essays reddit

12 Unforgettable College Application Essays

It's been a long time since I penned my college application essays, but that doesn't mean I don't still appreciate them. On the contrary: I think memorable college admissions essays are to be applauded. Why? Because anyone who can make theirs interesting, thus bringing a modicum of relief to those who have to actually sit there and plow through them all, definitely deserves some acknowledgment for their work. And hey, wouldn't you know it? That's the subject of today's AskReddit thread: “ College admissions counselors of Reddit , what's the weirdest/worst/most memorable essay you've read?”

As is wont to happen in an AskReddit thread, many — possibly even the majority, although I haven't actually counted them, so do with that what you will — of the responses did not come from their intended source; in this case, we're talking about college admissions officers. Some of them were submitted by the people who wrote them; others by people who knew the writers in question; and still others have the “a friend of a friend who dated my cousin's best friend” level of remove that can sometimes bring their veracity into question. Either way, though, they're all good for a laugh — and a few of them might even teach you something. Full steam ahead for a wide variety of lessons in what to do while writing your college application essays — and what not to do, too.

Here are 12 of the most notable examples; head on over to AskReddit for more . Oh, and for anyone who's waiting on their acceptance letters? Good luck! I believe in you!

1. The Theory of Cat/Toast Equilibrium

But… what does happen? I must know!

While we're on the subject, the University of Chicago seems like they've mastered the art of making college applications not boring for the people who actually have to read them. Check out some of essay prompts from this year's app:

Not going to lie: I am considering writing answers for them just for the hell of it. Because you know what? It actually sounds — dare I say it? — fun.

2. Law and Order: College Application Essays Unit

I would imagine that would be a pretty terrifying read. Quick, teach her to use her powers for the forces of good!

3. The Legendary Hugh Gallagher Essay

You may already be familiar with this one, but for the curious, here's the story behind it: Humorist, writer, and musician Hugh Gallagher penned the glorious satiric creation excerpted here for Scholastic Press' national writing contest when he was in high school. Unsurprisingly, he won. For some years, there was confusion surrounding whether or not he actually used it as his college essay; in 1998, though, Gallagher emailed University of York comp sci professor Susan Stepney , who had posted the essay on her website, noting that he did in fact send it along with his applications. For the curious, he ultimately attended NYU. Here's the permalink for the full comment — it's worth just for the final line. Trust me.

4. The Power of the Mighty Trombone

I was unable to discern whether or not this one actually happened or whether it's just an urban legend — but I'm willing to bet it's the latter. Either way, though, I think it's a terrible way to try to teach the “think outside the box” lesson; I feel like it encourages laziness more than anything else. But maybe that's just me.

5. How to Get Into Yale

That, though? That's pretty funny. Well played.

6. The Key to Effective Multitasking

Here's the thing with writing humorous college application essays: They only work if you're actually… y'know… funny. I feel like maybe the right person might have been able to make this idea work, but the execution of the idea this time around just wasn't up to par. However, this also happened:

Small world, no?

7. Art History Is Best History

Either the admissions officers loved it, or they didn't actually read it. The jury's still out on which one it is.

8. We Are Gathered Here Today…

To be fair, I'm not totally sure what's to be gained by sending your own obituary as a college essay; unless the prompt was something like, “Write whatever you want, as long as it is at least 500 words long,” it doesn't seem like it would really answer any questions the admissions committee might be relying on the essay to fill them in about. At the same time, though, clearly someone could have used a little Journalism 101.

9. An Act of Valor

This one was copied from another thread and pasted in this one , but I think it's definitely a winner.

10. The Importance of Proofreading

Ouch. Just… ouch.

11. The Legacies

Oh, come on. I wouldn't blame these two for using their legacy to help them get a leg up — but relying solely on it like this? That's cheating. Also, shame on the school that let them get away with it.

12. Hardboiled Washington

I hope this Redditor is planning on studying creative writing. You've got a great future ahead of you, kid — even if you do need a little work with your punctuation and grammar.

Images: churl /Flickr; Giphy (2); Pandawhale

8 Best Essay Writing Services According to Reddit and Quora

Today, legitimate essay paper writing is a regular part of every student’s college education. In fact, the college experience often comes with students being overwhelmed by the number of assignments that can be assigned at any given time.

The average US college student spends around 14-16 hours per week studying, doing homework, working on assignments, and writing essays and research papers. When you look at the hours spent, it often leads to a traumatic and overwhelming work/life balance.

Considering these facts, it becomes evident that written assignments can grow to be pretty stressful. This is why so many students opt for essay writing services online.

Whether you’re struggling with a tight deadline or you just need to make sure your essay is written with professional help, university essay writing services can be very valuable. Over the years, they have actually become very popular.

The best essay writing and editing services are available to any student, and they are not just specific to literature and arts majors. Finding a reliable college essay writing service is also helpful for common homework or assignments.

According to a review and analysis of Reddit essay writing companies, it turned out that some of them manipulate the voting system and use Reddit as a way to promote their sites. These companies create multiple accounts and use them to upvote and comment on their own posts.

Of course, the tough part is to wade through the spam and find authentic responses.

On the brighter side, we have done the hard work for you and narrowed down the best paper writing services among students. Writing an essay may be a real problem if you’re pressed for time, and trying to find a trustworthy essay site is not any easier. Students who juggle work and school will understand.

If you are trying to impress your professor, you can find your essay writer on one of these well-known educational sites.

Need the Best Essay Writers? Look No Further!

When looking for the top essay writing services, we went over multiple sites and did face some fraud and poor customer service.

But this is exactly why we decided to embark on this journey in the first place – to make sure you don’t have to struggle when looking for the best essay writer for you.

To find the best college essay writing service we ordered a paper from every platform that we reviewed and we made all the orders absolutely the same to then see the differences in execution. This has given us a lot to think about, though.

There were multiple sites that tried to make the most money by providing a service of poor quality. Although it is understandable that these online companies are hard to trace, hence, they can do whatever they want.

But if you really want to make a name for yourself and earn a lot, why not work with integrity and provide good quality service?

So, we took our time, did some research, and looked for truly the best writing services on the internet. The ones that do their job well, really look into your instructions, care to ask questions if anything is unclear, and submit papers in time.

What’s even more important, though, is that we checked all the final papers for plagiarism and only those with minimal percentages have made it to this list. This is how you know you can trust the following services.

1. Coursework Writing Service

In the matter of finding essay services for students, the trick to find a site that can offer you original work for affordable prices.

In that regard and more, Coursework Writing Service has managed to tick off the right boxes according to popular opinion. Their prices start at $10 for a unique and non-plagiarized paper that will meet any challenging requirements of your curriculum.

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Besides, it is also possible to hire someone to edit and proofread your article as well. The best part is that you do not have to pay anything extra for any revisions.

2. EssayService

EssayService has made its way into almost every essay service list recommended by students on Quora.

The platform works with professional freelance writers who have established their expertise in their respective writing domains.

Even before preparing for the SAT and ACT tests, you can find writers who graduated from top universities in the US, and the US, who is familiar with the academic expectations of your lecturer.

Regardless of whether you are pursuing your Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree, if you need to write or rewrite an essay you will find a writer who can offer you insight and provide a commendable assignment to ace your exam. These guys really have your convenience as their top priority.

3. EssayPro

As one of the longstanding custom writing services online, EssayPro has built a wealth of positive reviews from users.

This essay writing service will help you tackle any complex topic of your course with the help of an expert essay writer in the field.

An undergraduate can get some quick help to meet the course requirements of the next lecture – and a Master’s student can find a researcher to help with their final research semester.

In addition, you also get to choose your writer based on customer reviews and their educational background. As you can correspond with your writer, it is also easy to discuss your assignment as it progresses.

Overall, EssayPro’s fame seems to be fairly justified based on what they have to offer.

4. Write Paper

WritePaper.com approaches each essay from a unique standpoint, ensuring that every assignment they receive and each written research paper is tailor-made to the student and their specific requirements.

The system is efficient, allowing you to process your order fast and any guidelines you have for writers. In fact, you can even avail of their services to receive your paper as quickly as 6 hours.

Write Paper also guarantees 100% anonymity for your order, as well as your personal information.

Students can benefit from their insight on any semester assignment, coursework, or help with research to help them prepare to pass an exam.

Free essay writing tools seem to be another favorite among Reddit and Quora users among reliable essay writing services.

