Use these outstanding college essay examples to learn how to write your personal statement and

supplemental essays for college applications.

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 2020 (in my humble opinion).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(click to scroll ahead)

Personal Statement Examples

Burying Grandma

Punk Rock Philosopher

Grandma's Kimchi

Travel and Language

Dead Bird

I Shot My Brother

Porcelain God
Five Families

Food

Happiness Spreadsheet

Translating

Why Behavioral Economics

5 Family Identities

Coffeeshops + Coffee

Kombucha Club

Moments Where the Seconds Stand Still