single parenting on children.

📌 600 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 how many pages is 600 words double spaced.

How many pages is a 600-word essay? It depends on the line spacing. A paper of this length will take one and a half page (single-spaced) or 3 pages (double-spaced). The exact length of your 600 words will depend on the citation style used, the footnotes, and the bibliography.

📌 How Many Paragraphs Is 600 Words?

How much is 600 words in paragraphs? A typical academic paragraph contains 100 to 150 words. So, a 600-word essay will consist of 4-7 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 600 Words?

How many sentences is a 600-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 600 words are not less than 30-33 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 600-Word Essay?

A 600-word essay outline usually follows a standard five-paragraph structure. Start your paper with a short introduction that includes an attention-grabber, some background information, and a thesis. Then add three body paragraphs that focus on your arguments. Finish your 600-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 600 Words?

How long does it take to write a 600-word essay? It will take you 12-24 minutes to type 600 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend not less than 2 hours for a 600-word paper.

📌 What Does a 600 Word Essay Look Like?

Regardless of the exact word count, a well-written essay meets several characteristics. It should cover the assigned topic, answer the research question, and follow the standard structure. A 600-word essay outline usually consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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How to Write a 600 Word Essay: Examples and Samples

We will define, write, organize, and revise a 600-word essay in this article. We’ll also provide subject suggestions and examples. You’ll also get helpful essay-writing guidelines. We’ll answer questions about an essay’s length and number of paragraphs. Finally, we’ll debate if 600 words can be written or spoken in a certain period. This article will help you How to write a 600 word essay .

❓ What is a 600-Word Essay?

A 600-word essay is short. It helps pupils articulate their views, ideas, and arguments in a constrained word count. This article will describe a 600-word essay and provide writing advice. The structure is key to understanding a 600-word essay. An introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion make up an essay. Each part has a function and helps the essay flow. A 600-word is 1.2 pages single-spaced or 2.4 pages double-spaced. A standard single-spaced page contains 500 words.

A 600-word essay’s beginning draws the reader in and introduces the subject. The thesis statement should express the essay’s major idea. The thesis statement for an essay about the health advantages of exercise may be: “Regular physical exercise offers numerous health benefits and enhances overall well-being.” In a 600-word essay, two to three body paragraphs support the primary points. Each paragraph should address a thesis-related topic. To reinforce your argument, provide proof, instances, or facts. Due to the word restriction, be brief and minimize duplication and superfluous information. A 600-word essay’s conclusion should briefly repeat the argument and summarize the body paragraphs. It’s a chance to impress the reader by highlighting the thesis and ending the essay.

An essay takes time and preparation. Researching, planning, drafting, and rewriting the essay requires considerable time. Since word count is restricted, remain on the subject and avoid digressions. Clear and succinct wording helps the essay be read and comprehended. To communicate successfully, use basic language. Writing a 600-word essay requires sticking to the word limit. Exceeding the limit may result in fines or poorer grades. Thus, while writing, check the word count and modify it as appropriate.

✍️ How to write a 600-word essay? 7 Steps

600 words = 2 pages. However, use writing techniques that show the tone of the work. This piece talks about important parts that affect tone or taste. To write a 600-word essay that shows what you think, you need to plan and order. There are seven steps to writing a well-structured 600-word essay:

Step 1: Understand the Essay Prompt

Before you write your 600-word essay, you should know what the question is. Read and highlight words and directions that are important. Find the main idea of your paper. Understanding the task will help you focus on what you need to do and make sure you cover everything.

Step 2: Plan Your Essay

A well-organized essay needs good planning. Think of ideas that connect to the writing topic. Make a plan with an opening, the main parts of the essay, and a closing. The opening should set the scene and state your main point. Each body piece should have facts or examples to back up one main idea. In your end, you should summarize your main points.

Step 3: Research

To back up your essay topic, you may need to do research. Use scholarly journals, books, and sources you know you can trust. Note your important points, facts, and numbers. Cite your sources to avoid copying.

Step 4: Write the beginning

The first line of your essay should get people interested. Start with a fact, question, or quote that is interesting. Put your work in context by using what you know about the subject. Last, say your thesis, which is a summary of your main point. There are thesis statements in the introductory lines. It makes sure that the main topic of the study is covered clearly. The study points should be emphasized in the first line. The ready should know the basic study question and how to solve it.

Step 5: Write paragraphs for the body

In an essay, the body parts explain and back up your main points. Topic sentences tell you what each piece is about. Next, show proof that your claim is true. Transitions between lines make it easier for ideas to flow. Each body piece should have 100 words and make sense.

Step 6: Write the ending

Your main points should be summed up in the last line of your essay. Restate your point of view and give a summary of the main parts. Don’t tell people anything new at the end. Instead, end with a powerful statement. One paragraph ends your case.

Step 7: Edit

After you’ve written your essay, rewrite it and make changes. Check your work for grammar, punctuation, and word problems. Make sure your words and ideas move well. Take out words that aren’t necessary to meet the 600-word cap. Ask a friend, teacher, or leader you can trust for their opinion. After getting feedback, make changes or check your work before turning it in.

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🛠️ How to Structure 600 Word Essay

An outline, opening, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion are the usual parts of a 600-word essay’s structure.

An outline is an organized plan or framework that helps you organize and show your ideas. It establishes the major subjects and logical sequence of discussion. Speeches, presentations, academic writing, and project planning all employ outlines.

Example for outline In an academic framework, titles and subheadings show the main idea and thoughts that support it in a paper or essay. Let’s look at a rough draught of an article about the benefits of exercise: Getting started Benefits for your body Benefits for your mental health The Benefits of Exercise to Society In the end

This template provides a complete essay structure. The main part of the article is about the physical, mental, and social benefits of exercise. In each part, the main ideas are supported by sub-points.

Introduction

The start of a 600-word essay sets the tone and engages readers. It should introduce your essay, provide the backdrop, and give a solid thesis statement.

Example of introduction This training program may help you reach your objectives and improve your health, whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner. This program helps you prioritize physical fitness in today’s fast-paced society. You may push yourself and achieve improvement by combining aerobic, strength, and flexibility activities. We’ll propose tweaks and alternatives to accommodate varied fitness levels. Prepare to sweat, challenge yourself, and accept the good transformation. Grab your training gear and let’s change together! Remember that dedication and determination lead to success.

Thesis Statement

An essay or research paper’s thesis statement is a brief overview. After the opening paragraph, it guides the reader to the work’s main assertion or objective.

Example of Thesis Statement “Hospitals provide comprehensive healthcare, progress medicine, and improve patient outcomes via efficient operations and patient-centered care”. Hospitals provide essential treatment to all age groups in contemporary society. They impact healthcare, research, and community service beyond medical treatment. This study examines hospitals’ varied functions and social influence. Hospitals are complete healthcare centers. They provide primary care, emergency response, and specialized care under one roof. Hospitals coordinate care across departments and specializations to treat patients quickly and effectively. This integrated strategy improves health and patient experience. Second, hospitals spur medical innovation. Hospitals create innovative treatments, drugs, and medical technology via research and cooperation. They allow doctors and researchers to share information, run clinical studies, and discover new treatments. Hospitals increase treatment choices and patient outcomes by encouraging innovation. Hospitals emphasize comprehensive treatment for patients. Patient-centered care tailors healthcare to individual requirements, choices, and values. Hospitals hire doctors who are skilled, compassionate, and communicative. This patient-centered approach offers personalized care for physical and emotional healing.

Body Paragraphs

In the body lines, the author gives and supports their points of view. The body lines talk about the structure, function, importance, and biological roles of plants. Body paragraphs about plants:

Example for Body Paragraphs Body Paragraph 1: Plants have different parts and systems that help them live in different places. Their root systems hold the dirt in place and take in nutrients. Between the roots and the leaves, the stem holds water, nutrients, and carbs. Photosynthesis is the process by which flattened leaves with chlorophyll-filled cells turn sunshine into energy. These structure changes help plants get the most out of their growth and resources. Body Paragraph 2:  Plants have several ecological benefits. The food chain starts with photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, animals and people get the air they need. Plants take in and release water through a process called evaporation. This controls the water cycle and keeps storms from happening. These services that ecosystems provide show how plants keep life going on Earth. Body paragraph 3: There are many different kinds of plants on Earth, each with its own traits and natural duties. Destruction of forests and damage to habitats risk the variety of plants. It is important to protect plant types and their genetic resources. With the help of protected places and healthy practices, plant variety and natural processes may be kept alive. Ecological security and future resource sustainability depend on a wide range of plants. Body Paragraph 4: Plants can be used to make food, medicine, and building materials. People eat wheat, rice, and maize all over the world. Aloe Vera and ginseng may be able to help with several health problems. Plants make wood, paper, cloth, and energy, all of which are important to the world economy. Recognizing the economic value of plants emphasizes healthy farming and good use of resources. Body Paragraph 5: Plants slow down climate change. Photosynthesis drops the amount of greenhouse gases in the air by taking in carbon dioxide. This slows down global warming. Forests take in carbon from the air and keep the temperature down. Plants might help stop climate change by storing carbon and fixing environments that have been damaged.

A conclusion is a summary or final statement that pulls together the main points or results of a talk, argument, or study. In nursing, a conclusion sums up the most important parts of a study, project, or plan for taking care of a patient. It may also offer insights, implications, or suggestions for future practice. It brings the information to a close and helps the reader or listener understand what it all means.

Example of the Conclusion “In conclusion, the goal of this study was to find out what effect nurse-led teaching has on how well older people with chronic diseases take their medicines. The results of this study show that planned teaching interventions led by nurses can help this group stick to their medications much better. Using personalized plans for managing medicines, teaching materials, and regular follow-up visits by nurses were all successful ways to get people to take their medications as recommended.

✏️ How to Edit a 600-Word Essay?                 

Editing your essay is more important than you might think. Writing an interesting introduction, full body paragraphs, knowing what words to use in college essays, and a memorable end are all important, but redoing your essay may take it to the next level.  Edit a 600-word article in an orderly way for clarity, logic, and quality. In this lesson, I’ll explain each step of the editing process for an essay.

• Read the essay from start to end, concentrating on the primary point. Note confusing portions, grammatical faults, and opportunities for improvement.
• Check whether the essay has a coherent introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Check whether the essay flows nicely between these parts. Rearrange paragraphs or phrases to enhance the structure.
• The essay’s opening should summarize the subject and background, grab the reader’s attention, and express the argument. If required, revise the introduction to achieve these aims.
• Make sure each body paragraph supports the thesis statement and has one key point. Check each paragraph for a subject sentence that introduces the primary idea and supporting phrases.
• Check sentence structures for diversity and cohesion. Run-on phrases, sentence fragments, and convoluted sentences may mislead readers. Check subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, punctuation, and spelling. To improve essay readability, correct grammar errors.
• Assess the essay’s supporting evidence and examples. If required, provide persuasive proof, statistics, or expert comments. Cite all evidence according to the citation style.
• Check the essay for ambiguity. Rephrase or explain obscure portions. Make sure each phrase and paragraph flow properly, so the reader can follow the concepts.
• Check the essay’s conclusion to see whether it recaps and restates the premise. The finale should linger and provide closure. Rewrite the ending to make it more powerful.
• Consider the essay’s audience and goal. Use correct, consistent terminology. Replace superfluous words and phrases with shorter ones.
• Check the essay for spelling, punctuation, and formatting issues. For a new viewpoint, read or have someone else read the article. To follow essay formatting requirements, pay attention to font size, spacing, and indentation.

🏆 600-Word Essay Topics

Here are some ideas for articles that can be written in around 600 words.

• How Education is Important to Society
• The Good Things About Technology in Daily Life
• What happens to the environment when climate changes?
• The Good Effects of Exercise on Your Body and Mind
• How social media affects how people think
• How kids act depends on how much they watch TV
• The Value of Different Cultures in a Globalized World
• Genetic engineering in agriculture: Pros and Cons
• What Pollution Does to People’s Health
• How music can help relieve stress and worry
• Why renewable energy sources are important for a sustainable future
• The place of women in society and equal rights for men and women
• How Critical Thinking Helps You Solve Problems
• What fast food does to people’s health
• Why human rights are important for making sure justice and equality are done
• How the media affects how people think
• How social media affects our relationships with other people
• How children act after playing video games
• How important ethics are in Business and the Workplace
• How immigration changes the economy of a country
• Volunteering is good for your growth and the growth of your community.
• How technology has Helped Improve health care
• Why it’s important to communicate well when building relationships
• What happens to health and society when people smoke
• Why arts education is important in schools
• How kids’ mental health changes because of social media
• The Healing Power of Natural Remedies
• How do plants help clean the air, water, and soil?
• What has changed in nursing over time
• Ethical issues that nurses have to deal with

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👀 600 Word Essay Examples

As you can figure out, the number of pages of your essay depends on the writing style you are going to choose, the font size, and the line spacing. Below are some 600-word essay examples.

600-Word Essay Example 1: Essay on Discipline

Discipline is important in all parts of life. Discipline just means to do what the rules say. Most schools and organizations have rules about how people should act. At home, discipline means doing what is right and acting in a good way. Children were well-behaved because school and home rules were taken seriously. Teachers have to be “bad cops” if they want to punish kids. Leaders and managers tell workers how to behave and follow rules. Disciplining people is hard because it’s hard to punish someone you respect for being disobedient, especially if they are older. Management needs focus.

There are three rules based on behavior. Misbehavior is fixed by these measures. Misbehavior is any action that goes against the rules of the area. Preventive discipline starts. This punishment is meant to stop a certain behavior. They stop being bad and get better. Due to the limitations of the book, most schools use it to stop students from doing crazy things. Discipline that helps is another. The third step is corrective punishment. The problem is dealt with by this practice. People don’t like to sing this way because it is awkward and scary. Its pain and fear are successful because the person has to deal with the consequences of their bad behavior. It has stopped students from making trouble.

To be effective, punishment must follow correctional rules. As a parent or teacher, you have to punish your child, but the way you do it could make them hate you and act worse. Teachers leave early in their careers because they can’t handle how kids act. Another idea is to use effective control. Freud, Sigmund, and Carl Rodgers all had different ideas about how children behave and the effects of how adults treat them. Based on these ideas, a successful method is chosen. Attitude discipline is needed to control attitude. Skinner is a behaviorist, and he came up with the ideas of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Both positive and negative rewards help improve behavior, which is why punishment works. Cognitive discipline was based on ideas of how the mind grows and changes. Cognition controls the action. Changes in actions come from changes in how people think. People of all ages can get smarter, so this process works.

Challenges affect punishment management. Poor conversation adds. If the rules for actions are not clear, people may act badly. Since they didn’t know it was wrong, it would be wrong to punish them. For regulation to work, the required habits must be made clear. Not listening to authority. Respect goes down, especially in schools. The older kids looked up to and feared their teachers. Most teachers are young, and respect for teachers has gone down. Leaders who don’t have respect can’t keep people in line. Discipline control can be made harder by economic problems. When people are poor, they act more badly, which makes it harder to keep order as the population grows. Leader disturbance harms discipline management. It’s annoying when leaders don’t care about what their people do or how they act. To punish people, leaders, and bosses have to care about them. Leaders should help their people behave better so it’s easier to deal with them.

In the end, we can say that discipline is the art of changing behavior. For discipline to work well, it needs to be managed with specific rules based on principles. The problems that come up with managing discipline depend on the situation and can be prevented. As a boss, you should always be in charge of discipline if you want your workers to respect you.

600-Word Essay Example 2: Successful Time Managers

Being good time at management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision-making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions. Only 17% of individuals monitor their time, according to Tech Jury. 50% of late individuals have never considered time wasting. Manage time well. It prevents burnout and tiredness. In 2022, the N.I.L.C. lists time management among the top 10 soft skills workers need. Why is time management crucial? “Investing time is the key,” remarked Stephen Covey. Timing ensures success in many spheres of life.

Career Trend lists three negative effects of not following a timetable and being flexible. One risk constantly postponing work completion. Procrastinators finish tasks last. Thus, deadlines trump quality. Procrastination also saps the vitality and productivity needed in the 21st century. Second is chronic lateness. How can one arrive on time without planning? Thirdly, tardiness and procrastination are bad. Daily overburden causes burnout. Nobody can rest when nothing is planned. Undone duties keep people awake. Panic attacks, anxiety, sleep difficulties, apathy, and sadness occur.

Mind tools list five day-management advantages. First, such folks work efficiently. Employers like them because they finish work quicker. Second, great-time managers seldom suffer work-related stress. They know what to do and how long it takes. Third, scheduling promotes the best. After finishing schoolwork, a pupil might expand their gaze. A student may study books to improve language, write reports and articles, travel, and network. These factors contribute to a good reputation. Motivated, well-timed people often inspire. Finally, ideal time managers are more likely to succeed than time wasters. Time managers can lead.

How can one learn to schedule? Goal-setting is first. Motivation ignites. It must also be attainable. Avoid being a top designer if you’re lousy with geometry and creating new things. Prioritization notions are next. People typically defer urgent jobs in favor of less urgent ones. They also overlook long-term tasks. To acquire a job, one must learn a second language. She neglects to learn new terms and practice regularly. Since language learning takes more than a day, she won’t win the job. Attempt to stick to task timeframes. When a deadline approaches, a person accelerates and stops procrastinating. Rest is vital. Exhaustion impairs brain and body function. Everyone understands that 20 minutes of midday nap recharge energy for afternoon work. Enjoy a pastime or pleasurable activity except for nighttime.

A notepad or app like Todoist or TimeTree is the greatest way to remain aware. A notebook lets a person focus on scheduling and writing without interruptions. App notifications and low device sizes are advantages. Smartphones are never left at home. 33% of people globally use Todoist. Use wall, web, or smartphone calendars. Mark essential meetings and tasks. A reminder system will keep a person from forgetting the occasion. Finally, plan. Starting the day with a mental jumble is awful. Psychologists advise scheduling in the evening for morning focus.

Beginners might prevent excessive labor by sharing chores. One must create a team project. All members should share responsibility for on-time performance. If a buddy asks a tired student to assist, they should decline. A pupil will fail while a buddy succeeds.

The aforementioned facts and advice emphasize time management. When not rushed, individuals can do various chores and feel competent. They’re not terrified of tomorrow’s greater obligations. They may convert a minute into a lifetime investment. Timely managers are not lazy they are Productive and energetic. Leading corporations want such people on their teams to enhance productivity. Scheduling allows leaders, team builders, helpers, and performers to excel. “Better three hours to noon, than a minute too late,” observed William Shakespeare.

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600-Word Essay Example 3: Ethical issues that nurses have to deal with

Healthcare nurses must balance patient liberty and well-being. Patient autonomy is the freedom to make healthcare choices based on values, preferences, and informed consent. Patients provide informed consent when they comprehend and freely choose their activity. Patients’ decisions may harm themselves or others.

Patients may reject life-saving therapy or risk their health by refusing drugs or medical advice. Nurses must balance autonomy and harm prevention in these settings. There are different ways that nurses deal with these problems. They build a healing relationship based on trust and talking to each other. Nurses listen to their patient’s problems and help them make healthy decisions by giving them support, knowledge, and advice. They look at the choices, stress the possible consequences, and work with the patient to find value-based answers that do the least harm.  In joint healthcare teams, nurses talk to doctors, ethicists, social workers, and other nurses. By taking into account medical, psychological, social, and ethical factors, these talks help patients get the best care possible. Legal and moral rules may allow healthcare workers to override a patient’s choice if it will save a life or keep others safe.

Nurses are required by law to report cases of potential abuse, neglect, or harm. This includes cases of child or adult abuse. When nurses find proof or have a good reason to suspect abuse, they must follow set reporting procedures to protect the vulnerable people involved and make sure they get the right help and support.

  In end-of-life care, nurses have to think about moral problems. When caring for dying patients, nurses must take into account cultural views and the ideals of doing good and not doing harm. These issues become very challenging when healthcare providers, families, and patients disagree. End-of-life care needs the patient to be in control. The care, quality of life, and wishes for making care decisions must be respected by nurses. Open dialogue, advance care instructions, and letting the patient help make decisions may be helpful. End-of-life care is affected by cultural beliefs. Nurses must be culturally knowledgeable and understand that people have different ideas about death, dying, and the future.

Nurses often have trouble figuring out how to use their resources, especially when there aren’t many healthcare tools. Nurses who want to be fair to all of their patients may find it hard to choose patients, put treatments in order of importance, and settle arguments. Nurses must use equitable justice to make sure that limited resources are given out based on need, benefit, and fairness. It is hard to balance the needs of patients with the needs of the society. Nurses speak up for their patients and help them decide how to use resources to help them the most. So that they can use their limited resources wisely, they have to look at the seriousness, outlook, and treatment benefits of each patient’s sickness. For these decisions to be fair and effective, you may need to think about ethics. Healthcare workers, patients, and families may have different ideas about how resources should be used. Nurses may be able to settle differences and feel less mental stress if they talk to each other, are sensitive to other points of view, and accept them.

Nurses should help make and carry out rules about how to divide up resources. Their experience, knowledge of ethics, and support for patients help make sure that methods for allocating resources are fair, clear, and consistent. Ethics groups and talks about clinical ethics could help nurses decide how to use scarce resources. These tools make it possible for people from different fields to discuss, analyze, and make ethical suggestions based on limited resources.

🔑 Tips for Writing a 600-word Essay

With a few suggestions, writing a 600-word essay is easy. Simple essay writing tips:

• Plan your essay first. Choose a clear, short thesis statement for your article. Organize your main ideas and arguments.
• Essays include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The beginning should hook readers and give context. Your body paragraphs should organize your arguments. Each paragraph should emphasize one issue and provide proof. In conclusion, repeat your argument and summarize your important points.
• Because of your word restriction, be succinct and omit needless information. Communicate in simple terms. Avoid wordiness. Each phrase should enhance your essay’s significance.
• To simplify reading, break your writing into paragraphs. Each paragraph should address one issue or argument and be well-structured. Start each paragraph with a subject phrase and support your claims with examples.
• Provide supporting evidence and examples. Statistics, facts, quotations, and anecdotes are examples. Use credible, thesis-supporting evidence.
• Edit your essay after finishing it. Check for grammar, spelling, and sentence flow. Read your work aloud to spot awkward phrases and imprecise sentences. Get comments on your writing from others.
• A 600-word essay requires time management. Schedule time for planning, drafting, rewriting, and editing. Avoid procrastinating and plan to finish your essay on time.

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❓ Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Formatting, font size, and space can make a 600-word article longer or shorter. Using 12-point type and double space, a 600-word article takes two to three pages. But the number of paragraphs, heads, subheadings, and the way an article is put together can all make a difference. So, it’s best to put the essay’s content and quality ahead of how long it is.

The number of pages in a 600-word essay varies on how it’s formatted. Most of the time, a 600-word article that is double-spaced, uses 12-point type and has 1-inch borders takes up two pages. Styles of formatting, font sizes, and space can change the number of pages. The length of a page is affected by headers, subheadings, and paragraphs that are longer. Check the writing rules of your teacher or school to figure out how many pages to use.

The number of paragraphs in a 600-word essay is based on its material and how it is put together. Essays have an opening, a main body, and a conclusion. Often, introductions set the scene. Each body line explains an important idea or point of view. A well-organized essay has three to five body parts, with each one having between 100 and 150 words. The end wraps up what has been said.

Font size, layout, and the type of material all affect how long 600 words are. Most of the time, a 600-word text with standard borders and a 12-point style takes 1 to 1.5 pages. This estimate is based on a single-spaced document without titles or pictures.

It is possible to write 600 words in two hours. Most writers can type 600 words in 15 minutes and write them by hand in 30 minutes. You can write 300 words per hour if you use your time well. This lets people take short breaks and go over their work. Make a plan to help you stay on track.

You can say 600 words in three minutes. Fluent people say 200 words per minute. This means you can say 600 words in three minutes. People talk at different speeds, and the number of words they say in a certain amount of time can depend on how hard the subject is and how they talk.

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How Long Should a College Essay Be

Writing a college essay is a big deal for students, giving them a chance to share their unique stories and ambitions with admissions officers. But here's the thing: figuring out how long it should be can be tricky. 

In this article, we're going to tackle the question of a perfect essay length head-on. We'll break down what influences the ideal length for your essay and give you some tips on finding that sweet spot between saying enough and not saying too much.

Why Following a College Essay Word Limit Is Important

Sticking to the college essay length matters for a few important reasons. Firstly, it shows that you can follow instructions, which is a skill you'll need in college and beyond. Admissions officers have lots of essays to read, so keeping within the limit respects their time and attention. 

Plus, it helps level the playing field for all applicants, giving everyone a fair chance to make their case without overwhelming reviewers with too much information. And on your end, it forces you to be concise and clear, focusing on what really matters in your story. If the word limit of your essay is too large, simply say, ‘ do my essay for me ,’ and our experts will help you fit into any word limit.

Why Essay Length Varies in Different Assignments

The issue of how long is an essay can change depending on the assignment for a few reasons. First off, it's about who's reading it and why. A formal academic essay might need more detail and research, so it could end up longer. But it might be shorter and more casual if you're just sharing your thoughts with a friend. 

Then there's the topic itself – some things need more explanation. Plus, your teacher's guidelines, like how many words or pages to aim for, can also affect how long your essay turns out. It's about fitting the essay to the task at hand and making sure you cover everything you need to without going overboard.

Struggling to Fit into the Word Count?

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Wondering about the ideal length for your college essay? You're not alone. Figuring out how much to write can be a head-scratcher for many students. But fear not! In this guide, we'll show you how to strike the right balance between text length and informational richness.

High School Essay

The length of a high school essay can vary depending on the assignment and teacher's instructions. Generally, essays in high school classes range from around 500 to 1000 words, though some assignments may require shorter or longer compositions. The length often reflects the depth of analysis and detail expected by the teacher, as well as the complexity of the topic. 

Shorter essays might focus on summarizing information or making a concise argument, while longer essays allow for more in-depth exploration and analysis. Regardless of length, students should prioritize clarity, coherence, and relevance to effectively convey their ideas and meet the requirements of the assignment.

College Admission Essay

College admission essay length typically ranges from 250 to 650 words, with many colleges setting specific word limits. Admissions officers receive thousands of applications, so brevity is key. A well-crafted essay should be concise yet impactful, showcasing the applicant's personality, experiences, and aspirations within the given word count. 

Adhering to the word limit demonstrates the applicant's ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively, while exceeding it may signal a lack of respect for guidelines or an inability to convey ideas succinctly. 

Undergraduate College Essay

Undergraduate college essay length typically ranges from 400 to 650 words, although some institutions may specify shorter or longer limits. The essay aims to provide admissions officers with insight into the applicant's character, values, and potential contributions to the campus community. 

While brevity is important, the essay should be substantive enough to convey meaningful information about the applicant's experiences and aspirations.

Graduate School Admission Essay

Graduate school admission essay length varies, typically ranging from 500 to 1000 words, although specific requirements may differ by program. These essays allow applicants to articulate their academic and professional goals, research interests, and reasons for pursuing graduate studies. 

Admissions committees seek concise yet comprehensive essays demonstrating the applicant's readiness for advanced academic work and alignment with the program's values and objectives. 

Graduate School Essay

Graduate school essay length typically ranges from 500 to 1000 words, although requirements can vary between programs. These essays serve as a crucial component of the application process, allowing applicants to convey their academic background, research interests, career goals, and suitability for the program. 

Admissions committees value conciseness and coherence, so applicants should prioritize quality over quantity when crafting their essays. Ultimately, the essay should offer a compelling narrative that highlights the applicant's strengths, experiences, and motivations for pursuing graduate studies.

Recommended Length of Each Part of the Essay

While the recommended college essay length of each its part can vary depending on the specific requirements of the assignment or application, here's a general guideline:

• Introduction

The introduction typically comprises 10-15% of the total essay length. It should provide background information on the topic, establish the context, and present the thesis statement or main argument.

• Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be roughly the same length and account for approximately 60-70% of the total essay length. Aim for around 150-200 words per paragraph. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point and provide supporting evidence or examples to strengthen the argument.

The conclusion should be similar in length to the introduction, comprising around 10-15% of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution.

Remember that these are general recommendations, and the actual length of each part may vary based on the specific requirements of your assignment or application. 

It's essential to review any guidelines provided and adjust your essay accordingly to meet the expectations of your audience. Use a specialized college essay writing help from experts who always hit the mark when it comes to the length of assignments.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

An introduction should typically span between 50 to 100 words, offering enough context to engage the reader while succinctly presenting the main argument or thesis. It serves as a roadmap for the essay, providing an overview of what to expect without delving into excessive detail.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph

A body paragraph is typically around 100 to 200 words in length, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the depth of analysis required. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point, supported by evidence or examples, and contribute to the overall argument or thesis of the essay.

How Long Should a Conclusion Paragraph Be

Knowing how long should a college essay be – from 400 to 600 words – a conclusion paragraph should mirror the length of the introduction, comprising between 50 to 100 words of the total essay length. It should summarize the main points discussed in the essay, restate the thesis or main argument, and provide a sense of closure or resolution to the reader.

How to Check Word Count

To check the word count of an essay, you can use various methods depending on the software or platform you're using:

How to Make an Essay Longer

To make an essay longer, consider these strategies:

• Expand Ideas: Add more detail and examples to elaborate on your points.
• Provide Supporting Details: Include additional evidence or references to strengthen your arguments.
• Address Counterarguments: Discuss opposing viewpoints and explain why they're invalid.
• Use More Sources: Incorporate more research to support your claims.
• Use Transitions: Improve the flow between paragraphs with transitional phrases.
• Rephrase and Expand: Clarify and expand on your ideas by revising your sentences.
• Consider Different Angles: Explore the topic from various perspectives.
• Revise Carefully: Edit your essay to ensure added content enhances its quality.

How to Shorten an Essay

To shorten an essay length while maintaining its essence, follow these strategies:

• Remove Redundancy: Cut out repetitive phrases or sentences.
• Combine Similar Ideas: Condense related points to streamline your message.
• Simplify Language: Use clear, concise language to convey your ideas.
• Delete Unnecessary Details: Eliminate irrelevant examples or explanations.
• Focus on Essentials: Keep only the most relevant information.
• Check for Wordiness: Remove filler words and phrases.

When working on your compositions, remember about the impact of remote learning on students and your productiveness.

How to Format a College Essay Based on the Required Length

Let’s explore strategies to tailor your essay's structure and content to fit within specified word limits. By understanding how to adjust your writing style and organization, you'll be better equipped to craft a compelling essay that adheres to length requirements without sacrificing quality or clarity.

Spacing is crucial for how long is an essay looking, its readability and adherence to length requirements. Opting for double-spacing ensures adequate room for markers to review your content and allows for easy reading. Additionally, double-spacing aids in maintaining a clean, organized appearance, enhancing the overall presentation of your essay.

• If the instruction is to double-space the paper, consider using a spacing of 2.1 or 2.2 instead. 
• You can extend the margin size by a quarter, such as increasing the right and bottom margins from 1 inch to 1.25 inches, to make subtle adjustments in length without significantly impacting the overall appearance.
• Another strategy is to increase the spacing between characters, although it should be done cautiously to avoid excessive alterations. 
• Aim to keep the spacing between 1.2 and 1.5 to maintain readability and visual consistency throughout the document.

Font and Size

Font selection and size can be key to adjusting the college essay length. Opt for a standard, easily readable font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri to ensure clarity and consistency. Aim for a font size of 12 points, which is the standard for most academic writing and provides optimal legibility without sacrificing space or readability.

• If your instructor hasn't specified a font, consider using larger options such as Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. 
• Exercise caution and try not to exceed an increase of 0.1-0.5 points to avoid noticeable alterations. 
• Another technique is to increase the size of punctuation marks, such as periods and commas, by a couple of points compared to the main text size, or italicizing them, which can subtly add to the overall length of your essay.

Following the specified length for your college essay is super important because it shows that you can stick to the rules and pay attention to instructions, which is a skill colleges value. Plus, sticking to the word count helps you be concise and get your point across clearly without rambling or overwhelming the reader.

If you’re struggling to fit into the required word limit, buy a college essay that will be written by a seasoned professional who knows exactly how to meet academic standards.

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How Many Pages Are in an Essay

How long is an essay paragraph.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• How long should my essay be? – BigFuture | College Board . (n.d.). https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/help-center/how-long-should-my-essay-be  
• 12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay - Harvard Summer School . (2022, August 9). Harvard Summer School. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/
• How Long Should a College Essay Be? | Honor Society - Official Honor Society® Website . (n.d.). https://www.honorsociety.org/articles/how-long-should-college-essay-be

Related Articles

Your Best College Essay

Maybe you love to write, or maybe you don’t. Either way, there’s a chance that the thought of writing your college essay is making you sweat. No need for nerves! We’re here to give you the important details on how to make the process as anxiety-free as possible.

What's the College Essay?

When we say “The College Essay” (capitalization for emphasis – say it out loud with the capitals and you’ll know what we mean) we’re talking about the 550-650 word essay required by most colleges and universities. Prompts for this essay can be found on the college’s website, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application. We’re not talking about the many smaller supplemental essays you might need to write in order to apply to college. Not all institutions require the essay, but most colleges and universities that are at least semi-selective do.

How do I get started?

Look for the prompts on whatever application you’re using to apply to schools (almost all of the time – with a few notable exceptions – this is the Common Application). If one of them calls out to you, awesome! You can jump right in and start to brainstorm. If none of them are giving you the right vibes, don’t worry. They’re so broad that almost anything you write can fit into one of the prompts after you’re done. Working backwards like this is totally fine and can be really useful!

What if I have writer's block?

You aren’t alone. Staring at a blank Google Doc and thinking about how this is the one chance to tell an admissions officer your story can make you freeze. Thinking about some of these questions might help you find the right topic:

• What is something about you that people have pointed out as distinctive?
• If you had to pick three words to describe yourself, what would they be? What are things you’ve done that demonstrate these qualities?
• What’s something about you that has changed over your years in high school? How or why did it change?
• What’s something you like most about yourself?
• What’s something you love so much that you lose track of the rest of the world while you do it?

If you’re still stuck on a topic, ask your family members, friends, or other trusted adults: what’s something they always think about when they think about you? What’s something they think you should be proud of? They might help you find something about yourself that you wouldn’t have surfaced on your own.  

How do I grab my reader's attention?

It’s no secret that admissions officers are reading dozens – and sometimes hundreds – of essays every day. That can feel like a lot of pressure to stand out. But if you try to write the most unique essay in the world, it might end up seeming forced if it’s not genuinely you. So, what’s there to do? Our advice: start your essay with a story. Tell the reader about something you’ve done, complete with sensory details, and maybe even dialogue. Then, in the second paragraph, back up and tell us why this story is important and what it tells them about you and the theme of the essay.