Studyfy is a one-stop shop for students. The platform provides a lot of useful content for students of different levels: from literature study guides, writing guides, helpful tools, essay samples, to money blog – with useful tips, general information about ACT and SAT standardized tests, professional student help services. It’s a perfect place to address in case you are totally confused with your home assignment and have questions. They can do it all: proofreading, editing, homework help, tutoring, and a lot more. The website is growing quickly and adds more and more useful information.

While placing an order, you have the ability to specify your academic level, from high school to Ph.D. This way, you will get a paper that will match the requirements to your education level in terms of vocabulary and the depth of research. There are also writers who specialize in theses and dissertation writing.

In case the final result doesn’t match your expectations, Studyfy also offers three revisions. Send your comments back to the writer to make sure the end result is just right.

Every paper provided by Studyfy also comes with the guarantee of originality , it is said to pass any plagiarism detector, like Turnitin and SafeAssign.

6. Paper Writer

Another one of the leading providers of academic essay writing services is Paper Writer .

You can order a paper with a deadline from 3 hours to a fortnight, so you can leave ample time for the writers in case it is a detailed project or thesis.

All writers have proven academic backgrounds and relevant experience in writing as well.

The site also gives you free formatting, including the title page, bibliography, and a citing style while using their services.

And for those who are on tighter budgets , you can even find installment payment options on the site, which is indeed a convenient tool for students.

7. DoMyEssay

Reddit reviews seem highly supportive of DoMyEssay. Some commentator said: ‘This is one of the best places to do my assignment .’ There are multiple customer reports of receiving satisfactory papers from the service at reasonable prices.

DoMyEssay offers you custom-written papers, created from scratch based on each customer’s individual guidelines. This allows you to customize your essay based on the outlines provided by your lecturer.

With over a decade of experience in the educational industry, Essay Reviews has built quite a reputation and a team of outstanding writers. Customers can also avail of unlimited revisions, or their editing services if you already have your draft completed.

8. EssayHub

With a strict selection policy, EssayHub has hired brilliant writers with expertise in almost every academic niche. When it comes to “ write my essay for money ” services, this one is in the top-10.

If you are struggling to comply with your deadlines or seem to need some help with a complex topic, EssayHub can easily connect you to a professional writer in the relevant field.

You can also attach any notes, textbook copies, or your research data while placing an order. This will help the writer to personalize the paper to your writing style.

One good thing about EssayHub is that the payment is taken only after the job is completed. This ensures that you get a chance to check the completed work and release the funds only when you are fully satisfied.

Essay Writing Service Reviews Based On Experience

Here at Essay-Reviews , we take our job of finding the best paper writing services seriously. And we want to hold those who don’t accountable.

While looking through all the writing services to review we really wanted to do a good job and to make sure you only end up with a list of the most reliable and helpful services.

This is why we took our time and spent several weeks just on research alone.

Apart from reading up on the websites presented here, we placed orders with each of them. The instructions and requirements were the same for each order to have a clear and unbiased trial.

In addition, we searched the internet for essay writing service reviews to see what other people think about the services that we’ve chosen as the best ones.

Since we place integrity at the top of our priority list, we wanted to review every aspect of the service to ensure that the best ones are the best all-around.

Although having a cheap essay writing service on standby is important, you also need to get your papers in time and have them be original. This is why it’s so vital to analyze every single side of the service and not just papers’ quality.

We wanted to make sure that if we recommend a site to you, we are certain that the essays provided by it are original, are submitted in time, and follow all your instructions.

And since the writers are the backbone of every academic help website, we took our time to talk to each one of them, making sure they are trained on proper customer service.

Talking to a writer before getting your essay is also a good way to see if they are a native English speaker and if they are familiar with your topic.

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How to Write the Columbia University Essays 2024-2025

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia University is one of the world’s leading institutions for research and undergraduate education alike. With its 265 years of history and ideal location, Columbia has had a major influence throughout history and continues to be at the forefront of innovation to this day. Offering both a rigorous curriculum as well as ample opportunities to explore one of the largest cities in the world, Columbia attracts thousands of top-performing students from all corners of the globe.

Columbia University requires all applicants to answer one short question about the books and media that have piqued their interest, as well as three short essay prompts. If you’re applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, you’ll have an additional prompt. And finally, Dual BA, School of General Studies, and Postbac Premed Program applicants must submit an essay for their respective program.

Columbia receives tens of thousands of applications from strong students each year, and the supplemental essays are a great opportunity to showcase your individuality and stand out from the crowd. In this post, we’ll discuss how you can write stellar responses to the various prompts below.

Check out these Columbia essay examples from real students to inspire your writing!

Columbia University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Short response list prompt for all applicants, for the list question that follows, there is a 100-word maximum. please refer to the below guidance when answering this question:.

– Your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons. – Items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. – It is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications. – No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.

List Prompt: List a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy.  (100 words)

Essay Prompts for All Applicants

Prompt 1: A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words)

Prompt 2: In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. It is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant’s ability to navigate through adversity. Please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words)

Prompt 3: Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words)

Columbia College and Columbia Engineering Applicants

What attracts you to your preferred areas of study at columbia college/columbia engineering (150 words), trinity college dublin and sciences po dual ba applicants only, describe how your experiences, both personal and academic, have shaped your decision to pursue the dual ba program, using the following guiding questions:.

• Why is an international academic experience important to you as you consider the ways in which it may influence your future?

• How have your academic experiences prepared you for the Dual BA Program?

• What are your academic interests in, and aspirations for, the program?

Successful essays should both identify and describe specific elements of the Dual BA Program that meet your needs as a student, as well as explain how your studies at Trinity College Dublin/Sciences Po complement the major you intend to follow at Columbia University, and how this program is compatible with your future aspirations. (750-1,000 words).

School of general studies applicants, tell us about your educational history, work experience, present situation, and plans for the future. please make sure to reflect on why you consider yourself a nontraditional student and have chosen to pursue your education at the school of general studies of columbia university. successful essays should identify and describe specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, that meet your needs as a nontraditional student. the admissions committee is particularly interested in situations in your life from which you have learned and grown. this may include past academic experiences, professional accomplishments, or turning points and transformative events: new beginnings and personal achievements, but also events that may have affected your education, such as health and family challenges, personal obstacles or even issues with the justice system. our expectation is that your reflection on your experiences will demonstrate your potential to add a unique perspective to the columbia classroom. (1500-2000 words), postbac premed program applicants, please submit an essay of approximately 500 words discussing your decision to pursue a career in medicine or an allied health profession. a successful essay will not only describe the factors that contributed to your decision, but will give us a sense of you as an individual by discussing why you want to pursue this career and how you feel you will contribute to the profession. (500 words), list prompt, your response should be a list of items separated by commas or semicolons., items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order., it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications., no author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed., list a selection of texts, resources and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses, including but not limited to books, journals, websites, podcasts, essays, plays, presentations, videos, museums and other content that you enjoy. (100 words).

This prompt, although straightforward, often causes Columbia applicants some of the most angst, but don’t worry! There’s no preset list of right and wrong answers. Columbia isn’t going to automatically reject you if you don’t include The Grapes of Wrath (or any other specific work, for that matter) in your list. 

Instead, they’re curious about your personal, genuine interests, your intellectual development, the way you think, and the ways in which you’ve challenged yourself in your media consumption. So, be honest about the titles and media that have had the most impact on you. That said, you do of course want to make your selections judiciously, as you want to be sure your list demonstrates the value you’d add to Columbia’s campus community.

Keep in mind that if there are any less traditional types of media that have had a significant effect on your development, you can absolutely include them. Columbia knows that we live in a globalized, ever-expanding world of media to consume. 

If a particular social media account, online zine, stand-up special, or YouTube series really contributed to making you the person you are today, don’t be afraid to list it. However: don’t undermine your authenticity by forcing underground or unknown titles on your list if you’re not familiar with them just for the sake of being unique. We’ll talk more about this balance below.

Here’s a helpful hint: think of the list as a “capsule wardrobe.” In a capsule wardrobe, each piece of clothing is distinct and cool on its own: you can have a graphic tee, a leather jacket, a white tank, and a few pairs of jeans. And while each has its own character, each also contributes to the cohesive whole – your style. Putting two items together into an outfit can bring out elements of each one, and highlight commonalities, that wouldn’t be obvious if you looked at them in isolation.

The same goes for the books or movies in this list. Each should be thought-provoking on its own, but should also contribute to the overall picture of your intellectual style that you’ve been putting together throughout your application. A great list includes items that communicate with each other – like matching a hat with your socks. Some more style tips:

1. List items that build on each other. Key word: synergy. In the same way that wearing two matching items together can say a lot about your fashion taste, including two similar items in your list can communicate a sustained interest in a topic.

