ThomasGrew
New member
Okay, serious question. Every time I Google “college essay examples” I get the same five websites with the same five essays: “The Basketball Player Who Learned Perseverance,” “The Immigrant Grandmother Who Taught Me Hard Work,” “The Volunteer Trip That Changed Everything.”
Where are you finding authentic examples?
I’ve dug through university admission blogs and actual student repositories, and here’s what’s actually legit:
Also—does anyone have access to failing essays? I learn more from what bombs than what wins.
Where are you finding authentic examples?
I’ve dug through university admission blogs and actual student repositories, and here’s what’s actually legit:
- Emory’s admission blog – They publish full essays from enrolled students with ADMISSION STAFF COMMENTARY explaining why they worked. Not just the essay—the feedback .
- Weber State University – Professor-published student samples with honest disclaimers like “these are not perfect, but they advance an interesting thesis” .
- Tuition Rewards scholarship library – Real winning scholarship essays with breakdowns of the “Challenge, Leadership, Community, Future” framework .
Also—does anyone have access to failing essays? I learn more from what bombs than what wins.