THE WORD LIMIT IS SO LIMITING. HOW DO I TELL A COLLEGE MY WHOLE LIFE STORY IN 650 WORDS?

Don’t! Don’t try to tell an admissions officer about everything you’ve loved and done since you were a child. Instead, pick one or two things about yourself that you’re hoping to get across and stick to those. They’ll see the rest on the activities section of your application.

I'M STUCK ON THE CONCLUSION. HELP?

If you can’t think of another way to end the essay, talk about how the qualities you’ve discussed in your essays have prepared you for college. Try to wrap up with a sentence that refers back to the story you told in your first paragraph, if you took that route.

SHOULD I PROOFREAD MY ESSAY?

YES, proofread the essay, and have a trusted adult proofread it as well. Know that any suggestions they give you are coming from a good place, but make sure they aren’t writing your essay for you or putting it into their own voice. Admissions officers want to hear the voice of you, the applicant. Before you submit your essay anywhere, our number one advice is to read it out loud to yourself. When you read out loud you’ll catch small errors you may not have noticed before, and hear sentences that aren’t quite right.

ANY OTHER ADVICE?

Be yourself. If you’re not a naturally serious person, don’t force formality. If you’re the comedian in your friend group, go ahead and be funny. But ultimately, write as your authentic (and grammatically correct) self and trust the process.

And remember, thousands of other students your age are faced with this same essay writing task, right now. You can do it!

Home — Free Essays — 600 Words — 600

600-Word Essay Examples

Daisys love in the great gatsby.

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Unspeakable Conversation Summary

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Compare And Contrast Adnan And Jay

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Juxtaposition In Advertising

Introduction: In the realm of advertising, where attention spans are short and competition is fierce, marketers strive to capture the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression. To achieve this, they employ a variety of techniques, one of which is the use of juxtaposition. Juxtaposition,…

Uncoiling Poem By Pat Mora Analysis

I. Introduction A. Pat Mora is a renowned author and poet whose works often delve into themes of identity, culture, and heritage. Her poem “Uncoiling” is a poignant exploration of these themes, inviting readers to reflect on their own journey of self-discovery. B. “Uncoiling” is…

Is Cheerleading A Sport Debate

Introduction Cheerleading has been a widely debated topic in recent years, with many people questioning whether it should be considered a sport. While some argue that cheerleading is merely a form of entertainment, others insist that it meets the criteria of a sport. In this…

Odyssey Archetype Analysis

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A 600-word essay is a moderately sized piece of writing that consists of approximately 600 words. It allows for more in-depth exploration of a topic compared to shorter essays, offering ample space to present arguments, provide evidence, and develop ideas.

What Does a 600-Word Essay Look Like?

While the length of each section may vary depending on the specific requirements, a general guideline could be to allocate approximately 150 words to the introduction, 300 words to the body paragraphs (divided across multiple paragraphs), and 150 words to the conclusion. However, always consider the specific instructions and the natural flow of your essay when determining section lengths.

How Long Is a 600-Word Essay?

A 600-word essay consists of approximately 600 words. In terms of length, it is considered a moderately sized essay. The number of paragraphs can vary based on the content and structure of the essay, but typically a 600-word essay may consist of around 3-5 paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea or argument related to the topic, providing sufficient explanation and supporting evidence. It's important to remember that while the word count gives a general indication of the length, the quality and depth of the content are equally important in crafting a comprehensive and well-developed essay.

How You Can Make a 600-Word Essay Coherent and Well-Structured?

To ensure coherence and a well-structured essay, plan your ideas before writing and create an outline. Each paragraph should focus on a single main point and have a clear connection to the thesis statement. Use transition words or phrases to guide the reader smoothly between paragraphs and sections. Revise and edit your essay to eliminate any repetitive or irrelevant information and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

How Can You Effectively Use the Word Count in a 600-Word Essay?

Effectively using the word count in a 600-word essay involves being concise and purposeful with your language. Focus on presenting clear and compelling arguments, providing relevant evidence, and ensuring each sentence contributes to the overall coherence of the essay. Avoid unnecessary repetition or wordy explanations. Edit your essay carefully to ensure you have maximized the impact of each word.

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27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top Universities 2024

One of the best ways to write a successful college essay for your college application is by learning from real college essay examples that worked . I've compiled a few of my favorite essay examples here that cover a variety of college essay topics.

Need help writing your college essay? Click here for my ultimate guide .

Or, check out my complete guide for answering the most popular college essay prompts on the Common App.

Some essay samples below are by students who chose to write about a challenge, while other examples may be helpful if you’re looking to write about yourself more generally. And yes, a few of these essays did help these students get accepted into the Ivy League, (I’m not telling you which!) though these are all great essays regardless of where (or if) students were admitted to their top choice school.

Looking for more college admissions essay examples about yourself? Check out more personal statements here .

Behold, some of the best college essays of 2024 (in my humble opinion).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Personal Statement Examples         Burying Grandma         Laptop Stickers         Punk Rock Philosopher         Grandma's Kimchi         Travel and Language         Dead Bird         I Shot My Brother         Porcelain God

UC Essay Examples

• Supplemental Essay Examples         UChicago Supplemental Essay Examples         Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road         Rock, Paper, Scissors         U of Michigan Supplemental Essay Example         East Meets West

Common App Essay Prompts

According to the 2024/2025 Common Application , the common app essays topics are as follows:

Background Essay: 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.

Challenge Essay: 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?

Belief Essay: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Gratitude Essay: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Accomplishment Essay: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Topic Essay: 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?

Create-Your-Own Essay: 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.

What Makes a Great College Essay?

These application essays show many sides of a person.

The key to many of these essays is that they describe a story or an aspect of the student’s life in a way that is dynamic: It reflects many of their values, strengths, interests, volunteer work, and life experiences. 

Many of these essays also demonstrate vulnerability. College admissions officers reading your college application will want to know how your values, qualities, and skills will flourish in college— and how good your writing skills are . 

Whether it’s a supplemental essay , personal statement , Common App essay , or diversity essay , the essays below can help you better understand what can result from following a college essay format or applying tips for how to write a college essay to help you get into your dream school. 

College Essay Tips

We asked dozens of experts on essay writing and test scores for their take on what makes a great college essay. Check out five of our favorite college essay tips below. 

1. Imagine how the person reading your essay will feel.

No one's idea of a good time is writing a college essay, I know. But if sitting down to write your essay feels like a chore, and you're bored by what you're saying, you can imagine how the person reading your essay will feel. On the other hand, if you're writing about something you love, something that excites you, something that you've thought deeply about, chances are I'm going to set down your application feeling excited, too—and feeling like I've gotten to know you.

This college essay tip is by Abigail McFee, Admissions Counselor for Tufts University and Tufts ‘17 graduate.

2. Write like a journalist.

"Don't bury the lede!" The first few sentences must capture the reader's attention, provide a gist of the story, and give a sense of where the essay is heading. Think about any article you've read—how do you decide to read it? You read the first few sentences and then decide. The same goes for college essays. A strong lede (journalist parlance for "lead") will place your reader in the "accept" mindset from the beginning of the essay. A weak lede will have your reader thinking "reject"—a mindset from which it's nearly impossible to recover.

This college essay tip is by Brad Schiller, MIT graduate and CEO of Prompt, which provides individualized feedback on thousands of students’ essays each year.

3. Don't read the Common Application prompts.

If you already have, erase them from memory and write the story you want colleges to hear. The truth is, admission reviewers rarely know—or care—which prompt you are responding to. They are curious to discover what you choose to show them about who you are, what you value , and why. Even the most fluid writers are often stifled by fitting their narrative neatly into a category and the essay quickly loses authentic voice. Write freely and choose a prompt later. Spoiler alert...one prompt is "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. " So have at it.

This college essay tip is by Brennan Barnard, director of college counseling at the Derryfield School in Manchester, N.H. and contributor to the NYT, HuffPost, and Forbes on intentionally approaching college admissions.

4. Show your emotions.

Adding feelings to your essays can be much more powerful than just listing your achievements. It allows reviewers to connect with you and understand your personality and what drives you. In particular, be open to showing vulnerability. Nobody expects you to be perfect and acknowledging times in which you have felt nervous or scared shows maturity and self-awareness.

This college essay tip is by Charles Maynard, Oxford and Stanford University Graduate and founder of Going Merry, which is a one-stop shop for applying to college scholarships

5. Revise often and early. 

Your admissions essay should go through several stages of revision . And by revisions, we don’t mean quick proofreads. Ask your parents, teachers, high school counselors or friends for their eyes and edits. It should be people who know you best and want you to succeed. Take their constructive criticism in the spirit for which they intend—your benefit.

This college essay tip is by Dhivya Arumugham, Kaplan Test Prep's director of SAT and ACT programs.

Personal Statement Examples

The "burying grandma" example college essay.

Written for the Common App college application essays "Tell us your story" prompt. This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.

They covered the precious mahogany coffin with a brown amalgam of rocks, decomposed organisms, and weeds. It was my turn to take the shovel, but I felt too ashamed to dutifully send her off when I had not properly said goodbye. I refused to throw dirt on her. I refused to let go of my grandmother, to accept a death I had not seen coming, to believe that an illness could not only interrupt, but steal a beloved life.

When my parents finally revealed to me that my grandmother had been battling liver cancer, I was twelve and I was angry--mostly with myself. They had wanted to protect me--only six years old at the time--from the complex and morose concept of death. However, when the end inevitably arrived, I wasn’t trying to comprehend what dying was; I was trying to understand how I had been able to abandon my sick grandmother in favor of playing with friends and watching TV. Hurt that my parents had deceived me and resentful of my own oblivion, I committed myself to preventing such blindness from resurfacing.

I became desperately devoted to my education because I saw knowledge as the key to freeing myself from the chains of ignorance. While learning about cancer in school I promised myself that I would memorize every fact and absorb every detail in textbooks and online medical journals. And as I began to consider my future, I realized that what I learned in school would allow me to silence that which had silenced my grandmother. However, I was focused not with learning itself, but with good grades and high test scores. I started to believe that academic perfection would be the only way to redeem myself in her eyes--to make up for what I had not done as a granddaughter.  

However, a simple walk on a hiking trail behind my house made me open my own eyes to the truth. Over the years, everything--even honoring my grandmother--had become second to school and grades. As my shoes humbly tapped against the Earth, the towering trees blackened by the forest fire a few years ago, the faintly colorful pebbles embedded in the sidewalk, and the wispy white clouds hanging in the sky reminded me of my small though nonetheless significant part in a larger whole that is humankind and this Earth. Before I could resolve my guilt, I had to broaden my perspective of the world as well as my responsibilities to my fellow humans.   

Volunteering at a cancer treatment center has helped me discover my path. When I see patients trapped in not only the hospital but also a moment in time by their diseases, I talk to them. For six hours a day, three times a week, Ivana is surrounded by IV stands, empty walls, and busy nurses that quietly yet constantly remind her of her breast cancer. Her face is pale and tired, yet kind--not unlike my grandmother’s. I need only to smile and say hello to see her brighten up as life returns to her face. Upon our first meeting, she opened up about her two sons, her hometown, and her knitting group--no mention of her disease. Without even standing up, the three of us—Ivana, me, and my grandmother--had taken a walk together.

Cancer, as powerful and invincible as it may seem, is a mere fraction of a person’s life. It’s easy to forget when one’s mind and body are so weak and vulnerable. I want to be there as an oncologist to remind them to take a walk once in a while, to remember that there’s so much more to life than a disease. While I physically treat their cancer, I want to lend patients emotional support and mental strength to escape the interruption and continue living. Through my work, I can accept the shovel without burying my grandmother’s memory.

Tips + Analysis:

Make (Narrative) structure work for you. This essay uses what we call Narrative Structure, which focuses (in roughly equal word count) on a challenge + effects you’ve faced, what you did about it, and what you learned. Quick tip: one common and easy mistake is to spend most of the essay focused on the challenges + effects, but try to keep that to about a third—what your reader is generally more interested in is what you did about that challenge and what you learned/how you’ve grown. For a more complete guide to using Narrative Structure to shape your personal statement, check out that link.

Show insight and growth. This essay does so in a few different ways. One is by recognizing that they were wrong about something / had “done it wrong” (e.g. ...understand how I had been able to abandon my sick grandmother in favor of playing with friends and watching TV or However, I was focused not with learning itself, but with good grades and high test scores. ). We’re pointing this out because, fairly frequently, students are worried that acknowledging they were wrong in some way will be looked down upon by readers. Put those worries to rest—showing that you’re capable of reflecting, acknowledging your failings or where you were wrong, and growing through your new understanding is a sign of maturity that colleges value. (For more on insight/reflection , check out that link, which is focused on the UC PIQs but its content also applies to personal statements.)

Bring us into your world. You can do so through things like imagery (e.g., the towering trees blackened by the forest fire a few years ago, the faintly colorful pebbles embedded in the sidewalk, and the wispy white clouds hanging in the sky ) and through illustrating (or sometimes directly naming) your values and how your experiences have shaped them (e.g., I had to broaden my perspective of the world as well as my responsibilities to my fellow humans ). A personal statement isn’t simply a list of accomplishments (let your Activities List and Additional Info section do that lifting for you). Instead, it’s about helping a college understand who you are through the values, interests, insights, skills, and qualities you bring to their campus and community.

THE "Laptop Stickers" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

My laptop is like a passport. It is plastered with stickers all over the outside, inside, and bottom. Each sticker is a stamp, representing a place I've been, a passion I've pursued, or community I've belonged to. These stickers make for an untraditional first impression at a meeting or presentation, but it's one I'm proud of. Let me take you on a quick tour:

" We < 3 Design ," bottom left corner. Art has been a constant for me for as long as I can remember. Today my primary engagement with art is through design. I've spent entire weekends designing websites and social media graphics for my companies. Design means more to me than just branding and marketing; it gives me the opportunity to experiment with texture, perspective, and contrast, helping me refine my professional style.

" Common Threads ," bottom right corner. A rectangular black and red sticker displaying the theme of the 2017 TEDxYouth@Austin event. For years I've been interested in the street artists and musicians in downtown Austin who are so unapologetically themselves. As a result, I've become more open-minded and appreciative of unconventional lifestyles. TED gives me the opportunity to help other youth understand new perspectives, by exposing them to the diversity of Austin where culture is created, not just consumed.

Poop emoji , middle right. My 13-year-old brother often sends his messages with the poop emoji 'echo effect,' so whenever I open a new message from him, hundreds of poops elegantly cascade across my screen. He brings out my goofy side, but also helps me think rationally when I am overwhelmed. We don't have the typical "I hate you, don't talk to me" siblinghood (although occasionally it would be nice to get away from him); we're each other's best friends. Or at least he's mine.

" Lol ur not Harry Styles ," upper left corner. Bought in seventh grade and transferred from my old laptop, this sticker is torn but persevering with layers of tape. Despite conveying my fangirl-y infatuation with Harry Styles' boyband, One Direction, for me Styles embodies an artist-activist who uses his privilege for the betterment of society. As a $42K donor to the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, a hair donor to the Little Princess Trust, and promoter of LGBTQ+ equality, he has motivated me to be a more public activist instead of internalizing my beliefs.

" Catapult ," middle right. This is the logo of a startup incubator where I launched my first company, Threading Twine. I learned that business can provide others access to fundamental human needs, such as economic empowerment of minorities and education. In my career, I hope to be a corporate advocate for the empowerment of women, creating large-scale impact and deconstructing institutional boundaries that obstruct women from working in high-level positions. Working as a women's rights activist will allow me to engage in creating lasting movements for equality, rather than contributing to a cycle that elevates the stances of wealthy individuals.

" Thank God it's Monday ," sneakily nestled in the upper right corner. Although I attempt to love all my stickers equally (haha), this is one of my favorites. I always want my association with work to be positive.

And there are many others, including the horizontal, yellow stripes of the  Human Rights Campaign ; " The Team ," a sticker from the Model G20 Economics Summit where I collaborated with youth from around the globe; and stickers from " Kode with Klossy ," a community of girls working to promote women's involvement in underrepresented fields.

When my computer dies (hopefully not for another few years), it will be like my passport expiring. It'll be difficult leaving these moments and memories behind, but I probably won't want these stickers in my 20s anyways (except Harry Styles, that's never leaving). My next set of stickers will reveal my next set of aspirations. They hold the key to future paths I will navigate, knowledge I will gain, and connections I will make.

Make (Montage) structure work for you. This essay uses what we call Montage Structure, which uses a “thematic thread” (in this case, laptop stickers ) to connect different, perhaps otherwise seemingly disconnected sides of who a student is. One strength (among many) of this structural approach is that it can allow a student to demonstrate a broad range of values and experiences that have shaped them, which in turn helps a college understand who you are through the values, interests, insights, skills, and qualities you bring to their campus and community. For a more complete guide to using Montage Structure to shape your personal statement, check out that link.

Show (and probably also tell a little). “Show don’t tell” is generally solid writing advice, but for college essays, we’d recommend leaning a bit more toward the “Mostly show but than maybe also tell a little, just to be sure your reader gets it” approach (Though that’s clearly not as catchy a phrase).  So show us your experiences and values through specific moments and details, but also include some language that more directly states those values and what they mean to you, like Working as a women's rights activist will allow me to engage in creating lasting movements for equality, rather than contributing to a cycle that elevates the stances of wealthy individuals .

Get a little vulnerable. Being vulnerable in writing is a great way to help a reader feel closer to you. And it’s useful to keep in mind that there’s actually a pretty great variety of ways to be vulnerable. One nice moment of vulnerability in this essay comes with …in we're each other's best friends. Or at least he's mine —it’s a nice, soft moment in which the author offers up something that could feel a little tender, or maybe scary to share (because hey, acknowledging that you might care about someone more than they care about you can feel that way). 

Learn how to write your college essay

The "punk rock philosopher" college essay example.

This was written for the Common App college application essays, and works for prompts 1 and 7 (or none of them, because the author is that cool):

I am on Oxford Academy’s Speech and Debate Team, in both the Parliamentary Debate division and the Lincoln-Douglass debate division. I write screenplays, short stories, and opinionated blogs and am a regular contributor to my school literary magazine, The Gluestick. I have accumulated over 300 community service hours that includes work at homeless shelters, libraries, and special education youth camps. I have been evaluated by the College Board and have placed within the top percentile.

But I am not any of these things. I am not a test score, nor a debater, nor a writer. I am an anti-nihilist punk rockphilosopher. And I became so when I realized three things:

1) That the world is ruled by underwear. There is a variety of underwear for a variety of people. You have your ironed briefs for your businessmen, your soft cottons for the average, and hemp-based underwear for your environmental romantics. But underwear do not only tell us about who we are, they also influence our daily interactions in ways most of us don't even understand. For example, I have a specific pair of underwear that is holey, worn out but surprisingly comfortable. And despite how trivial underwear might be, when I am wearing my favorite pair, I feel as if I am on top of the world. In any case, these articles of clothing affect our being and are the unsung heroes of comfort.

2) When I realized I cannot understand the world. I recently debated at the Orange County Speech League Tournament, within the Parliamentary Division. This specific branch of debate is an hour long, and consists of two parties debating either side of a current political issue. In one particular debate, I was assigned the topic: “Should Nation States eliminate nuclear arms?” It so happened that I was on the negative side and it was my job to convince the judges that countries should continue manufacturing nuclear weapons. During the debate, something strange happened: I realized that we are a special breed of species, that so much effort and resources are invested to ensure mutual destruction. And I felt that this debate in a small college classroom had elucidated something much more profound about the scale of human existence. In any case, I won 1st place at the tournament, but as the crowd cheered when my name was called to stand before an audience of hundreds of other debaters, and I flashed a victorious smile at the cameras, I couldn’t help but imagine that somewhere at that moment a nuclear bomb was being manufactured, adding to an ever-growing stockpile of doom. And that's when I realized that the world was something I will never understand.

3) When I realized I was a punk rocker philosopher. One summer night, my friend took me to an underground hardcore punk rock show. It was inside a small abandoned church. After the show, I met and became a part of this small community. Many were lost and on a constant soul-search, and to my surprise, many, like myself, did not have a blue Mohawk or a nose piercing. Many were just ordinary people discussing Nietzsche, string theory, and governmental ideologies. Many were also artists creating promotional posters and inventive slogans for stickers. They were all people my age who could not afford to be part of a record label and did something extraordinary by playing in these abandoned churches, making their own CDs and making thousands of promotional buttons by hand. I realized then that punk rock is not about music nor is it a guy with a blue Mohawk screaming protests. Punk rock is an attitude, a mindset, and very much a culture. It is an antagonist to the conventional. It means making the best with what you have to contribute to a community. This was when I realized that I was a punk rock philosopher.

The world I come from consists of underwear, nuclear bombs, and punk rockers. And I love this world. My world is inherently complex, mysterious, and anti-nihilist. I am David Phan, somebody who spends his weekends debating in a three piece suit, other days immersed within the punk rock culture, and some days writing opinionated blogs about underwear.

But why college? I want a higher education. I want more than just the textbook fed classrooms in high school. A community which prizes revolutionary ideals, a sharing of multi-dynamical perspectives, an environment that ultimately acts as a medium for movement, similar to the punk rock community. I do not see college as a mere stepping stone for a stable career or a prosperous life, but as a supplement for knowledge and self-empowerment; it is a social engine that will jettison us to our next paradigm shift.

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The "Grandma's Kimchi" College Essay Example

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

Every Saturday morning, I’d awaken to the smell of crushed garlic and piquant pepper. I would stumble into the kitchen to find my grandma squatting over a large silver bowl, mixing fat lips of fresh cabbages with garlic, salt, and red pepper. That was how the delectable Korean dish, kimchi, was born every weekend at my home.

My grandma’s specialty always dominated the dinner table as kimchi filled every plate. And like my grandma who had always been living with us, it seemed as though the luscious smell of garlic would never leave our home. But even the prided recipe was defenseless against the ravages of Alzheimer’s that inflicted my grandma’s mind.

Dementia slowly fed on her memories until she became as blank as a brand-new notebook. The ritualistic rigor of Saturday mornings came to a pause, and during dinner, the artificial taste of vacuum-packaged factory kimchi only emphasized the absence of the family tradition. I would look at her and ask, “Grandma, what’s my name?” But she would stare back at me with a clueless expression. Within a year of diagnosis, she lived with us like a total stranger.

One day, my mom brought home fresh cabbages and red pepper sauce. She brought out the old silver bowl and poured out the cabbages, smothering them with garlic and salt and pepper. The familiar tangy smell tingled my nose. Gingerly, my grandma stood up from the couch in the living room, and as if lured by the smell, sat by the silver bowl and dug her hands into the spiced cabbages. As her bony hands shredded the green lips, a look of determination grew on her face. Though her withered hands no longer displayed the swiftness and precision they once did, her face showed the aged rigor of a professional. For the first time in years, the smell of garlic filled the air and the rattling of the silver bowl resonated throughout the house.

That night, we ate kimchi. It wasn’t perfect; the cabbages were clumsily cut and the garlic was a little too strong. But kimchi had never tasted better. I still remember my grandma putting a piece in my mouth and saying, “Here, Dong Jin. Try it, my boy.”

Seeing grandma again this summer, that moment of clarity seemed ephemeral. Her disheveled hair and expressionless face told of the aggressive development of her illness.

But holding her hands, looking into her eyes, I could still smell that garlic. The moments of Saturday mornings remain ingrained in my mind. Grandma was an artist who painted the cabbages with strokes of red pepper. Like the sweet taste of kimchi, I hope to capture those memories in my keystrokes as I type away these words.

A piece of writing is more than just a piece of writing. It evokes. It inspires. It captures what time takes away.

My grandma used to say: “Tigers leave furs when they die, humans leave their names.” Her legacy was the smell of garlic that lingered around my house. Mine will be these words.

The "Travel and Language" College Essay Example

When I was very little, I caught the travel bug. It started after my grandparents first brought me to their home in France and I have now been to twenty-nine different countries. Each has given me a unique learning experience.

At five, I marveled at the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights. When I was eight, I stood in the heart of Piazza San Marco feeding hordes of pigeons, then glided down Venetian waterways on sleek gondolas. At thirteen, I saw the ancient, megalithic structure of Stonehenge and walked along the Great Wall of China, amazed that the thousand-year-old stones were still in place.

It was through exploring cultures around the world that I first became interested in language.

It began with French, which taught me the importance of pronunciation. I remember once asking a store owner in Paris where Rue des Pyramides was. But when I pronounced it PYR–a–mides instead of pyr–A–mides, with more accent on the A, she looked at me bewildered.

In the eighth grade, I became fascinated with Spanish and aware of its similarities with English through cognates. Baseball in Spanish, for example, is béisbol, which looks different but sounds nearly the same. This was incredible to me as it made speech and comprehension more fluid, and even today I find that cognates come to the rescue when I forget how to say something in Spanish.

Then, in high school, I developed an enthusiasm for Chinese. As I studied Chinese at my school, I marveled how if just one stroke was missing from a character, the meaning is lost. I loved how long words were formed by combining simpler characters, so Huǒ (火) meaning fire and Shān (山) meaning mountain can be joined to create Huǒshān (火山), which means volcano. I love spending hours at a time practicing the characters and I can feel the beauty and rhythm as I form them.

Interestingly, after studying foreign languages, I was further intrigued by my native tongue. Through my love of books and fascination with developing a sesquipedalian lexicon (learning big words), I began to expand my English vocabulary. Studying the definitions prompted me to inquire about their origins, and suddenly I wanted to know all about etymology, the history of words. My freshman year I took a world history class and my love for history grew exponentially. To me, history is like a great novel, and it is especially fascinating because it took place in my own world.

But the best dimension that language brought to my life is interpersonal connection. When I speak with people in their native language, I find I can connect with them on a more intimate level. I’ve connected with people in the most unlikely places, finding a Bulgarian painter to use my few Bulgarian words with in the streets of Paris, striking up a conversation in Spanish with an Indian woman who used to work at the Argentinian embassy in Mumbai, and surprising a library worker by asking her a question in her native Mandarin.

I want to study foreign language and linguistics in college because, in short, it is something that I know I will use and develop for the rest of my life. I will never stop traveling, so attaining fluency in foreign languages will only benefit me. In the future, I hope to use these skills as the foundation of my work, whether it is in international business, foreign diplomacy, or translation.

I think of my journey as best expressed through a Chinese proverb that my teacher taught me, “I am like a chicken eating at a mountain of rice.” Each grain is another word for me to learn as I strive to satisfy my unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Today, I still  have the travel bug, and now, it seems, I am addicted to language too.

Click here  for this student's amazing Instagram photos.

The "Dead Bird" Example College Essay Example

This was written for a Common App college application essay prompt that no longer exists, which read: Evaluate a significant experience, risk, achievement, ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

 Smeared blood, shredded feathers. Clearly, the bird was dead. But wait, the slight fluctuation of its chest, the slow blinking of its shiny black eyes. No, it was alive.

I had been typing an English essay when I heard my cat's loud meows and the flutter of wings. I had turned slightly at the noise and had found the barely breathing bird in front of me.

The shock came first. Mind racing, heart beating faster, blood draining from my face. I instinctively reached out my hand to hold it, like a long-lost keepsake from my youth. But then I remembered that birds had life, flesh, blood.

Death. Dare I say it out loud? Here, in my own home?

Within seconds, my reflexes kicked in. Get over the shock. Gloves, napkins, towels. Band-aid? How does one heal a bird? I rummaged through the house, keeping a wary eye on my cat. Donning yellow rubber gloves, I tentatively picked up the bird. Never mind the cat's hissing and protesting scratches, you need to save the bird. You need to ease its pain.

But my mind was blank. I stroked the bird with a paper towel to clear away the blood, see the wound. The wings were crumpled, the feet mangled. A large gash extended close to its jugular rendering its breathing shallow, unsteady. The rising and falling of its small breast slowed. Was the bird dying? No, please, not yet. 

Why was this feeling so familiar, so tangible?

Oh. Yes. The long drive, the green hills, the white church, the funeral. The Chinese mass, the resounding amens, the flower arrangements. Me, crying silently, huddled in the corner. The Hsieh family huddled around the casket. Apologies. So many apologies. Finally, the body  lowered to rest. The body. Kari Hsieh. Still familiar, still tangible.

Hugging Mrs. Hsieh, I was a ghost, a statue. My brain and my body competed. Emotion wrestled with fact. Kari Hsieh, aged 17, my friend of four years, had died in the Chatsworth Metrolink Crash on Sep. 12, 2008. Kari was dead, I thought. Dead.

But I could still save the bird.

My frantic actions heightened my senses, mobilized my spirit. Cupping the bird, I ran outside, hoping the cool air outdoors would suture every wound, cause the bird to miraculously fly away. Yet there lay the bird in my hands, still gasping, still dying. Bird, human, human, bird. What was the difference? Both were the same. Mortal.

But couldn't I do something? Hold the bird longer, de-claw the cat? I wanted to go to my bedroom, confine myself to tears, replay my memories, never come out. 

The bird's warmth faded away. Its heartbeat slowed along with its breath. For a long time, I stared thoughtlessly at it, so still in my hands.

Slowly, I dug a small hole in the black earth. As it disappeared under handfuls of dirt, my own heart grew stronger, my own breath more steady.

The wind, the sky, the dampness of the soil on my hands whispered to me, “The bird is dead. Kari has passed. But you are alive.” My breath, my heartbeat, my sweat sighed back, “I am alive. I am alive. I am alive.”

The "I Shot My Brother" College Essay Example

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

From page 54 of the maroon notebook sitting on my mahogany desk:

“Then Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth and whoever finds me will kill me.” - Genesis 4:13

Here is a secret that no one in my family knows: I shot my brother when I was six. Luckily, it was a BB gun. But to this day, my older brother Jonathan does not know who shot him. And I have finally promised myself to confess this eleven year old secret to him after I write this essay.

The truth is, I was always jealous of my brother. Our grandparents, with whom we lived as children in Daegu, a rural city in South Korea, showered my brother with endless accolades: he was bright, athletic, and charismatic.

“Why can’t you be more like Jon?” my grandmother used to nag, pointing at me with a carrot stick. To me, Jon was just cocky. He would scoff at me when he would beat me in basketball, and when he brought home his painting of Bambi with the teacher’s sticker “Awesome!” on top, he would make several copies of it and showcase them on the refrigerator door. But I retreated to my desk where a pile of “Please draw this again and bring it to me tomorrow” papers lay, desperate for immediate treatment. Later, I even refused to attend the same elementary school and wouldn’t even eat meals with him.

Deep down I knew I had to get the chip off my shoulder. But I didn’t know how.

That is, until March 11th, 2001.

That day around six o’clock, juvenile combatants appeared in Kyung Mountain for their weekly battle, with cheeks smeared in mud and empty BB guns in their hands. The Korean War game was simple: to kill your opponent you had to shout “pow!” before he did. Once we situated ourselves, our captain blew the pinkie whistle and the war began. My friend Min-young and I hid behind a willow tree, eagerly awaiting our orders.

Beside us, our comrades were dying, each falling to the ground crying in “agony,” their hands clasping their “wounds.” Suddenly a wish for heroism surged within me: I grabbed Min-young’s arms and rushed towards the enemies’ headquarters, disobeying our orders to remain sentry duty. To tip the tide of the war, I had to kill their captain. We infiltrated the enemy lines, narrowly dodging each attack. We then cleared the pillars of asparagus ferns until the Captain’s lair came into view. I quickly pulled my clueless friend back into the bush.

Hearing us, the alarmed captain turned around: It was my brother.

He saw Min-young’s right arm sticking out from the bush and hurled a “grenade,” (a rock), bruising his arm.

“That’s not fair!” I roared in the loudest and most unrecognizable voice I could manage.

Startled, the Captain and his generals abandoned their post. Vengeance replaced my wish for heroism and I took off after the fleeing perpetrator. Streams of sweat ran down my face and I pursued him for several minutes until suddenly I was arrested by a small, yellow sign that read in Korean: DO NOT TRESPASS: Boar Traps Ahead. (Two summers ago, my five year old cousin, who insisted on joining the ranks, had wandered off-course during the battle; we found him at the bottom of a 20 ft deep pit with a deep gash in his forehead and shirt soaked in blood) “Hey, stop!” I shouted, heart pounding. “STOP!” My mind froze. My eyes just gazed at the fleeing object; what should I do?

I looked on as my shivering hand reached for the canister of BBs. The next second, I heard two shots followed by a cry. I opened my eyes just enough to see two village men carrying my brother away from the warning sign. I turned around, hurled my BB gun into the nearby Kyung Creek and ran home as fast as I could.

Days passed. My brother and I did not talk about the incident.

‘Maybe he knew it was me,’ I thought in fear as I tried to eavesdrop on his conversation with grandpa one day. When the door suddenly opened, I blurted, “Is anything wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said pushing past me, “Just a rough sleep.”

But in the next few weeks, something was happening inside me.

All the jealousy and anger I’d once felt had been replaced by a new feeling: guilt.

That night when my brother was gone I went to a local store and bought a piece of chocolate taffy, his favorite. I returned home and placed it on my brother’s bed with a note attached: “Love, Grandma.”

Several days later, I secretly went into his room and folded his unkempt pajamas.

Then, other things began to change. We began sharing clothes (something we had never done), started watching Pokémon episodes together, and then, on his ninth birthday, I did something with Jon that I hadn’t done in six years: I ate dinner with him. I even ate fishcakes, which he loved but I hated. And I didn’t complain.

Today, my brother is one of my closest friends. Every week I accompany him to Carlson Hospital where he receives treatment for his obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. While in the waiting room, we play a noisy game of Zenga, comment on the Lakers’ performance or listen to the radio on the registrar’s desk.

Then, the door to the doctor’s office opens.

“Jonathan Lee, please come in.”

I tap his shoulder and whisper, “Rock it, bro.”

After he leaves, I take out my notebook and begin writing where I left off.

Beside me, the receptionist’s fingers hover over the radio in search of a new station, eventually settling on one. I hear LeAnn Rimes singing “Amazing Grace.” Her voice slowly rises over the noise of the bustling room.

“’Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved...”

Smiling, I open Jon’s Jansport backpack and neatly place this essay inside and a chocolate taffy with a note attached.

Twenty minutes have passed when the door abruptly opens.

“Guess what the doctor just said?” my brother cries, unable to hide his exhilaration.

I look up and I smile too.

For analysis of what makes this essay amazing , go here.

The "Porcelain God" College Essay Example

Essay written for the "topic of your choice" prompt for the 2012 Common Application college application essays.