For example, if I include both Macbeth and Throne of Blood in my list of films, I’m telling my readers, “Hey! I’m interested in exploring how the same story has been adapted by different cultures and artists!” Neither Macbeth nor Throne of Blood could demonstrate this on its own – but together, they become greater than the sum of their parts. Synergy!

2. Show multidimensionality. Beware of demonstrating a true interest in a topic, but in a way that doesn’t indicate curiosity or intellectual growth. For example, a litany of true-crime podcasts will feel a bit one-dimensional, and having so many similar things in the list will make each one start to lose impact–the opposite of the synergy described above.

Instead, pick works that indicate your interest in multiple facets and intellectual levels of a subject. For example, if you combine the true-crime podcasts Serial and Criminal Perspective with the journal Psychological Review and a blog on forensic psychology, you can paint yourself as someone who appreciates the layers of the criminal justice field, and is well-prepared for the comprehensive intellectual projects you’ll encounter at Columbia.

3. Don’t overdress. It’s tempting to include the most impressive, arduous books you’ve read (or maybe pretended to read) in an attempt to show you are a Serious Person. But too many straight-laced tomes can make you look like you’re overdoing it – kind of like showing up to a coffee shop in a suit.

Instead, balance your hefty items with some more easygoing ones. Euclid’s Elements of Geometry and Russell’s Principles of Mathematics are going to look a lot more palatable if you sprinkle some Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in there. You want to balance your intellectual pursuits with your distinctive personality.

4. Don’t underdress. A pinch of fluff can add a little flavor and dimension to your lists. Nobody’s going to fault you, for instance, if you include It’s Always Sunny or The Da Vinci Code on your lists of favorite things–in fact, showing you’re a regular teenager is a positive. However, you want to make sure you don’t overload on items that aren’t especially intellectual.

5. Recognizable brands can be effective. Hitting on a few respected “pop culture” items makes it more likely that you and the person reading your application will have something in common. Psychologically speaking , such similarities build a stronger interpersonal connection, and your admissions officer is more likely to advocate strongly for your candidacy if they feel some level of kinship with you.

Just make sure to pick an item that has both critical and popular merit, like Pink Floyd’s The Wall or Avatar: The Last Airbender –something that still underscores your intellectual capabilities, even as you show you’re in touch with the mainstream.

6. Dress for the job you want. Certain shoes can be impressive, but bad for dancing. Similarly, you should be careful not to confuse an “impressive” piece of media with a “relevant” one. Remember, this list is just one part of your broader application to Columbia, and the most competitive candidates have a cohesive profile, where each element enhances and connects to the others.

For example, War and Peace , Don Quixote , A Brief History of Time , and Ulysses are definitely impressive books, and you may have loved them, but if you’re interested in studying marine biology, they might not be all that relevant to your application. As we’ve highlighted above, showing diversity of interests is important, but you should dedicate the most space to items that speak to your academic and/or career interests.

7. Balance. You’ve probably figured this out by now, but creating your list is going to be a delicate game. You have to find the happy medium between intellectual and casual, specialized and well-rounded, fiction and nonfiction, differing types of media, and so on. Don’t throw together these lists last-minute simply because they’re not full-blown essays.

The format is different, but you should dedicate just as much time to this list as you would to an essay, as a well-crafted one can be just as revealing of who you are as a person as any essay–in some ways, perhaps even more!

8. Finally… be honest! Nobody is going to formally fact-check your list, but admissions officers have seen tens of thousands of applications, so they can tell when someone is just writing what they think Columbia wants to see. Again, there’s no single perfect list–authenticity will shine through more than any individual title.

Overall, this prompt is a great chance to showcase yourself as a person with real likes and interests. Of course, your intellectual development is still the foundation of the prompt, so stay within that realm. But have some fun with it! Make admissions officers want to get to know you better, and show off some sides of your personality that wouldn’t come across in your transcript or activities list, or even your other essays.

All Applicants, Prompt 1

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words).

This is a good example of a “Diversity” essay . Columbia wants not only students who will contribute to campus diversity because of their unique backgrounds, but also students who will be inclusive and benefit from a community of diverse people and perspectives. Your essay needs to convey how you will contribute to diversity and benefit from it. There are four questions implied by this prompt, and answering each of them in turn will create a strong and thorough answer.

1. What makes you diverse?

The first step is to figure out what makes you a diverse applicant. You might talk about more classic examples of background like your race/ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, or country of origin. However, diversity comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can also demonstrate a unique background in things like your hometown, socioeconomic status, an illness/disability, or even an interest or hobby.

For example, a student who has a lot of food allergies might joke that he won’t be able to enjoy the dining halls like his peers, but because of his allergies he has learned to cook for himself and to find unique food substitutions other people would never think about.

2. How has your background impacted your development?

In order to establish the emotional connection that will strengthen your essay, you need to show admissions officers how you have been impacted by the community or background that makes you diverse. Including how you have been impacted will demonstrate how you previously benefited from being part of a community, how your new perspective will allow you to contribute to Columbia’s community, and how you evolved as a result of your background.

For example, maybe you were really shy until you started participating in a community theater where you came out of your shell and let your voice be heard. At Columbia, you will not only encourage others to join theater so they can gain confidence, but you will also use your newfound confidence in public speaking to call fellow students to action regarding issues you are passionate about, like raising the minimum wage.

3. How will you contribute to diversity on campus?

Here, you need to explain how the background or community that has shaped your identity will make you an addition to diversity on campus. This is where you convince admissions officers that they want you to enrich their university.

For example, you might talk about how you wish to start your own on-campus Spanish-language publication, so students like you can read the news in their native language. Or maybe as a first-gen student, your family and culture instilled in you the value of a college education, so you will form study groups to help enrich your classmates’ educational experience. Providing concrete examples of how you will contribute to campus will really show admissions officers how you’ll fit within the campus community.

4. How will being surrounded by diversity on campus help you?

The last thing you should address is what you will personally gain from being part of a diverse community. If you’ve already discussed what you gained from your previous engagement with diversity, you should choose a different trait or skill you hope to acquire at Columbia. For example, a student who’s never left the state he was born in might describe how he wants to meet people from other countries to learn about cultural differences and gain a better understanding of other nationalities without the stereotypes found in movies and TV.

Keep in mind that this essay should exemplify your positive traits and qualities you’ve either developed, hope to develop, or hope to share with others. With that in mind, there are a few things you should avoid in your writing:

• Don’t just list all the facets of your identity/background. If you make a laundry list of things that contribute to your identity without elaborating on any of them, you risk running out of space before saying anything substantive.
• Avoid writing solely about negative experiences. Your background may have led to some adversity in your life, which is normal, but college essay prompts generally aim to identify experiences that had positive outcomes or lessons. Not everything has a “happy ending,” but keep in mind that writing a negative essay is harder to execute well.
• Avoid cliché topics . There’s nothing wrong with having moved across the United States or having emigrated from another country; however, the problem is that these are very common topics, which makes it harder for you to write a unique standout essay. If you write about a more common experience because it was integral to your growth, make sure to share your specific emotions and stories to help your essay stand out, rather than discussing the general challenges you (and others) have faced.

A truly focused essay that addresses the four aforementioned questions while steering clear of the things we recommend avoiding will allow you to go into more depth and elicit a far stronger reaction to your writing!

All Applicants, Prompt 2

In college/university, students are often challenged in ways that they could not predict or anticipate. it is important to us, therefore, to understand an applicant’s ability to navigate through adversity. please describe a barrier or obstacle you have faced and discuss the personal qualities, skills or insights you have developed as a result. (150 words).

This is the classic Overcoming Challenges essay , which is common for a reason—colleges want to admit students who can push through adversity, just as Columbia explains in the prompt.

Picking your topic:

This is probably the hardest part of this essay, as students sometimes think they need to write about a tragedy, and many will not have experienced tragedy.

You want the barrier or obstacle you write about to be significant (i.e. more than getting a bad grade), but it doesn’t need to be completely life-altering (though, of course, it can be).

To help you brainstorm a topic, consider these questions:

• What experiences have changed your perspective or your day-to-day life?
• In which situations did you initially struggle, but that struggle helped you build confidence? (Keep in mind though that your topic doesn’t ultimately need to have been “successful”. You can write about an ongoing challenge or a failure if you have learned something from it).

Some example of good Overcoming Challenges topics that we’ve seen in the past include:

• Persuading the school board to dedicate the high school track to a coach
• Taking care of a sick parent
• Getting your position switched last-minute in Model UN

Tips for writing your essay:

This topic lends itself well to creative storytelling. To start your essay, bring us into the moment(s) you were experiencing the barrier/obstacle. Show us your emotions and thoughts.

