Order the Book: College Essay Essentials


One of the best ways to write a successful college essay for your college application is by learning from real college essay examples that worked. I've compiled a few of my favorite essay examples here that cover a variety of college essay topics.
“Pour your passion, whatever it is, into every fiber of your application. Your college application is a culmination of everything you’ve done in high school. You’ve already put in the work, so the hardest part is done. Now, you just have to put pen to paper, share what you’ve accomplished, and, most importantly, illustrate how you plan to make a difference going forward in your own, unique way.” Background Essay: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. When sat down to write her college admissions essay, she began with a bold assertion: she hates the letter “S.” The essay, which she shared in a series of videos on , caught the attention of millions of people and earned her admission into Harvard University’s class of 2025 (which has an admission rate of just 3.43%). The reason it resonated with so many was—and remains—that her writing speaks to anyone who has lost a parent. This unusual young woman lost her mother to cancer, but she has become the very definition of rising above. Rather than letting it defeat or define her, Mack used her loss as inspiration. When she shared her college admissions essay on TikTok, her story about being a teenager who tried to self-soothe after the loss of a parent by filling her time with sports, clubs, hobbies, and other extracurriculars. After spending way too much time distracting herself with anything and everything, Mack realized her true passions lay in three fields: theater, academics, and politics. The prestigious college announced their lowest acceptance rate ever, welcoming only 1,968 of 57,435 first-year applicants into their hallowed halls. Thanks to Abigail Mack’s heart-wrenching, insightful essay, she will be one of the lucky students to matriculate this fall. The Massachusetts high school senior used TikTok to share a portion of the essay that made her one of the 4 percent of applicants who made the cut. Her paper focused on an unusual theme: the letter “S.”

Her first book, the essay collection “,” was published in 2019.

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

Order the Book: College Essay Essentials

She was accepted to the globally renowned school, which has a notoriously low acceptance rate of 3.43 per cent, as well as other prestigious colleges such as Northwestern and Notre Dame – thanks largely to her letter.

I Hate TheLetter S Because It'S The Be1.

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

I hate the letter “S” - ChatUPA Academy

Abigail Mack recently got accepted into Harvard University’s class of 2025. Though getting into an ivy league college is a feat in itself, it is her journey that caught everyone’s attention. Abigail recently shared the introduction of her essay that got her into Harvard, and people fell in love with the heartfelt words written in it.

How The Letter S College Essay Got an 18-year-old Into Harvard

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

I Wrote My College Essay About The Letter S & I Got In - Refinery29

After sharing her essay in its entirety, Mack filmed herself opening up the email from Harvard telling her that she was accepted. Completely overwhelmed and on the verge of tears, it shows the complexities inherent in life. That even when the worst happens, we continue to move forward and can find joy existing with sadness.

This is the emotional essay that got Abigail Mack into Harvard

As Abigail Mack explained in her essay, instead of running from the letter "S," she realized she needed to embrace it — doubly — in finding her "paSSion."