Bowing down to the porcelain god, I emptied the contents of my stomach. Foaming at the mouth, I was ready to pass out. My body couldn’t stop shaking as I gasped for air, and the room started spinning.

Ten minutes prior, I had been eating dinner with my family at a Chinese restaurant, drinking chicken-feet soup. My mom had specifically asked the waitress if there were peanuts in it, because when I was two we found out that I am deathly allergic to them. When the waitress replied no, I went for it. Suddenly I started scratching my neck, feeling the hives that had started to form. I rushed to the restroom to throw up because my throat was itchy and I felt a weight on my chest. I was experiencing anaphylactic shock, which prevented me from taking anything but shallow breaths. I was fighting the one thing that is meant to protect me and keep me alive – my own body.

At five years old, I couldn’t comprehend what had happened. All I knew was that I felt sick, and I was waiting for my mom to give me something to make it better. I thought my parents were superheroes; surely they would be able to make well again. But I became scared when I heard the fear in their voices as they rushed me to the ER.

After that incident, I began to fear. I became scared of death, eating, and even my own body. As I grew older, I became paranoid about checking food labels and I avoided eating if I didn’t know what was in the food. I knew what could happen if I ate one wrong thing, and I wasn’t willing to risk it for a snack. Ultimately, that fear turned into resentment; I resented my body for making me an outsider.

In the years that followed, this experience and my regular visits to my allergy specialist inspired me to become an allergy specialist. Even though I was probably only ten at the time, I wanted to find a way to help kids like me. I wanted to find a solution so that nobody would have to feel the way I did; nobody deserved to feel that pain, fear, and resentment. As I learned more about the medical world, I became more fascinated with the body’s immune responses, specifically, how a body reacts to allergens. This past summer, I took a month-long course on human immunology at Stanford University. I learned about the different mechanisms and cells that our bodies use in order to fight off pathogens. My desire to major in biology in college has been stimulated by my fascination with the human body, its processes, and the desire to find a way to help people with allergies. I hope that one day I can find a way to stop allergic reactions or at least lessen the symptoms, so that children and adults don’t have to feel the same fear and bitterness that I felt.

To find out if your essay passes the Great College Essay Test like this one did, go here .

The "Five Families" College Essay Example

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

When I was 16, I lived with the Watkins family in Wichita, Kansas. Mrs. Watkins was the coordinator of the foreign exchange student program I was enrolled in. She had a nine year old son named Cody. I would babysit Cody every day after school for at least two to three hours. We would play Scrabble or he would read to me from Charlotte’s Web or The Ugly Duckling. He would talk a lot about his friends and school life, and I would listen to him and ask him the meanings of certain words. He was my first friend in the New World.

My second family was the Martinez family, who were friends of the Watkins’s. The host dad Michael was a high school English teacher and the host mom Jennifer (who had me call her “Jen”) taught elementary school. She had recently delivered a baby, so she was still in the hospital when I moved into their house. The Martinez family did almost everything together. We made pizza together, watched Shrek on their cozy couch together, and went fishing on Sunday together. On rainy days, Michael, Jen and I would sit on the porch and listen to the rain, talking about our dreams and thoughts. Within two months I was calling them mom and dad.

After I finished the exchange student program, I had the option of returning to Korea but I decided to stay in America. I wanted to see new places and meet different people. Since I wasn’t an exchange student anymore, I had the freedom--and burden--of finding a new school and host family on my own. After a few days of thorough investigation, I found the Struiksma family in California. They were a unique group.

The host mom Shellie was a single mom who had two of her own sons and two Russian daughters that she had adopted. The kids always had something warm to eat, and were always on their best behavior at home and in school. It would be fair to say that this was all due to Shellie’s upbringing. My room was on the first floor, right in front of Shellie’s hair salon, a small business that she ran out of her home. In the living room were six or seven huge amplifiers and a gigantic chandelier hung from the high ceiling. The kitchen had a bar. At first, the non-stop visits from strangers made me nervous, but soon I got used to them. I remember one night, a couple barged into my room while I was sleeping. It was awkward.

After a few months I realized we weren’t the best fit. In the nicest way possible, I told them I had to leave. They understood.

The Ortiz family was my fourth family. Kimberly, the host mom, treated me the same way she treated her own son. She made me do chores: I fixed dinner, fed their two dogs Sassy and Lady, and once a week I cleaned the bathroom. I also had to follow some rules: No food in my room, no using the family computer, no lights on after midnight, and no ride unless it was an emergency. The first couple of months were really hard to get used to, but eventually I adjusted.

I lived with the Ortiz family for seven months like a monk in the deep forest. However, the host dad Greg’s asthma got worse after winter, so he wanted to move to the countryside. It was unexpected and I only had a week to find a new host family. I asked my friend Danielle if I could live with her until I found a new home. That’s how I met the Dirksen family, my fifth family.

The Dirksen family had three kids. They were all different. Danielle liked bitter black coffee, Christian liked energy drinks, and Becca liked sweet lemon tea. Dawn, the host mom didn’t like winter, and Mark, the host dad, didn’t like summer. After dinner, we would all play Wii Sports together. I was the king of bowling, and Dawn was the queen of tennis. I don’t remember a single time that they argued about the games. Afterward, we would gather in the living room and Danielle would play the piano while the rest of us sang hymns.

Of course, those 28 months were too short to fully understand all five families, but I learned from and was shaped by each of them. By teaching me English, nine year-old Cody taught me the importance of being able to learn from anyone; the Martinez family showed me the value of spending time together as a family; the Struiksma family taught me to reserve judgment about divorced women and adopted children; Mrs. Ortiz taught me the value of discipline and the Dirksen family taught me the importance of appreciating one another’s different qualities.

Getting along with other people is necessary for anyone and living with five families has made me more sensitive to others’ needs: I have learned how to recognize when someone needs to talk, when I should give advice and when to simply listen, and when someone needs to be left alone; in the process, I have become much more adaptable. I’m ready to change, learn, and be shaped by my future families.

ANALYSIS OF THE "FIVE FAMILIES" ESSAY

Remember that movie “The Sixth Sense”?

I won't ruin it for you, but I will tell you that there’s a moment toward the end when a crucial piece of information is revealed that triggers in the mind of the audience a series of realizations that have been leading up to this Big Revelation.

That’s kind of what this writer does: he buries a series of hints (one in each paragraph) that he “explodes” in the final paragraph. In short:

He buries a series of essence images in his first paragraphs (one per family).

He doesn’t tell us what they mean until the end of the essay, when he writes “I learned and was shaped by each of them.” Note that each essence image is actually a lesson--something he learned from each family.

When he reveals each lesson at the end, one after the other, we sense how all these seemingly random events are connected. We realize this writer has been carefully constructing this piece all along; we see the underlying structure. And it’s a pretty neat one.

Each of the first five paragraphs works to SHOW . (He waits to TELL us what they mean ‘til that second to last paragraph.)

See how distinct each family is? He does this through specific images and objects.

The second to last paragraph answers the “So what?” question. (Q: Why did he just show us all these details? A: To demonstrate what each family has taught him.)

He also goes one step further. He answers the “So what?” question once more in the final paragraph. (Q: So what am I going to do with all these lessons? A: I’m going to use them to adapt to my next family--in college.)

The beauty of this is that he’s demonstrating (showing not telling) that he has an extremely valuable quality that will be useful for doing well at any college: adaptability.

TIP: And that’s one more way to write your essay . Identify your single greatest strength (in this case, it was his ability to adapt to whatever life gave him). Ask: how did I learn this? How can I SHOW that I’m good at this?

Here are all the “Show” and “Tell” moments clearly marked:

When I was 16, I lived with the Watkins family in Wichita, Kansas. Mrs. Watkins was the coordinator of the foreign exchange student program I was enrolled in. She had a nine year old son named Cody. I would babysit Cody every day after school for at least two to three hours. We would play Scrabble or he would read to me from Charlotte’s Web or The Ugly Duckling. He would talk a lot about his friends and school life, and I would listen to him and ask him the meanings of certain words.  He was my first friend in the New World.

Show 1: "By teaching me English, nine year-old Cody taught me the importance of being able to learn from anyone."

My second family was the Martinez family, who were friends of the Watkins’s. The host dad Michael was a high school English teacher and the host mom Jennifer (who had me call her “Jen”) taught elementary school. She had recently delivered a baby, so she was still in the hospital when I moved into their house. The Martinez family did almost everything together. We made pizza together, watched Shrek on their cozy couch together, and went fishing on Sunday together.  On rainy days, Michael, Jen and I would sit on the porch and listen to the rain, talking about our dreams and thoughts. Within two months I was calling them mom and dad.

Show 2: "the Martinez family showed me the value of spending time together as a family" (implication: he doesn't have this with his own family)

The host mom Shellie was a single mom who had two of her own sons and two Russian daughters that she had adopted.  The kids always had something warm to eat, and were always on their best behavior at home and in school. It would be fair to say that this was all due to Shellie’s upbringing. My room was on the first floor,  right in front of Shellie’s hair salon, a small business that she ran out of her home. In the living room were six or seven huge amplifiers and a gigantic chandelier hung from the high ceiling. The kitchen had a bar. At first, the non-stop visits from strangers made me nervous, but soon I got used to them. I remember one night, a couple barged into my room while I was sleeping. It was awkward.

Show 3: "the Struiksma family taught me to reserve judgment about divorced women and adopted children."

The Ortiz family was my fourth family. Kimberly, the host mom, treated me the same way she treated her own son.  She made me do chores: I fixed dinner, fed their two dogs Sassy and Lady, and once a week I cleaned the bathroom. I also had to follow some rules: No food in my room, no using the family computer, no lights on after midnight, and no ride unless it was an emergency.  The first couple of months were really hard to get used to, but eventually I adjusted.

I lived with the Ortiz family for seven months like a monk in the deep forest.  However, the host dad Greg’s asthma got worse after winter, so he wanted to move to the countryside. It was unexpected and I only had a week to find a new host family. I asked my friend Danielle if I could live with her until I found a new home. That’s how I met the Dirksen family, my fifth family.

Show 4: "Mrs. Ortiz taught me the value of discipline."

The Dirksen family had three kids.  They were all different. Danielle liked bitter black coffee, Christian liked energy drinks, and Becca liked sweet lemon tea. Dawn, the host mom didn’t like winter, and Mark, the host dad, didn’t like summer. After dinner, we would all play Wii Sports together. I was the king of bowling, and Dawn was the queen of tennis. I don’t remember a single time that they argued about the games.  Afterward, we would gather in the living room and Danielle would play the piano while the rest of us sang hymns.

Show 5: "and the Dirksen family taught me the importance of appreciating one another’s different qualities."

Of course, those 28 months were too short to fully understand all five families, but I learned from and was shaped by each of them.  By teaching me English, nine year-old Cody taught me the importance of being able to learn from anyone; the Martinez family showed me the value of spending time together as a family; the Struiksma family taught me to reserve judgment about divorced women and adopted children; Mrs. Ortiz taught me the value of discipline and the Dirksen family taught me the importance of appreciating one another’s different qualities.

The "Tell" / "So What":

THE "FOOD" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “I Love/I Know” Type

I’ve spent most of my life as an anti-vegetable carboholic.  For years, processed snack foods ruled the kitchen kingdom of my household and animal products outnumbered plant-based offerings. 

My transformation began with my mom’s cancer diagnosis. My mom went on a 100% whole food plant-based diet. I fully embraced this new eating philosophy to show my support. Eager to figure out the whole “vegan” thing, the two of us started binge-watching health documentaries such as “What the Health” and “Forks Over Knives”. We read all the books by the featured doctors like “The China Study” and “How Not To Die”. I became entranced by the world of nutritional science and how certain foods could help prevent cancer or boost metabolism. 

Each new food I discovered gave me an education on the role diet plays on health. I learned that, by eating sweet potatoes and brown rice, you could cure acne and heart disease. I discovered eating leafy greens with citrus fruits could boost iron absorption rates. I loved pairing my foods to create the perfect macronutrient balance. Did you know beans and rice make a complete protein? 

Food has also turned me into a sustainability nut. Living plant-based also saves the planet from the impact of animal agriculture. For the same amount of land space, a farmer can produce 200 kilograms of soybeans versus 16 kilograms of beef. I do my part to have as small of an ecological footprint as I can. I stopped using plastic snack bags and instead turned to reusable beeswax wraps. My favorite reusable appliance is my foldable straw. If I am going to nourish my body, shouldn’t I also want to nourish the earth? 

My journey toward healthy living led me to becoming co-leader of the Northern Nevada PlantPure Pod, “Biggest Little Plant Pod”, a group dedicated to spreading the message about the whole food plant-based lifestyle. We are currently working on a restaurant campaign to encourage local eateries to create a plant-based, oil-free menu option and become PlantPure certified. After discovering how many restaurants use oil in their cooking, I decided I needed to open a plant-based oil free cafe to make up for this gap. My dream is to open up my very own affordable oatmeal cafe based on my Instagram page, morning_mOATivations. And I know that oatmeal isn’t the sexiest superfood out there, so here’s my sales pitch: I’m going to make oatmeal the Beyonce of the breakfast world- sweet, sassy, and power packed. This allows me to educate people about nutritional science through the stomach. 

Finally, I am a strong proponent of hands-on experience for learning what good food looks and tastes like, so cooking is one of my favorite ways to teach the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. Using my taste buds as my textbook to learn which flavors work together and which ones don’t helps me educate, as I’ve found that information tends to stick in a person’s mind once they’ve experienced healthy, delicious foods with their own senses. Our society has taught us that delicious food has to make us feel guilty, when that is simply not the case. The best feeling in the world is falling in love with a dish and then learning all the health benefits that it provides the body.

While my classmates complain about being tired, I have more energy because my body is finally getting the right macros, vitamins, and minerals it needs. This has allowed me to push myself harder physically, excelling in running and earning my high school Cross Country team’s Most Improved award. I’m still a picky eater. But the foods I am particular about have changed. Rather than a carboholic, I choose to call myself a vegeholic.

THE "HAPPINESS SPREADSHEET" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Essence Object” Type

Meditation over a flaxen sunset with a friend and parmesan-topped spaghetti for dinner — “14.” Assignments piling up on my desk as a high fever keeps me sick at home — “3.” Taking a photo excursion through downtown Seattle for a Spanish project — “15.” For the past 700 days and counting, the Happiness Spreadsheet has been my digital collection for documenting numerical, descriptive, and graphical representations of my happiness. Its instructions are simple: Open the Google Sheet, enter a number between 1 and 20 that best represents my level of happiness, and write a short comment describing the day. But the practical aspect of the spreadsheet is only a piece of what it has represented in my life.

A “14” etched on November 15, 2018, marked the first Lakeside Cooking on the Stove Club meeting. What had started as a farcical proposition of mine transformed into a playground where high school classmates and I convene every two weeks to prepare a savory afternoon snack for ourselves. A few months later, a “16” scribbled on February 27, 2019, marked the completion of a fence my Spanish class and I constructed for the dusty soccer field at a small Colombian village. Hard-fought days of mixing cement and transporting supplies had paid off for the affectionate community we had immediately come to love. The Happiness Spreadsheet doesn’t only reflect my own thoughts and emotions; it is an illustration of the fulfillment I get from gifting happiness to others.

If happiness paves the roads of my life, my family is the city intertwined by those roads — each member a distinct neighborhood, a distinct story. In times of stress, whether it be studying for an upcoming derivatives test or presenting my research at an international conference, I dash to my father for help. Coming from the dusty, people-packed backstreets of Thiruvananthapuram, India, he guides me in looking past the chaos and noticing the hidden accomplishments that lie in the corners. When in need of confidence, I find my mother, who taps her experiences living in her tranquil and sturdy tatami-covered home in Hiroshima, Japan, helping me prepare for my first high school dance or my final match in a tennis tournament. Whenever my Happiness Spreadsheet numbers touch lows, my family is always there to level me out to “10.”

The Happiness Spreadsheet is also a battery monitor for enthusiasm. On occasion, it is on full charge, like when I touched the last chord on the piano for my composition's winner recital or when, one frosty Friday morning, I convinced a teacher to play over the school speakers a holiday medley I’d recorded with a friend. Other times, the battery is depleted, and I am frustrated by writer's block, when not a single melody, chord, or musical construct crosses my mind. The Happiness Spreadsheet can be a hall of fame, but it can likewise be a catalog of mistakes, burdens, and grueling challenges.

The spreadsheet began on a typical school day when I left my physics class following the most confusing test I’d taken. The idea was born spontaneously at lunch, and I asked two of my friends if they were interested in pursuing this exercise with me. We thought the practice would last only a couple of weeks or months at most, but after reaching 700 days, we now wonder if we’ll ever stop. To this day, I ponder its full importance in my life. With every new number I enter, I recognize that each entry is not what defines me; rather, it is the ever-growing line connecting all the data points that reflects who I am today. With every valley, I force myself onward and with every mountain's peak, I recognize the valleys I’ve crossed to reach the summit. Where will the Happiness Spreadsheet take me next?

THE "TRANSLATING" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Skill/Superpower” Type

".miK ijniM" This is how I wrote my name until I was seven . I was a left-handed kid who wrote from right to left, which made my writing comprehensible only to myself. Only after years of practice did I become an ambidextrous writer who could translate my incomprehensible writing. As I look back on my life, I realized that this was my first act of translation. 

Translation means reinterpreting my Calculus teacher’s description of L’hospital’s rule into a useful tool for solving the limits . As I deciphered complex codes into comprehensible languages like rate of change and speed of an object, I gained the ability to solve even more complicated and fascinating problems. My Calculus teacher often told me, “It’s not until you can teach math concepts to somebody that you understand them completely.” Before I discovered the joy of teaching, I often explained difficult math concepts to my friends as a tool for reviewing what I’d learned. Now, I volunteer to tutor others: as a Korean tutor for friends who love Korean culture and a golf tutor for new team members. Tutoring is how I integrate and strengthen new concepts for myself.  

My talent for translating also applies to my role as a “therapist” for my family and friends . I’m able to identify their real feelings beneath superficial words by translating hand-gestures, facial expressions, and tones. I often put myself into their situation and ask, "What emotional support would I want or need if I was in this situation?" Through these acts of translation, I’ve grown into a more reliable and perceptive friend, daughter, and sister. 

However, my translation can't accurately account for the experiences I have yet to go through . After realizing the limitations of my experience, I created a bucket list full of activities out of my comfort zone, which includes traveling abroad by myself, publishing my own book, and giving a lecture in front of a crowd. Although it is a mere list written on the front page of my diary, I found myself vividly planning and picturing myself accomplishing those moments. By widening my experiences, I’ll be a therapist who can empathize fully and give meaningful advice based on rich experiences.

My knack for translating has led me to become a real-life Korean language translator . As an English to Korean letter translator in a non-profit organization, Compassion , I serve as a communication bridge between benefactors and children in developing countries, who communicate through monthly letters. I’ve translated hundreds of letters by researching each country to provide context that considers both cultural aspects and nuances of the language. This experience has motivated me to learn languages like Spanish and Mandarin. I’ve realized that learning various languages has been a journey of self-discovery: the way I talk and interact with people changed depending on the language I used. As I get to know more about myself through different languages, I grew more confident to meet new people and build new friendships.

While translating has been a huge part of my life, a professional translator is not my dream job . I want to be an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist who manages the medication of patients with chronic diseases. In fact, translating is a huge part of the job of a clinical pharmacist. I should substitute myself into patients’ situations to respond to their needs effectively, which requires my translating skill as a “therapist.” Moreover, as a clinical pharmacist, I’ll be the patients’ private tutor who not only guides them through the right use of medication but also gives them emotional support. As my qualities as a “therapist” and a “tutor” shaped me into a great translator, I will continue to develop my future as a clinical pharmacist by enhancing and discovering my qualities. In one form or another, I've always been and will be a translator.

THE "WHY BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Career” Type

I sit, cradled by the two largest branches of the Newton Pippin Tree, watching the ether. The Green Mountains of Vermont stretch out indefinitely, and from my elevated vantage point, I feel as though we are peers, motionless in solidarity. I’ve lost my corporeal form and instead, while watching invisible currents drive white leviathans across the sky, have drifted up into the epistemological stream; completely alone with my questions, diving for answers. But a few months ago, I would have considered this an utter waste of time. 

Prior to attending Mountain School, my paradigm was substantially limited; opinions, prejudices, and ideas shaped by the testosterone-rich environment of Landon School. I was herded by result-oriented, fast-paced, technologically-reliant parameters towards psychology and neuroscience (the NIH, a mere 2.11 mile run from my school, is like a beacon on a hill). I was taught that one’s paramount accomplishment should be specialization. 

Subconsciously I knew this was not who I wanted to be and seized the chance to apply to the Mountain School. Upon my arrival, though, I immediately felt I did not belong. I found the general atmosphere of hunky-dory acceptance foreign and incredibly unnerving. 

So, rather than engage, I retreated to what was most comfortable: sports and work. In the second week, the perfect aggregate of the two, a Broomball tournament, was set to occur. Though I had never played before, I had a distinct vision for it, so decided to organize it.

That night, the glow-in-the-dark ball skittered across the ice. My opponent and I, brooms in hand, charged forward. We collided and I banana-peeled, my head taking the brunt of the impact. Stubborn as I was, even with a concussion, I wanted to remain in class and do everything my peers did, but my healing brain protested. My teachers didn’t quite know what to do with me, so, no longer confined to a classroom if I didn’t want to be, I was in limbo. I began wandering around campus with no company except my thoughts. Occasionally, Zora, my English teacher’s dog, would tag along and we’d walk for miles in each other's silent company. Other times, I found myself pruning the orchard, feeding the school’s wood furnaces, or my new favorite activity, splitting wood. Throughout those days, I created a new-found sense of home in my head.

However, thinking on my own wasn’t enough; I needed more perspectives. I organized raucous late-night discussions about everything from medieval war machines to political theory and  randomly challenged my friends to “say something outrageous and defend it.” And whether we achieve profundity or not, I find myself enjoying the act of discourse itself. As Thoreau writes, “Let the daily tide leave some deposit on these pages, as it leaves, the waves may cast up pearls.” I have always loved ideas, but now understand what it means to ride their waves, to let them breathe and become something other than just answers to immediate problems. 

I am most enamored by ideas that cultivate ingenious and practical enrichments for humanity. I enjoy picking some conundrum, large or small, and puzzling out a solution. Returning from a cross country meet recently, my friend and I, serendipitously, designed a socially responsible disposable water bottle completely on accident. Now we hope to create it.

I am still interested in psychology and neuroscience, but also desire to incorporate contemplative thought into this work, analyzing enigmas from many different perspectives. My internships at the NIH and the National Hospital for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery in London have offered me valuable exposure to research and medicine. But I have come to realize that neither of my previous intended professions allow me to expand consciousness in the way I would prefer. 

After much soul-searching, I have landed on behavioral economics as the perfect synergy of the fields I love. All it took was a knock on the head.

THE "5 FAMILY IDENTITIES" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage, “Identity” Type

“Chris, what would you like to have for Christmas Dinner? ”

Suddenly, a miniature gathering of the European Commission glares straight at me. I feel the pressure of picking one option over the other.

 What do I choose? The Roast Duck of Denmark, the Five Fish of Italy, the Turkey of Great Britain, or the Ham of the U.S.? Like the various nations of the European Union, the individual proponents of these culinary varieties are lobbying their interests to me, a miniature Jean-Claude Junker.

Now, you may be asking yourselves: why would I be so pensive over a meal choice?

See, I have been blessed to be a part of what my mother calls the “melting pot of Europe.”  While I was born in England, my brothers were born in Denmark and New York. I have a Swedish sister-in-law, Italian Aunts, an English Uncle, Romanian cousins and an Italo-Danish immigrant father. Every year, that same family gathers together in New York City to celebrate Christmas. While this wonderful kaleidoscope of cultures has caused me to be the ‘peacekeeper’ during meal arbitrations, it has fundamentally impacted my life.  

Our family’s ethnic diversity has meant that virtually each person adheres to a different position on the political spectrum. This has naturally triggered many discussions, ranging from the merits of European single-payer healthcare to those of America’s gun laws, that have often animated our meals. These exact conversations drove me to learn more about what my parents, grandparents, and other relatives were debating with a polite and considerate passion. This ongoing discourse on current events not only initiated my interests in politics and history, but also prepared me greatly for my time as a state-champion debater for Regis’s Public Forum team. In turn, participating in debate has expanded my knowledge regarding matters ranging from civil rights reparations to American redeployment in Iraq, while enriching my capacities to thoughtfully express my views on those and other issues, both during P.F. rounds and at the dinner table.

Just as I’ve learned to understand and bridge the divides between a rich tapestry of cultures in order to develop my familial relations, society’s leadership must also do the same on a grander scale. This awareness incited a passion for statecraft within me – the very art of balancing different perspectives - and therefore a desire to actively engage in government. With my experiences in mind, I felt there was no better place to start than my own neighborhood of Bay Ridge. Young hipsters, a high concentration of seniors, Italian & Irish middle class families, and a growing population of Middle-Eastern Americans help to comprise a district that I have begun serving as the first teenaged member of my local Community Board.  Within my public service capacity, I am committed to making policy judgments (for example, regarding hookah bars, zoning regulations, and park renovation expenses) that are both wise and respectful of my community’s diversity. 

Most importantly, my family has taught me an integral life lesson. As our Christmas Dinner squabbles suggest, seemingly insurmountable impasses can be resolved through respect and dialogue, even producing delicious results! On a grander scale, it has elucidated that truly inclusive discourse and toleration of diverse perspectives render tribalism, sectarianism, and the  divisive aspects of identity politics powerless over our cohesion. I fundamentally value cultural, political, and theological variety; my own microcosm reflecting our global society at large has inspired me to strive to solve the many conflicts of bitterness and sectionalism in our world today. This vocation may come in the form of political leadership that truly respects all perspectives and philosophies, or perhaps as diplomacy facilitating unity between the various nations of the world. The problems I would need to help remedy are numerous and daunting, but our annual Christmas feasts will forever remind me that they can be overcome, and that humanity’s diversity is not a weakness, but a definitive strength.

THE "Coffeeshops + Coffee" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Home” Type

Before I came to America, I drank Puer Tea with my father every morning in my bedroom, sitting cross-legged on Suzhou-silk mats beside a view of the Lakeside reservoir. Beside a dark end table, we picked up teacups as the mild aroma greeted our noses. As we faced the French window, my father would share the news he read in China Daily : the Syrian civil war, climate change, and gender equality in Hollywood. Most of the time, I only listened. With each piece of news, my curiosity piqued. Secretly, I made a decision that I wanted to be the one to discuss the news with him from my perspective. So, I decided to study in America to learn more about the world.   

After one year’s extensive research and hours of interviews, I came to America for 9th grade and moved in with a host family. But, my new room lacked stories and cups of tea. Fortunately, I found Blue House Cafe on my walk home from church, and started studying there. With white walls, comfortable sofas, and high stools, Blue House is spacious and bright. Hearing people’s stories and looking at their warm smiles when they taste various pastries as I sat by the window, I watched as a production designer scouted locations for his film, or a painter took notes while brainstorming for his freehand brushwork of Blue House. With a cup of coffee, I dig into differential and parametric equations for my upcoming AP Calculus test, learn the nuances of public speaking by watching Michael Sandel’s Justice lectures on my laptop, and plan fundraising events for my non-profit. 

I’ve also learned by watching leaders host meetings at the rectangle conference table at the back of the cafe and I learn from the leaders of meetings, watching as they hold the edge of the table and express their ideas. Similarly, as president of the International Students Club, I invited my teammates to have meetings with me at the cafe. Coordinating the schedule with other members in Blue House has become a frequent event. Consuming several cups of coffee, my team and I have planned Lunar New Year events, field trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinese lunch in school to help international students feel more at home. Straightening my back and bracing my shoulders, I stood up behind the conference table and expressed my creative ideas passionately. After each meeting, we shared buttermilk coffee-cake.

In my spot next to the window, I also witnessed different kinds of people. I viewed visitors dragging their luggage, women carrying shopping bags, and people wandering in tattered clothes --the diversity of San Francisco. Two years ago I saw volunteers wearing City Impact shirts offering sandwiches and hot chocolate to homeless people outside of the cafe. I investigated more about City Impact and eventually signed up to volunteer. No longer was I a bystander. At holiday outreach events, I prepared and delivered food to homeless people. While sharing my coffee, I listened to a story from an older Chinese man who told me, in Mandarin, how he had been abandoned by his children and felt lonely.

Last summer, I returned to Xiamen, China, and taught my father how to drink coffee. Now, a Chemex and teapot are both on the end table. Instead of simply listening, I shared my experiences as a club president, a community leader, and a volunteer. I showed him my business plan and prototypes. My father raised his cup of coffee and made a toast to me, “Good girl! I am so proud of you.” Then, he patted my head as before. Together, we emptied our cups while the smell of coffee lingered.

THE "KOMBUCHA CLUB" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Uncommon Extracurricular Activity” Type

I add the critically measured sugary tea mixture to the gallon jar containing the slimy, white, disc-shaped layers of the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.

Now to wait.  

After exactly seven days, I pour the liquid into a fermentation-grade glass bottle with a ratio of 20% pomegranate juice and 80% fermented tea. I place it on my kitchen counter, periodically checking it to relieve the built-up CO2.

Finally, after an additional seventy-two hours, the time comes to try it. I crack the seal on the bottle, leaning over to smell what I assume will be a tangy, fruity, delicious pomegranate solution. and it smells like rotten eggs. The insufferable stench fills my nostrils and crushes my confidence. I'm momentarily taken aback, unable to understand how I went wrong when I followed the recipe perfectly. 

My issue wasn't misreading the recipe or failing to follow a rule, it was bypassing my creative instincts and forgetting the unpredictable nature of fermentation. I needed to trust the creative side of kombucha— the side that takes people's perfectionist energy and explodes it into a puddle of rotten egg smelling 'booch (my preferred name for the drink- not "fermented, effervescent liquid from a symbiotic culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeast"). I was too caught up in the side that requires extreme preciseness to notice when the balance between perfectionism and imperfectionism was being thrown off. The key, I have learned, is knowing when to prioritize following the recipe and when to let myself be creative. Sure, there are scientific variables such as proximity to heat sources and how many grams of sugar to add. But, there's also person-dependent variables like how long I decide to ferment it, what fruits I decide will be a fun combination, and which friend I got my first SCOBY from (taking "symbiotic" to a new level).

I often find myself feeling pressured to choose one side or the other, one extreme over the alternative. I've been told that I can either be a meticulous scientist or a messy artist, but to be both is an unacceptable contradiction. However, I choose a grey area; a place where I can channel my creativity into the sciences, as well as channel my precision into my photography.

I still have the first photo I ever took on the first camera I ever had. Or rather, the first camera I ever made. Making that pinhole camera was truly a painstaking process: take a cardboard box, tap it shut, and poke a hole in it. Okay, maybe it wasn't that hard. But learning the exact process of taking and developing a photo in its simplest form, the science of it, is what drove me to pursue photography. I remember being so unhappy with the photo I took; it was faded, underexposed, and imperfect. For years, I felt incredibly pressured to try and perfect my photography. It wasn't until I was defeated, staring at a puddle of kombucha, that I realized that there doesn't always have to be a standard of perfection in my art, and that excited me. 

So, am I a perfectionist? Or do I crave pure spontaneity and creativity? Can I be both?

Perfectionism leaves little to be missed. With a keen eye, I can quickly identify my mistakes and transform them into something with purpose and definitude. On the other hand, imperfection is the basis for change and for growth. My resistance against perfectionism is what has allowed me to learn to move forward by seeing the big picture; it has opened me to new experiences, like bacteria cross-culturing to create something new, something different, something better. I am not afraid of change or adversity, though perhaps I am afraid of conformity. To fit the mold of perfection would compromise my creativity, and I am not willing to make that sacrifice.

THE "MOMENTS WHERE THE SECONDS STAND STILL" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Montage Essay, “Other/Advanced” type

I hold onto my time as dearly as my Scottish granny holds onto her money. I’m careful about how I spend it and fearful of wasting it. Precious minutes can show someone I care and can mean the difference between accomplishing a goal or being too late to even start and my life depends on carefully budgeting my time for studying, practicing with my show choir, and hanging out with my friends. However, there are moments where the seconds stand still.

It is already dark when I park in my driveway after a long day at school and rehearsals. I can’t help but smile when I see my dog Kona bounce with excitement, then slide across the tile floor to welcome me as I open the door. I run with him into my parent’s bedroom, where my mom, dad, and sister are waiting for me. We pile onto my parents’ bed to talk about what’s going on in our lives, plan our next trip to the beach, tell jokes, and “spill tea.” They help me see challenges with a realistic perspective, grounding me in what matters. Not paying attention to the clock, I allow myself to relax for a brief moment in my busy life.

Laughter fills the show choir room as my teammates and I pass the time by telling bad jokes and breaking out in random bursts of movement. Overtired, we don’t even realize we’re entering the fourth hour of rehearsal. This same sense of camaraderie follows us onstage, where we become so invested in the story we are portraying we lose track of time. My show choir is my second family. I realize I choreograph not for recognition, but to help sixty of my best friends find their footing. At the same time, they help me find my voice.

The heavy scuba gear jerks me under the icy water, and exhilaration washes over me. Lost in the meditative rolling effect of the tide and the hum of the vast ocean, I feel present. I dive deeper to inspect a vibrant community of creatures, and we float together, carefree and synchronized. My fascination with marine life led me to volunteer as an exhibit interpreter for the Aquarium of the Pacific, where I share my love for the ocean. Most of my time is spent rescuing animals from small children and, in turn, keeping small children from drowning in the tanks. I’ll never forget the time when a visiting family and I were so involved in discussing ocean conservation that, before I knew it, an hour had passed. Finding this mutual connection over the love of marine life and the desire to conserve the ocean environment keeps me returning each summer. 

“Why don’t we have any medical supplies?” The thought screams through my mind as I carry a sobbing girl on my back across campus in search of an ice pack and ankle wrap. She had just fallen while performing, and I could relate to the pain and fear in her eyes. The chaos of the show becomes distant, and I devote my time to bringing her relief, no matter how long it may take. I find what I need to treat her injury in the sports medicine training room. I didn’t realize she would be the first of many patients I would tend to in this training room. Since then, I’ve launched a sports medicine program to provide care to the 500-person choir program.  

Saturday morning bagels with my family. Singing backup for Barry Manilow with my choir. Swimming with sea turtles in the Pacific. Making my teammate smile even though he’s in pain. These are the moments I hold onto, the ones that define who I am, and who I want to be. For me, time isn’t just seconds ticking by on a clock, it’s how I measure what matters.