In the next part of the essay, make sure to explain why the challenge was important to you, and then outline the steps you took to manage the situation. Were you ultimately successful? Why or why not?

Finally, the last third of the essay should focus on how the barrier/obstacle allowed you to grow and mature.

Your essay doesn’t need to follow this exact format or space allotment, but it should include these basic elements.

Mistakes to avoid:

This is a tricky essay because it’s easy to make mistakes in topic selection and writing. Here’s what you should look out for:

• Focusing too much on the story and not enough on the lessons you learned. Because you’re writing about a significant challenge, it can be easy to focus the whole essay on what happened and not cover how you responded and how it helped you grow. Those last two points are the most key, and you should make sure to allot enough space for them.
• Being too negative in the essay. You do not have to have ultimately succeeded in face of the barrier/obstacle, but you should ultimately have gained something positive from the situation (a new value, perspective, skill, etc.). If you find a positive impact to talk about, then you may want to choose a new topic.
• Writing about a cliche topic . Admissions officers have seen too many essays about sports injuries, and they’ve also seen a lot of essays about tragedies like death and divorce. You can still write good essays on these topics, but it’s easier to stand out if the essay has a different angle (i.e. a sports injury helping you discover a new passion vs. the typical storyline of working hard to overcoming the injury and getting back on the field).

All Applicants, Prompt 3

Why are you interested in attending columbia university we encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about columbia. (150 words).

“Why This College?” is a question that a lot of schools ask. In fact, it’s so common that we’ve put together a whole guide on how to answer it ! When you sit down to write this essay, we’d recommend having that guide pulled up, as well as Columbia’s website and any other informational materials you have for the school, like brochures or emails.

Specificity is crucial here. Vague platitudes about Columbia’s virtues – such as “Ivy League academics,” “shared classes with Barnard,” and “location in the heart of New York City” – aren’t going to cut it here. Instead, such superficial phrases signify that you did inadequate research. To set yourself apart from everyone else, you need to clearly delineate your academic interests and values, as well as the exact resources and programs at Columbia that will help you thrive. Proper nouns, concrete goals, precise examples. Specificity.

1. Provide a tangible connection to Columbia.

A “tangible connection” comprises specific elements of the university that appeal to you, and you should set aside ample time to research this. Look on Columbia’s different websites, and carefully explore the links that pertain to particular majors ( Columbia College (CC) ; Columbia Engineering (CE) , research centers , courses, and professors ( CC ; CE ). Hint: it may be worth your while to read Columbia’s magazine , which contains updates on its educators’ most recent work. Many departments also put out their own e-newsletters, so be sure to sign up to those that pique your interest.

Don’t do a small or moderate amount of research and decide it’s “good enough.” For example, it’s tempting to list a few things you like about a program based on the first couple of blurbs you read on its webpage. A student might concoct a passage like this:

“As someone interested in studying Mideast politics as well as literature, Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies program sounds like a great place to blend my interests and study from renowned professors like Muhsin al-Musawi.”

This example looks fine at first glance, but it’s pretty superficial and definitely not the best response. Instead of just name-dropping professors and programs, you should articulate your future with them like you’re fantasizing about your wedding, down to the last beautiful detail. A much more specific passage about Columbia’s MESAAS would sound like:

“When reading about the last Adab Colloquium, I was intrigued by how Columbia’s Middle East Institute recruits authorities from other universities, from nearby Princeton to the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, to better immerse Columbia students in the diverse voices of Middle Eastern literary studies. The frequency of colloquia provided by the MEI shows that Columbia is dedicated to expanding Middle Eastern studies in the U.S., and that I would find ample guidance as an MESAAS student there.”

It’s immediately evident that crafting the second statement required much more probing, revision, and familiarity than the first.

2. Describe your intangible connection as well.

Why is Columbia a place that aligns with your values, dreams, and goals? How do you vibe with it? For example, if our hypothetical student continued to write about MESAAS and MEI, he would state explicitly how it draws him in, and how it aligns with his philosophical and societal intentions:

“Additionally, I’m impressed by how the MEI provides students with the opportunity to volunteer with talks and activities at local high schools. As someone who grew up in a small town in Illinois, my grade school education about culture in the Middle East was misinformed and sometimes dangerous. I would love to study and volunteer in a department dedicated to combating misinformation and offering resources to underprivileged teachers.”

A clearly outlined path and a strong personal philosophy will indicate to admissions officers that you’re likely to succeed at Columbia.

3. Engage with faculty and students, if possible.

Your response to this “Why This College?” prompt is the perfect place to talk about specific interactions, like sitting in on an awe-inspiring seminar during a campus visit, hearing a professor speak, or seeing how Columbia has prepared a friend for his career.

However, always be sure to tie these experiences into your own goals and interests! Don’t just name-drop a certain Professor Smith. Instead, take the opportunity to find a personal connection to Prof. Smith’s research and to mention how great Columbia is for supporting people like her. Your format should be:

Program/Individual/Major -> Columbia’s Values -> My values

If you want to learn more about a specific professor or their subject/research/work, don’t be afraid to politely email them or contact their department. Many professors love to talk about their work and their interests, or would at least be happy to put you in touch with current students you could talk to. You might also want to look for online colloquia or talks.

Taking these steps will better inform you about the school and give you a great edge for this prompt. And, you’ll probably get great advice for your higher education journey in general.

Note: the earlier you prepare for this prompt, the more time you will have to do deep research – and the more research you do, the better your essay will be!

Columbia College and Engineering Applicants

This is an example of the common “Why This Major?” essay that you may have already seen during the application process. Columbia wants to know about your interest in the majors you will have listed earlier in the application. They also want to see how your previous experiences contribute to this interest and how you may use your major in the future. This type of prompt isn’t the hardest to answer as long as you hit on some important points.

Before writing, there are a few things you should think about:

1. What genuinely draws you to this field of study? Don’t be disingenuous here. Writing answers you think the admissions committee wants to see will not benefit you in the long run.

2. What are things you enjoy specifically about the field you want to study? Saying that you love reading is a superficial statement. Instead, aim for specificity: “I enjoy reading novels that explore themes of power and corruption.”

3. How do you think this field of study/major will help you fulfill your life and career goals?

4. What did you enjoy most about this subject both in school and in your own free time?

5. Is there any emotional state or mindset that you experience every time you explore this field? If so, what puts you in this state of mind?

Think particularly hard about questions 4 and 5, as these two questions will remind you of anecdotes that can elevate your explanation of your connection to the major.

It’s fine if you haven’t totally decided on a major yet. Columbia gives you space on its application to provide three majors you might be interested in; you can pick some things you’re really fascinated by so you’ll have plenty to write about.

You only have 150 words to work with, so you shouldn’t be too flowery or elaborate in your writing right at the start. You don’t want to spend 100 words writing a beautifully crafted introduction to the major just to be left with 50 words to answer the actual prompt.

There’s no need to set up an elaborate preface like: “I was in eighth grade, and it was a cloudy day in mid-March. I wasn’t very confident or skilled in computers.” Instead, try starting in medias res , diving right into the middle of an emotional moment: “The screen glared blue. My program crashed. I buried my face in my arms and sobbed.” This structure is better for immediately grabbing your reader – a necessity in short essays like these. CollegeVine’s guidelines for college essay writing include a great primer (or refresher!) on in medias res storytelling.

Load up on your knowledge and expertise. Just because you’re weaving an engaging narrative doesn’t mean you should neglect the “area of study” part of this prompt. It’s crucial to demonstrate to Columbia that you’re not just passionate about your interest – you’re a seasoned expert. This means being specific about a certain subtopic, technique, operation, phenomenon, or term that you find fascinating. Don’t just say “programming encourages me to think in creative ways.” A better proof of this assertion would be a time you used a specific programming technique to creatively solve a specific quandary:

“Frustrated and desperate, I looked at all the data I still had to sort. Hadn’t Archimedes said that he could lift the whole world with a finger, if he just had the right lever? THINK, I told myself. And then I realized I had a lever – a processing array.”

Try to incorporate something about Columbia’s specific take on the major. For example, maybe you love psychology and you’re more interested in cognitive behavioral perspectives than psychoanalytic ones. Columbia College’s psychology major has a greater focus on cognition and behavior than on psychoanalysis, so this is something you’d definitely want to mention.

