Write Your Best Application Essays
Read hundreds of outstanding college essays from admitted students.
Learn how to write insightful, personable, and enjoyable to read essays that boost your applications.
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What do outstanding essays have in common?
Here are our 23 most effective strategies based on lessons from admitted students.
Ivy League Essays That Worked
Find examples of how real students got accepted into Ivy League schools. Write outstanding admissions essays for popular Ivy League schools like...
Public Colleges Essays That Worked
Read our best essay examples for public universities like the University of California, University of Michigan, and more. Public colleges receive the most applicants out of all types of schools, so your application essays are increasingly important each year.
Private Colleges Essays That Worked
Read amazing essay examples for top private universities like Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, and more.






College Admissions Factors
Your essays are your only chance to write directly to admissions officers.
Which makes your essays one of the most important factors in your control.
You may need the stats to get considered, but after that, your subjective factors are more heavily weighed.
Make every word count, and present your best self.
Real essays.Real acceptances.
Over 2,100 students and parents have joined Essays That Worked to write better application essays. Will you be next? Start understanding application essays better.
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