THE "IDENTIFYING AS TRANS" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Narrative Essay, “Challenges” Type

“Mommy I can’t see myself.”  

I was six when I first refused/rejected girl’s clothing, eight when I only wore boy’s clothing, and fifteen when I realized why. When gifted dresses I was told to “smile and say thank you” while Spiderman shirts took no prompting from me, I’d throw my arms around the giver and thank them. My whole life has been others invading my gender with their questions, tears signed by my body, and a war against my closet. Fifteen years and I finally realized why, this was a girl’s body, and I am a boy. 

Soon after this, I came out to my mom. I explained how lost I felt, how confused I was, how “I think I’m Transgender.” It was like all those years of being out of place had led to that moment, my truth, the realization of who I was. My mom cried and said she loved me. 

The most important factor in my transition was my mom’s support. She scheduled me an appointment with a gender therapist, let me donate my female clothes, and helped build a masculine wardrobe. With her help, I went on hormones five months after coming out and got surgery a year later. I finally found myself, and my mom fought for me, her love was endless. Even though I had friends, writing, and therapy, my strongest support was my mother.

On August 30th, 2018 my mom passed away unexpectedly. My favorite person, the one who helped me become the man I am today, ripped away from me, leaving a giant hole in my heart and in my life.

Life got dull. Learning how to wake up without my mom every morning became routine. Nothing felt right, a constant numbness to everything, and fog brain was my kryptonite. I paid attention in class, I did the work, but nothing stuck. I felt so stupid, I knew I was capable, I could solve a Rubik’s cube in 25 seconds and write poetry, but I felt broken. I was lost, I couldn’t see myself, so stuck on my mother that I fell into an ‘It will never get better’ mindset.

It took over a year to get out of my slump. 25 therapy sessions, over 40 poems, not a single one didn’t mention my mom. I shared my writing at open mics, with friends, and I cried every time. I embraced the pain, the hurt, and eventually, it became the norm. I grew used to not having my mom around.

My mom always wanted to change the world, to fix the broken parts of society. She didn’t get to. Now that I’m in a good place, mentally and physically, I’m going to make that impact. Not just for her, but for me, and all the people who need a support branch as strong as the one my mom gave me.

I’m starting with whats impacted me most of my life, what’s still in front of me, being Transgender in the school system. For my senior project, I am using my story and experience as a young Transgender man to inform local schools, specifically the staff, about the do’s and dont’s of dealing with a Transgender student. I am determined to make sure no one feels as alone as I did. I want to be able to reach people, and use motivational speaking as the platform. 

After experiencing many twists and turns in my life, I’m finally at a good spot. I know what I want to do with my life, and I know how I’m going to get there. 

Mom, I can see myself now. Thank you.

If you’d like to see more sample essays + a guide to “ Should I come out in my personal statement (and if so, how?) ” please check out that link.

THE "iTaylor" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Narrative Essay, Undefined Type

Are you tired of seeing an iPhone everywhere? Samsung glitchy? It’s time for a change. I present to you, the iTaylor. I am the iTaylor. On the outside, I look like any smart phone, but when you open my settings and explore my abilities, you will find I have many unique features.

The iTaylor’s best feature is its built-in optimism. Thanks to my positivity, I was chosen to give the morning announcements freshman year. Now, I am the alarm clock for the 1,428 students of Fox Lane High School. For the past three years, I have been starting everyone’s morning with a bubbly, “Good morning, foxes!” and ending with “Have a marvelous Monday,” “Terrific Tuesday” or “Phenomenal Friday!”  My adjective-a-day keeps people listening, gives me conversation starters with faculty, and solicits fun suggestions from my friends.

Next up, language settings. I’ve worked hard to be bilingual so the iTaylor can be set to either English or Spanish. Fun fact: In middle school, I set my phone to Spanish so that messages like “ Alexis te envió un mensaje en Instagram ,” would increase my fluency. I learned nuances of the language by watching Spanish sitcoms like Siete Vidas and Spanish movies like Como Agua Para Chocolate . I appreciate the emphasis Spanish culture places on relationships, the way siblings take care of each other, and how grandparents’ wisdom is valued. Inspired, I began creating family events and even making efforts to grow closer to my second cousins.

At eight years old, I was diagnosed with what some might call a glitch: epilepsy. Fortunately, a new IOS software update cured my condition by the age of 15, but through epilepsy, I gained a love of exploration. Whereas at 10, I couldn’t bathe without supervision, I now enjoy snorkeling in unknown waters. While at 11, I couldn’t be left alone with my friends, I now explore the subways, crowded streets, and Broadway shows of New York City. Overcoming epilepsy taught me to take risks and explore new places.

This brings us to the iTaylor location settings. Two summers ago, I travelled to Ecuador to live with a friend’s family and teach Spanish theater to third graders. The experience implanted a “cookie” in me, filling me with a desire to learn about different cultures. I brought this desire home to a volunteer position at a local program for immigrant children. I helped the kids make presentations about their places of origin, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Also, as resident tour guide and ambassador for exchange students at my school, I’ve discovered North African fusion music from Selima, learned German slang from Henrike, and helped Saidimar prepare his Mr.Sulu campaign, a regional pageant in the Philippines. It became clear that the English language, one I took for granted, is the central feature that brings groups together.

This past summer, I brought my talents to Scotland, playing the dual role of  Artistic Director and leading character for Geek the Musical . I worked to promote the show in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival against 53,232 shows, reinventing ways to motivate the cast and connect with strangers from all over the world. We learned the more we connected, the more our audience grew. I applied these skills to my leadership positions at home, including my High School Theater Group, Players. I’m now better at creating a marketing strategy that includes door-to-door sales, print advertising, and identifying broader target audiences to fill seats.

The rollout plan for the iTaylor is to introduce it to the theater market. My goal is to use performance and storytelling to expose audiences to different cultures, religions, and points of view. Perhaps if we all learned more about each other's lifestyles, the world would be more empathetic and integrated. 

So what do you think? Would you like an iTaylor of your own? The iTaylor College Edition is now available for pre-order. It delivers next fall.

THE "FIGURING OUT WHAT REALLY MATTERED CHALLENGE" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Narrative Essay

"Perfect as the wing of a bird may be, it will never enable the bird to fly if unsupported by the air." --Ivan Pavlov 

Upon graduation, I will be able to analyze medieval Spanish poems using literary terms and cultural context, describe the electronegativity trends on the periodic table, and identify when to use logarithmic differentiation to simplify a derivative problem. Despite knowing how to execute these very particular tasks, I currently fail to understand how to change a tire, how to do my taxes efficiently, or how to obtain a good insurance policy. A factory-model school system that has been left essentially unchanged for nearly a century has been the driving force in my educational development.

I have been conditioned to complete tasks quickly, efficiently, and with an advanced understanding. I measured my self-worth as my ability to outdo my peers academically, thinking my scores were the only aspect that defined me; and they were. I was getting everything right. Then, I ran for Student Government and failed. Rejection. I didn’t even make it past the first round of cuts. How could that be? I was statistically a smart kid with a good head on my shoulders, right? Surely someone had to have made a mistake. Little did I know, this was my first exposure to meaning beyond numbers.

As I was rejected from StuGo for the second year in a row, I discovered I had been wrongfully measuring my life through numbers--my football statistics, my test scores, my age, my height (I’m short). I had the epiphany that oh wait, maybe it was my fault that I had never prioritized communication skills, or open-mindedness (qualities my fellow candidates possessed). Maybe it was me. That must be why I always had to be the one to approach people during my volunteer hours at the public library to offer help--no one ever asked me for it. I resolved to alter my mindset, taking a new approach to the way I lived. From now on I would emphasize qualitative experiences over quantitative skills. 

I had never been more uncomfortable. I forced myself to learn to be vulnerable by asking questions even if I was terrified of being wrong. My proficiency in using data evidence could not teach me how to communicate with young children at church, nor could my test scores show me how to be more open to criticism. The key to all of these skills, I was to discover, happened to be learning from those around me. Turns out, I couldn’t do everything by myself.

The process of achieving this new mindset came through the cultivation of relationships. I became fascinated by the new perspectives each person in my life could offer if I really took the time to connect. Not only did I improve my listening skills, but I began to consider the big-picture consequences my engagements could have. People interpret situations differently due to their own cultural contexts, so I had to learn to pay more attention to detail to understand every point of view. I took on the state of what I like to call collaborative independence, and to my delight, I was elected to StuGo after my third year of trying.

Not long ago, I would have fallen apart at the presence of any uncertainty. As I further accept and advance new life skills, the more I realize how much remains uncertain in the world. After all, it is quite possible my future job doesn’t exist yet, and that’s okay. I can’t conceivably plan out my entire life at the age of 17, but what I can do is prepare myself to take on the unknown, doing my best to accompany others. Hopefully, my wings continue enabling me to fly, but it is going to take more than just me and my wings; I have to continue putting my faith in the air around me.

THE "PARENTS' RELATIONSHIP" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

Narrative Essay, “Challenge” Type

My mom opened Kanishka’s Gastropub in 2013. I was ecstatic. We would become the first Mother-Son Indian duo on Food Network peeling potatoes, skinning chicken, and grinding spices, sharing our Bengali recipes with the world. 

However, the restaurant tore apart my parent’s relationship. Two years after opening, my dad started coming home late most nights, plastered from “happy hour with work colleagues.” My mom, trying to balance her day job at Kaiser and owning a restaurant, poured her stress on me,“What the hell is wrong with you! Always watching YouTube and never talking!” 

The worst time came when my parents tried to fix their relationship. Repeated date nights induced more arguments. Enduring the stress of her restaurant, my father, and her mistakes, my mom attempted to end her life. Fortunately, I found her just in time.  

Over the next two years, things were at times still hard, but gradually improved. My parents decided to start anew, took some time apart, then got back together. My mom started to pick me up from activities on time and my dad and I bonded more, watching Warriors and 49ers games. 

But at times I still had to emotionally support my mom to avoid sudden India trips, or put my siblings to bed if my parents weren’t home at night. Over time, I found it difficult being my family’s glue. I wanted back the family I had before the restaurant--the one that ate Luchi Mongsho together every Sunday night.

So I looked for comfort in creation. I began spending more time in our garage , carefully constructing planes from sheets of foam. I found purpose balancing the fuselage or leveling the ailerons to precisely 90 degrees. I loved cutting new parts and assembling them perfectly. Here , I could fix all the mistakes. 

In high school, I slowly began to forge a community of creators with my peers. Sophomore year, I started an engineering club and found that I had a talent for  managing people and encouraging them to create an idea even if it failed. I also learned how to take feedback and become more resilient. Here, I could nerd-out about warp drives and the possibility of anti-matter without being ignored. I would give a weekly report on new technology and we would have hour-long conversations about the various uses a blacker material could have. 

While building a community at school rebuilt my confidence, I still found I enjoyed being alone at times. While driving in my car, I’d let my mind wander to movies like Big Hero Six and contemplate if a zero-friction bike really was possible. I’d create ideas like an AI highway system that tells drivers exactly when to switch lanes based on timing and calculus to prevent braking from nearby cars. Or I’d blueprint a new classroom with interactive desks, allowing students to dive deep into historical events like a VR game. I found outlining complex ideas like these sometimes provide insights into something I’m researching or could one day materialize into future projects. 

Looking back (and perhaps inadvertently), the conflicts from the restaurant days have taught me valuable lessons. Helping my mom through her relationship taught me to watch out for those in emotional distress. Spending nights alone made me more independent--after all, it was then that I signed up for advanced math and programming courses and decided to apply for software internships. Most of all, seeing my mom start her restaurant from no food-industry experience inspired me to found two clubs and a Hydrogen Car Team. 

Even though we eat Luchi Monsho on a monthly basis now, I know my family will never be the way it was. My mom and I won’t become a Food Network mother-son duo. I can’t fix all the mistakes. But I can use them to improve the present.

THE "THREATENED BY ISIS" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

In 8th grade while doing a school project I Googled my dad's name and it came up in US military documents posted on the Snowden/NSA documents on WikiLeaks. I stayed up all night reading through documents related to Army support contracts in Iraq and Kuwait in 2003. I asked my dad about it the next day and he said, "It was a mistake I made that has been resolved." Turns out it hadn't been.

Saudi Arabia in the 2000s wasn’t the most ideal place to grow up. I was always scared of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. My school was part of the US Consulate in Dhahran, and when I was in the 8th grade it was threatened by ISIS. Violence has always surrounded me and haunted me. 

After 14 years of living in a region destroyed by violence, I was sent away to boarding school in a region known for peace, Switzerland. That year my father was found guilty and imprisoned for the charges related to his Army support contract. I felt as if I was Edgar in Shakespeare’s King Lear and this could not get worse, but yet it did.

My parents got divorced and my childhood home was bulldozed to the ground by the Saudi government after my father was sent to prison. My mom had always been a hub of stability, but she was too overwhelmed to support me. I started eating to cope with my anxiety and gained 100 pounds in a year and a half. As I gained weight, my health started to deteriorate, and my grades started to drop. 

Things began to change at the beginning of my sophomore year, however, when I met my new roommate, Nico. He had grown up with someone whose father was also in prison, and was able to help me better understand the issues I was facing. Through my friendship with Nico, I learned how to open up and get support from my friends. 

I started to make new friends with more people at my school and was surprised to find out that 90% of their parents were divorced. Because we faced similar issues, we were able to support one and other, share tactics, and give advice. One of my friends, John, gave me advice on how to help my mother emotionally by showing her love, something I hadn’t been able to do before. My friends gave me a family and a home, when my own family was overwhelmed and my home was gone.

Slowly, I put my life back on track. I started playing basketball, began working on a CubeSAT, learned to program, changed my diet, and lost all the weight I had gained. 

 Now my friends in Switzerland come to me asking me for advice and help, and I feel as if I am a vital member of our community. My close friend Akshay recently started stressing about whether his parents were going to get divorced. With John’s advice, I started checking in on Akshay, spending more time with him, and coaching him before and after he talked to his parents. 

Leaving home in the beginning of my adolescence, I was sent out on a path of my own. While for some, high school is the best time of their lives, for me, high school has represented some of the best and, hopefully, worst times. Even with the struggles I’ve faced with my family, I am grateful for this path. It has brought me to a place that I only thought was fictional. In this new place I feel like a real person, with real emotions. This place is somewhere where I can express myself freely and be who I want to be. I am a much stronger, healthier, and more resilient person than I was two years ago. While it hasn’t been easy, I am glad to be where I am today.

For a ton of UC Essay Examples, head to my blog post here.

Supplemental essay examples, uchicago: the "why did the chicken cross the road" essay.

This essay was written for the U of Chicago "Create your own prompt" essay. The author included the following explanatory note:

I plan to double major in biochemistry and English and my main essay explains my passion for the former; here is a writing sample that illustrates my enthusiasm for the latter.

In my AP Literature class, my teacher posed a question to which students had to write a creative response. My response is framed around the ideas of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.”

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

A: A manicured green field of grass blades cut to perfectly matched lengths; a blue expanse ornamented with puffy cotton clouds; an immaculately painted red barn centered exactly at the top of a hill--the chicken gazes contentedly at his picturesque world. Within an area surrounded by a shiny silver fence, he looks around at his friends: roosters pecking at a feast of grains and hens lounging on luxurious cushions of hay. As the nice man in a plaid shirt and blue jeans collects the hens’ eggs, the chicken feels an overwhelming sense of indebtedness to him for providing this idyllic lifestyle.

On a day as pristine as all the others, the chicken is happily eating his lunchtime meal as the nice man carefully gathers the smooth white eggs when it notices that the man has left one behind. Strangely located at the empty end of the metal enclosure, highlighted by the bright yellow sun, the white egg appears to the chicken different from the rest. The chicken moves towards the light to tacitly inform the man of his mistake. But then the chicken notices a jagged gray line on the otherwise flawless egg. Hypnotized and appalled, the chicken watches as the line turns into a crack and a small beak attached to a fuzzy yellow head pokes out. Suddenly a shadow descends over the chicken and the nice man snatches the egg--the baby chick--and stomps off.

The chicken--confused, betrayed, disturbed--slowly lifts its eyes from the now empty ground. For the first time, it looks past the silver fence of the cage and notices an unkempt sweep of colossal brown and green grasses opposite its impeccably crafted surroundings. Cautiously, it inches closer to the barrier, farther from the unbelievable perfection of the farm, and discovers a wide sea of black gravel.  Stained with gray stones and marked with yellow lines, it separates the chicken from the opposite field.

The curious chicken quickly shuffles to Mother Hen, who has just settled on to her throne of hay and is closing her eyes. He is sure that the always composed and compassionate chicken will help him make sense of what he’s just seen.

“Mother Hen, Mother Hen! I-I just saw one of those eggs, cracking, and there was a small yellow bird inside. It was a baby. Are those eggs that the nice man takes away babies? And that black ground! What is it?” the chicken blurts out.

Her eyes flick open. “BOK BOK! Don’t you ever dare speak of what you have seen again,” Mother Hen snaps in a low and violent whisper, “or all of this will be taken away.” Closing her eyes again, she dismisses the chicken.

Frozen in disbelief, the chicken tries to make sense of her harsh words. It replays the incident in its head. “All the food, the nice soft hay, the flawless red barn--maybe all of this isn’t worth giving up. Maybe Mother Hen is right. She just wants to protect me from losing it all.” The chicken replays the incident again. “But it was a baby. What if it was hers? She still wouldn’t care. She’s being selfish; all she cares about is this perfect life.” A final replay, and the chicken realizes and accepts that Mother Hen knows, has known, that the man is doing something wrong; yet she has yielded to the cruelty for her own comfort. A fissure in the chicken’s unawareness, a plan begins to hatch. The chicken knows it must escape; it has to get to the other side.

“That man in the plaid shirt is stealing the eggs from their mothers again,” the chicken thinks the next day as he unlocks the cage. Then the man reaches into the wooden coop, his back to the entrance. “Now!” At its own cue, the chicken scurries towards the opening and exits unseen. With a backwards glance at his friends, the chicken feels a profound sadness and pity for their ignorance. It wants to urge them to open their eyes, to see what they are sacrificing for materialistic pleasures, but he knows they will not surrender the false reality. Alone, the chicken dashes away.

The chicken stands at the line between green grass and black gravel. As it prepares to take its first step into the unknown, a monstrous vehicle with 18 wheels made of metal whizzes by, leaving behind a trail of gray exhaust. Once it regains its breath, it moves a few inches onto the asphalt. Three more speeding trucks stop its chicken heart.

“I can’t do this,” it says to itself. “These monsters are a sign. They’re telling me to go back. Besides, a few lost chicks aren’t so bad. The man’s not that evil. He gives us food, and a home.”

But the chicken dismisses the cowardly voice in its head, reminding itself of the injustice back in the deceptively charming prison. Over the next several hours, it learns to strategically position itself so that it is in line with the empty space between the tires of passing trucks. It reaches the yellow dashes. A black blanket gradually pushes away the glowing sun and replaces it with diamond stars and a glowing crescent. It reaches the untouched field.

With a deep breath, the chicken steps into the swathe, a world of tall beige grass made brown by the darkness. Unsure of what it may discover, it determines to simply walk straight through the brush, out on to the other side. For what seems like forever, it continues forward, as the black sky turns to purple, then blue, then pink. Just as the chicken begins to regret its journey, the grass gives way to a vast landscape of trees, bushes, flowers--heterogeneous and variable, but nonetheless perfect. In a nearby tree, the chicken spots two adult birds tending to a nest of babies--a natural dynamic of individuals unaltered by corrupt influence.

And then it dawns on him. It has escaped from a contrived and perverted domain as well as its own unawareness; it has arrived in a place where the pure order of the world reigns.

“I know the truth now,” it thinks to himself as the sun rises. “But here, in Nature, it is of no use. Back home, I need to try to foster awareness among my friends, share this understanding with them. Otherwise, I am as cruel as the man in the plaid shirt, taking away the opportunity to overcome ignorance.”

“I must return now; I have to get to the other side.”

For more, here’s a guide to the U Chicago supplemental essays , and an in-depth guide to U Chicago’s extended essay .

We also analyze why we think this essay works in The Complete Guide , Session 6.

The "Rock, Paper, Scissors" UChicago Supplemental Essay Example

Essay written for the University of Chicago prompt, which gives you the option to create your own prompt..

Prompt: Dear Christian, the admissions staff at the University of Chicago would like to inform you that your application has been “put on the line.” We have one spot left and can’t decide if we should admit you or another equally qualified applicant. To resolve the matter, please choose one of the following:

Rock, paper, or scissors.

You will be notified of our decision shortly.

Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and paper beats rock.  Wait... paper beats rock? Since when has a sheet of loose leaf paper ever defeated a solid block of granite? Do we assume that the paper wraps around the rock, smothering the rock into submission? When exposed to paper, is rock somehow immobilized, unable to fulfill its primary function of smashing scissors?  What constitutes defeat between two inanimate objects?

Maybe it’s all a metaphor for larger ideals. Perhaps paper is rooted in the symbolism of diplomacy while rock suggests coercion. But does compromise necessarily trump brute force? And where do scissors lie in this chain of symbolism?

I guess the reasoning behind this game has a lot to do with context. If we are to rationalize the logic behind this game, we have to assume some kind of narrative, an instance in which paper might beat rock. Unfortunately, I can’t argue for a convincing one.

As with rock-paper-scissors, we often cut our narratives short to make the games we play easier, ignoring the intricate assumptions that keep the game running smoothly. Like rock-paper-scissors, we tend to accept something not because it’s true, but because it’s the convenient route to getting things accomplished. We accept incomplete narratives when they serve us well, overlooking their logical gaps. Other times, we exaggerate even the smallest defects and uncertainties in narratives we don’t want to deal with. In a world where we know very little about the nature of “Truth,” it’s very easy—and tempting—to construct stories around truth claims that unfairly legitimize or delegitimize the games we play.

Or maybe I’m just making a big deal out of nothing...

Fine. I’ll stop with the semantics and play your game.

But who actually wants to play a game of rock-paper-scissors?  After all, isn’t it just a game of random luck, requiring zero skill and talent? That’s no way to admit someone!

Studies have shown that there are winning strategies to rock-paper-scissors by making critical assumptions about those we play against before the round has even started. Douglas Walker, host of the Rock-Paper-Scissors World Championships (didn’t know that existed either), conducted research indicating that males will use rock as their opening move 50% of the time, a gesture Walker believes is due to rock’s symbolic association with strength and force. In this sense, the seemingly innocuous game of rock-paper-scissors has revealed something quite discomforting about gender-related dispositions in our society. Why did so many males think that brute strength was the best option? If social standards have subliminally influenced the way males and females play rock-paper-scissors, than what is to prevent such biases from skewing more important decisions? Should your decision to go to war or to feed the hungry depend on your gender, race, creed, etc?

Perhaps the narratives I spoke of earlier, the stories I mistakenly labeled as “semantics,” carry real weight in our everyday decisions. In the case of Walker’s study, men unconsciously created an irrational narrative around an abstract rock. We all tell slightly different narratives when we independently consider notions ranging from rocks to war to existence. It is ultimately the unconscious gaps in these narratives that are responsible for many of the man-made problems this world faces. In order for the “life of the mind” to be a worthwhile endeavor, we must challenge the unconscious narratives we attach to the larger games we play—the truths we tell (or don’t tell), the lessons we learn (or haven’t really learned), the people we meet (or haven’t truly met).

But even after all of this, we still don’t completely understand the narrative behind rock-paper-scissors.  

I guess it all comes down to who actually made this silly game in the first place... I’d like to think it was some snotty 3rd grader, but then again, that’s just another incomplete narrative.

U of Michigan Supplemental Essay Example

The "east meets west" example essay.

This was written for the U. of Michigan supplemental "community" essay prompt, then adapted for a (no longer existent) essay for Brown. The Michigan prompt reads:

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.

Here's the essay:

I look around my room, dimly lit by an orange light. On a desk in the left corner, a framed picture of an Asian family is beaming their smiles, buried among US history textbooks and The Great Gatsby. A Korean ballad streams from a pair of tiny computer speakers. Pamphlets of American colleges are scattered about on the floor. A cold December wind wafts a strange infusion of ramen and leftover pizza. On the wall in the far back, a Korean flag hangs besides a Led Zeppelin poster.

Do I consider myself Korean or American?

A few years back, I would have replied: “Neither.” The frustrating moments of miscommunication, the stifling homesickness, and the impossible dilemma of deciding between the Korean or American table in the dining hall, all fueled my identity crisis.

Standing in the “Foreign Passports” section at JFK, I have always felt out of place. Sure, I held a Korean passport in my hands, and I loved kimchi and Yuna Kim and knew the Korean Anthem by heart. But I also loved macaroni and cheese and LeBron and knew all the Red Hot Chili Peppers songs by heart. Deep inside, I feared that I would simply be labeled as what I am categorized at airport customs: a foreigner in all places.

This ambiguity of existence, however, has granted me the opportunity to absorb the best of both worlds. Take a look at my dorm room. This mélange of cultures in my East-meets-West room embodies the diversity that characterizes my international student life.

I have learned to accept my “ambiguity” as “diversity,” as a third-culture student embracing both identities in this diverse community that I am blessed to be a part of.

Now, I can proudly answer: “Both.”

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Free 600-Word Essay Samples

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An essay of 600 to 650 words is a standard high school assignment that a student might need to write to demonstrate their knowledge of the topic. The most common genres for 600-word essays are: book review, analytical essay, movie review, assessment. You might need to write such a paper on marketing, technology, religion, biology, etc.

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A 600-word essay contains 2 to 6 paragraphs on average. The length of a typical academic paragraph is about 100 words. You should include at least four sentences in your paragraph.

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The easiest way to organize a 600-word essay is to use a standard 5-paragraph structure. The paper should start with an introduction: a hook, some background data, and a thesis statement. Then come three body paragraphs, each focused on one argument. The concluding paragraph is to contain a summary and a restated thesis.

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It will take you about 12 to 24 minutes to type 600 words on your keyboard, depending on your typing speed. However, if you also need to perform research, make a reference list, add in-text citations, and graphic materials, you’ll need more time – not less than 2 hours for 600 words.

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I believe that Education in the 21st century is something unlike any learning experience in the past decades. These days, classroom learning is no longer the only tool by which a child is capable of learning material. All classrooms and students are now wired to the internet and are therefore...

Other Voices: Literature Review

Literature has a lot of different aims: to entertain, to inform, and to convince. The works of Judith Sargent Murray, Samson Occom, and Phillis Wheatley are very convincing, as they try to implement their ideas in society about religion and gender. Judith Sargent Murray is an American writer whose literary...

“Charter School: A Primer to the Issues” by S. Vergari

Introduction The article by Sandra Vergari Charter School: A primer to the Issues promotes an innovative idea about a new type of school with more privileges for the students. The article finds out the solution in a wide discussion of the problem related to the charter school, as one more...

Blue Star Inc.: The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business

Ethics and morality are philosophical concepts that are understood differently by different people. There are some rules in the society that are aimed to be the norms of the behavior. Business is the same world where norms of behavior also exist. The ethical code of behavior states some issues, according...

Standards of Beauty or Eyes of the Beholder?

Beauty! Beauty! Beauty! Where can it be placed? Different definitions have been projected but the truth is every individual has his or her own way of defining beauty. The concern is, are there set standards of beauty or does it lie in the eyes of the beholder? The definition of...

War in Iraq: Should Be Withdrawn Army?

The positive sides of the US deployment in Iraq In this article Joseph D’Agostino argues that the situation in Iraq can be improved if the US troops continue their deployment in the country. He discusses several aspects: first, he emphasizes that the clashes between coalition forces and the locals have...

Dangerous Driving: Many Drivers Have Dangerous Habits

Introduction Accidents happening on our roads have been a major cause of deaths and injuries in the country. Many unnecessary costs of medication; loss of livelihood and of lives are incurred. This paper seeks to identify some of these habits and some of the steps that can be taken to...

Consulting IT Firms, Types of IT Techniques

Introduction IT consulting refers to the process of advising a business of how best they utilize information technology to meet their business objectives effectively. This practice has become so common in the current global world. Most small but medium-size organizations are increasingly consulting certain independent IT firms since they may...

Cross-Cultural Management and Challenges It Faces

Cross-cultural management describes how an organization operates across its cultural context and the difficulties it encounters such as diversity in terms of values and beliefs of different cultural groups. These diversities have a bearing on the modes of management from leadership, motivation and negotiation (McCaughey & De Cieri 2002, p....

• Ancient History
• American Politics
• Performance

Cultural Diversity in Barbara Bowman’s Monograph

Introduction In writing this monograph, Barbara Bowman takes the bull by the horn in spelling out controversial cultural issues affecting academic achievement in United States. The article is likely to generate mixed emotions depending on which side the reader decides to take. Nevertheless, the writer has done a great work...

Public Law and Private Law Implications

Abstract Using the telephone as well as World Wide Web services by minors has never been discussed properly. Children tend to use the telephone for making paid calls and their parents refuse to pay the bills afterward. The question is whether these bills are the responsibility of parents who overlooked...

Element of Drama in “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles

“Oedipus the King” is an enigmatic tragedy account where fate makes the main character to kill his father and marry his mother unknowingly. Sophocles borrows heavily from Aristotles’ tragedy ideas to make a tragic hero with a noble personality who is made to fall by mere errors in life caused...

Online Courses at Florida National University

On the homepage of Florida National University (FNU), the tab “online learning” offers a wide range of different programs for students. The question is: Are online courses better and more effective than studying on-campus? Is it easier for students to use these modern methods instead of those that are more...

American and Asian American Literature Debate

Over the years racial discrimination in the United States of America has been an issue of burning debates. Although commonly an African – American issue, Asian Americans were able to develop the rich heritage of their community in order to make themselves known. Provided that Asian Americans have been suffering...

Commitment of Sexual Offenders in California

Introduction In the United States of America, sexual offenders have attracted a lot of attention in relation to the risk assessment for recidivism (Doren, 2002). The risk assessment for recidivism is an estimate of the likelihood of an offender to revert to illegal behavior after the jail term (Beggs &...

Political Candidates: Voting for Executives

Introduction Many various factors might affect the voters. The political views of a candidate play a significant role in an election campaign, but people make decisions according to their preferences based on personal likes and dislikes. While a particular range of characteristics seems to be universal and should be adopted...

Moral Intuitions: A Heuristic Model

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to analyze a heuristic model of moral intuitions as described in the book, The Moral Psychology Handbook, by John M. Doris. To present the model, it is first necessary to identify it and explain its working principles. Models of heuristics can improve on...

The Importance of Resilience and Community

Introduction Resilience is a virtue that allows people to confront difficulties with courage. Resilience plays a particularly significant role in battling inequalities and achieving justice. Mental strength is the driving force behind the current human rights movement that aims at eliminating racial oppression. Through examining the themes and characters in...

School Age Health Literacy

Being health literate means maintaining a high standard of living and eliminating issues that may negatively affect well-being. Children need to have various health-related skills, depending on their age. School-age health literacy is crucial, as children need to know how to comply with health recommendations and make better health-related choices....

• Advertising
• Comparative Literature

Anne Boykin’s Theory of Nursing as Caring

Nursing theories guide nurses in their practice, research, and professional development. Anne Boykin, in collaboration with Savina O. Schoenhofer, introduced her theory of nursing as caring in the 1990s (Alligood, 2017). The theory has been widely utilized in diverse healthcare contexts since then. This paper includes a brief description of...

Ethics, Morality, and Legality Relationship

Nowadays, ethics became a cornerstone of the medical business as it ensures sound and lawful practice. In general, ethics can be defined as a branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles that shape an individual’s behavior or decisions. Although one could use morality and ethics as interchangeable concepts, they...

Heart Disease: Post-interventional Practice and Monitoring

Chest pain can be caused by a variety of physical conditions, including heart disease or nervous disorders. A 52-year-old male patient has several physiological abnormalities that are triggered by hyperlipidemia and first-degree obesity. In addition to necessary laboratory tests, the man needs additional blood and urine tests, such as creatinine...

Teenage Drug Addiction Problem

The modern world is full of diverse activities and hobbies that can have both strictly positive and negative effects. In other words, the world’s versatility becomes both a virtue because each individual can find his own business, and a disadvantage because among the hobbies are often destructive addiction. One of...

Ethical Leadership: On Types of Leadership Behavior

Good relationships at the workplace play an essential role in forming a positive environment for the employees, which includes communication between leaders and subordinates. An atmosphere of mutual trust and respect improves the employees’ perception of the work process, and it is also a vital component of efficiency. Yukl et...

Importance of Early Balanced Diets in Children

Abstract Nutrition plays a critical role in a child’s cognitive and physical development. These developmental phases are highly susceptible to nutritional deficiencies in children (Hurley et al., 2016). Research indicates that substandard dietary choices in children below five years can lead to lifelong health disparities among this populace (Hurley et...

Abortion Issues: Credible and Non-Credible Sources of Information

The problem of induced abortion remains extremely important in modern obstetric and gynecological practice. Its relevance is determined not only by the level and prevalence of such surgical interventions but also by the risk of complications. Despite the availability of a variety of safe and effective methods of contraception, the...

Transportation: Fostering the Development

Fostering the Development of Transportation Systems States, cities, and towns must work individually and in collaboration with others to foster the development of their transportation systems as an efficient transportation system is first and foremost the backbone of the economy (U.S. Department of Transportation, n.d.). TCRP (2002) suggests that the...

Crises Management in Aviation Safety

Aviation security is achieved by combining information and response, the correct order of actions, and timely delegation of authority. Each air carrier is responsible for the welfare of passengers and the quality of services. Consequently, the creation of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP), which addresses customers’ security needs, is imperative...

Music and the Second Reconstruction Relationship

The song What About Us by the Coasters represents the idea of the absence of equality among African-American and white people in the USA. In 1959, when the composition was released, the question was extremely acute, and the lyrics appealed to most fighters for adequate human rights as it aims...

• Corporation

Role of Family in Healthcare and How Culture Affects Health Beliefs

Culture impacts the way a person views life, values, social norms, and other aspects that constitute daily life, including health and diseases. Individuals’ families also play a role in the way health is perceived. Patient-centered care implies involving family members and incorporating care tailored to the patient’s culture. This paper...

Pursuit and Experiences of God in Texas

Religion plays a crucial role in the development of each nation, and the Southwest of the United States is defined as one of the most religious regions in the country. Therefore, its pursuit of God and an understanding of religion in general always deserve attention and recognition. The region of...