Be sure to avoid writing the following things in your writing:

• Empty flattery about a subject – Anyone can call a field “cool” without saying anything substantive about it.
• Disagreeable reasons for picking a major – Admissions don’t want to hear that you only want to study a major for money, prestige, or due to parental pressures. They want people who are dedicated to their respective fields, who want to realize their potential, and who want to contribute to the betterment of the world.
• Starting the essay with an irrelevant anecdote – Don’t try to write an enticing introduction that doesn’t cleanly transition into the “Why This Major?” part of the essay. Stories are engaging and effective, but only when relevant.

Finally, note Columbia’s timeframe: “past,” “current,” and an implicit “future.” Although they explicitly ask about your past and current experiences, you should definitely conclude with a trajectory towards future pursuits.

Present yourself as someone with a firm philosophy of developed beliefs and mature interests you want to explore in college and beyond. Anticipate future problems you’re eager to tackle – state them explicitly. You don’t need to mention Columbia explicitly in this “future” portion of your essay – you’ve already discussed it enough – but Columbia should be your unspoken future setting. The admissions committee should see this essay as foreshadowing what you will accomplish at Columbia.

Dual BA Applicants

Why is an international academic experience important to you as you consider the ways in which it may influence your future, how have your academic experiences prepared you for the dual ba program, what are your academic interests in, and aspirations for, the program.

This prompt is for students who are applying for Columbia’s prestigious dual degree programs , either with Trinity College in Dublin or Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Sciences) in various regions of France. The prompt is the same for both programs, with only the name of the partner university differing, so they can be approached in a similar way, although we’ll certainly provide specific tips for each one as well.

Note: This prompt has some overlap with the previous “Why This Major?” essay discussed, so some of the insight provided there might also prove useful with this prompt.

First, unlike Columbia’s other supplements, this essay is a marathon, not a sprint. 750 to 1,000 words is a lot of space, which means Columbia wants you to delve into as much detail as possible. You’ll also want to fall towards the upper end of this range–this is your only chance to talk specifically about your fit for this program, so you want to take full advantage of that opportunity.

In terms of content, there are also some differences from standard college essays. The focus is less on vivid storytelling, and much more on thoughtful analysis and intellectual engagement with complex ideas, like in an academic paper. 

Demonstrate your aptitude for the program by being thorough, considering multiple angles, and utilizing specific terms related to international education. Since this program has a clear, specific focus, you can be a bit more technical, logical, and sophisticated than you would in essays where the goal is more general personal reflection.

Of course, there are some rules from your other Columbia essays that also apply here: be specific, demonstrate your engagement, and do your research. Studying abroad appeals to a lot of people– 10-16% of all undergraduates do it. Consequently, stating simply a “desire to explore other perspectives” or “passion for international cooperation in research” isn’t going to set you apart from the pack. 

Instead, you’ll want to identify elements of the particular program you’re applying for that you wouldn’t get from any old study abroad experience. These elements should both be unique to the program, and align with your personal concrete goals and values. Think of this as a “Why Program?” essay, with the same overall structure as the “Why Columbia?” essay above, which means you’ll want to hit on both the tangible and intangible items we discussed there.

Additionally, ensure that you answer all three of the bullet points included with the prompt. Columbia included them for a reason, so your response should encompass all three dimensions: why you personally value an international educational experience, your preparation for this program, and how the program will help you achieve your long term goals.

A T-chart can be a great way of structuring your brainstorming. There are other approaches, of course, but if you aren’t sure where to begin, we recommend this starting point. This chart will help you organize your thoughts, so that once you start writing, you have a clear idea of the points you want to make and the connections you want to draw.

Your T-chart might look something like this:

Putting together this outline, and then turning it into an actual essay, is a lot of work, but breaking the process down and tackling it bit by bit will make it more manageable. In addition to this general outline, let’s also go through some institution-specific tips: 

Tips for Dublin Applicants

1. Attend one of the several online information sessions for this program in the fall. These sessions would be a prime opportunity to ask questions related to your personal interests, connect with current students and alumni, and learn insights that could help you better cater your essay to the ethos of the program. Mentioning specifically that you learned something at an information session would also demonstrate your commitment to the program.

2. Research your major at both Trinity and Columbia. The Dublin program hosts a wide variety of majors, so you should look at the sites for your target departments at both institutions. Cite research projects or department mission statements that appeal to you. An excellent essay will identify a thread that connects the departments on either side of the Atlantic.

3. Is there a cultural factor? For example, do both New York and Dublin have strong local theatre communities that would allow you to explore your love of Shakespeare outside your academic setting? This is the kind of goal-oriented specificity readers are looking for. They want to admit students who are fully prepared to take advantage of all this program has to offer, including outside the classroom, so make sure you put together a comprehensive blueprint of how you personally would do so.

Tips for Sciences Po Applicants

1. Like with Trinity, attend an online information session focused on this program , to get a more concrete sense of how to craft an essay that shows the alignment between your interests and this program.

2. Pick a French campus program. Based on the geographic region of your political interests, you’ll have to select a certain Sciences Po campus . Be specific in your application: you could be studying Indonesian policy at the Havre campus in Normandy, or North African societies at the Riviera campus. Look at the sample programs on the Columbia webpage above, and delve into the websites for each campus and subscribe to e-news from each. You want to make sure you’re aware of the ongoing research and other opportunities available at each one.

3. Mention any language goals you have , such as taking classes in Arabic and French in addition to English. The Sciences Po program places a firm emphasis on international cooperation through learning second languages.

4. Have a global focus. The Sciences Po program is designed to shape the next generation of international leaders, so you should lean into a goal or issue that’s specific, but also has a broad provenance. For example, “tax law” is broadly relevant, but not targeted, while “border taxes in the Middle East” is specific, but doesn’t have broader relevance. “Americans need to work with Middle East countries to streamline cross-border taxations, which will ease tensions and encourage economic development in struggling border communities” strikes the right balance.

5. Don’t forget your personal connections. Just because the Sciences Po program is so vast doesn’t mean you should neglect your own story. Readers need to understand what’s motivating you to take the particular path you’ve chosen, out of all the opportunities available to you. For example, if I was the student interested in tax law above, I might describe family struggles with complicated tax codes, or volunteer work with a local business. Your past experiences should clearly connect to your potential future at the Sciences Po program.

The School of General Studies exists to afford nontraditional students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree with flexibility. The typical GS student falls into one of three categories:

• People who have interrupted their education with a gap of a year or more.
• People who have never attended college and are older than typical beginning undergraduate students.
• People who, for personal or professional reasons, can only attend college part-time.

If one of these (or another nontraditional path) describes you, this essay is your chance to tell your story.

Before you begin writing, we strongly recommend that you organize your thoughts and outline your essay. Unlike typical college essays, this prompt is essentially asking you for a condensed autobiography. It has a very large word count for a college essay, but this is because you need a lot of space to hit every point the prompt mentions.

You’re asked about your educational history, work experience, present situation, and future plans – this order isn’t accidental. Typically, even for nontraditional college students, early education precedes work experience, both of which lead to the present situation, which then leads into the future. The prompt lends itself very well to a collection format in which multiple chronologically ordered anecdotes will tell your story.

You can’t talk about everything meaningful that has happened during your entire life, so you’re going to have to choose anecdotes judiciously. A good idea is to choose anecdotes that are related or that naturally transition into each other to establish a theme. This theme will vary greatly between applicants depending on the trajectory of their individual lives.

For example, one student may have had an unconventional education due to travel for high-level athletic competitions. This student may write an essay with a positive tone, filled with anecdotes about her competitions and accomplishments. Another student may have had an unconventional education due to recurring hospitalizations for an illness. This student may write an essay with a serious tone that emphasizes how he has grown to overcome adversity.

Even though your essay will have an overarching mood, you should aim to keep a balance between accomplishments and adversity. Writing an essay with too many positive achievements may come off as a bit arrogant whereas writing an essay with too many negative events may seem like it’s trying to elicit pity. Besides, the prompt specifically asks you for both personal achievements and educational challenges. Your essay should reflect how your highs and lows both had a profound impact on your values, beliefs, lifestyle, and/or worldview.

To begin, unless it was truly unconventional, don’t spend too much time talking about your early education (kindergarten to middle school). These are formative years that generally follow the same kind of trajectory for most people. Of course, if you were homeschooled, changed schools multiple times, or something of that nontraditional nature, feel free to mention how these circumstances changed who you have become.

With respect to educational history, what you should focus on is your high school years and any experience with college you may have already had. Write about factors that make you an nontraditional student. Maybe your grades weren’t ideal because you had to work a job while attending high school to support an ailing family member.