Columbia Shuttle Accident: Performance and Evaluation

Introduction The Columbia Shuttle accident occurred in 2003 when the shuttle was disintegrated over Texas during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere because of damaging the thermal protection system. The most tragic detail connected with the accident was in the fact that this tragedy which caused the deaths of seven...

Reading Summary of Two Social Articles

Freedom of Association is Not the Answer In her study, Fine (2010) analyzes the premises underlying the concept of liberal principles of exclusion. The author bases her article on the investigation of Christopher Heath Wellman’s article, “Immigration and Freedom of Association.” Fine (2010) has summarized Wellman’s arguments on the states’...

Social Networks Security: Ethical Issues and Practicies

Introduction Social networks have been having privacy issues; in the case of Beacon and Facebook, Facebook had made it possible for people to share their private life with others using Beacon; the launch had been done in December 2007. When the program was launched, it seemed to facilitate business and...

The Financial Performance Measurement

Calculation The values of operating leverage, return on investment, economic value added (EVA) and return on equity will be calculated. The calculations are presented below. 2013 (Millions) 2014 (Millions) Sales 146,917 144,077 Variable expenses 125,195 123,516 Fixed expenses 16,244 17,121 Total expenses 141,439 140,637 Operating income 5,478 3,440 Net income...

An Unlawful and Unintentional Killing

Unlawful and unintentional killing of a person is “Manslaughter”. Reckless driving and automobiles accidents are examples. It can be “voluntary” and “involuntary”. It depends on the defendant’s intention at the time killing occurred. Though Frank’s intention to hit Tom’s car was intentional, in order to destroy his new car, he...

Breast Cancer: Literature Review

Introduction Breast cancer is the single most common type of cancer among women. This type of cancer can be detected by such simple methods as (BSE) breast self-examination. When breast cancer is discovered at an early stage, it becomes easier to treat (American Cancer Society 2011). The research paper takes...

Physical Restraints in Acute and Intensive Care Units

Though the use of physical restraints in acute and intensive care units is predetermined with the objective factors and working necessity, the complications resulting from the implementation of the method question its effectiveness and appropriateness. The issue of using physical restraints in health care institutions is a rather debatable topic,...

Maritime RobotX Challenge System Selection

The robotic competition offers a platform to determine the selection of an efficient system concerning the guidelines and procedures of the challenge. According to RoboNation (2014), the competitors were awarded approximately $20,000 and a WAM-V program to establish a sensory set and propulsion software effectively. In this sense, this report...

• Information Technology

Using of Statistics in Healthcare

Introduction Many students who plan to apply for medical studies suggest that they are not going to need mathematics and any mathematics-related sciences in the future and successfully forget anything they learned in school or college. However, mathematics and statistics are an essential part of healthcare research. This essay will...

The Measures of Central Tendency and the Descriptive Statistics

Introduction of the study The measures of central tendency like the mean, median, mode that will be discussed in this essay and the descriptive statistics are very useful in summarizing any collected data and help to come up with detailed and correct conclusions. The aim of this essay is to...

Managed Care and Ethics in Dental Field

Introduction Professionals in the dental field play a significant role in restoring the wellbeing of the patients with issues of the oral cavity (Owsiany, 2008). These experts ought to offer the most excellent treatment options and preventive alternatives for the best interest of the patient’s welfare. Besides, the experts should...

Shonagon’s “The Pillow Book” as Historical Document

Positive Analysis One of the main strengths of the book is the fact that it provides an invaluable insight into Heian Japan and how regular women lived at that time. It is a well-composed historical document in regards to reflecting the lifestyles and interests of both royal family members and...

Nursing Philosophy Reflection

The paradigm of nursing experience, although impossible to encompass at its fullest, has been currently explicitly described in a variety of textbooks and scholarly articles. Thus, prior to making a meaningful choice to dedicate oneself to the career of a nurse, it is of paramount importance to secure a careful...

Public Role and Control of Police

The first thing that comes to mind when talking about police is that their role is to help people, protect them, and improve the quality of their lives. The implementation of these goals lies in the maintenance of law and public order, and crime control through the investigation and prevention...

“The Baker and the Beauty”: A Failed Television Show

The TV show The Baker and the Beauty aired in April 2020 and included nine 40-minute episodes. The TV show presents a story of a baker, Daniel Garcia working for the family business, who meets a famous model Noa Hamilton (IMDb, 2020). The two try to develop a romantic relationship,...

Social Networks’ Impact on Companies’ Operations

Introduction E-commerce refers to the selling and acquisitions of goods or services through internet platforms and the transfer of finances to complete the business. Social networking is applying social media sites based on the internet to maintain connectivity with friends, family, customers, or clients. There are several platforms using social...

The Four Basics of the Human Evolution

Evolution refers to the process that causes changes in allele occurrences in a population over a period. Conferring to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the event takes place by natural selection (Ashraf & Sarfraz, 2016). Thus, evolution enables organisms to acquire characteristics that best suit their environment, increasing their chances...

The Concept of “Everything in Moderation” in “The Sacred Vine” Poem

One of the main problems of modern people is their tendency to fall into the extremes. Many of the difficulties they have are likely to be caused by overindulging in something or by complete abstinence from it. It has become too difficult to avoid overusing the advantages of the modern...

• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Mental Health
• Christianity
• Nursing Theory

Social Media and Traditional News Media

Social media platforms have transformed how people communicate in today’s world. Information can easily reach any corner of the globe by just having a smartphone and internet connection. This is contrary to the past, where people depended on traditional media to receive and send information. Several social media platforms have...

Human History and Its Three Main Eras

The last two millenniums of human history can be divided into three essential periods with distinct characteristics, which define the period. These periods include pre-modern from 400 to 1400s, modern from 1500s to 1900s, and post-modern from 1900s to present moment. Each period may be analyzed through the prism of...

Amilia Lanier Biography and Influence

Introduction The name Emilia Lanier is unique in the context of English history and poetry. Emilia Lanier, nee Aemilia Bassano, lived in 1569-1645 and appeared to be the first English woman, who claimed herself a professional poetess. This fact was surprising for the people of this epoch. She resided in...

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidency

Rutherford B. Hayes served as the 19th president of the U.S. between 1877 and 1881. He won the highly contested 1877 elections narrowly by defeating the Democratic Party candidate Samuel J. Tilden by one electoral vote. Hayes’ presidency marked the period in which America transitioned from the era of Reconstruction...

“At the Dark End of the Street” by Carr

Introduction The problem of racism is topical for modern American society. Unfortunately, racism is not only about hatred of people with different skin colors but also about encroachment on their lives and inviolability. One of the most famous victims of racism is Recy Taylor, who was kidnapped and raped by...

Unfair Policies: Private Probation

Government laws and regulations are put in place to protect members of society, benefit and advance society. Nevertheless, some policies do not seem to serve the intended purpose and are misused. Private Probation can be an example of an unjust policy that benefits a few members of society while putting...

President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps Program

During the Great Depression, one in every four American workers was unemployed. Within weeks of his inauguration, President Roosevelt sent legislation to Congress to provide employment opportunities for the unemployed population. In the first few weeks between election and inauguration, the president traveled, planned, and assembled like-minded individuals from experts...

Martin Luther King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” to White Clergy

Introduction Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” was written in order to provide a comprehensive and detailed response to white clergy. The latter was known for criticizing Martin Luther King’s methods of protest, which was nonviolent civil disobedience. In his letter, the activist explains that he usually dismisses...

Changing Perceptions of Women’s Roles in Northern Pakistan

Gender roles are a social and biological issue raised to understand human nature. Roles have been changing since the emergence of humans, and, unfortunately, more often than not, women have not been assigned the most pleasant role. Instead of accessible education, women were limited to reading lessons; instead of fighting...

The Role of Ethical Decision-Making in Business

Background Ethical dilemmas constantly occur in organizations and workplaces regardless of the industry and the size of an organization. They may differ significantly in terms of values, which are in conflict, or parties, which are at stake. Therefore, it may be essential to introduce a comprehensive approach to the decision-making...

• Globalization

Understanding Frida Kahlo’s Artworks

To understand Frida Kahlo, one has to approach her work through the lens of personal perception, adding intimacy to the viewing, just like Kahlo immersed herself in each artwork. There is an inevitable consequence of such close viewing – endowing Kahlo’s work with many interpretations, and appropriately so. The integrative,...

Racism in “Being Brought From Africa to America” and “A Letter From Phyllis Wheatley”

Phyllis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry in 1773, was the author of the poem “Being Brought from Africa to America.” Wheatley represents the start of a long tradition of African American poets. She described her African ancestors as non-Christian (“Pagan”) and believed that she...

Plots of Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Unfortunately, oppression of women is a severe and extended process that was especially active in the 1890s. A number of famous American writers of those years used their talent of choosing the right words to describe how women and men may oppress each other and deprive their beloved ones of...

Liberation Theology and Gutierrez’s Contribution to It

Introduction Religion plays a significant role in every human being’s life, and it arises a necessity to have an insight into vital parts of it. It is essential to be aware of liberation theology that can be considered a religious movement centered in Latin America, in the view of the...

General Good and Happiness Definition

The general good and happiness can be defined as states and conditions in which people are satisfied with the course of life actions. At the same time, it is obligatory to emphasize that in order to achieve total happiness, it is necessary to highlight individual contribution. Any person can start...

Emily Jerry’s Death: The Root Cause Analysis

Emily Jerry was a two-year-old patient who died during her stay in a hospital due to mismanagement of medical equipment and hospital staff incompetence. She was scheduled to receive chemotherapy but died of detrimental brain damage (Hope, 2020). A series of events that included missing fundamental understanding of solution concentration,...

Bannister’s “The Word and Power Church”

Although the realm of the Christian community and, particularly, the Christian Church, might seem as entirely unclouded, several underlying conflicts have developed over years of interpreting the Word of God and implementing theological research. In his book The Word and Power Church, Dough Bannister (2009) expresses the concern that the...

Analysis of The Odyssey and Its Impact

Homer’s Odyssey gives readers a heroic narrative about a protagonist on his quest to home from war. The protagonist Odysseus is far from flawless, and the reader explores his personality while he faces various opponents and his stupidity. The epic delves into themes of fate, revenge, humanity, and ferocious powers....

Analysis of the Plot in The Martian

Summary The film The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, employs an exciting plot that helps the audience understand the movie’s main ideas. Although science-fiction and drama are highly exhibited in the story, the director uses a plot to illustrate several themes to connect with the audience in a fascinating way...

Guillain-Barré Disease and Therapy Options

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon condition in which the immune system targets the nerves in the body leading to muscle weakness, tingling in the extremities, and sometimes paralysis. GBS is a rare disease that affects roughly 1 in 1000 persons (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)). According to...

• Climate Change
• Web Technology

Is Watching Football Morally Acceptable

Introduction Football, or American football, is undoubtedly among the most widely viewed category of sports, as it is called in many foreign countries. Athletes participating in football constantly hurt themselves for the sake of their careers while their fans cheer and wear colorful shirts. Therefore, a moral dilemma presents itself...

Lorna Simpson’s Background and Artworks

Background There are numerous prominent female artists that have substantially altered the way people perceive modern art. Lorna Simpson is one such ingenious and brave person, as she has made a remarkable contribution to various social functions of photography. The unique style that she developed has inspired millions of females...

Social Media as a Distraction in Academics

While social media has been known to be a positive influence in a number of facets, it can also be a substantial distraction within the realm of academics. This is because social media has the potential to consume excessive amounts of time, create an illusion of ideal lives, provide an...

Economic Issues of Housing Crisis in New York

There are many microeconomic issues which affect American cities, and one of the most prominent of them is the housing crisis. In New York, the problem with the rising rent and a growing homeless population is particularly notable and attracts considerable attention of local media. In the article, “Eric Adams...

Mental Illness and Mental Health

Mental health issues are often overlooked in general medicine. This creates a number of concerns, including the inability of many affected patients to reach care until it is too late, the failure to limit interference to their daily lives, and the lack of alternate or home support in regards to...

Patriarchal Culture and Attitudes

Patriarchy is a type of social system in which power and social privileges belong to men. Women in patriarchy occupy a subordinate position, with social institutions being the instruments of control. For example, in many religions, women are forbidden to go to temples during menstruation. In the family, women are...

Kindergarten Choice for Children

Going to kindergarten is difficult and quite stressful for a three-year-old child. The baby faces a new environment, the absence of parents nearby, and new, unfamiliar people. To ensure the most comfortable process of adaptation and stay in kindergarten, it is necessary to choose an institution based on essential criteria....

Walmart: Information Management System

Walmart is a retail company that integrates different types of retail stores and has a complex structure of warehouses, supply chain partners, and stores. As a result, its information management system (IMS) is similarly immense, incorporating logistics, transportation, supply chain management, customer management, online shopping, delivery, and more. The business...

The Veil Conflict: Wearing Religious Symbols in Schools

French President Jacques Chirac’s ban in March 2004 on wearing any religious symbols in schools caused unrest in the country. First of all, history shows that the formulation of explicit religious symbols that markedly separate groups of students did not legally include wearing a headscarf, but in practice, many teachers...

Everyday Use Short Story Analysis

Introduction Everyday Use is a short story written by American author Alice Walker. The narrative revolves around an African-American family and the conflict they face, primarily the schisms created by money, materialism, and greed. The set of characters is relatively narrow (Mama, Maggie, Dee, and Hakim-a-barber), but can showcase a...

Digital Health Information Technologies

Modern society is founded on the benefits of extensive use of technology in many different areas. The implementation of modern technologies in the healthcare system resulted in the emergence of various digital healthcare information systems. Overall, digital health refers to the use of information and communication technologies to manage health...

Guatemala’s General Health Indicators

Guatemala is a unique state with distinct features but is partly affected by worldwide events. The country represents the largest economy in Central America and is neighboring Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador (The World Bank, 2022; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Guatemala has both strengths and...

Nurse Practitioners’ Role Delineation

Nurse Practitioners (NP) should be equipped with the skills and abilities required for independent clinical practice. The NP Role Core Competencies define the competencies needed for a professional NP by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2022). Moreover, the AACN Essentials determine excellence in nursing education (American Association of...

Information Technology’s Positive Impact on Medicine

The rapid development of technology should first be introduced into the most critical areas of science and infrastructure. Introducing IT in the healthcare sector can improve quality and significantly speed up work. However, the benefits are not limited to stakeholders solely on the part of employees and patients interacting with...

Irony at the End of The Story of an Hour

Introduction One of the primary elements of The Story of an Hour, written by Kate Chopin, that has not only made the short story popular but also has highlighted an important metaphor is the ending. Namely, after the joy Mrs. Mallard feels when finding out about her husband’s death, she...

Ancient History: Mesopotamian Empire Achievements

The Mesopotamian Empire had several achievements throughout its existence. The achievements ranged from powerful kingdoms to trade and agriculture. It is worth to mention that this empire spanned over several centuries. This essay explores the achievements of the Mesopotamian Empire. King Sargon created the world’s largest first empire. The Akkadian...

Developing Empowered Relationships Within the Organization

Navigating and facilitating change It is crucial for both managers and the rest of employees to master workplace skills in order to boost productivity. One of the vital skills is the ability to navigate and facilitate change process. Although the leadership of an organization is largely charged with the role...

The Effect Technology on International Relations

Introduction Scientific innovation and invention has raised the bar of integration and relation among countries; efficient and reliable communication and transport systems plays a vital role in international integration. Globalization has necessitated the need to have improved international relations that facilitate integration and interdependence among countries (Croucher 16). This paper...

Father-Son’ Relationship in the Book Night by Elie Wiesel

Introduction The relationships between a father and a son usually compose in early childhood. However, there are families where father-son love is hidden too deep in their souls that they are unable to see it until something bad happens and only the support of the closest people may help. Reading...

Calvinism and Arminianism in Historical Theology

Historical Theology Calvinism and Arminianism are two well-known theological systems that introduce different methods to explain the relations which develop between God and people which are directed to achieve salvation. John Calvin is the founder of Calvinism in the middle of the 1500s, and Jacobus Arminius is the theologian, who...

• African American

Cross-Cultural Competencies in Human Service Work

Human beings are distinguished by race, religion, or socio-economic backgrounds. A study of cross-cultural competencies is an important subject in the human service professions and especially in counseling. Counselors are trained to deal with different kind of clients, who have diverse problems. Therefore, it is necessary to have background knowledge...

“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost

Nothing Gold Can Stay is a well-known poem by Robert Frost. One of the primary outstanding features of this work is that it took the author only eight lines to express a set of thoughtful philosophical ideas and deep emotions. Apart from the captivating wisdom of the author’s lines expressed...

Artemisia Gentileschi’s Self-Portraits in Feminism

Introduction The art of the Renaissance is often considered to have the most recognizable pieces and artists. However, the list of Renaissance painters, sculptors, and architects is dominated by men and their creations. Only a handful of women of the Renaissance period gained some recognition. One of these women is...

Terri Schiavo and Jahi McMath’s Cases Comparison

The cases of Terri Schiavo and Jahi McMath are among the most publicized instances of ethical and legal debates over the end-of-life question. Both cases have a lot in common, but the Jahi McMath case introduces several new factors that offer further insights into the ethical as well as legal...

Boomerang Effects of Low Price Discounts

The article by Cai, Bagchi and Gauri published in Journal of Consumer Research named “Boomerang Effects of Low Price Discounts: How Low Price Discounts Affect Purchase Propensity” demonstrates that lower discounts for low priced product reduce the propensity to purchase non-essential, low priced goods (especially groceries). This paper provides a...

Patients With Diabetes and Concomitant Diseases’ Risk

What are the effects of controlling BP in people with diabetes? It has been proven by several studies that patients suffering from diabetes run the risk of having various related conditions. More than 75 percent of all patients who die from diabetes die because of having cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, high...

Success Case Methodology and Training Program

SCM and Kirkpatrick Brinkerhoff’s Success Case Method (SCM) can be discussed as an alternative to Kirkpatrick’s Return on Expectations (ROE) model that is used in order to evaluate training. Training groups can benefit from using SCM in addition to Kirkpatrick’s model because such type of the training analysis allows for...

Military on the US Southern Border

Introduction The US southern border protects the country from illegal immigration from Mexico. It is critical for the security of the USA because it ensures that the country will not be adversely affected by issues associated with overpopulation and illicit drugs (Nixon & Santos, 2017). Currently, a new wall is...

Climate Change as a Threat to Pension Fund

Executive summary This report considers the relationship that the change in climate has with the pension fund. The pension fund is one of the largest consumer products, and there has been a concern on how to protect it from any possible material or financial risk (Jill 324). So many studies...

Reproductive System and Dominant Gene

Internal Female Reproductive Organs The system of internal female reproductive organs includes glands (ovaries), cervix, and uterus. Also, fallopian tubes and vagina are part of it. Fallopian tubes are narrow tubes with a pronounced muscular layer, which are constantly shrinking. Their mucous membrane consists of cells with cilia (deWit &...

• Evidence-Based Practice

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Equity Theory

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs One of the most well-known motivational theories, Maslow’s Hierarchy presupposes that the actions of an individual are aimed primarily at satisfying their needs, the physiological being the basic ones, whereas the necessity for self-actualization, which refers to the realization of one’s potential, comes at the very...

Evidence-Based Change: From Research Into Practice

The current standard in the healthcare sector is to use evidence-based practice to make critical changes and improvements to various processes which help deliver the best quality of treatment to patients. Evidence-based implies information that is supported by valid, informative, and long-term research which would be eligible to be implemented...

Diabetes in Adolescents, Social and Medical Issues

Introduction Diabetes in adolescents is a major global health concern and is the subject of various healthcare-related studies. As such, numerous literature materials have been published on diabetes in adolescents to help in dealing with the matter, since it affects different healthcare systems in the world. This essay identifies some...

Abortion and Maternal Health: the Global Health Crisis

Ever since abortion became legal as a procedure, it started to attract social attention as one of the major issues of ethical, public health, civil rights, political, and worldview character. While the history of abortion in the United States is thought to begin in the 1970s, it is actually much...

Nursing Important Aspects: Patient-Centered Care

Introduction Patient-centered care is based on a holistic approach, where each patient is considered as an individual with a set of personal preferences, values, and religious beliefs. The client’s lifestyle is accounted for, and the family is incorporated into the care process. According to Hood, Leddy, and Pepper (2014), nurses...

Implementation of Workplace Safety Standards Regarding Chemicals

Introduction Attention Getting Device Death and injury due to accidental chemical exposure is a constant and real danger in construction sites around the world. On average nearly 30 million workers a year are exposed to hazardous substances due to improper handling standards, no prior knowledge regarding the corrosiveness of a...

Personal Nursing Philosophy and Its Development

Introduction The development of a personal philosophy of nursing is important for each nurse to determine what values and attitudes provide the background for a nurse’s professional actions and choices (Masters, 2015). Those nurses who work in different healthcare facilities usually follow not only standard nursing principles but also their...

Quality Improvement of Clinical Teams

The success of continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts depends to a large extent on the level of the efficiency of clinical teams. General CQI approaches are underpinned by a host of philosophies that are specific to their applications in practical terms (Sollecito & Johnson, 2013). However, despite the availability of...

Classroom Management Ideas: Behavioral Crises and Promotion of Friendship Between Students

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College Admissions , College Essays

When talking about college essays, we tend to focus on the Common Application prompts , and it's true that many students will need to write a Common App essay. However, there are actually quite a few schools, including both public and private universities, that don't use the Common App and instead ask applicants to respond to their own college essay prompts.

Luckily, college essay prompts tend to be pretty similar to each other. In this guide, I'll list all the college essay questions for popular schools in the US (and a few abroad) and then break down the patterns to help you brainstorm topics and plan how to approach multiple essays efficiently. After reading this guide, you'll be able to strategize which essays you'll write for which colleges.

Feature image: Mayr /Flickr

Why Do Colleges Ask For an Essay?

The short answer: the essay gives admissions committees a sense of your personality beyond the statistics on the rest of your application. The essay is your chance to show the committee your unique perspective and impress them with your maturity and insight.

College application essay prompts are written with this goal in mind. Admissions officers want to give you the chance to share your interests, aspirations, and views on the world, so most prompts ask about how your experiences have shaped you or what you're excited about studying or doing in college. I've collected a ton of examples below and provided some analysis to help you begin planning and crafting your own essays.

Keep in mind that the personal statement alone won't be enough to get you in— your grades and test scores are still the most important factors in your application . That being said, a stellar essay can help bring a borderline applicant over the top or give an excellent but not extraordinary student the opportunity to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

As such, the essay tends to matter most for very competitive schools. Non-competitive schools generally don't ask you to submit an essay.

Complete List of College Essay Prompts

This list collects the 2022 college essay prompts for major state universities, top-50 schools, and other popular schools which have their own unique questions. They're divided by region, with all optional essays listed at the end.

I left off the Common App supplements, as those often require a substantially different approach. I also stuck to four-year schools, meaning I didn't include special two-year programs, such as Deep Springs College or Miami Dade College's Honors Program (both of which require essays).

Finally, note that these prompts are for freshman applicants, so the requirements might be different for transfer students .

General Applications

There are three general applications you can use to apply to many different schools at once:

Common Application

Universal college application, coalition application.

Each application has its own personal statement requirement. Some schools will ask for additional supplemental essays.

Many more schools accept the Common App than they do the UCA or Coalition Application , though some will accept more than one of these applications.

For the Common App essay, you pick one of the prompts and write 250-650 words about it. Here are the prompts for the 2022-2023 school year:

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.

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?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

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.

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

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?

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.

The UCA essay prompt is completely open ended and has a 650-word limit. Here is the 2022-2023 prompt:

Please write an essay that demonstrates your ability to develop and communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event.

For the Coalition Application, you'll pick one of five prompts listed below. While there is no hard word limit, the range guidelines are 500-650 words. Here are the prompts for 2022-2023:

What interests or excites you? How does it shape who you are now or who you might become in the future?

Describe a time when you had a positive impact on others. What were the challenges? What were the rewards?

Has there been a time when an idea or belief of yours was questioned? How did you respond? What did you learn?

What success have you achieved or obstacle have you faced? What advice would you give a sibling or friend going through a similar experience?

Now that you know the essay requirements for the three general applications, let’s look at the application essays for specific schools . To keep things organized, we’ve grouped schools based on the region of the US in which they’re located.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

The Great Dome at MIT

Georgetown University

Georgetown asks applicants to write one short essay (about half a single-spaced page) and two longer essays (approximately one single-spaced page each). Each applicant must respond to the first two prompts and can choose among the other four based on the specific program she's interested in.

Short Essay: Briefly (approximately one-half page, single-spaced) discuss the significance to you of the school or summer activity in which you have been most involved.

All Applicants: As Georgetown is a diverse community, the Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either personal or creative, which you feel best describes you.

Applicants to Georgetown College: What does it mean to you to be educated? How might Georgetown College help you achieve this aim? (Applicants to the Sciences and Mathematics or the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics should address their chosen course of study).

Applicants to the School of Nursing & Health Studies: Describe the factors that have influenced your interest in studying health care. Please specifically address your intended major (Global Health, Health Care Management & Policy, Human Science, or Nursing).

Applicants to the Walsh School of Foreign Service: The Walsh School of Foreign Service was founded more than a century ago to prepare generations of leaders to solve global problems. What is motivating you to dedicate your undergraduate studies to a future in service to the world?

Applicants to the McDonough School of Business: The McDonough School of Business is a national and global leader in providing graduates with essential ethical, analytical, financial and global perspectives. Please discuss your motivations for studying business at Georgetown.

For more Georgetown application tips, check out our articles on the Georgetown essays and how to get into Georgetown .

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT doesn't ask for a single personal statement but rather asks applicants to respond to a series of questions with just a paragraph or two of about 200 words each .

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.

Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.

Tell us about a significant challenge you've faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

For more details on how to get into MIT , read our other articles on the MIT application process , tips for MIT essays , and an example of a real MIT acceptance letter !

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Indiana University Bloomington

IU asks for 200-400 words on your plans and interests.

Describe your academic and career plans and any special interest (for example, undergraduate research, academic interests, leadership opportunities, etc.) that you are eager to pursue as an undergraduate at Indiana University. If you encountered any unusual circumstances, challenges, or obstacles in pursuit of your education, share those experiences and how you overcame them. Please note that this essay may be used in scholarship consideration.

University of Illinois

The University of Illinois asks for two essays (or three only if you selected a second-choice major other than what's noted on your application). All responses should be approximately 150 words.

You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you've selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words. If You're Applying to a Major: 1.  Explain, in detail, an experience you've had in the past 3 to 4 years related to your first-choice major. This can be an experience from an extracurricular activity, in a class you’ve taken, or through something else. 2.  Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them. If You're Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies: 1.  What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering. 2.  What are your future academic or career goals? If You've Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared): Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.

If you're applying to UIUC, check out our UIUC essay tips article as well!

University of Wisconsin–Madison

All applicants must complete two essays for UW–Madison. The essays should be 250-650 words in length and may be used for scholarship and campus program review.

If you apply through the Common Application, you’ll be asked to reply to one of the freshman Common Application essays in lieu of the first essay prompt below, but you’ll be required to respond to the second prompt below. 

If you apply through the UW System Application, the following two essays are required:

This part is all about you. Tell us about something you've done — academically or personally — and what you've learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Kyle Field at Texas A&M ( Ed Schipul /Flickr)

The ApplyTexas application is used by all Texas public universities and some private colleges. There are four ApplyTexas essay prompts. Which ones you need to respond to will depend on where you're applying. UT Austin, for example, requires applicants to submit at least one essay responding to Topic A on the ApplyTexas application. .

While there's no set word limit, the online application will cut off each essay at 120 lines (~1000 words).

Topic A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Topic B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Topic C: You've got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

Topic D: Please Note: The essay in this section is specific to certain college majors and is not required by all colleges/universities that accept the Apply Texas Application. If you are not applying for a major in Architecture, Art, Art History, Design, Studio Art, Visual Art Studies/Art Education , you are not required to write this essay.

Personal interaction with objects, images and spaces can be so powerful as to change the way one thinks about particular issues or topics. For your intended area of study (architecture, art history, design, studio art, visual art studies/art education), describe an experience where instruction in that area or your personal interaction with an object, image or space effected this type of change in your thinking. What did you do to act upon your new thinking and what have you done to prepare yourself for further study in this area?

We go into all the ApplyTexas prompts in detail here !

University of Georgia

For UGA, applicants must write two essays, one 200-300 words and one 250-650 words . Both essays are required for all applicants. The longer personal essay uses the Common Application prompts for 2023 ; the prompt for the shorter essay is as follows:

The c ollege admissions process can create anxiety. In an attempt to make it less stressful, please tell us an interesting or amusing story about yourself from your high school years that you have not already shared in your application.

For a more detailed discussion of the UGA essays, read this article .

The Campanile at UC Berkeley

University of California

Students applying to the UC system must respond to four out of eight short personal insight questions. The maximum word count for each response is 350 words.

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
• Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
• Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Learn more about the UC essays , the UC application , and how to choose which UC schools to apply to with our complete guides .

University of Oregon

Applicants to the University of Oregon are required to submit one essay of 650 words or fewer. You also have the option to write a second essay (maximum of 500 words), but it’s not required.

The essay prompts are as follows:

The UO is interested in learning more about you. Write an essay of 650 words or less that shares information that we cannot find elsewhere on your application. Any topic you choose is welcome. Some ideas you might consider include your future ambitions and goals, a special talent, extracurricular activity, or unusual interest that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant experience that influenced your life. If you are applying to the UO's Robert D. Clark Honors College, feel free to resubmit your honors college application essay.

Optional second essay: As you've looked into what it will be like to attend Oregon, you've hopefully learned what makes Ducks Ducks. No two are alike, though, so tell us what makes you you, and how that connects to our campus community. We are interested in your thoughts and experiences recognizing difference and supporting equity and inclusion, and choosing one of these two options will guide you in sharing those thoughts. You can learn more about equity and inclusion at Oregon by visiting the Equity and Inclusion website . Maximum statement length is 500 words. This statement is not required.

University of Washington

In addition to its specific prompts, the University of Washington gives specific advice about what its admissions officers consider to be good writing before the prompts:

"At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best, and good essays are often 300-400 words in length.

Essay Prompt (Required): Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped shape it. Maximum length: 650 words.

Short Response (Required): Our families and our communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. Maximum length: 300 words

You can also find more tips on the University of Washington essays in this blog article .

International

Generally speaking, international schools are less likely to ask for an essay, since admission tends to be heavily focused on grades and test results. However, a few popular international schools do ask for a personal statement as part of their application.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UK Schools)

UCAS is a general application for UK schools (similar to the Common App in the US). There's no specific prompt for the personal statement—instead, applicants are required to write an essay describing what they want to study, why they want to study it, and what they bring to the table. There is a 4,000-character/47-line limit.

University of British Columbia

UBC asks applicants to fill out a personal profile consisting of five to seven short-answer questions that vary depending on the program you're applying to. Answers should be 50-200 words.

Depending on which degree program you apply to, you’ll be asked to answer some or all of the following questions on the UBC application:

• Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why.
• What is important to you? And why?
• Family/community responsibilities
• Creative or performing arts
• Work/employment
• Service to others
• Tell us more about one or two activities listed above that are most important to you. Please explain the role you played and what you learned in the process. You will be asked for a reference who can speak to your response.
• Additional information: You may wish to use the space below to provide UBC with more information on your academic history to date and/or your future academic plans. For example: How did you choose your courses in secondary school? Are there life circumstances that have affected your academic decisions to date? What have you done to prepare yourself specifically for your intended area of study at UBC?
• Please submit the names of two referees who know you well and can comment on your preparedness for study at UBC. Examples of referees include an employer, a community member, a coach, a teacher/instructor, or anyone who knows you well. One of the referees you select must be able to speak to one of the activities/experiences described in one of your long-answer responses above. For applicants who are currently attending a high school, one of your referees must be a school official (e.g., Grade 12 or senior year counsellor, teacher, or IB coordinator). Neither referee should be a friend, family member, or paid agent.

Some programs of study may ask applicants to respond to the questions above and some additional, program-specific questions when completing the personal profile.

University of Cambridge

Optional Essays

Some schools don't require an essay from all applicants but do recommend or require an essay for certain programs. I've listed a selection of those prompts below.

Arizona State University

Students applying to the Barrett Honors College at ASU must submit one essay of 300 to 500 words in response to one of the following prompts (your response may be critical or creative):

Prompt 1 Discuss how a specific piece of art (painting, literature, photograph, etc.) or popular culture (song, comic book, etc.) helped you realize something new about yourself or the world. What was that realization, and how did the piece of art or pop culture bring about this change in your thinking? Do not simply describe the piece of art or pop culture; instead, focus on its effect on you and how it makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience. Prompt 2 Tell us about a habit or way of thinking that others would recognize as “uniquely you.” This is something you value and would hesitate to give up because it is a distinct part of who you are or what makes you different - why is it so? Be sure to share how this aspect of your identity makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience.

City University of New York

Applicants to Macaulay Honors College must write two essays: an “about you” essay, and an essay describing your plans for college. Each response should be around 500 words, give or take a few within reason.

Essay 1: About you. (Select one of the options below.) 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. OR Tell us about an area or activity, outside of academics, in which you have invested a lot of time and effort. Tell us why. What did you learn? How was it meaningful?

Essay 2: About your plans for college. Please discuss all points below. Why do you want to go to an honors college ? There are many benefits of being a Macaulay student, such as the Macaulay community, special courses, Honors advisement, cultural passport, opportunities funds, and other financial benefits. Please describe how these features will shape you and your college experience, including, what you expect to bring to the college community and what you expect to get out of your college experience.

Florida International University

Only applicants who don't meet the criteria for automatic admissions and whose applications undergo holistic review will need to submit a 500-word essay:

Students requesting appeal or additional review of their admission status must submit a written statement including:

Your goals and educational or professional objectives

A summary/explanation of past academic performance

Information and/or circumstances that may have affected past academic performance

• Any other information the student wishes to have considered

Ohio University

For the Ohio University application, students who've been out of school for more than a year must submit an essay explaining what they've done in their time off from school.

Applicants who have been out of high school for more than one year must submit an essay detailing activities since graduation.

Additionally, applicants to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism are encouraged, though not required, to submit an essay detailing how they want to help shape the future of journalism.

For all other applicants, submitting an essay here is optional; however, if you do wish to write an essay, the application suggests that you describe any academic challenges you’ve faced, academic and career objectives, or involvement in community affairs (recommended length is 250-500 words).

Those interested in Ohio University's OHIO Honors Program (including the Cutler Scholars Program) are required to answer the following essay prompt (limit 250 words):

Students in the OHIO Honors Program represent all majors on campus and take engaging honors courses while applying what they learn outside of the classroom. Students choose from classes and experiences across three pathways: community engagement, research and creative activity, and leadership . Students in OHP can move among the three pathways as their interests evolve and they develop their goals. What pathway is most exciting to you right now, and why?

Finally, those interested in the Honors Tutorial College are must answer the following two essay prompts (in about 500 words each):

HTC Question 1: Please explain why you have chosen your particular program(s) of study.

HTC Question 2: We expect that one reason you seek a tutorial education is for the one-on-one interaction with faculty, but other than that, what interests you about pursuing a tutorial-based undergraduate education? What aspects of your education and life experience have prepared you for a tutorial education with its emphasis on research and creative activity?

Type 1: Questions About a Meaningful Experience

This type of college essay question is the most common. The exact focus of these prompts can vary quite a bit, but they all ask you to reflect on an important experience. Some questions specify a type of experience whereas others don't, simply opting to have applicants write about whatever matters to them.

There are three basic sub-types that you'll see when dealing with these prompts. Let's look at an example of each.

#1: Overcoming a Challenge

These prompts ask about how you dealt with a particular challenge or solved a problem. Below is a typical example of this question type from the MIT application:

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something important that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

To address a question like this, you need a topic that has real stakes —that is, something that you genuinely struggled with. Even though it can seem as though you should only discuss positive experiences and feelings in your college essay (you want to impress your readers with how awesome you are!), unwavering positivity actually hurts your essay because it makes you seem fake.

Instead, be honest : if you're writing about a negative experience, acknowledge that it was unpleasant or hard and explain why. Doing so will just make your overcoming it that much more impressive.

#2: Engaging With Diversity

Questions about diversity ask how you interact with those who are different from you . See an example below from the Common Application:

When approaching this type of question, you need to show that you're thoughtful about new ideas and perspectives. Colleges are full of students from all kinds of backgrounds, and admissions officers want to know that you'll be accepting of the diversity of other students, even if you don't necessarily agree with them.

Also, make sure to pick a specific instance to focus on. Writing a general essay about how you accept others won't impress admissions officers—you need to show them an example of a time that you did so.

#3: Growing Up

Finally, this type of prompt asks about a transitional experience or rite of passage that made you feel like an adult. I've reprinted another example from the Common App:

For these types of prompts, you want to show personal growth. Explain to the reader not just who you are but also how you've changed . (Really, this is a good idea no matter which prompt you're addressing!)

College can be challenging, so admissions officers want to know that you have the maturity to deal with (likely) living on your own, managing your own life, and planning for your future.

Regardless of the exact prompt, the key to this type of college essay is to show what you've learned from the experience. Admissions officers don't care that much about what happened to you—they care about what you think and feel about that event. That's what will give them a sense of who you are and what kind of college student you'll make.

Once you write a first draft, put it in a drawer for a week. Taking some time away from it will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes. Then, try to read your essay from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about you. Would they be able to understand the story? Do you explain clearly what you learned? Does your intro grab the reader's attention?

It can also be helpful to ask someone you trust, such as a parent, teacher, or peer, to read your essay and give you feedback. Really listen to what they say and think about how you can improve your writing.

Finally, try reading your essay aloud. This will help you catch any weird or awkward phrasings.

What's Next?

If you're struggling with how to approach your personal statement, consider looking at some college essay examples .

The essay is just one part of the college application process. Check out our guide to applying to college for a step-by-step breakdown of what you'll need to do.

Finally, if you're planning to take the SAT or ACT , consider taking a look at our expert test-prep guides for some helpful advice on whatever you might be struggling with.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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How long should my essay be?

The average length of a personal essay for college is 400─600 words. Always read the prompt. Follow the instructions provided in the application.

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Most high school students don’t get a lot of experience with creative writing, so the college essay can be especially daunting. Reading examples of successful essays, however, can help you understand what admissions officers are looking for.

In this post, we’ll share 16 college essay examples of many different topics. Most of the essay prompts fall into 8 different archetypes, and you can approach each prompt under that archetype in a similar way. We’ve grouped these examples by archetype so you can better structure your approach to college essays.

If you’re looking for school-specific guides, check out our 2022-2023 essay breakdowns .

Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Note: the essays are titled in this post for navigation purposes, but they were not originally titled. We also include the original prompt where possible.

The Common App essay goes to all of the schools on your list, unless those schools use a separate application platform. Because of this, it’s the most important essay in your portfolio, and likely the longest essay you’ll need to write (you get up to 650 words). 

The goal of this essay is to share a glimpse into who you are, what matters to you, and what you hope to achieve. It’s a chance to share your story. 

Learn more about how to write the Common App essay in our complete guide.

The Multiple Meanings of Point

Prompt: 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. (250-650 words)

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

The first obvious strength of this essay is the introduction—it is interesting and snappy and uses enough technical language that we want to figure out what the student is discussing. When writing introductions, students tend to walk the line between intriguing and confusing. It is important that your essay ends up on the intentionally intriguing side of that line—like this student does! We are a little confused at first, but by then introducing the idea of “sparring,” the student grounds their essay.

People often advise young writers to “show, not tell.” This student takes that advice a step further and makes the reader do a bit of work to figure out what they are telling us. Nowhere in this essay does it say “After years of Taekwondo, I made the difficult decision to switch over to ballet.” Rather, the student says “It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers.” How powerful! 

After a lot of emotional language and imagery, this student finishes off their essay with very valuable (and necessary!) reflection. They show admissions officers that they are more than just a good writer—they are a mature and self-aware individual who would be beneficial to a college campus. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values: “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.”

Sparking Self-Awareness

Prompt: 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? (250-650 words)

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

First things first, this Common App essay is well-written. This student is definitely showing the admissions officers her ability to articulate her points beautifully and creatively. It starts with vivid images like that of the “rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free.” And because the prose is flowery (and beautiful!), the writer can get away with metaphors like “I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms” that might sound cheesy without the clear command of the English language that the writer quickly establishes.

In addition to being well-written, this essay is thematically cohesive. It begins with the simple introduction “Fire!” and ends with the following image: “When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.” This full-circle approach leaves readers satisfied and impressed.

While dialogue often comes off as cliche or trite, this student effectively incorporates her family members saying “Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” This is achieved through the apt use of the verb “taunted” to characterize the questioning and through the question’s thematic connection to the earlier image of the student as a rustic princess. Similarly, rhetorical questions can feel randomly placed in essays, but this student’s inclusion of the questions “Was I so dainty?” and “Was I that incapable?” feel perfectly justified after she establishes that she was pondering her failure.

Quite simply, this essay shows how quality writing can make a simple story outstandingly compelling. 

Why This College?

“Why This College?” is one of the most common essay prompts, likely because schools want to understand whether you’d be a good fit and how you’d use their resources.

This essay is one of the more straightforward ones you’ll write for college applications, but you still can and should allow your voice to shine through.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This College?” essay in our guide.

Prompt: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying (650 words).

Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, “caring is the human mode of being.” I have long been inspired by Sister Roach’s Five C’s of Caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests outside of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn’s liberal arts curriculum to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, especially regarding healthcare access. Through courses like “Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals” and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I hope to learn how to better support the Penn LGBT community as well as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

CONSCIENCE. As one of the first people in my family to attend a four-year university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals by sparking thought- provoking, open-minded discussions. I can imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as “Health Care Reform & Future of American Health System” and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environment where students confidently voice their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value system.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn’s BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and hands-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share similar research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high school, I hope to work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, especially minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn’s unique use of simulations to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn’s nursing program allow students to apply their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crisis management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Research opportunities and simulations will develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

COMPASSION. I value giving back through community service, and I have a particular interest in Penn’s Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach fourth and fifth graders in the city about cardiology or lead a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Center. Furthermore, as a feminist who firmly believes in women’s abortion rights, I’d like to join NSRH in order to advocate for women’s health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

CONFIDENCE. All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The Five C’s of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, but they also provide insight into how I want to approach my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can’t wait to start.

This prompt from Penn asks students to tailor their answer to their specific field of study. One great thing that this student does is identify their undergraduate school early, by mentioning “Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics.” You don’t want readers confused or searching through other parts of your application to figure out your major.

With a longer essay like this, it is important to establish structure. Some students organize their essay in a narrative form, using an anecdote from their past or predicting their future at a school. This student uses Roach’s 5 C’s of Caring as a framing device that organizes their essay around values. This works well!

While this essay occasionally loses voice, there are distinct moments where the student’s personality shines through. We see this with phrases like “felt like drinking from a fire hose in the best possible way” and “All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence.” It is important to show off your personality to make your essay stand out. 

Finally, this student does a great job of referencing specific resources about Penn. It’s clear that they have done their research (they’ve even talked to current Quakers). They have dreams and ambitions that can only exist at Penn.

Prompt: What is it about Yale that has led you to apply? (125 words or fewer)

Coin collector and swimmer. Hungarian and Romanian. Critical and creative thinker. I was drawn to Yale because they don’t limit one’s mind with “or” but rather embrace unison with “and.” 

Wandering through the Beinecke Library, I prepare for my multidisciplinary Energy Studies capstone about the correlation between hedonism and climate change, making it my goal to find implications in environmental sociology. Under the tutelage of Assistant Professor Arielle Baskin-Sommers, I explore the emotional deficits of depression, utilizing neuroimaging to scrutinize my favorite branch of psychology: human perception. At Walden Peer Counseling, I integrate my peer support and active listening skills to foster an empathetic environment for the Yale community. Combining my interests in psychological and environmental studies is why I’m proud to be a Bulldog. 

This answer to the “Why This College” question is great because 1) the student shows their excitement about attending Yale 2) we learn the ways in which attending Yale will help them achieve their goals and 3) we learn their interests and identities.

In this response, you can find a prime example of the “Image of the Future” approach, as the student flashes forward and envisions their life at Yale, using present tense (“I explore,” “I integrate,” “I’m proud”). This approach is valuable if you are trying to emphasize your dedication to a specific school. Readers get the feeling that this student is constantly imagining themselves on campus—it feels like Yale really matters to them.

Starting this image with the Beinecke Library is great because the Beinecke Library only exists at Yale. It is important to tailor “Why This College” responses to each specific school. This student references a program of study, a professor, and an extracurricular that only exist at Yale. Additionally, they connect these unique resources to their interests—psychological and environmental studies.

Finally, we learn about the student (independent of academics) through this response. By the end of their 125 words, we know their hobbies, ethnicities, and social desires, in addition to their academic interests. It can be hard to tackle a 125-word response, but this student shows that it’s possible.

Why This Major?

The goal of this prompt is to understand how you came to be interested in your major and what you plan to do with it. For competitive programs like engineering, this essay helps admissions officers distinguish students who have a genuine passion and are most likely to succeed in the program. This is another more straightforward essay, but you do have a bit more freedom to include relevant anecdotes.

Learn more about how to write the “Why This Major?” essay in our guide.

Why Duke Engineering

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke (250 words).

One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering. Later, in a high school biology class, I learned that engineering didn’t only apply to circuits, but also to medical devices that could improve people’s quality of life. Biomedical engineering allows me to pursue my academic passions and help people at the same time.

Just as biology and engineering interact in biomedical engineering, I am fascinated by interdisciplinary research in my chosen career path. Duke offers unmatched resources, such as DUhatch and The Foundry, that will enrich my engineering education and help me practice creative problem-solving skills. The emphasis on entrepreneurship within these resources will also help me to make a helpful product. Duke’s Bass Connections program also interests me; I firmly believe that the most creative and necessary problem-solving comes by bringing people together from different backgrounds. Through this program, I can use my engineering education to solve complicated societal problems such as creating sustainable surgical tools for low-income countries. Along the way, I can learn alongside experts in the field. Duke’s openness and collaborative culture span across its academic disciplines, making Duke the best place for me to grow both as an engineer and as a social advocate.

This prompt calls for a complex answer. Students must explain both why they want to study engineering and why Duke is the best place for them to study engineering.

This student begins with a nice hook—a simple anecdote about a simple present with profound consequences. They do not fluff up their anecdote with flowery images or emotionally-loaded language; it is what it is, and it is compelling and sweet. As their response continues, they express a particular interest in problem-solving. They position problem-solving as a fundamental part of their interest in engineering (and a fundamental part of their fascination with their childhood toy). This helps readers to learn about the student!

Problem-solving is also the avenue by which they introduce Duke’s resources—DUhatch, The Foundry, and Duke’s Bass Connections program. It is important to notice that the student explains how these resources can help them achieve their future goals—it is not enough to simply identify the resources!

This response is interesting and focused. It clearly answers the prompt, and it feels honest and authentic.

Why Georgia Tech CompSci

Prompt: Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (300 words max)

I held my breath and hit RUN. Yes! A plump white cat jumped out and began to catch the falling pizzas. Although my Fat Cat project seems simple now, it was the beginning of an enthusiastic passion for computer science. Four years and thousands of hours of programming later, that passion has grown into an intense desire to explore how computer science can serve society. Every day, surrounded by technology that can recognize my face and recommend scarily-specific ads, I’m reminded of Uncle Ben’s advice to a young Spiderman: “with great power comes great responsibility”. Likewise, the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed with AI’s far-reaching presence in society; and I believe that digital fairness starts with equality in education.

The unique use of threads at the College of Computing perfectly matches my interests in AI and its potential use in education; the path of combined threads on Intelligence and People gives me the rare opportunity to delve deep into both areas. I’m particularly intrigued by the rich sets of both knowledge-based and data-driven intelligence courses, as I believe AI should not only show correlation of events, but also provide insight for why they occur.

In my four years as an enthusiastic online English tutor, I’ve worked hard to help students overcome both financial and technological obstacles in hopes of bringing quality education to people from diverse backgrounds. For this reason, I’m extremely excited by the many courses in the People thread that focus on education and human-centered technology. I’d love to explore how to integrate AI technology into the teaching process to make education more available, affordable, and effective for people everywhere. And with the innumerable opportunities that Georgia Tech has to offer, I know that I will be able to go further here than anywhere else.

With a “Why This Major” essay, you want to avoid using all of your words to tell a story. That being said, stories are a great way to show your personality and make your essay stand out. This student’s story takes up only their first 21 words, but it positions the student as fun and funny and provides an endearing image of cats and pizzas—who doesn’t love cats and pizzas? There are other moments when the student’s personality shines through also, like the Spiderman reference.

While this pop culture reference adds color, it also is important for what the student is getting at: their passion. They want to go into computer science to address the issues of security and equity that are on the industry’s mind, and they acknowledge these concerns with their comments about “scarily-specific ads” and their statement that “the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed.” This student is self-aware and aware of the state of the industry. This aptitude will be appealing for admissions officers.

The conversation around “threads” is essential for this student’s response because the prompt asks specifically about the major at Georgia Tech and it is the only thing they reference that is specific to Georgia Tech. Threads are great, but this student would have benefitted from expanding on other opportunities specific to Georgia Tech later in the essay, instead of simply inserting “innumerable opportunities.”

Overall, this student shows personality, passion, and aptitude—precisely what admissions officers want to see!

Extracurricular Essay

You’re asked to describe your activities on the Common App, but chances are, you have at least one extracurricular that’s impacted you in a way you can’t explain in 150 characters.

This essay archetype allows you to share how your most important activity shaped you and how you might use those lessons learned in the future. You are definitely welcome to share anecdotes and use a narrative approach, but remember to include some reflection. A common mistake students make is to only describe the activity without sharing how it impacted them.

Learn more about how to write the Extracurricular Essay in our guide.

A Dedicated Musician

My fingers raced across the keys, rapidly striking one after another. My body swayed with the music as my hands raced across the piano. Crashing onto the final chord, it was over as quickly as it had begun. My shoulders relaxed and I couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin. I had just played the Moonlight Sonata’s third movement, a longtime dream of mine. 

Four short months ago, though, I had considered it impossible. The piece’s tempo was impossibly fast, its notes stretching between each end of the piano, forcing me to reach farther than I had ever dared. It was 17 pages of the most fragile and intricate melodies I had ever encountered. 

But that summer, I found myself ready to take on the challenge. With the end of the school year, I was released from my commitment to practicing for band and solo performances. I was now free to determine my own musical path: either succeed in learning the piece, or let it defeat me for the third summer in a row. 

Over those few months, I spent countless hours practicing the same notes until they burned a permanent place in my memory, creating a soundtrack for even my dreams. Some would say I’ve mastered the piece, but as a musician I know better. Now that I can play it, I am eager to take the next step and add in layers of musicality and expression to make the once-impossible piece even more beautiful.

In this response, the student uses their extracurricular, piano, as a way to emphasize their positive qualities. At the beginning, readers are invited on a journey with the student where we feel their struggle, their intensity, and ultimately their satisfaction. With this descriptive image, we form a valuable connection with the student.

Then, we get to learn about what makes this student special: their dedication and work ethic. The fact that this student describes their desire to be productive during the summer shows an intensity that is appealing to admissions officers. Additionally, the growth mindset that this student emphasizes in their conclusion is appealing to admissions officers.

The Extracurricular Essay can be seen as an opportunity to characterize yourself. This student clearly identified their positive qualities, then used the Extracurricular Essay as a way to articulate them.

A Complicated Relationship with the School Newspaper

My school’s newspaper and I have a typical love-hate relationship; some days I want nothing more than to pass two hours writing and formatting articles, while on others the mere thought of student journalism makes me shiver. Still, as we’re entering our fourth year together, you could consider us relatively stable. We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences; at this point I’ve become comfortable spending an entire Friday night preparing for an upcoming issue, and I hardly even notice the snail-like speed of our computers. I’ve even benefitted from the polygamous nature of our relationship—with twelve other editors, there’s a lot of cooperation involved. Perverse as it may be, from that teamwork I’ve both gained some of my closest friends and improved my organizational and time-management skills. And though leaving it in the hands of new editors next year will be difficult, I know our time together has only better prepared me for future relationships.

This response is great. It’s cute and endearing and, importantly, tells readers a lot about the student who wrote it. Framing this essay in the context of a “love-hate relationship,” then supplementing with comments like “We’ve learned to accept each other’s differences” allows this student to advertise their maturity in a unique and engaging way. 

While Extracurricular Essays can be a place to show how you’ve grown within an activity, they can also be a place to show how you’ve grown through an activity. At the end of this essay, readers think that this student is mature and enjoyable, and we think that their experience with the school newspaper helped make them that way.

Participating in Democracy

Prompt: Research shows that an ability to learn from experiences outside the classroom correlates with success in college. What was your greatest learning experience over the past 4 years that took place outside of the traditional classroom? (250 words) 

The cool, white halls of the Rayburn House office building contrasted with the bustling energy of interns entertaining tourists, staffers rushing to cover committee meetings, and my fellow conference attendees separating to meet with our respective congresspeople. Through civics and US history classes, I had learned about our government, but simply hearing the legislative process outlined didn’t prepare me to navigate it. It was my first political conference, and, after learning about congressional mechanics during breakout sessions, I was lobbying my representative about an upcoming vote crucial to the US-Middle East relationship. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents.

As I sat down with my congresswoman’s chief of staff, I truly felt like a participant in democracy; I was exercising my right to be heard as a young American. Through this educational conference, I developed a plan of action to raise my voice. When I returned home, I signed up to volunteer with the state chapter of the Democratic Party. I sponsored letter-writing campaigns, canvassed for local elections, and even pursued an internship with a state senate campaign. I know that I don’t need to be old enough to vote to effect change. Most importantly, I also know that I want to study government—I want to make a difference for my communities in the United States and the Middle East throughout my career. 

While this prompt is about extracurricular activities, it specifically references the idea that the extracurricular should support the curricular. It is focused on experiential learning for future career success. This student wants to study government, so they chose to describe an experience of hands-on learning within their field—an apt choice!

As this student discusses their extracurricular experience, they also clue readers into their future goals—they want to help Middle Eastern communities. Admissions officers love when students mention concrete plans with a solid foundation. Here, the foundation comes from this student’s ethnicity. With lines like “my whole life had led me to the moment when I could speak on behalf of the family members who had not emigrated with my parents,” the student assures admissions officers of their emotional connection to their future field.

The strength of this essay comes from its connections. It connects the student’s extracurricular activity to their studies and connects theirs studies to their personal history.

Overcoming Challenges

You’re going to face a lot of setbacks in college, so admissions officers want to make you’re you have the resilience and resolve to overcome them. This essay is your chance to be vulnerable and connect to admissions officers on an emotional level.

Learn more about how to write the Overcoming Challenges Essay in our guide.

The Student Becomes the Master

”Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one. 

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay is great because it has a strong introduction and conclusion. The introduction is notably suspenseful and draws readers into the story. Because we know it is a college essay, we can assume that the student is one of the competitors, but at the same time, this introduction feels intentionally ambiguous as if the writer could be a competitor, a coach, a sibling of a competitor, or anyone else in the situation.

As we continue reading the essay, we learn that the writer is, in fact, the competitor. Readers also learn a lot about the student’s values as we hear their thoughts: “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was.” Ultimately, the conflict and inner and outer turmoil is resolved through the “Same, but Different” ending technique as the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiencing it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is a very compelling strategy!

Growing Sensitivity to Struggles

Prompt: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (650 words)

“You ruined my life!” After months of quiet anger, my brother finally confronted me. To my shame, I had been appallingly ignorant of his pain.

Despite being twins, Max and I are profoundly different. Having intellectual interests from a young age that, well, interested very few of my peers, I often felt out of step in comparison with my highly-social brother. Everything appeared to come effortlessly for Max and, while we share an extremely tight bond, his frequent time away with friends left me feeling more and more alone as we grew older.

When my parents learned about The Green Academy, we hoped it would be an opportunity for me to find not only an academically challenging environment, but also – perhaps more importantly – a community. This meant transferring the family from Drumfield to Kingston. And while there was concern about Max, we all believed that given his sociable nature, moving would be far less impactful on him than staying put might be on me.

As it turned out, Green Academy was everything I’d hoped for. I was ecstatic to discover a group of students with whom I shared interests and could truly engage. Preoccupied with new friends and a rigorous course load, I failed to notice that the tables had turned. Max, lost in the fray and grappling with how to make connections in his enormous new high school, had become withdrawn and lonely. It took me until Christmas time – and a massive argument – to recognize how difficult the transition had been for my brother, let alone that he blamed me for it.

Through my own journey of searching for academic peers, in addition to coming out as gay when I was 12, I had developed deep empathy for those who had trouble fitting in. It was a pain I knew well and could easily relate to. Yet after Max’s outburst, my first response was to protest that our parents – not I – had chosen to move us here. In my heart, though, I knew that regardless of who had made the decision, we ended up in Kingston for my benefit. I was ashamed that, while I saw myself as genuinely compassionate, I had been oblivious to the heartache of the person closest to me. I could no longer ignore it – and I didn’t want to.

We stayed up half the night talking, and the conversation took an unexpected turn. Max opened up and shared that it wasn’t just about the move. He told me how challenging school had always been for him, due to his dyslexia, and that the ever-present comparison to me had only deepened his pain.

We had been in parallel battles the whole time and, yet, I only saw that Max was in distress once he experienced problems with which I directly identified. I’d long thought Max had it so easy – all because he had friends. The truth was, he didn’t need to experience my personal brand of sorrow in order for me to relate – he had felt plenty of his own.

My failure to recognize Max’s suffering brought home for me the profound universality and diversity of personal struggle; everyone has insecurities, everyone has woes, and everyone – most certainly – has pain. I am acutely grateful for the conversations he and I shared around all of this, because I believe our relationship has been fundamentally strengthened by a deeper understanding of one another. Further, this experience has reinforced the value of constantly striving for deeper sensitivity to the hidden struggles of those around me. I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story.

Here you can find a prime example that you don’t have to have fabulous imagery or flowery prose to write a successful essay. You just have to be clear and say something that matters. This essay is simple and beautiful. It almost feels like having a conversation with a friend and learning that they are an even better person than you already thought they were.

Through this narrative, readers learn a lot about the writer—where they’re from, what their family life is like, what their challenges were as a kid, and even their sexuality. We also learn a lot about their values—notably, the value they place on awareness, improvement, and consideration of others. Though they never explicitly state it (which is great because it is still crystal clear!), this student’s ending of “I won’t make the mistake again of assuming that the surface of someone’s life reflects their underlying story” shows that they are constantly striving for improvement and finding lessons anywhere they can get them in life.

Community Service/Impact on the Community

Colleges want students who will positively impact the campus community and go on to make change in the world after they graduate. This essay is similar to the Extracurricular Essay, but you need to focus on a situation where you impacted others. 

Learn more about how to write the Community Service Essay in our guide.

Academic Signing Day

Prompt: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

The scent of eucalyptus caressed my nose in a gentle breeze. Spring had arrived. Senior class activities were here. As a sophomore, I noticed a difference between athletic and academic seniors at my high school; one received recognition while the other received silence. I wanted to create an event celebrating students academically-committed to four-years, community colleges, trades schools, and military programs. This event was Academic Signing Day.

The leadership label, “Events Coordinator,” felt heavy on my introverted mind. I usually was setting up for rallies and spirit weeks, being overlooked around the exuberant nature of my peers. 

I knew a change of mind was needed; I designed flyers, painted posters, presented powerpoints, created student-led committees, and practiced countless hours for my introductory speech. Each committee would play a vital role on event day: one dedicated to refreshments, another to technology, and one for decorations. The fourth-month planning was a laborious joy, but I was still fearful of being in the spotlight. Being acknowledged by hundreds of people was new to me.     

The day was here. Parents filled the stands of the multi-purpose room. The atmosphere was tense; I could feel the angst building in my throat, worried about the impression I would leave. Applause followed each of the 400 students as they walked to their college table, indicating my time to speak. 

I walked up to the stand, hands clammy, expression tranquil, my words echoing to the audience. I thought my speech would be met by the sounds of crickets; instead, smiles lit up the stands, realizing my voice shone through my actions. I was finally coming out of my shell. The floor was met by confetti as I was met by the sincerity of staff, students, and parents, solidifying the event for years to come. 

Academic students were no longer overshadowed. Their accomplishments were equally recognized to their athletic counterparts. The school culture of athletics over academics was no longer imbalanced. Now, every time I smell eucalyptus, it is a friendly reminder that on Academic Signing Day, not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.

This essay answers the prompt nicely because the student describes a contribution with a lasting legacy. Academic Signing Day will affect this high school in the future and it affected this student’s self-development—an idea summed up nicely with their last phrase “not only were academic students in the spotlight but so was my voice.”

With Community Service essays, students sometimes take small contributions and stretch them. And, oftentimes, the stretch is very obvious. Here, the student shows us that Academic Signing Day actually mattered by mentioning four months of planning and hundreds of students and parents. They also make their involvement in Academic Signing Day clear—it was their idea and they were in charge, and that’s why they gave the introductory speech.

Use this response as an example of the type of focused contribution that makes for a convincing Community Service Essay.

Climate Change Rally

Prompt: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? (technically not community service, but the response works)

Let’s fast-forward time. Strides were made toward racial equality. Healthcare is accessible to all; however, one issue remains. Our aquatic ecosystems are parched with dead coral from ocean acidification. Climate change has prevailed.

Rewind to the present day.

My activism skills are how I express my concerns for the environment. Whether I play on sandy beaches or rest under forest treetops, nature offers me an escape from the haste of the world. When my body is met by trash in the ocean or my nose is met by harmful pollutants, Earth’s pain becomes my own. 

Substituting coffee grinds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale. I often found performative activism to be ineffective when communicating climate concerns. My days of reposting awareness graphics on social media never filled the ambition I had left to put my activism skills to greater use. I decided to share my ecocentric worldview with a coalition of environmentalists and host a climate change rally outside my high school.

Meetings were scheduled where I informed students about the unseen impact they have on the oceans and local habitual communities. My fingers were cramped from all the constant typing and investigating of micro causes of the Pacific Waste Patch, creating reusable flyers, displaying steps people could take from home in reducing their carbon footprint. I aided my fellow environmentalists in translating these flyers into other languages, repeating this process hourly, for five days, up until rally day.  

It was 7:00 AM. The faces of 100 students were shouting, “The climate is changing, why can’t we?” I proudly walked on the dewy grass, grabbing the microphone, repeating those same words. The rally not only taught me efficient methods of communication but it echoed my environmental activism to the masses. The City of Corona would be the first of many cities to see my activism, as more rallies were planned for various parts of SoCal. My once unfulfilled ambition was fueled by my tangible activism, understanding that it takes more than one person to make an environmental impact.

Like with the last example, this student describes a focused event with a lasting legacy. That’s a perfect place to start! By the end of this essay, we have an image of the cause of this student’s passion and the effect of this student’s passion. There are no unanswered questions.

This student supplements their focused topic with engaging and exciting writing to make for an easy-to-read and enjoyable essay. One of the largest strengths of this response is its pace. From the very beginning, we are invited to “fast-forward” and “rewind” with the writer. Then, after we center ourselves in real-time, this writer keeps their quick pace with sentences like “Substituting coffee grounds as fertilizer, using bamboo straws, starting my sustainable garden, my individual actions needed to reach a larger scale.” Community Service essays run the risk of turning boring, but this unique pacing keeps things interesting.

Having a diverse class provides a richness of different perspectives and encourages open-mindedness among the student body. The Diversity Essay is also somewhat similar to the Extracurricular and Community Service Essays, but it focuses more on what you might bring to the campus community because of your unique experiences or identities.

Learn more about how to write the Diversity Essay in our guide.

A Story of a Young Skater

​​“Everyone follow me!” I smiled at five wide-eyed skaters before pushing off into a spiral. I glanced behind me hopefully, only to see my students standing frozen like statues, the fear in their eyes as clear as the ice they swayed on. “Come on!” I said encouragingly, but the only response I elicited was the slow shake of their heads. My first day as a Learn-to-Skate coach was not going as planned. 

But amid my frustration, I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater. At seven, I had been fascinated by Olympic performers who executed thrilling high jumps and dizzying spins with apparent ease, and I dreamed to one day do the same. My first few months on skates, however, sent these hopes crashing down: my attempts at slaloms and toe-loops were shadowed by a stubborn fear of falling, which even the helmet, elbow pads, and two pairs of mittens I had armed myself with couldn’t mitigate. Nonetheless, my coach remained unfailingly optimistic, motivating me through my worst spills and teaching me to find opportunities in failures. With his encouragement, I learned to push aside my fears and attack each jump with calm and confidence; it’s the hope that I can help others do the same that now inspires me to coach.

I remember the day a frustrated staff member directed Oliver, a particularly hesitant young skater, toward me, hoping that my patience and steady encouragement might help him improve. Having stood in Oliver’s skates not much earlier myself, I completely empathized with his worries but also saw within him the potential to overcome his fears and succeed. 

To alleviate his anxiety, I held Oliver’s hand as we inched around the rink, cheering him on at every turn. I soon found though, that this only increased his fear of gliding on his own, so I changed my approach, making lessons as exciting as possible in hopes that he would catch the skating bug and take off. In the weeks that followed, we held relay races, played “freeze-skate” and “ice-potato”, and raced through obstacle courses; gradually, with each slip and subsequent success, his fear began to abate. I watched Oliver’s eyes widen in excitement with every skill he learned, and not long after, he earned his first skating badge. Together we celebrated this milestone, his ecstasy fueling my excitement and his pride mirroring my own. At that moment, I was both teacher and student, his progress instilling in me the importance of patience and a positive attitude. 

It’s been more than ten years since I bundled up and stepped onto the ice for the first time. Since then, my tolerance for the cold has remained stubbornly low, but the rest of me has certainly changed. In sharing my passion for skating, I have found a wonderful community of eager athletes, loving parents, and dedicated coaches from whom I have learned invaluable lessons and wisdom. My fellow staffers have been with me, both as friends and colleagues, and the relationships I’ve formed have given me far more poise, confidence, and appreciation for others. Likewise, my relationships with parents have given me an even greater gratitude for the role they play: no one goes to the rink without a parent behind the wheel! 

Since that first lesson, I have mentored dozens of children, and over the years, witnessed tentative steps transform into powerful glides and tears give way to delighted grins. What I have shared with my students has been among the greatest joys of my life, something I will cherish forever. It’s funny: when I began skating, what pushed me through the early morning practices was the prospect of winning an Olympic medal. Now, what excites me is the chance to work with my students, to help them grow, and to give back to the sport that has brought me so much happiness. 

This response is a great example of how Diversity doesn’t have to mean race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, or ability. Diversity can mean whatever you want it to mean—whatever unique experience(s) you have to bring to the table!

A major strength of this essay comes in its narrative organization. When reading this first paragraph, we feel for the young skaters and understand their fear—skating sounds scary! Then, because the writer sets us up to feel this empathy, the transition to the second paragraph where the student describes their empathy for the young skaters is particularly powerful. It’s like we are all in it together! The student’s empathy for the young skaters also serves as an outstanding, seamless transition to the applicant discussing their personal journey with skating: “I was struck by how much my students reminded me of myself as a young skater.”

This essay positions the applicant as a grounded and caring individual. They are caring towards the young skaters—changing their teaching style to try to help the young skaters and feeling the young skaters’ emotions with them—but they are also appreciative to those who helped them as they reference their fellow staffers and parents. This shows great maturity—a favorable quality in the eyes of an admissions officer.

At the end of the essay, we know a lot about this student and are convinced that they would be a good addition to a college campus!

Finding Community in the Rainforest

Prompt: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger. If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had to help us understand you better—perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background—we encourage you to do so. Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke (250 words).

I never understood the power of community until I left home to join seven strangers in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Although we flew in from distant corners of the U.S., we shared a common purpose: immersing ourselves in our passion for protecting the natural world.

Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns. My classmates debated the feasibility of Trump’s wall, not the deteriorating state of our planet. Contrastingly, these seven strangers delighted in bird-watching, brightened at the mention of medicinal tree sap, and understood why I once ran across a four-lane highway to retrieve discarded beer cans. Their histories barely resembled mine, yet our values aligned intimately. We did not hesitate to joke about bullet ants, gush about the versatility of tree bark, or discuss the destructive consequences of materialism. Together, we let our inner tree huggers run free.

In the short life of our little community, we did what we thought was impossible. By feeding on each other’s infectious tenacity, we cultivated an atmosphere that deepened our commitment to our values and empowered us to speak out on behalf of the environment. After a week of stimulating conversations and introspective revelations about engaging people from our hometowns in environmental advocacy, we developed a shared determination to devote our lives to this cause.

As we shared a goodbye hug, my new friend whispered, “The world needs saving. Someone’s gotta do it.” For the first time, I believed that someone could be me.

This response is so wholesome and relatable. We all have things that we just need to geek out over and this student expresses the joy that came when they found a community where they could geek out about the environment. Passion is fundamental to university life and should find its way into successful applications.