Admissions committees understand that everyone comes from a different walk of life with different circumstances. Don’t be afraid to be sincere about complications you may have faced, but be careful not to make hollow excuses. You have to take responsibility for things that are within your control.

The same idea applies to work experience. Any experiences that have contributed to your growth while simultaneously altering what would have otherwise been a traditional experience are fair game. Perhaps you already finished college and began working in a field related to your major, but decided that it isn’t what you want to do. Explain why you’ve switched gears and elaborate on your plans for the future.

Once you’ve gone over the events that have informed who you are today, it’s time to write about what you’re doing and where you want to go. The prompt asks you to delineate how “specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, […] meet your needs as a nontraditional student.”

To address this part of the prompt, you’ll need to do a lot of research. Look into Columbia’s webpage for your desired major to see how you can work specificity into your essay. Also consult the course search tool to find program features that appeal to you (you can pick a department to see all the courses it offers).

For example, an applicant who has already worked for two years as a pharmacy assistant might want to pivot to a different scientific field. An excerpt from her essay might look like this:

“I had always loved chemistry, so I jumped at the chance to work a chemistry-related job right out of high school. I became a pharmacy assistant, which mostly involved filling prescriptions but not actually doing any of the chemistry itself. I didn’t mind it, especially because I needed to provide for my young son, but one recent experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of chemistry. One night, someone tried to break into the pharmacy, but couldn’t get in because of our specialized glass. I was fascinated by this glass’s ability to withstand a lot of force, which inspired me to pursue chemistry and physics more rigorously.

Materials science quickly became my new favorite thing. I would love to secure a job in this field so I can fulfill my passion while creating a more stable future for my son. The Chemical Physics major at Columbia’s School of General Studies will allow me to pursue employment in materials science. Courses like Quantum Chemistry and Materials Chemistry IIA are essential to learning how to craft high-density glass. Additionally, the flexibility of scheduling at the school lets me continue working at the pharmacy, so I can keep paying my expenses.”

Be sure to provide as much detail as possible about your current situation and about how you got there. Columbia wants to know who you are, where you wish to go, and how your life experience will add to the GS community.

This is a slightly more specific version of the academic interest or “Why This Major?” prompt. The admissions committee wants to understand your interest in the medicine and allied health fields, how your background supports that interest, and what you intend to do on this career path.

Before you begin writing, ask yourself a few questions to guide your response:

1. What are your authentic reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine or allied health?

If you’re applying to this program, you should have a genuine interest in medicine to some degree. If your reasons are primarily money, prestige, and/or pressure from your parents, this is already a bad sign, and you should really consider if this decision is right for you.

2. What are specific examples of things you enjoy about medicine or allied health?

Instead of thinking “orthodontics” or “audiology” generically, think “treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders” or “diagnosis of presbycusis.” Specificity is key to a successful essay.

3. How might a career in medicine or allied health help you achieve your life and/or career goals?

Figuring this part out will give Columbia a clearer picture of what motivates you and will show the admissions committee that you have a career plan (or at least an idea of where you’re going). Again, avoid writing about things like money or status. Universities want students with deep academic interests, people who wish to realize their potential and to improve the world or their community in some way. Saying that you want to make a lot of money is too one-dimensional and self-serving, especially for an aspiring medical professional.

4. What has been the best part of your experience in a health field, both within and outside the classroom?

You don’t want to just tell Columbia that you want to pursue a career in healthcare. You also want to show them that your experiences thus far have prepared you to thrive in a field that’s known for being intense, emotionally as well as intellectually.

5. Do you experience a particular emotional state or frame of mind every time you explore this field of study? What about this state of mind do you find empowering?

Your answers to questions 4 and 5 should help you recall relevant anecdotes, which will be your greatest asset in writing this essay. Bear in mind that medicine and allied health are very broad fields, so your personal motivations and your essay can take shape in vastly different ways.

Consider the following hypothetical applicants:

• Lucy spent a lot of her childhood sitting in her mother’s medical office. For years she would see kids come and go, each treated by her mother. After graduating college and working for a few years in the field she got a degree in, Lucy realized that she truly wants to be a pediatrician like her mother.
• James was a civil engineer for a year and a half before he had an accident on the job. His jaw and teeth were damaged, but an oral surgeon was able to restore them so well that the damage was nearly unnoticeable. Grateful for modern surgery and now deeply interested in the field, James now wants to become an oral surgeon to pay it forward.
• Michael got a bachelor’s degree in data science and ended up working in a medical office. His job mainly consisted of creating predictive models to identify people at greater risk for adverse health outcomes, but having worked with so many medical professionals gave him a change of heart. Michael admires how the doctors he worked with improve patients’ lives in a very direct way, so he now wants to become a doctor himself.

Treat this prompt as an opportunity to tell your story. Show the admissions committee where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go. You may have heard the old writing trope “Show, don’t tell.” Rather than saying that you like the medical field, use anecdotes to showcase your specific passions and motivations.

Where to Get Your Columbia University Essays Edited For Free

Want feedback on your Columbia essays to improve your chances at admission? After rereading your essays over and over again, it can be difficult to find where your writing can be improved. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Need feedback faster? Get a  free, nearly-instantaneous essay review  from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

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Innovative College Essay Formats: A Reddit-Inspired Exploration

The college essay is a critical component of the application process, and choosing the right format can make all the difference. In this article, we delve into a popular Reddit thread on college essay formats to uncover unique and engaging ideas from users who have been through the process themselves. Discover how these Redditors have approached their essays and the creative formats they’ve used to make their stories stand out.

The List College Essay Format

One Reddit user shared their experience using a list format for their college essay. By presenting their thoughts as a numbered list, they were able to create a unique and memorable essay that showcased their creativity and writing skills. This format can be an effective way to break down complex ideas and present them in an easy-to-understand manner.

The Letter College Essay  Format

Another Redditor suggested writing the college essay in the form of a letter to someone significant in their life. This approach allows the writer to share their personal experiences and emotions in a conversational tone, making the essay more relatable and engaging for the reader.

The Dialogue College Essay Format

A Reddit user proposed using a dialogue format for their college essay, which involves presenting the essay as a conversation between the writer and someone else. This approach can bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the essay, making it more interesting and thought-provoking for the reader.

The Anecdote College Essay Format

One popular suggestion from the Reddit thread is using an anecdote format for the college essay. By sharing a personal story or experience, the writer can provide a compelling narrative that captures the reader’s attention and showcases their personality, character, and values.

The Chronological College Essay Format

Another Reddit user suggested using a chronological format for their essay. By presenting events in the order they occurred, this approach can provide a clear and organized narrative that demonstrates the writer’s growth and development over time.

We asked Sybil Low to rank traditional pieces of advice about college essay format guidlines: 

As demonstrated by the ideas shared in the Reddit thread, there are numerous creative college essay formats to choose from. When crafting your own essay, consider using one of these unique formats to make your story stand out from the competition. Ultimately, the most important aspect of your essay is to showcase your authentic self and communicate your experiences and values in a way that resonates with admissions officers.

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Should I Use ChatGPT to Write My Essays?

Everything high school and college students need to know about using — and not using — ChatGPT for writing essays.

Jessica A. Kent

ChatGPT is one of the most buzzworthy technologies today.

In addition to other generative artificial intelligence (AI) models, it is expected to change the world. In academia, students and professors are preparing for the ways that ChatGPT will shape education, and especially how it will impact a fundamental element of any course: the academic essay.

Students can use ChatGPT to generate full essays based on a few simple prompts. But can AI actually produce high quality work, or is the technology just not there yet to deliver on its promise? Students may also be asking themselves if they should use AI to write their essays for them and what they might be losing out on if they did.

AI is here to stay, and it can either be a help or a hindrance depending on how you use it. Read on to become better informed about what ChatGPT can and can’t do, how to use it responsibly to support your academic assignments, and the benefits of writing your own essays.

What is Generative AI?

Artificial intelligence isn’t a twenty-first century invention. Beginning in the 1950s, data scientists started programming computers to solve problems and understand spoken language. AI’s capabilities grew as computer speeds increased and today we use AI for data analysis, finding patterns, and providing insights on the data it collects.

But why the sudden popularity in recent applications like ChatGPT? This new generation of AI goes further than just data analysis. Instead, generative AI creates new content. It does this by analyzing large amounts of data — GPT-3 was trained on 45 terabytes of data, or a quarter of the Library of Congress — and then generating new content based on the patterns it sees in the original data.