Like the last response, this essay finds strength in the fact that readers feel for the student. We get a little bit of backstory about where they come from and how they felt silenced—“Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns”—, so it’s easy to feel joy for them when they get set free.

This student displays clear values: community, ecoconsciousness, dedication, and compassion. An admissions officer who reads Diversity essays is looking for students with strong values and a desire to contribute to a university community—sounds like this student!  

Political/Global Issues

Colleges want to build engaged citizens, and the Political/Global Issues Essay allows them to better understand what you care about and whether your values align with theirs. In this essay, you’re most commonly asked to describe an issue, why you care about it, and what you’ve done or hope to do to address it. 

Learn more about how to write the Political/Global Issues Essay in our guide.

Note: this prompt is not a typical political/global issues essay, but the essay itself would be a strong response to a political/global issues prompt.

Fighting Violence Against Women

Prompt: Using a favorite quotation from an essay or book you have read in the last three years as a starting point, tell us about an event or experience that helped you define one of your values or changed how you approach the world. Please write the quotation, title and author at the beginning of your essay. (250-650 words)

“One of the great challenges of our time is that the disparities we face today have more complex causes and point less straightforwardly to solutions.” 

– Omar Wasow, assistant professor of politics, Princeton University. This quote is taken from Professor Wasow’s January 2014 speech at the Martin Luther King Day celebration at Princeton University. 

The air is crisp and cool, nipping at my ears as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky, starless. It is a Friday night in downtown Corpus Christi, a rare moment of peace in my home city filled with the laughter of strangers and colorful lights of street vendors. But I cannot focus. 

My feet stride quickly down the sidewalk, my hand grasps on to the pepper spray my parents gifted me for my sixteenth birthday. My eyes ignore the surrounding city life, focusing instead on a pair of tall figures walking in my direction. I mentally ask myself if they turned with me on the last street corner. I do not remember, so I pick up the pace again. All the while, my mind runs over stories of young women being assaulted, kidnapped, and raped on the street. I remember my mother’s voice reminding me to keep my chin up, back straight, eyes and ears alert. 

At a young age, I learned that harassment is a part of daily life for women. I fell victim to period-shaming when I was thirteen, received my first catcall when I was fourteen, and was nonconsensually grabbed by a man soliciting on the street when I was fifteen. For women, assault does not just happen to us— its gory details leave an imprint in our lives, infecting the way we perceive the world. And while movements such as the Women’s March and #MeToo have given victims of sexual violence a voice, harassment still manifests itself in the lives of millions of women across the nation. Symbolic gestures are important in spreading awareness but, upon learning that a surprising number of men are oblivious to the frequent harassment that women experience, I now realize that addressing this complex issue requires a deeper level of activism within our local communities. 

Frustrated with incessant cases of harassment against women, I understood at sixteen years old that change necessitates action. During my junior year, I became an intern with a judge whose campaign for office focused on a need for domestic violence reform. This experience enabled me to engage in constructive dialogue with middle and high school students on how to prevent domestic violence. As I listened to young men uneasily admit their ignorance and young women bravely share their experiences in an effort to spread awareness, I learned that breaking down systems of inequity requires changing an entire culture. I once believed that the problem of harassment would dissipate after politicians and celebrities denounce inappropriate behavior to their global audience. But today, I see that effecting large-scale change comes from the “small” lessons we teach at home and in schools. Concerning women’s empowerment, the effects of Hollywood activism do not trickle down enough. Activism must also trickle up and it depends on our willingness to fight complacency. 

Finding the solution to the long-lasting problem of violence against women is a work-in-progress, but it is a process that is persistently moving. In my life, for every uncomfortable conversation that I bridge, I make the world a bit more sensitive to the unspoken struggle that it is to be a woman. I am no longer passively waiting for others to let me live in a world where I can stand alone under the expanse of darkness on a city street, utterly alone and at peace. I, too, deserve the night sky.

As this student addresses an important social issue, she makes the reasons for her passion clear—personal experiences. Because she begins with an extended anecdote, readers are able to feel connected to the student and become invested in what she has to say.

Additionally, through her powerful ending—“I, too, deserve the night sky”—which connects back to her beginning— “as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky”—this student illustrates a mastery of language. Her engagement with other writing techniques that further her argument, like the emphasis on time—“gifted to me for my sixteenth birthday,” “when I was thirteen,” “when I was fourteen,” etc.—also illustrates her mastery of language.

While this student proves herself a good writer, she also positions herself as motivated and ambitious. She turns her passions into action and fights for them. That is just what admissions officers want to see in a Political/Global issues essay!

Where to Get Feedback on Your College Essays

Once you’ve written your college essays, you’ll want to get feedback on them. Since these essays are important to your chances of acceptance, you should prepare to go through several rounds of edits. 

Not sure who to ask for feedback? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review resource. You can get comments from another student going through the process and also edit other students’ essays to improve your own writing. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

How Long Is an Essay? The Ultimate Essay Length Guide

It’s safe to say that most students struggle with the word limit within an essay. Sometimes, it’s hard to find ideas for a text and meet the word requirement for every part of the paper. With so many factors influencing essay length, it’s easy to get confused.

Luckily, our custom-writing team has your back. In this article, our custom-writing experts will answer all your questions regarding essay length. We will also help you write papers with an ideal number of words!

📜 Is Essay Length Important?

📏 essay parts: recommended length.

• 🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer
• 📑 Essay Length & Formatting
• ❓ Different Academic Levels FAQ
• 📚 Essay Length: Different Types
• ⭐ Other Aspects
• 📝 Essay Examples

🔍 References

Often, the phrase “word limit” causes panic among students. After all, if an essay is too long or too short, your grade will be lowered. However, in reality, there’s nothing to worry about. When it comes to words, limitations are beneficial for both the students and the professors.

Let’s see what exactly it means.

Many people believe that the longer an essay is, the better. However, according to Frontiers, research shows that it’s a bias that couldn’t be further from the truth. A perfect-length paper is one that allows students to express their ideas and showcase their knowledge fully while keeping it clean and simple.

What Influences Essay Length

Various factors determine the length of an essay. Here are the most important ones:

Let’s start with the essentials. Usually, assignment length is given as a number of words rather than pages. Unless your supervisor or instructor mentions any specific limitations, it’s acceptable to be 10% below or above the word limit.

It’s also worth knowing the 80/20 rule . According to it, the body should constitute 80% of the text, while the intro and the conclusion take up the remaining 20%.

Keep reading to learn more about the recommended length of each essay part. The main numbers are shown in the table below:

How Long Should an Introduction Be?

An introduction is the first section and the face of your essay. For that reason, it needs to be compelling and well-thought-out. Usually, it consists of 3 to 5 sentences or 50 to 80 words .

An introduction must have a hook, some background information, and a thesis statement. While the attention grabber and the thesis are usually brief, you may need 2 to 3 sentences for the background. To avoid going overboard, try to stay on topic and don’t add any filler.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph in an Essay?

The length of a body paragraph may vary. Sometimes, it can be limited to a single sentence. In other cases, it may take up a whole page. Usually, it’s recommended to have between 80 and 200 words (5-8 sentences) per body paragraph.

Since the paper’s body contains the most information, it’s necessary to explain and support your ideas properly. That’s why it’s no big deal if your body paragraphs go slightly over the word limit.

How Many Body Paragraphs Should Be in an Essay?

Like the word count, the number of paragraphs is determined by the type of paper and its topic. The minimum is 1. Generally, however, the body consists of 3-5 paragraphs , 1 for each argument.

To improve your paper’s structure, ensure that there are as many paragraphs as there are points in your thesis statement. Each one should have a purpose and support your arguments. If there’s any fluff, it’s better to get rid of it.

How Long Should a Conclusion Be?

Like the introduction, the conclusion consists of 50-80 words . It’s essential to keep it simple and only mention the central ideas. A weak concluding sentence may affect the reader’s understanding of the topic and spoil the overall impression of your paper.

🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer: Best Tips

Undoubtedly the essay’s content is more important than the number of words you use. But there are times when students go more than 10-15% below or over the limit. Is there a solution to this problem?

Yes, there is! In this section, we will share the most useful tips to help you stay on point with your paper’s word count.

How to Make Essays Longer

Since having enough words is essential for a good grade, we’ve collected the best tips that can help you lengthen your essay without teachers noticing:

• Use relevant quotations.  You don’t need to litter your essay with citations, but using them whenever appropriate is a great idea. For instance, if you’re working on a book analysis, referencing a couple of direct quotes from the source text will make your essay more credible and increase the word count.
• Give examples.  Go through the claims in your paper and provide additional evidence where possible. It will make your essay longer and more informative.
• Use transitional expressions.  Adding transition words and phrases is a natural way of increasing the number of words. It will also improve your essay’s readability. 
• Add more references.  Providing references is always a good idea when writing a formal essay. That way, you will increase the number of words and make your paper more credible.
• Work on your descriptions.  If you struggle to develop new ideas, go over what you’ve already written and consider adding some descriptive words. It’s a great idea for creative essays to include more imagery. 

How to Shorten an Essay

Another struggle of academic writing is cutting down the number of words in your essay to meet a set limit. We are here to tell you that it’s not that hard. Writing straightforwardly and keeping your sentences short is a key to concise content. Here are several strategies you may use to tighten a lengthy essay:

• Choose the active voice.  It takes up less space than passive voice. Using it also makes your writing more professional and compelling.
• Remove needless transitions.  Transitions can indeed maintain the flow of the paper. But some transitional phrases can be easily removed.
• Get rid of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.  Some students tend to overuse adjectives and adverbs. It adds wordiness to their writing.
• Avoid running starts.  Some students like to start their sentences with long phrases like: “there are,” “it is believed,” or “the fact that.” Getting rid of them makes texts much more concise.
• Delete “that.”  In most cases, the word “that” can often be easily removed from texts.

Another cool trick is to use our summarizing tool as essay shortener. Try it out!

📑 How Long Is an Essay Depending on Formatting?

As we mentioned earlier, the essay’s length is usually limited by the number of words. But sometimes, a teacher may ask you to write a specific number of pages. This is trickier because the amount of text you can place on the page depends on the formatting. By using the font size and spacing properly, it’s possible to make the paper visually longer or shorter. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

Essay Spacing: How Does It Affect the Length?

• Adjusting the spacing between lines.  Try to make the changes as slight as possible. For instance, if you were asked to double-space the paper, use 2.1 or 2.2 spacing instead. Another option is to slightly extend spaces between paragraphs.
• Extending the margin size.  You can increase the right and bottom margins by a quarter to make very subtle changes in length. For example, if the margins are 1 inch , you can set them at 1.25 inches instead. 
• Increasing the spacing between characters.  It is less noticeable than the line spacing. Still, try not to overdo it and keep the numbers between 1.2 and 1.5 . 
• Adjusting the footer.  Add a footer with page numbers to stretch the bottom margin even further.
• Lengthening the header.  You can extend your header by adding your name, e-mail address, or other relevant information. Another option is double-spacing it.

Length of an Essay: Font and Size

• Using the right type of font.  If your instructor didn’t specify which font you should use, go for the bigger ones. We suggest Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. They will make your text look longer without being too on the nose.  
• Using a bigger font size.  This is another technique that can come in handy. However, be careful and don’t increase your font by more than 0.1-0.5 pt.  
• Increasing the size of periods and commas.   This is one of the less noticeable tricks you can use. For instance, if your paper’s font is 12 pt. , increase it to 14 pt. only for punctuation marks. Italicizing periods and commas will also add several lines of length to your essay. 

What to Do if There Are No Length Guidelines

Sometimes a teacher sets no word limit for a written work. What to do in that case? Well, first, you can ask your professor to confirm if they have simply forgotten to mention it. But if that’s not the case, here are a couple of helpful solutions:

• Think of the paragraph number.  Sometimes, you may be given the number of paragraphs instead of words. In that case, you can decide on the number of words depending on how many paragraphs you have. 
• Think about the topic’s complexity.  The length of your paper is also directly dependent on the theme. If the topic is simple, 4-5 paragraphs will be enough. A more complex issue may require an in-depth explanation, so your essay can be 6-8 paragraphs long.

❓ Essay Length for Different Academic Levels FAQ

The length of the elementary school essay is usually short. Usually, a paper needs to have around 3-5 paragraphs, with 4-5 sentences per paragraph. Primary school essays can be 1-2 paragraphs long.

The word limit for a middle school essay is usually between 300 to 1000 words. The most common essay length is 500 words, which is about 5 paragraphs. However, it may differ from school to school.

The length of the high school essay may differ depending on the school and the complexity of the task itself. Usually, however, a paper can be between 300 to 1000 words long.

The length of the undergraduate college essay often falls within the range of 1500 to 2100 words. It translates into roughly 5-7 pages. 5 pages is the most common essay length at this level.

When it comes to the graduate school admission essay, the word limit is usually between 500 and 1000 words. It’s possible to go slightly over or below the set limit; however, it’s best to stick to the requirements as close as possible.

📚 How Long Should an Essay Be: Different Types

Now, let’s talk about different types of essays. How long should they be? Keep reading to learn about the length of college essays, short and extended ones, scholarship essays, and research papers.

How Long Is a College Essay?

When it comes to a college essay, it’s more important to stick to the word limit than with any other paper. Some teachers may refuse to read it unless it meets all the requirements.

The shortest limit for a college essay is about 250 words which is the shortest length of a Common App personal statement. It’s also rare to see a good college essay with over 650 words . So, an average piece usually has between 150 and 650 words ; you can go over or below the limit by 50.

How Long Is a Paragraph in College Essays?

A college essay usually consists of 4-5 paragraphs . One paragraph takes about 1/3 of the page, which is roughly 5 sentences . Each sentence corresponds with one of the following components:

• Topic sentence.
• Explanation.
• Transitions.

College Essay Length Requirements: Top 5 Schools

To understand the requirements for a college application essay even better, take a look at the table below. It showcases the top 5 schools and their length criteria for personal statements. Keep it in mind when writing your college essay:

How Long Is a Short Essay?

A short essay is usually 500 words long. Using 12pt Times New Roman font with standard margins and double spacing should result in about 2 pages of text.

Extended Essay Length

An extended essay is different from a short or a standard one. It requires extensive research and thorough explanation. That’s why the upper limit for this kind of essay is 4000 words . In this case, a typical essay length is 3500 words or 18 paragraphs .

Scholarship Essay Length

Generally, scholarship papers have a limit of 500 words , which is 1 page in length. Most scholarship programs provide additional requirements that indicate the minimum number of words or pages. If there are no set limitations, you can stick to the limit.

How Long Is a Research Paper?

Typically, a research paper is between 4000 and 6000 words long. Sometimes, there are shorter papers, which have around 2000 words, or in-depth ones with over 10000 words.

⭐ Other Aspects of Essay Length

When it comes to essay length, many different aspects come into play. Here, we’ve gathered all the essential information regarding an essay’s number of pages, paragraphs, words, and references.

How Many Paragraphs Are in an Essay?

Sometimes, it is more convenient to count paragraphs rather than words. Let’s now figure out how many paragraphs are in essays of different lengths. You may also check out the examples to see what such an essay looks like:

How to Count Paragraphs in an Essay Based on Word Count

You can also count the number of body paragraphs for your essay using the formula below:

Number of body paragraphs (average) = (TWC – TWC*0.16)/100

• TWC – total word count
• 0.16 – an average percentage of total word count for introduction and conclusion
• 100 – an average number of words per paragraph

How Many Pages Are in an Essay?

The number of pages in your essay may vary from subject to subject. But it’s still possible to determine the number of pages based on word count. Check out the numbers below to see the conversions with bonus examples:

You can also use a specialized calculator such as Word Counter to determine a number of pages in your essay.

What Does an Essay Look Like when Typed?

You might be wondering: what do essays of different lengths look like when typed? Well, here’s the table where you can find out the metrics for single- and double-spaced papers.

How Many Pages Are in a Handwritten Essay?

In case you need to turn in a handwritten paper, you should check out the table below.

Counting Words in a Handwritten Essay

If you don’t have enough time to count the words in your handwritten essay one by one, here’s what you can do:

• Count how many words there are in one line. Take the first and last lines and a line in the middle of a page. Let’s say there are 15, 14, and 15 words in them. Then, the average number of words per line is 15.
• Next, count how many lines there are on one page. Let’s say there are 17 lines on a page.
• Take the number of words per line and multiply it by the number of lines per page. In our case, we multiply 15 by 17. So, there are 255 words per page on average.
• Finally, multiply the number of words per page by the number of pages. If your essay has 3 pages, it is approximately 765 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write an Essay?

It is crucial to know how long writing will take you, especially if you are working on an exam essay or just short on time. Note that you need to consider the time for typing and researching necessary to complete a piece. Research time may vary. Usually, it’s 1-2 hours for 200-250 words .

Below, we’ve gathered the average writing time for average and slower writing speed:

And here are the results in pages:

How Many References Does an Essay Need?

Another essential part of any composition is the reference list. Different academic levels require different references. You’ll find out how many of them should be in your paper in the table below!

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

Finally, we’ve gathered some excellent sample essays of different lengths. Make sure to check them out!

We also recommend you check out our free essay samples sorted by pages:

• 1-Page Essay Examples
• 2-Page Essay Examples
• 3-Page Essay Examples
• 4-Page Essay Examples
• 5-Page Essay Examples
• 10-Page Essay Examples
• 20-Page Essay Examples
• 30-Page Essay Examples
• 40-Page Essay Examples
• 50-Page Essay Examples

Now you know all about essay length, word limits, and ways to lengthen or shorten your text. If you know other interesting tricks, make sure to share them in a comment! Good luck with your writing assignments!

You may also like:

• How to Write a Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline
• How to Write a Precis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 
• How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay: Examples & Guide
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
• How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example
• Word Limits and Assignment Length: Massey University
• The Paragraph in the College Essay: California State University, Long Beach
• Introductions & Conclusions: The University of Arizona Global Campus
• How Long Should a Paragraph Be?: Daily Writing Tips
• Paragraphing (Length Consistency): Purdue University
• Hitting the Target Word Count in Your College Admission Essay: Dummies.com
• How Long Should Your College Essay Be? What is the Ideal Length?: College Vine
• Writing Personal Statements Online: Issues of Length and Form: Penn State University
• Pen Admissions: Essays: University of Pennsylvania
• Essay Questions: University of Michigan
• Essay Structure: Harvard University
• Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
• Write Your Essay: UNSW Sydney
• College Writing: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• 21 Helpful and Easy Tips to Make an Essay Longer: Seventeen
• How to Make a College Paper Longer: ThoughtCo
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How to Write a 600 Word Essay: Examples and Samples

We will define, write, organize, and revise a 600-word essay in this article. We’ll also provide subject suggestions and examples. You’ll also get helpful essay-writing guidelines. We’ll answer questions about an essay’s length and number of paragraphs. Finally, we’ll debate if 600 words can be written or spoken in a certain period. This article will help you How to write a 600 word essay .

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What is a 600-Word Essay?

A 600-word essay is short. It helps pupils articulate their views, ideas, and arguments in a constrained word count. This article will describe a 600-word essay and provide writing advice. The structure is key to understanding a 600-word essay. An introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion make up an essay. Each part has a function and helps the essay flow. A 600-word is 1.2 pages single-spaced or 2.4 pages double-spaced. A standard single-spaced page contains 500 words.

A 600-word essay’s beginning draws the reader in and introduces the subject. The thesis statement should express the essay’s major idea. The thesis statement for an essay about the health advantages of exercise may be: “Regular physical exercise offers numerous health benefits and enhances overall well-being.” In a 600-word essay, two to three body paragraphs support the primary points. Each paragraph should address a thesis-related topic. To reinforce your argument, provide proof, instances, or facts. Due to the word restriction, be brief and minimize duplication and superfluous information. A 600-word essay’s conclusion should briefly repeat the argument and summarize the body paragraphs. It’s a chance to impress the reader by highlighting the thesis and ending the essay.

An essay takes time and preparation. Researching, planning, drafting, and rewriting the essay requires considerable time. Since word count is restricted, remain on the subject and avoid digressions. Clear and succinct wording helps the essay be read and comprehended. To communicate successfully, use basic language. Writing a 600-word essay requires sticking to the word limit. Exceeding the limit may result in fines or poorer grades. Thus, while writing, check the word count and modify it as appropriate.

How to write a 600-word essay? 7 Steps

600 words = 2 pages. However, use writing techniques that show the tone of the work. This piece talks about important parts that affect tone or taste. To write a 600-word essay that shows what you think, you need to plan and order. There are seven steps to writing a well-structured 600-word essay:

Step 1: Understand the Essay Prompt

Before you write your 600-word essay, you should know what the question is. Read and highlight words and directions that are important. Find the main idea of your paper. Understanding the task will help you focus on what you need to do and make sure you cover everything.

Step 2: Plan Your Essay

A well-organized essay needs good planning. Think of ideas that connect to the writing topic. Make a plan with an opening, the main parts of the essay, and a closing. The opening should set the scene and state your main point. Each body piece should have facts or examples to back up one main idea. In your end, you should summarize your main points.

Step 3: Research

To back up your essay topic, you may need to do research. Use scholarly journals, books, and sources you know you can trust. Note your important points, facts, and numbers. Cite your sources to avoid copying.

Step 4: Write the beginning

The first line of your essay should get people interested. Start with a fact, question, or quote that is interesting. Put your work in context by using what you know about the subject. Last, say your thesis, which is a summary of your main point. There are thesis statements in the introductory lines. It makes sure that the main topic of the study is covered clearly. The study points should be emphasized in the first line. The ready should know the basic study question and how to solve it.

Step 5: Write paragraphs for the body

In an essay, the body parts explain and back up your main points. Topic sentences tell you what each piece is about. Next, show proof that your claim is true. Transitions between lines make it easier for ideas to flow. Each body piece should have 100 words and make sense.

Step 6: Write the ending

Your main points should be summed up in the last line of your essay. Restate your point of view and give a summary of the main parts. Don’t tell people anything new at the end. Instead, end with a powerful statement. One paragraph ends your case.

Step 7: Edit

After you’ve written your essay, rewrite it and make changes. Check your work for grammar, punctuation, and word problems. Make sure your words and ideas move well. Take out words that aren’t necessary to meet the 600-word cap. Ask a friend, teacher, or leader you can trust for their opinion. After getting feedback, make changes or check your work before turning it in.

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How to Structure 600 Word Essay

An outline, opening, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion are the usual parts of a 600-word essay’s structure.

An outline is an organized plan or framework that helps you organize and show your ideas. It establishes the major subjects and logical sequence of discussion. Speeches, presentations, academic writing, and project planning all employ outlines.

Example for outline In an academic framework, titles and subheadings show the main idea and thoughts that support it in a paper or essay. Let’s look at a rough draught of an article about the benefits of exercise: Getting started Benefits for your body Benefits for your mental health The Benefits of Exercise to Society In the end

This template provides a complete essay structure. The main part of the article is about the physical, mental, and social benefits of exercise. In each part, the main ideas are supported by sub-points.

Introduction

The start of a 600-word essay sets the tone and engages readers. It should introduce your essay, provide the backdrop, and give a solid thesis statement.

Example of introduction This training program may help you reach your objectives and improve your health, whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner. This program helps you prioritize physical fitness in today’s fast-paced society. You may push yourself and achieve improvement by combining aerobic, strength, and flexibility activities. We’ll propose tweaks and alternatives to accommodate varied fitness levels. Prepare to sweat, challenge yourself, and accept the good transformation. Grab your training gear and let’s change together! Remember that dedication and determination lead to success.

Thesis Statement

An essay or research paper’s thesis statement is a brief overview. After the opening paragraph, it guides the reader to the work’s main assertion or objective.

Example of Thesis Statement “Hospitals provide comprehensive healthcare, progress medicine, and improve patient outcomes via efficient operations and patient-centered care”. Hospitals provide essential treatment to all age groups in contemporary society. They impact healthcare, research, and community service beyond medical treatment. This study examines hospitals’ varied functions and social influence. Hospitals are complete healthcare centers. They provide primary care, emergency response, and specialized care under one roof. Hospitals coordinate care across departments and specializations to treat patients quickly and effectively. This integrated strategy improves health and patient experience. Second, hospitals spur medical innovation. Hospitals create innovative treatments, drugs, and medical technology via research and cooperation. They allow doctors and researchers to share information, run clinical studies, and discover new treatments. Hospitals increase treatment choices and patient outcomes by encouraging innovation. Hospitals emphasize comprehensive treatment for patients. Patient-centered care tailors healthcare to individual requirements, choices, and values. Hospitals hire doctors who are skilled, compassionate, and communicative. This patient-centered approach offers personalized care for physical and emotional healing.

Body Paragraphs

In the body lines, the author gives and supports their points of view. The body lines talk about the structure, function, importance, and biological roles of plants. Body paragraphs about plants:

Example for Body Paragraphs Body Paragraph 1: Plants have different parts and systems that help them live in different places. Their root systems hold the dirt in place and take in nutrients. Between the roots and the leaves, the stem holds water, nutrients, and carbs. Photosynthesis is the process by which flattened leaves with chlorophyll-filled cells turn sunshine into energy. These structure changes help plants get the most out of their growth and resources. Body Paragraph 2:  Plants have several ecological benefits. The food chain starts with photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, animals and people get the air they need. Plants take in and release water through a process called evaporation. This controls the water cycle and keeps storms from happening. These services that ecosystems provide show how plants keep life going on Earth. Body paragraph 3: There are many different kinds of plants on Earth, each with its own traits and natural duties. Destruction of forests and damage to habitats risk the variety of plants. It is important to protect plant types and their genetic resources. With the help of protected places and healthy practices, plant variety and natural processes may be kept alive. Ecological security and future resource sustainability depend on a wide range of plants. Body Paragraph 4: Plants can be used to make food, medicine, and building materials. People eat wheat, rice, and maize all over the world. Aloe Vera and ginseng may be able to help with several health problems. Plants make wood, paper, cloth, and energy, all of which are important to the world economy. Recognizing the economic value of plants emphasizes healthy farming and good use of resources. Body Paragraph 5: Plants slow down climate change. Photosynthesis drops the amount of greenhouse gases in the air by taking in carbon dioxide. This slows down global warming. Forests take in carbon from the air and keep the temperature down. Plants might help stop climate change by storing carbon and fixing environments that have been damaged.

A conclusion is a summary or final statement that pulls together the main points or results of a talk, argument, or study. In nursing, a conclusion sums up the most important parts of a study, project, or plan for taking care of a patient. It may also offer insights, implications, or suggestions for future practice. It brings the information to a close and helps the reader or listener understand what it all means.

Example of the Conclusion “In conclusion, the goal of this study was to find out what effect nurse-led teaching has on how well older people with chronic diseases take their medicines. The results of this study show that planned teaching interventions led by nurses can help this group stick to their medications much better. Using personalized plans for managing medicines, teaching materials, and regular follow-up visits by nurses were all successful ways to get people to take their medications as recommended.

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How to Edit a 600-Word Essay?                 

Editing your essay is more important than you might think. Writing an interesting introduction, full body paragraphs, knowing what words to use in college essays, and a memorable end are all important, but redoing your essay may take it to the next level.  Edit a 600-word article in an orderly way for clarity, logic, and quality. In this lesson, I’ll explain each step of the editing process for an essay.

• Read the essay from start to end, concentrating on the primary point. Note confusing portions, grammatical faults, and opportunities for improvement.
• Check whether the essay has a coherent introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Check whether the essay flows nicely between these parts. Rearrange paragraphs or phrases to enhance the structure.
• The essay’s opening should summarize the subject and background, grab the reader’s attention, and express the argument. If required, revise the introduction to achieve these aims.
• Make sure each body paragraph supports the thesis statement and has one key point. Check each paragraph for a subject sentence that introduces the primary idea and supporting phrases.
• Check sentence structures for diversity and cohesion. Run-on phrases, sentence fragments, and convoluted sentences may mislead readers. Check subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, punctuation, and spelling. To improve essay readability, correct grammar errors.
• Assess the essay’s supporting evidence and examples. If required, provide persuasive proof, statistics, or expert comments. Cite all evidence according to the citation style.
• Check the essay for ambiguity. Rephrase or explain obscure portions. Make sure each phrase and paragraph flow properly, so the reader can follow the concepts.
• Check the essay’s conclusion to see whether it recaps and restates the premise. The finale should linger and provide closure. Rewrite the ending to make it more powerful.
• Consider the essay’s audience and goal. Use correct, consistent terminology. Replace superfluous words and phrases with shorter ones.
• Check the essay for spelling, punctuation, and formatting issues. For a new viewpoint, read or have someone else read the article. To follow essay formatting requirements, pay attention to font size, spacing, and indentation.

600-Word Essay Topics

Here are some ideas for articles that can be written in around 600 words.

• How Education is Important to Society
• The Good Things About Technology in Daily Life
• What happens to the environment when climate changes?
• The Good Effects of Exercise on Your Body and Mind
• How social media affects how people think
• How kids act depends on how much they watch TV
• The Value of Different Cultures in a Globalized World
• Genetic engineering in agriculture: Pros and Cons
• What Pollution Does to People’s Health
• How music can help relieve stress and worry
• Why renewable energy sources are important for a sustainable future
• The place of women in society and equal rights for men and women
• How Critical Thinking Helps You Solve Problems
• What fast food does to people’s health
• Why human rights are important for making sure justice and equality are done
• How the media affects how people think
• How social media affects our relationships with other people
• How children act after playing video games
• How important ethics are in Business and the Workplace
• How immigration changes the economy of a country
• Volunteering is good for your growth and the growth of your community.
• How technology has Helped Improve health care
• Why it’s important to communicate well when building relationships
• What happens to health and society when people smoke
• Why arts education is important in schools
• How kids’ mental health changes because of social media
• The Healing Power of Natural Remedies
• How do plants help clean the air, water, and soil?
• What has changed in nursing over time
• Ethical issues that nurses have to deal with

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600 Word Essay Examples

As you can figure out, the number of pages of your essay depends on the writing style you are going to choose, the font size, and the line spacing. Below are some 600-word essay examples.

600-Word Essay Example 1: Essay on Discipline

Discipline is important in all parts of life. Discipline just means to do what the rules say. Most schools and organizations have rules about how people should act. At home, discipline means doing what is right and acting in a good way. Children were well-behaved because school and home rules were taken seriously. Teachers have to be “bad cops” if they want to punish kids. Leaders and managers tell workers how to behave and follow rules. Disciplining people is hard because it’s hard to punish someone you respect for being disobedient, especially if they are older. Management needs focus.

There are three rules based on behavior. Misbehavior is fixed by these measures. Misbehavior is any action that goes against the rules of the area. Preventive discipline starts. This punishment is meant to stop a certain behavior. They stop being bad and get better. Due to the limitations of the book, most schools use it to stop students from doing crazy things. Discipline that helps is another. The third step is corrective punishment. The problem is dealt with by this practice. People don’t like to sing this way because it is awkward and scary. Its pain and fear are successful because the person has to deal with the consequences of their bad behavior. It has stopped students from making trouble.

To be effective, punishment must follow correctional rules. As a parent or teacher, you have to punish your child, but the way you do it could make them hate you and act worse. Teachers leave early in their careers because they can’t handle how kids act. Another idea is to use effective control. Freud, Sigmund, and Carl Rodgers all had different ideas about how children behave and the effects of how adults treat them. Based on these ideas, a successful method is chosen. Attitude discipline is needed to control attitude. Skinner is a behaviorist, and he came up with the ideas of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Both positive and negative rewards help improve behavior, which is why punishment works. Cognitive discipline was based on ideas of how the mind grows and changes. Cognition controls the action. Changes in actions come from changes in how people think. People of all ages can get smarter, so this process works.

Challenges affect punishment management. Poor conversation adds. If the rules for actions are not clear, people may act badly. Since they didn’t know it was wrong, it would be wrong to punish them. For regulation to work, the required habits must be made clear. Not listening to authority. Respect goes down, especially in schools. The older kids looked up to and feared their teachers. Most teachers are young, and respect for teachers has gone down. Leaders who don’t have respect can’t keep people in line. Discipline control can be made harder by economic problems. When people are poor, they act more badly, which makes it harder to keep order as the population grows. Leader disturbance harms discipline management. It’s annoying when leaders don’t care about what their people do or how they act. To punish people, leaders, and bosses have to care about them. Leaders should help their people behave better so it’s easier to deal with them.

In the end, we can say that discipline is the art of changing behavior. For discipline to work well, it needs to be managed with specific rules based on principles. The problems that come up with managing discipline depend on the situation and can be prevented. As a boss, you should always be in charge of discipline if you want your workers to respect you.

600-Word Essay Example 2: Successful Time Managers

Being good time at management involves conscious planning and thoughtful decision-making. It also involves staying focused and sticking to your prioritized tasks rather than getting derailed by unimportant distractions. Only 17% of individuals monitor their time, according to Tech Jury. 50% of late individuals have never considered time wasting. Manage time well. It prevents burnout and tiredness. In 2022, the N.I.L.C. lists time management among the top 10 soft skills workers need. Why is time management crucial? “Investing time is the key,” remarked Stephen Covey. Timing ensures success in many spheres of life.

Career Trend lists three negative effects of not following a timetable and being flexible. One risk constantly postponing work completion. Procrastinators finish tasks last. Thus, deadlines trump quality. Procrastination also saps the vitality and productivity needed in the 21st century. Second is chronic lateness. How can one arrive on time without planning? Thirdly, tardiness and procrastination are bad. Daily overburden causes burnout. Nobody can rest when nothing is planned. Undone duties keep people awake. Panic attacks, anxiety, sleep difficulties, apathy, and sadness occur.

Mind tools list five day-management advantages. First, such folks work efficiently. Employers like them because they finish work quicker. Second, great-time managers seldom suffer work-related stress. They know what to do and how long it takes. Third, scheduling promotes the best. After finishing schoolwork, a pupil might expand their gaze. A student may study books to improve language, write reports and articles, travel, and network. These factors contribute to a good reputation. Motivated, well-timed people often inspire. Finally, ideal time managers are more likely to succeed than time wasters. Time managers can lead.

How can one learn to schedule? Goal-setting is first. Motivation ignites. It must also be attainable. Avoid being a top designer if you’re lousy with geometry and creating new things. Prioritization notions are next. People typically defer urgent jobs in favor of less urgent ones. They also overlook long-term tasks. To acquire a job, one must learn a second language. She neglects to learn new terms and practice regularly. Since language learning takes more than a day, she won’t win the job. Attempt to stick to task timeframes. When a deadline approaches, a person accelerates and stops procrastinating. Rest is vital. Exhaustion impairs brain and body function. Everyone understands that 20 minutes of midday nap recharge energy for afternoon work. Enjoy a pastime or pleasurable activity except for nighttime.