It’s like the predictive text feature on your phone; as you start typing a new message, predictive text makes suggestions of what should come next based on data from past conversations. Similarly, ChatGPT creates new text based on past data. With the right prompts, ChatGPT can write marketing content, code, business forecasts, and even entire academic essays on any subject within seconds.

But is generative AI as revolutionary as people think it is, or is it lacking in real intelligence?

The Drawbacks of Generative AI

It seems simple. You’ve been assigned an essay to write for class. You go to ChatGPT and ask it to write a five-paragraph academic essay on the topic you’ve been assigned. You wait a few seconds and it generates the essay for you!

But ChatGPT is still in its early stages of development, and that essay is likely not as accurate or well-written as you’d expect it to be. Be aware of the drawbacks of having ChatGPT complete your assignments.

It’s not intelligence, it’s statistics

One of the misconceptions about AI is that it has a degree of human intelligence. However, its intelligence is actually statistical analysis, as it can only generate “original” content based on the patterns it sees in already existing data and work.

It “hallucinates”

Generative AI models often provide false information — so much so that there’s a term for it: “AI hallucination.” OpenAI even has a warning on its home screen , saying that “ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.” This may be due to gaps in its data, or because it lacks the ability to verify what it’s generating. 

It doesn’t do research  

If you ask ChatGPT to find and cite sources for you, it will do so, but they could be inaccurate or even made up.

This is because AI doesn’t know how to look for relevant research that can be applied to your thesis. Instead, it generates content based on past content, so if a number of papers cite certain sources, it will generate new content that sounds like it’s a credible source — except it likely may not be.

There are data privacy concerns

When you input your data into a public generative AI model like ChatGPT, where does that data go and who has access to it? 

Prompting ChatGPT with original research should be a cause for concern — especially if you’re inputting study participants’ personal information into the third-party, public application. 

JPMorgan has restricted use of ChatGPT due to privacy concerns, Italy temporarily blocked ChatGPT in March 2023 after a data breach, and Security Intelligence advises that “if [a user’s] notes include sensitive data … it enters the chatbot library. The user no longer has control over the information.”

It is important to be aware of these issues and take steps to ensure that you’re using the technology responsibly and ethically. 

It skirts the plagiarism issue

AI creates content by drawing on a large library of information that’s already been created, but is it plagiarizing? Could there be instances where ChatGPT “borrows” from previous work and places it into your work without citing it? Schools and universities today are wrestling with this question of what’s plagiarism and what’s not when it comes to AI-generated work.

To demonstrate this, one Elon University professor gave his class an assignment: Ask ChatGPT to write an essay for you, and then grade it yourself. 

“Many students expressed shock and dismay upon learning the AI could fabricate bogus information,” he writes, adding that he expected some essays to contain errors, but all of them did. 

His students were disappointed that “major tech companies had pushed out AI technology without ensuring that the general population understands its drawbacks” and were concerned about how many embraced such a flawed tool.

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How to Use AI as a Tool to Support Your Work

As more students are discovering, generative AI models like ChatGPT just aren’t as advanced or intelligent as they may believe. While AI may be a poor option for writing your essay, it can be a great tool to support your work.

Generate ideas for essays

Have ChatGPT help you come up with ideas for essays. For example, input specific prompts, such as, “Please give me five ideas for essays I can write on topics related to WWII,” or “Please give me five ideas for essays I can write comparing characters in twentieth century novels.” Then, use what it provides as a starting point for your original research.

Generate outlines

You can also use ChatGPT to help you create an outline for an essay. Ask it, “Can you create an outline for a five paragraph essay based on the following topic” and it will create an outline with an introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, and a suggested thesis statement. Then, you can expand upon the outline with your own research and original thought.

Generate titles for your essays

Titles should draw a reader into your essay, yet they’re often hard to get right. Have ChatGPT help you by prompting it with, “Can you suggest five titles that would be good for a college essay about [topic]?”

The Benefits of Writing Your Essays Yourself

Asking a robot to write your essays for you may seem like an easy way to get ahead in your studies or save some time on assignments. But, outsourcing your work to ChatGPT can negatively impact not just your grades, but your ability to communicate and think critically as well. It’s always the best approach to write your essays yourself.

Create your own ideas

Writing an essay yourself means that you’re developing your own thoughts, opinions, and questions about the subject matter, then testing, proving, and defending those thoughts. 

When you complete school and start your career, projects aren’t simply about getting a good grade or checking a box, but can instead affect the company you’re working for — or even impact society. Being able to think for yourself is necessary to create change and not just cross work off your to-do list.

Building a foundation of original thinking and ideas now will help you carve your unique career path in the future.

Develop your critical thinking and analysis skills

In order to test or examine your opinions or questions about a subject matter, you need to analyze a problem or text, and then use your critical thinking skills to determine the argument you want to make to support your thesis. Critical thinking and analysis skills aren’t just necessary in school — they’re skills you’ll apply throughout your career and your life.

Improve your research skills

Writing your own essays will train you in how to conduct research, including where to find sources, how to determine if they’re credible, and their relevance in supporting or refuting your argument. Knowing how to do research is another key skill required throughout a wide variety of professional fields.

Learn to be a great communicator

Writing an essay involves communicating an idea clearly to your audience, structuring an argument that a reader can follow, and making a conclusion that challenges them to think differently about a subject. Effective and clear communication is necessary in every industry.

Be impacted by what you’re learning about : 

Engaging with the topic, conducting your own research, and developing original arguments allows you to really learn about a subject you may not have encountered before. Maybe a simple essay assignment around a work of literature, historical time period, or scientific study will spark a passion that can lead you to a new major or career.

Resources to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills

While there are many rewards to writing your essays yourself, the act of writing an essay can still be challenging, and the process may come easier for some students than others. But essay writing is a skill that you can hone, and students at Harvard Summer School have access to a number of on-campus and online resources to assist them.

Students can start with the Harvard Summer School Writing Center , where writing tutors can offer you help and guidance on any writing assignment in one-on-one meetings. Tutors can help you strengthen your argument, clarify your ideas, improve the essay’s structure, and lead you through revisions. 

The Harvard libraries are a great place to conduct your research, and its librarians can help you define your essay topic, plan and execute a research strategy, and locate sources. 

Finally, review the “ The Harvard Guide to Using Sources ,” which can guide you on what to cite in your essay and how to do it. Be sure to review the “Tips For Avoiding Plagiarism” on the “ Resources to Support Academic Integrity ” webpage as well to help ensure your success.

Sign up to our mailing list to learn more about Harvard Summer School

The Future of AI in the Classroom

ChatGPT and other generative AI models are here to stay, so it’s worthwhile to learn how you can leverage the technology responsibly and wisely so that it can be a tool to support your academic pursuits. However, nothing can replace the experience and achievement gained from communicating your own ideas and research in your own academic essays.

About the Author

Jessica A. Kent is a freelance writer based in Boston, Mass. and a Harvard Extension School alum. Her digital marketing content has been featured on Fast Company, Forbes, Nasdaq, and other industry websites; her essays and short stories have been featured in North American Review, Emerson Review, Writer’s Bone, and others.

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11 Places to Find Great College Essay Examples

College Essays

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

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

Why Look At College Essay Examples?

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

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

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

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

What Makes A Good Sample College Essay Resource?

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

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

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

Where to Find Great College Essay Examples

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

College Essays Collected in Books

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

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

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

Excellent Books

Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worthwhile Books

College Essays That Made a Difference, 6th Edition

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

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays

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

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

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

Fiske Real College Essays That Work  

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

2015 Elite College Application Essays

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

Don't Bother

100 Successful College Application Essays

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

College Essays Published Online

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

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

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

Don't Bother 

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

The Best Ways To Use College Admission Essay Samples

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

When Should You Read Essay Examples?

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

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

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

What Can Good College Essays Teach You?

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

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

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

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

Pitfalls To Avoid

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

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

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

Resources for Essay Writing Advice

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

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

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

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

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

The Bottom Line

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

What’s Next?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Best Essay Writing Services On Reddit [2022/23]

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Reddit is a prevalent and useful resource for schoolers and college students all over the world. More than 50 million people trust the site and respect its top ratings. Most learners use it to share their fair opinion or experience about various topics. They also post helpful and interesting apps and websites. Overall, it serves as a platform to give personal reviews on certain things.

The most discussed topic among schoolers in 2022 is a variety of the best essay writing services and their features. Learners negotiate the benefits and drawbacks, customer service, speed, and capacity of the complete paper. Each day, there are several new threads with current updates or revisions on the particular site. Just within a couple of clicks, anyone can find the necessary piece of information and get the overall rate of the best essay writing services on Reddit. Such a scheme helps students save up time and directly turn to high-quality custom essay resources.

Also check out: Best Dissertation Writing Services

Best Essay Writing Services on Reddit

To provide users with information, we have conducted in-deep research by analyzing and comparing the best possible options. Last but not least, we read thousands of reviews to evaluate the writing services.

In this article, we’ve gathered all the necessary information about selected sites. We’ll get you acquainted with what they offer, the benefits and drawbacks of each resource, and go through the commission process. Here, you can see the top online resources that, in our humble opinion, would help you to turn in a perfect assignment:

• Papersowl — The Most Popular & Upvoted Essay Service.
• Paperell – Known as the Most Acceptable Resource.
• StudyDriver – Service With Pristine Online Reputation.
• Edusson — Known for Quick Delivery.

The resources are arranged in descending order, starting from the best essay writing service. It was mentioned the most within the threads, and delivers the highest capacity text writing. Still, it’s a great idea to check all the websites and test them yourself. The final goal is to find a perfectly matching resource that would meet your expectations and essay writing claims.

Papersowl.com — The Most Popular & Upvoted Essay Service

Nowadays the Internet is full of writing resources for all tastes. So why go for Papersowl.com? Let’s see what is so special about this company. Papersowl successfully operates for over 10 years providing learners with top-grade writing assignments and other projects. The best essay writers are doing a great job of impressing even the strictest professors. They know all the academic requirements and follow them to the letter to achieve excellent results. Positive user feedback is the best proof of the superiority of Papersowl among competitors.

What Reddit Users Say About The Service

Reddit is raving about PapersOwl. The users point out to the proficiency of its writers, and they are said to never miss the deadline. Moreover, you can stay in touch with the author as long as you need it. Needless to say that you can request revisions and be sure that your papers will be tailored to the claims.

Besides, anyone can check out reviews on Sitejabber to see that the essay writing service is completely legit and guarantees adherence to high-quality standards. Competent paper writers make sure that each client is 100% satisfied.

Types of Services

On Papersowl.com you’ll be able to find the full list of their services. Learners can apply to the resource no matter what assignment they have — Research Studies, Thesis, Critical Thinking, Dissertation, Coursework, or any type of essay (admission, argumentative, etc). When your text is ready, you’ll be notified and receive the complete work. We assure you that the delivery will be right on time, if not earlier.

The experience of cooperation with this portal is pleasantly surprising as Papersowl always implements a Plagiarism-Free Policy. The papers delivered by this essay writing service are always double-checked for uniqueness to ensure you get 100% unique academic research. Go through the feedback from real clients and read a review of PapersOwl on Reddit to find more info on that and other perks of the portal. Consider the pros and cons of the resource before deciding whether it is worth your attention.

• Papersowl team hires the best professional writers,
• The delivery is right on time,
• Students can stay in touch with the author and edit the article together,
• Easy ordering scheme.
• Prices might be a bit higher than competitors.

Order Process

To buy the necessary paper you need to complete a four-step guide. First, sign up for your account and click on the “order now” button. Then you’ll receive a form that has to be filled up with the instructions and collegiate claims. Once it’s done, you can select a writer by reading through their profiles. Deposit some cash in the account to make a deal with the author. Track your order and give comments if any. Finally, check your text and send the money to the expert when you’re satisfied. Otherwise, let the writer know what’s wrong, edit those pieces together and repay the order.

Paperell.net – Known as the Most Acceptable Resource

Paperell is another leading essay writing service. Students all over the globe apply to the Paperell to order papers of different academic levels and complexity. Plenty of learners share their experiences and impressions from the cooperation with writers on social media. We definitely recommend familiarizing yourself with Paperell reviews on reviews.io from real clients to weigh the upsides and downsides of the resource and see whether it meets all your expectations. Note that over 85% of paperell.net clients are happy with the excellent services, communication, and top results.

Among a large variety of offers, learners frequently apply to different types of essays, theses, coursework, lab reports and research papers, etc. It’s a perfect choice if you’re not an English speaker but would love to improve your language skills. It’s suitable for those who are missing a deadline due to a part-job or personal events. The authors will help you in any case, support your ideas and make your paper perfect for grading.

• Paperell sets affordable prices,
• Customer support operates 24\7,
• The portal has qualified writers and a strict selection,
• Paperel.net guarantees to return money if you don’t like the text.
• The service doesn’t provide discounts.

It is not difficult to order an article from Paperell. There are a few easy steps to follow. Before making a request, you have to register an account or log in if you already have one. Then find the button “Order Now” and fill out the given form. Try to be precise and tell the expert all the claims for the collegiate task. Afterwards, you can select a specialist and negotiate the details. You can pay for essay when it’s done and you’re happy with the results. Make sure to read the essay when you receive it to make edits right after and avoid misunderstandings.

StudyDriver.com – Service With Pristine Online Reputation

StudyDriver.net has gained popularity due to its uniqueness. It’s not like many essay-writing services Reddit promotes. The difference is that the source has plenty of chargeless samples that you can use in your studies. They cover over 100 academic subjects that students meet in their program. In addition, StudyDriver promises the best quality plagiarism checks and custom writings tailored to your request.

On the main page of StudyDriver.net clients can find a long list of various essay topics: both main categories and more specified themes. With these services, you’ll be able to choose a particular subject and get your task done, including an extraordinary statement, solid relevant arguments, and trustworthy facts.

The service also suits those who want to try their skills and write the best paper. StudyDriver authors will support your efforts and help you with editing when needed. The resource proposes certain tools as well. The plagiarism checker defines how original your paper is. Citation builder reorganizes your essay to an appropriate format that matches MLA, APA, Harvard, etc. The title generator analyzes your topic and gives several ideas that you can implement in the writing.

• StudyDriver has a bot that accepts your academic claims,
• The source has free samples.
• Offered selection of topics is broad.
• A bot might miss some important remarks.

The basic scheme consists of four steps. Users have to sign up and click on the “Order Now” button. The next step is providing detailed instructions such as the number of pages, deadline, best references, etc. Afterward, learners can chat with different authors and select the one they like. Track your task, give comments, and make edits if any. Once you’ve reviewed the paper and think it would be submitted, repay the writer.

Edusson.com

One more paper writing service that deserves the attention of our readers is Edusson . Many learners use it to get their homework assignments done for lower rates and within short deadlines. The main perk of the resource is that the experts strictly follow the instructions and adhere to all the requirements you provide. If you have any second thoughts, check feedback from real clients on Sitejabber to see for yourself. First-hand experiences of people who used the portal will help you decide whether this essay service is suitable for you.

Edusson.com also has several samples that learners may use. Overall, it offers help with various types of articles. For instance, analytical, descriptive essay, expository, etc. There are no-cost features available as well. Clients can turn to the resource and ask for a title or a reference page, a running head, or automatic in-text citations. These may look like small details but mean a lot in terms of grading. Edusson writers proceed with the chargeless plagiarism check to make sure they deliver a unique task back to you.

• The website proposes chargeless samples,
• Edusson.com has plenty of free features that always come in handy,
• Users have a personal chat with the author where they discuss the paper’s details,
• Writers of the resource strictly follow the collegiate requirements of the student who applied.
• Customers have a limited period to request a refund in case it’s needed.

To get a starter, you need to register an account or log in if you’ve already created one. Then click on the “Order Now” button and proceed with the instructions. Mention all the claims you received from your professor: number of pages, specific references, etc. Chat and choose the writer. Once you’ve negotiated the deal, deposit the funds into the account and release them to the author after the revision of the complete task.

Is PapersOwl Legit on Reddit?

Yes, PapersOwl is a legit and reliable writing community. It hires educated authors and gives a decent final result. The functioning part is taken care of too. There is efficient customer support and 24\7 availability. Still, consider that you have to communicate with real people who have personal errands just like you. Finding a matching writer takes time but it is worth waiting once you receive the completed assignment.

How to Choose the Best Essay Writing Service on Reddit.com?

It contains thousands if not millions of remarks on different things. Therefore, it might be complex to analyze all of them and make a decision. However, there are a couple of points you have to take into account. First, always check how often the source is mentioned among positive threads. Secondly, feel free to chat with those who already used the resource and ask for their fair opinion.

Is It Safe to Buy Essays Online?

Purchases on the Internet may be confusing. There are plenty of stories about deception and laundering, although the positive feedback is leading. All the platforms in our article are trustworthy and secure. There are no scams but real professional writers with whom you stay in touch throughout the whole period.

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