A notepad or app like Todoist or TimeTree is the greatest way to remain aware. A notebook lets a person focus on scheduling and writing without interruptions. App notifications and low device sizes are advantages. Smartphones are never left at home. 33% of people globally use Todoist. Use wall, web, or smartphone calendars. Mark essential meetings and tasks. A reminder system will keep a person from forgetting the occasion. Finally, plan. Starting the day with a mental jumble is awful. Psychologists advise scheduling in the evening for morning focus.

Beginners might prevent excessive labor by sharing chores. One must create a team project. All members should share responsibility for on-time performance. If a buddy asks a tired student to assist, they should decline. A pupil will fail while a buddy succeeds.

The aforementioned facts and advice emphasize time management. When not rushed, individuals can do various chores and feel competent. They’re not terrified of tomorrow’s greater obligations. They may convert a minute into a lifetime investment. Timely managers are not lazy they are Productive and energetic. Leading corporations want such people on their teams to enhance productivity. Scheduling allows leaders, team builders, helpers, and performers to excel. “Better three hours to noon, than a minute too late,” observed William Shakespeare.

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600-Word Essay Example 3: Ethical issues that nurses have to deal with

Healthcare nurses must balance patient liberty and well-being. Patient autonomy is the freedom to make healthcare choices based on values, preferences, and informed consent. Patients provide informed consent when they comprehend and freely choose their activity. Patients’ decisions may harm themselves or others.

Patients may reject life-saving therapy or risk their health by refusing drugs or medical advice. Nurses must balance autonomy and harm prevention in these settings. There are different ways that nurses deal with these problems. They build a healing relationship based on trust and talking to each other. Nurses listen to their patient’s problems and help them make healthy decisions by giving them support, knowledge, and advice. They look at the choices, stress the possible consequences, and work with the patient to find value-based answers that do the least harm.  In joint healthcare teams, nurses talk to doctors, ethicists, social workers, and other nurses. By taking into account medical, psychological, social, and ethical factors, these talks help patients get the best care possible. Legal and moral rules may allow healthcare workers to override a patient’s choice if it will save a life or keep others safe.

Nurses are required by law to report cases of potential abuse, neglect, or harm. This includes cases of child or adult abuse. When nurses find proof or have a good reason to suspect abuse, they must follow set reporting procedures to protect the vulnerable people involved and make sure they get the right help and support.

  In end-of-life care, nurses have to think about moral problems. When caring for dying patients, nurses must take into account cultural views and the ideals of doing good and not doing harm. These issues become very challenging when healthcare providers, families, and patients disagree. End-of-life care needs the patient to be in control. The care, quality of life, and wishes for making care decisions must be respected by nurses. Open dialogue, advance care instructions, and letting the patient help make decisions may be helpful. End-of-life care is affected by cultural beliefs. Nurses must be culturally knowledgeable and understand that people have different ideas about death, dying, and the future.

Nurses often have trouble figuring out how to use their resources, especially when there aren’t many healthcare tools. Nurses who want to be fair to all of their patients may find it hard to choose patients, put treatments in order of importance, and settle arguments. Nurses must use equitable justice to make sure that limited resources are given out based on need, benefit, and fairness. It is hard to balance the needs of patients with the needs of the society. Nurses speak up for their patients and help them decide how to use resources to help them the most. So that they can use their limited resources wisely, they have to look at the seriousness, outlook, and treatment benefits of each patient’s sickness. For these decisions to be fair and effective, you may need to think about ethics. Healthcare workers, patients, and families may have different ideas about how resources should be used. Nurses may be able to settle differences and feel less mental stress if they talk to each other, are sensitive to other points of view, and accept them.

Nurses should help make and carry out rules about how to divide up resources. Their experience, knowledge of ethics, and support for patients help make sure that methods for allocating resources are fair, clear, and consistent. Ethics groups and talks about clinical ethics could help nurses decide how to use scarce resources. These tools make it possible for people from different fields to discuss, analyze, and make ethical suggestions based on limited resources.

Tips for Writing a 600-word Essay

With a few suggestions, writing a 600-word essay is easy. Simple essay writing tips:

• Plan your essay first. Choose a clear, short thesis statement for your article. Organize your main ideas and arguments.
• Essays include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The beginning should hook readers and give context. Your body paragraphs should organize your arguments. Each paragraph should emphasize one issue and provide proof. In conclusion, repeat your argument and summarize your important points.
• Because of your word restriction, be succinct and omit needless information. Communicate in simple terms. Avoid wordiness. Each phrase should enhance your essay’s significance.
• To simplify reading, break your writing into paragraphs. Each paragraph should address one issue or argument and be well-structured. Start each paragraph with a subject phrase and support your claims with examples.
• Provide supporting evidence and examples. Statistics, facts, quotations, and anecdotes are examples. Use credible, thesis-supporting evidence.
• Edit your essay after finishing it. Check for grammar, spelling, and sentence flow. Read your work aloud to spot awkward phrases and imprecise sentences. Get comments on your writing from others.
• A 600-word essay requires time management. Schedule time for planning, drafting, rewriting, and editing. Avoid procrastinating and plan to finish your essay on time.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

How long is a 600-word essay?

Formatting, font size, and space can make a 600-word article longer or shorter. Using 12-point type and double space, a 600-word article takes two to three pages. But the number of paragraphs, heads, subheadings, and the way an article is put together can all make a difference. So, it’s best to put the essay’s content and quality ahead of how long it is.

How many pages is a 600-word essay?

The number of pages in a 600-word essay varies on how it’s formatted. Most of the time, a 600-word article that is double-spaced, uses 12-point type and has 1-inch borders takes up two pages. Styles of formatting, font sizes, and space can change the number of pages. The length of a page is affected by headers, subheadings, and paragraphs that are longer. Check the writing rules of your teacher or school to figure out how many pages to use.

How many paragraphs is a 600-word essay?

The number of paragraphs in a 600-word essay is based on its material and how it is put together. Essays have an opening, a main body, and a conclusion. Often, introductions set the scene. Each body line explains an important idea or point of view. A well-organized essay has three to five body parts, with each one having between 100 and 150 words. The end wraps up what has been said.

How long is 600 words?

Font size, layout, and the type of material all affect how long 600 words are. Most of the time, a 600-word text with standard borders and a 12-point style takes 1 to 1.5 pages. This estimate is based on a single-spaced document without titles or pictures.

Can you write 600 words in 2 hours?

It is possible to write 600 words in two hours. Most writers can type 600 words in 15 minutes and write them by hand in 30 minutes. You can write 300 words per hour if you use your time well. This lets people take short breaks and go over their work. Make a plan to help you stay on track.

Can you speak 600 words in 3 minutes?

You can say 600 words in three minutes. Fluent people say 200 words per minute. This means you can say 600 words in three minutes. People talk at different speeds, and the number of words they say in a certain amount of time can depend on how hard the subject is and how they talk.

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Free 600 Words Essay Examples

A 600-word essay is commonly assigned in middle and high school. A paper of 600 words is a great way for a student to quickly demonstrate their knowledge of a particular topic. One can be assigned a 600-word essay on social studies, education, natural sciences. The typical genres are assessment, book review, informative essay.

As a rule, you won’t need to conduct an in-depth analysis to write a paper of 600 words. The keys to success are a solid outline, a clear thesis, conciseness, and originality. Check free 600-word essay examples on this page to get inspired!

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600-Word Essay FAQ

A 600 words essay would typically be about 2,5 pages long, assuming it is double-spaced and written with a standard font (Arial or Times New Roman) in 12-point size. If the text is single-spaced, it will be twice shorter. Other factors that influence the 600-word essay length are formatting and paragraph structure.

How many paragraphs are there in a 600 words essay? A paper of such a length would contain 6 to 7 paragraphs. This works for an academic writing assignment because a typical paragraph there is about 100 words long.

It usually takes 12 to 20 minutes to type a text of this length on your keyboard at an average speed. However, if you are assigned a 600 words essay, it is going to take much more time, as you will need to conduct research, study the sources, and plan your paper. Writing a solid essay of 600 words will take about 2 hours.

At a rough estimate, 600 words would take up about 60 to 65 lines. However, the exact number of lines in your 600-word essay depends on a number of factors such as the spacing, the font size, and the margins.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, writing a 650-word essay.

Hey guys! So I'm working on my college essays and some schools have a 650-word limit. Any tips or advice on how I can make my essay engaging and fit within that limit?

Hey! Definitely understand that working within a word limit can be challenging, but it's possible to write an engaging essay within the 650-word limit. Here are some tips to help you out:

1. Start with a clear structure: Before you start writing, create an outline to organize your main points and ideas. This helps you stay focused and makes sure you're addressing the prompt effectively.

2. Get to the point: Avoid unnecessary information or lengthy introductions. Start strong by grabbing the reader's attention and getting right to the heart of your story or message.

3. Use specific examples: Instead of making broad generalizations, use concrete examples and anecdotes from your experiences to illustrate your points. This not only makes your essay more engaging, but also helps you use your word count more efficiently.

4. Be concise and efficient: Trim any redundant or repetitive information to save word count. Revise your essay multiple times, looking for ways to tighten your writing and express your ideas more clearly and concisely.

5. Balance reflection and narrative: A good college essay should provide insight into your personality, values, and passions. Make sure to allocate enough word count to both telling your story (narrative) and reflecting on it (introspection). A well-balanced essay engages the reader while also demonstrating your growth and self-awareness.

6. Edit, edit, edit: Don't be afraid to cut or rework sentences, paragraphs, or even entire sections if they don't serve the ultimate goal of your essay. A tight, focused essay is far more effective than a longer essay filled with fluff.

7. Seek feedback: Have someone else read your essay and provide feedback on areas to improve or cut. This can help you see your essay from a fresh perspective and identify areas to refine.

Crafting an engaging 650-word essay takes some effort, but with careful planning, revision, and attention to detail, you can do it! Good luck!

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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.

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How To Write An Amazing 500 Word Essay For College And Scholarship Applications (+Examples)

500 words. It doesn’t sound like much. But when you’re asked to write a 500 word essay, you’re not alone if you find yourself staring aimlessly at a blank screen — especially when it comes to essays for college and scholarship applications.

Why? Because, often, you’re trying to write it using the standard essay format you learned in school. You know the format. It typically goes like this: introduction with  a thesis statement, body paragraphs supporting the thesis, and conclusion paragraphs that restate your thesis.

BUT college admissions officers and scholarship selection committees usually aren’t looking for those types of 500 word essays. 

So, how do you write the type of  500 word essay that can help you get into college and win college scholarships ? Keep reading! Because, in this blog post, we’re going to discuss:

• How the goal of a college or scholarship essay is different from the goal of an academic paper
• How to format a 500 word essay for college and scholarship applications
• 2 examples of essays you can look to for inspiration
• 5 tips to help improve your writing process when writing these essays

Let’s dive into that first point right now!

The Goal of a 500 Word Essay for College and Scholarship Applications

Your goal when writing college and scholarship application essays is simple: stand out as one of the most qualified and interesting applicants. And that’s much different from the goal you have when writing an academic paper for a high school or college class. 

In those classes, you’re usually writing essays to explain, argue for, or defend an idea. For example, your high school teacher might ask you to write a 500 word essay on a topic like, “ Is testing products on animals ethical?” 

But you’re unlikely to find this type of question on college and scholarship applications. Why? Because few college admissions officers and scholarship selection committees want to read thousands upon thousands of essays from students who all write about the same thing using the same structure. 

They’d much rather learn more about what makes you and your way of thinking unique! And that’s why you’re more likely to find essay prompts like: 

• “Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?” ( Coalition Application)
• “Tell us about what you value in a community and how your perspective, lived experiences, or beliefs might contribute to your College community.” ( Sarah Lawrence College )  
• “How has creativity helped you in problem solving?” ( Dixie Belle Paint Company Scholarship)

Do you see what we’re talking about? Your goal with these types of essays isn’t to make an evidence-based argument to support a thesis statement. Nope. Your goal with this essay type is to give the person reading it a better idea of who you are as a person! 

But how do you format and write such an essay? Let us show you how! 

How to Format a 500 Word Essay for College and Scholarship Applications

To write an amazing essay for college and scholarship applications you’ve got to use your creative writing skills. And, oftentimes, that means breaking the standard “introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion” essay format you’d use for high school or college papers.

Here’s a format you can follow instead. 

Hook introduction

The first one or two lines of your essay are the most important. And, therefore, they need to be engaging. Because, if they’re not, do you know what your reader is likely to do? Skim. Scan. And get bored real quick. 

That’s why for these types of 500 word essays, you’ve got to start with a hook introduction. What’s that? It’s an opening to your essay that’s so intriguing that your reader can’t help but keep reading because they’re hooked and want to know more. 

There are a few ways to go about writing a hook introduction. Check out some of the awesome examples in this video from the College Essay Guy .

• Context for the hook 

Now that you’ve got your reader hooked, you need to give them context. Why are you telling this story? What’s the importance of this moment in your life? What does it say about you? 

Bring your reader into your essay using descriptive details that show rather than tell why you’re a deserving applicant. If you’re not sure what it means to show rather than tell, don’t worry. We explain that writing technique in the 5 essay writing tips we share later in this blog post. 

Examples that showcase your strengths 

Once you’ve given context, your job is to tell the story in a way that showcases your strengths that are related to the essay prompt. For instance, if the prompt asks you about creativity in problem solving, walk your reader through a moment you creatively solved a complex problem. 

BUT please resist the urge to be too obvious. You don’t need to say something like “this story is a great example of how I creatively solve problems.” Why? Because that’s boring, and you know it! 

That boring sentence is also a great example of doing more telling than showing, which is the opposite of what you want to do. Again, you want to describe your strengths in a way that makes them clear and memorable in your readers’ minds. 

• A conclusion that makes it clear you’ve responded to the essay prompt

You’re almost done! Now, you just need to wrap up your story nicely with a strong conclusion. But, again, this isn’t a research paper for your World History class. So, ditch boring phrases like “in conclusion” or “in summary”. Instead, use natural language to tell the end of the story. 

But also remember: this is an essay to get you into college or win scholarship money. So, make sure you’ve fully responded to the prompt. For example, in scholarship applications, you may want to wrap up your essay by specifically stating how the scholarship will benefit your education. 

500 Word Essay Examples 

Want to see some examples before you start writing your 500 word essay? Good idea! Here are two examples of winning essays that ditched the standard essay format and told an engaging, memorable story related to the essay prompt. 

Example 500 Word Essay #1

The first essay comes from a student admitted to Johns Hopkins University. The essay was originally posted on JHU’s “Essays that Worked” section of its undergraduate admissions website. 

Essay prompt: Founded on a spirit of exploration and discovery, Johns Hopkins University encourages students to share their perspectives, develop their interests and pursue new experiences. Use this space to share something you’d like the admissions committee to know about you (your interests, your background, your identity or your community) and how it has shaped what you want to get out of your college experience at Hopkins.

Essay length: 400 words

I cannot dance.

This is not something I often admit willingly; in fact, it is quite baffling to me how horribly incapable I am at performing even the most basic movements on command. My grandmother often describes it as “a tragedy” as she is forced to watch her grandchild absolutely butcher our country’s cultural dances, beautiful expressions of our unique West African roots turned into poor facsimiles by my robotic movements.

And yet, year after year, I find myself taking the dance floor at my family’s events, seemingly unaware of my objective lack of skill. Eventually, my display proves to be so amazingly unbearable that I am removed from the floor and shown the correct movements over and over again until I am able to replicate them well enough to come back. Bizarrely, despite my previous declaration that I cannot dance, for the past three years, I have found myself performing an entire choreographed routine at my school’s yearly pep rallies.

It is through looking back at these events that I realize that I have created a mischaracterization of my dancing abilities through my decisive first sentence. I can dance and am, in fact, very capable of doing so, but not when I act insularly. My ability to dance correlates directly with how willing I am to collaborate, the input and support of others turning the uncoordinated and unwieldy into the near-graceful.

My attempts at dancing have led me to value community and collaboration greatly, and I find myself seeking and being drawn towards environments that will allow me to continue to develop both of these values as I learn and grow. Through my internship with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, I was exposed to and became fascinated by the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of Johns Hopkins. The idea that one cannot discover or innovate when working alone was affirmed during my research, and I have come to see that mutual collaboration and community are integral aspects of Johns Hopkins’ unique culture. From the research initiatives that breach the boundaries between class levels, to the many organizations such as the Tutorial Project, relying on the shared initiatives of different students to directly make an impact on Baltimore and its many communities, and the distinctive access to especially interdisciplinary topics such as neuromorphic systems, I view that Johns Hopkins exemplifies the peak of collaborative achievement in education.

Example 500 Word Essay #2

This second example essay was written by a student who won the Women’s World Banking’s Founder’s Scholarship . 

Essay prompt: Unfortunately, there’s no information listed about the essay prompt on the foundation’s website. But, based on the content of the essay, we assume that this was an essay asking the student to explain why she deserved this scholarship. 

Essay length: 464 words 

“Twice a week I head down to volunteer at the Los Sures Social Services office, situated next to the local senior citizen home, to help at the food pantry. We distribute food to people in my neighborhood. Many are familiar faces. Many are middle-aged Hispanic women with children dangling from their hips like grass skirts. These women are there as a result of their culture and lack of financial knowledge. In our Spanish culture, patriarchy prevents women from preparing for themselves as much as they should. This leads to Hispanic women having little or no money management skills. Financial illiteracy is a major issue in my neighborhood, and that is why I hope to give Hispanic women a chance for a better future through financial education.

While I was volunteering I met a woman who happened to live in the same building as my aunt. Unemployed with two young children, and a husband earning minimum wage at a fast food restaurant, she struggled to get by every day. I thought to myself – many in my community are just like her. Then I realized I could do something to help. How? I can start a financial literacy program, which teaches Hispanic women to earn and manage money. Once a woman becomes financially literate, she is capable of making good personal and professional decisions, empowering her to improve her family’s financial well-being. Moreover, such a program will help Hispanic women become competitive employees, even in a slow recovering economy such as the one we are experiencing now.

Participating in the 2013 Women’s World Banking Global Meeting in Amman, Jordan gives me access to invaluable resources that will help me achieve this goal. I hope to find mentors from a roomful of inspiring, experienced leaders who will offer me their guidance. Also, meeting accomplished women from other countries means access to new ideas and unique perspectives. And if I am lucky, I may even come across individuals who can provide financial support to jumpstart my financial literacy program for Hispanic women. Lastly, I will tell my idea to everyone I meet in Jordan, a baby step to help Hispanic women rise from poverty.

The world continues to change rapidly, especially with globalization. It is about time that Hispanic women strive for gender equality. Thus, it is essential that Hispanic women increase their roles and knowledge in finance. The women in my neighborhood shall no longer be left out. I will task myself to help these women become better, stronger and most importantly, take control of their lives. I want to be involved so that they can save themselves from any unforeseen financial crisis. This is a tremendous goal, but for me, it is an opportunity to make a difference – in my neighborhood and for my Spanish community.”

5 Crucial Essay Writing Tips for College and Scholarship Applications

There are tons of essay writing tips we could share with you on how to write amazing essays and improve your writing process. But, in this section, we’ll share just 5 of the tips we think are most important. For even more tips, you can check out our ultimate essay writing guide on how to write scholarship essays ! 

#1 Tell a story about yourself related to the prompt 

Remember, admissions officers and scholarship selection committees are going to read hundreds, if not thousands, of essays all responding to the same writing prompt. The only way to truly make sure your essay stands out is to write about something no one else can write about. And the only way to do that is to structure your essay around a unique story from your life!

#2 Start your essay with a strong hook statement

We know we already said it. But we have to emphasize the importance of a hook introduction again! Because it’s a common mistake for college and high school students to start their introduction paragraph with something like, “I’m deserving of this scholarship because…” 

But that type of opening sentence is boring. It’s predictable. And it just screams that you didn’t even try to be creative. We know you don’t want that. So, start your essay strong using one of the writing techniques mentioned in the video we shared earlier in this article. 

#3 Use descriptive language

Another way to keep your readers engaged is to use descriptive language that forces them to use their imagination. This is what it means to show rather than tell.  

For example, instead of saying something like, “I felt scared to give a speech in front of my class” you can describe exactly how it felt. How? By saying something like, “as soon as I got to the front of the class, I could feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and my palms begin to sweat. But I took a long sip of water and told myself I just needed to focus on one word at a time.” 

When you show what you mean using descriptive writing rather than simply tell, you let readers see things from your perspective. And, as a result, you get them to root for you along your journey! 

#4 Stick to the word count

As you may have noticed in the example essays, you don’t always need to write exactly 500 words. You should do your best to get close to that word count. But it’s no problem if you write less as long as it’s within the recommended word count. 

However, what you definitely cannot do is write more than 500 words. Why not? Well, for one, writing too many words might make your reader think that you don’t know how to follow instructions. 

It might also be impossible to input more than 500 words for your essay if you’re applying online. So, if the prompt asks for 500 words, aim to write somewhere between 400-500 words! 

#5 Don’t submit your first draft 

Your first draft for any essay will never be your best draft. And that’s okay. It isn’t supposed to be. That’s why it’s important to give yourself enough time to proofread and edit your work before you submit your applications. 

We recommend using writing and editing tools like Grammarly , reading your essay aloud, and letting someone else proofread. By doing so, you’re more likely to catch grammar and spelling mistakes, confusing sentences, or anything that can leave readers with a bad impression.

Key Takeaways

Writing a 500 word essay for college and scholarship applications is not the same as writing an academic paper for high school and college classes. 

The essays you write for these applications should be engaging and tell an interesting story. To do that well, you’re better off avoiding the standard essay format that calls for an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. 

Instead, follow the advice we’ve shared in this blog post and make sure your essay includes: 

• A hook introduction 
• Examples that showcase your strengths

If you follow that formula, you’ll be on your way to writing better college and scholarship essays! 

Need help finding scholarships to try out the techniques you’ve learned? Download the Scholly App ! It’s the #1 scholarship app in the world that instantly matches you with hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships based on your interests, accomplishments, and traits!

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What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.

Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide

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1000 Word Essay - A Simple Guide With Examples

A 500-word essay is a common format assignment that students have to deal with. It is a three-part paper that provides vivid descriptions of an event, object, or phenomenon.

This format of essay writing is very easy if you know the correct techniques to put down your ideas within a specific word limit. 

The best way to write an essay in this format is by using specific words and making your ideas flow well. This essay enables you to learn how to be concise but also poses significant essay writing challenges . 

In this blog, we will learn about 500-word essays in detail and explore everything about this type of essay format with examples. Keep reading!

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

• 1. What is 500 word Essay?
• 2. 500 Words Essay Format 
• 3. How Long is a 500 Word Essay?
• 4. How to Write a 500-word Essay?
• 5. 500 Word Essay Examples
• 6. 500 Word Essay Topics 

What is 500 word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing typically assigned in schools and colleges. This type of essay format requires the writer to express their thoughts, ideas, or arguments within a concise word limit.

A 500-word essay usually includes 4 to 6 paragraphs, with each paragraph containing approximately 75 to 200 words. The specific number and length of paragraphs can vary based on the type and structure of the essay.

A 500-word essay can be the easiest and the most difficult one to write, at the same time. It all depends on two things; the Topic and the Writer’s Abilities . Teachers often assign 500-word essay assignments as it can help them quickly assess the student’s critical, analytical, and writing skills. 

500 Words Essay Format 

Here is the format and structure of a well-crafted 500-word essay.

• Introduction (Approximately 50-75 words)
• Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs, Approximately 150-200 words)
• Counterargument (Optional, Approximately 50-75 words)
• Conclusion (Approximately 50-75 words)

Let's take a closer look at how a 500-word essay is set up and what each part does to make the writing strong and clear.

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How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is typically one to two pages long, depending on formatting and spacing. For APA style , use a 12-point font for serif (e.g., Times New Roman) and 11-point for sans-serif (e.g., Arial). With double spacing, it will extend to approximately 2 pages, while with single spacing, it usually fits onto 1 page.

How Long Should a 500 Word Essay Take? 

Typically, for an average writer, composing a 500-word essay might take around 1 to 2 hours. However, this estimate can vary significantly based on individual factors such as familiarity with the topic, writing experience, and the need for extensive research or revision.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay? 

A typical 500-word essay generally comprises 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each paragraph contains roughly 75 to 200 words. However, the exact number and length of paragraphs may vary depending on the essay's type and structure.

Word count is important in short essays. So, it’s best to aim for an introduction under 100 words, body paragraphs around 300 words each, and conclude within 100 words.

500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay 

A 500-word essay offers more depth than a 250-word one, allowing for additional detail and evidence. This extra content strengthens arguments or supports viewpoints, making the essay more effective.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

A 500-word essay is shorter than a 1000+ word essay. The 500-word one usually fits on one to two pages, while the longer essay can span several pages. With more words, the longer essay allows for a deeper exploration of topics and more detailed arguments. However, both essays require clear organization and effective communication of ideas.

How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is the same as classic essay writing. Here are some steps to keep in mind while writing a 500-word essay. 

• Create an Outline
• Write a Strong Introduction
• Composing The Body Paragraphs
• Write an Impressive Conclusion

Below is a detailed description of each step. 

Step 1: Create An Outline

First, make a clear and detailed essay outline , and do not miss anything at this point. It will serve as a backbone for your entire paper. 

The purpose of this outline is to break down the ideas in a logical and structured manner. 

Step 2: Write A Strong Introduction

The opening paragraph of an essay serves as the reader's initial window into the topic. Grab your reader from the start of this paragraph with an attention-grabbing hook . Make it as interesting and creative as you can so that they don't put down the essay before reading it all!

For writing an essay introduction , you need to introduce your main topic. And give an idea of what the reader may encounter in the rest of the essay. At the end of this paragraph pin your thesis statement . 

For Example: 

Step 3: Composing The Body Paragraphs

The body section of the essay is mostly divided into 3 paragraphs as discussed above in the format section. It is the point where you need to explain the different types of arguments you make in the essay. Support these arguments with relevant examples, facts, or personal interpretations. 

In a 500-word essay, it's best to stick to one main argument with supporting evidence. Longer essays, such as 1000-word essays , can explore multiple arguments as long as they're connected and contribute to a unified thesis.

Step 4: Write an Impressive Conclusion

Conclusion is the last part of the essay where you need to summarise the main argument of the essay. When writing the conclusion of your essay, begin by restating the thesis statement and explaining it with some strong points analyzed in the body section.

Make sure it does not completely iterate the introduction. Focus on providing critical insight into the main subject of discussion.

For Example:

Always proofread your essay for mistakes and inconsistencies. Also, make sure the writing convention checklist is followed, as it will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be improved before submitting! 

If you still need some guidance, here is a video on how to write a 500-word essay!

500 Word Essay Examples

All 500-word essays follow a different style and structure, making it difficult for a student to understand what their instructor expects. In such scenarios, 500-word essay examples can be of great help.

Below you can find some 500-word essay examples on different topics to better understand the various style formats.

500 Word Essay On Honesty

A 500-word essay on honesty is a commonly assigned task to high school and college students. It simply involves writing on how to develop a practice of speaking the truth always.

Here is an example 500-word essay on honesty that you can refer to for your understanding.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500 Word Essay On Integrity

Below, you can find a great 500-word essay on integrity written by one of our expert writers for your help.

500 Word Essay On Leadership

Leadership essay discusses the quality of leading people. Get help from the following leadership essay example and learn how you can write on one of the important aspects of life.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality  

Punctuality is an important trait that everyone should strive to possess. Take help from this punctual example essay and make your writing even more powerful.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

Responsibility is an important value that everyone should possess. It dictates the way we interact with others and how we carry out our daily lives. Take a look at our example of an essay on responsibility to understand what it means to be responsible.

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship  

Writing an essay explaining why you deserve a scholarship can be a challenging experience since students often feel like they’re bragging about themselves. Learn how to write a 500-word essay for scholarship that will make a strong case for your academic excellence with our sample!

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship Pdf

500 Word Essay on Respect 

Respect is a very important concept in today's society. It is an essential component of any successful relationship, both personal and professional. Check out our essay example on  Respect to begin learning more about this topic.

500 Word Essay On Respect

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher 

Writing essays about something you are passionate about is never an easy task. When it comes to writing about why someone wants to be a teacher, you can always get help from some great sample essays.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse 

Nursing is a passion for a lot of people. If you want to write an essay on why you want to be a nurse, you must look at our sample essay.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

500 Word Essay on Global Warming

Global warming is not just an environmental concern but a moral obligation for the well-being of our planet. Write a 500 word essay on global warming with the help of our sample.

Here are some more 500-word essay pdf samples on important topics for your understanding:

500 word essay about myself

500 word essay on corruption

500 word essay on social media

500 word essay on pollution

500 word essay about Islam

500 Word Essay Topics 

Here are some topics that you may find interesting.

• Describe your favorite trip.
• Is it possible to earn on the Internet?
• What are the challenges of people living with disabilities?
• How to avoid problems at college.
• What is honesty?
• Abstract art and its impact on people.
• Causes of racism.
• The best day of your life.
• What is the objective of your life? 
• What do you mean by punctuality? 

If you want to look at more topics, feel free to choose from our interesting list of essay topics .

Wrapping it Up!

Writing essays in a concise 500-word format may seem straightforward, but the process can often be challenging for students. The biggest hurdle? Squeezing in all the essential details while staying within the limit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to navigate this task, let MyPerfectWords.com handle it for you. 

Our essay writer service is here to transform your academic journey. Whether it's crafting a compelling narrative or refining your arguments, our experts are dedicated to delivering excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences is a 500-word essay.

A 500-word essay typically contains around 5 to 10 sentences per paragraph, spread across 4 to 6 paragraphs.

Can a 500-word essay have 4 paragraphs?

Yes, a 500-word essay can have 4 paragraphs, though it's more commonly structured with 5 or 6 paragraphs.

How many references are needed for a 500-word essay?

The number of references needed for a 500-word essay can vary depending on the topic and requirements, but generally, 2 to 4 references are sufficient for supporting arguments and providing evidence.

Does a 500-word essay have to be exactly 500 words?

Yes, that’s because the general rule for any academic essay is to not exceed the given word count by more than 10%. So applying the same rule, your 500 word essay length should ideally not exceed 10%, that is 550 words, so you should try to wrap up your thoughts within that word count or otherwise risk a negative marking by the professor.

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Online Resources to Power Your Academic & Professional Success

W hen a student enters college , he/she is getting ready to do everything possible to succeed and graduate with enough skills that they can use in their adult life. Academic life sometimes takes too much effort, and college learners lose interest in studying.

When you, as a college student, start your academic journey, you do not want to pay attention to questions such as “ Does word count matter for college essays? ” “How to cite sources correctly?” or “How many pages a 500-word essay will take?” These issues are not interesting to college students; they want to learn something really important that will help them earn good grades and money in the future.

In this article, we will examine some of the sources that could help students delineate their duties and responsibilities so that they can concentrate on more important matters. 

Sources to Boost Academic Success

As we have already mentioned, today’s college students have to pay attention to things that, in most cases, will not help them in their adult lives and careers. Thus, many tools exist to ease students’ lives and give them enough time to rise as professionals, not full-time learners.

Research and Writing Tools

As a college student, you must handle hundreds of writing assignments and meet dozens of academic writing requirements. Of course, it is very difficult to bear everything in your head, and these research and writing tools will definitely come in handy. 

Let’s take a look at some free tools you, as a student, should have at your disposal during the college years. 

• Google Scholar . This is the place where you can find relevant sources for your academic writing papers. 
• Grammarly . This tool can help you proofread your writing and show you the weak places in your paper. The free version offers access to a limited number of functions, but if you need just to help you check your writing for errors, this will be enough.
• Free writing tools . Many tools can help you cite sources properly, provide ideas for your essay, create a strong thesis statement, etc. These tools can ease your academic life a lot. 

Helping Tools

Being a college student often means being in a hurry. Trying to meet academic writing deadlines, studying important materials, and living a personal life are just some of the issues almost every student faces daily. Thus, some helping tools can come in handy to manage your time, effort, and abilities. 

• Evernote (or something similar) is a note-taking tool that helps you remember the essentials . 
• Planners . You can use electronic or paper planners to organize and meet your tasks on time. Such a tool will help you manage your time wisely and omit burnout.

Learning Platforms

Suppose you feel uncomfortable with academic writing assignments. In that case, if you are a foreign student who does not know the language perfectly or if you simply need help to comprehend better an issue discussed in a class, these platforms can help you. Here are some free tools that we recommend considering. 

• Writing blogs . There are a lot of writing blogs available online where you can get assistance with your writing issues. If you have no idea what to dedicate your writing assignment to, how to write a particular type of essay, how to cite sources, etc., these blogs will show you. Of course, it is very important to seek professional blogs you can rely on. Many writing services lead such blogs to help college learners who can’t afford their paid services. 
• Language apps . Such applications can help you learn the language if you are a foreign student. These are usually targeted at different levels and provide various exercises to help non-native speakers learn and use the language in their lives.
• Professional writing services . Many students turn to these companies when they need professional assistance with their writing. At such companies, professional writers offer their services to students and complete customized writing assignments.

Sources to Boost Professional Success

Unsurprisingly, when a person enters a college or university, he/she wants to do his/her best to get all the important information and knowledge that will help him/her in his/her professional life. At the same time, most students do not understand why they must attend classes that do not refer to their main professional sphere. For example, when a Mechanical engineering student has to attend History classes, this can cause a lot of irritation and misunderstanding because they do not think this is just what they have to pay attention to. Such classes are usually considered as odd ones.

Thus, most students decide to delineate irrelevant academic duties and pay closer attention to what could help them in their professional careers. Here are some examples of how you can boost your professional success and get quality skills that will help you as a professional.

Online Academies

Many free online courses are available today, so college learners can afford them. Of course, some of them offer free access to a limited number of courses, but still, the number of free options is really impressive. Here are some top free options you can consider.

• Coursera . The service offers high-quality courses in various fields, from data science and business to arts and humanities. Here, you can access a limited number of free courses as well as pay for a subscription. 
• Khan Academy is a free source that offers tools for students, teachers, and parents .
• Codecademy . This is a platform that teaches coding and programming skills in various languages (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, etc.)

Managing Tools

These tools include Trello, Slack, Asana, etc., which can help you plan your tasks and professional experiences. Most companies use these managing tools in order to organize the company’s work. Moreover, these tools support collaboration and information sharing.

Hope this article was helpful and you have found something interesting to you. Enjoy!

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