---
title: Online SAT / ACT Prep Blog by PrepScholar | College Essays
description: College Essays | PrepScholar helps you prep for the SAT / ACT by answering the most important questions online!
---
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## [Is the Costco Essay Still Good?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/costco-college-essay)
Posted by [Christine Sarikas](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/christine-sarikas) | April 11, 2025
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/costco-college-essay)
If you've done any research into college essays and [how to write a great one](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay), you've likely come across the esteemed "Costco Essay." This essay, published publicly in 2016, has since achieved near-legendary status in the world of college admissions. The Costco essay focuses on the writer's lifelong love of Costco and helped earn her spots at multiple Ivy League schools, as well as Stanford. Since then, it's been held up as a shining example of a college admissions essay.
But is the Costco essay still good? Was it really that impressive to begin with? Would it still get an applicant into Ivy League schools today or has it become overused and outdated? How can you take what it did well and apply it to your own college essay? Learn all the answers in this expert guide.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/costco-college-essay)
---
## [The 13 Best College Essay Tips to Craft a Stellar Application](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-college-essay-tips)
Posted by [Ellen McCammon](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ellen-mccammon) | December 11, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-college-essay-tips)
In many ways, the most labor-intensive part of your college application process is the essay. It’s not just about forwarding transcripts or entering a list of extracurricular activities—you have to craft something personal and compelling to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your resume.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-college-essay-tips)
---
## [How to Write a Perfect "Why This College?" Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-this-college-essay)
Posted by [Dr. Anna Wulick](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-anna-wulick) | November 1, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-this-college-essay)
Did you think you were all done pouring out your blood, sweat, and tears in written form for your [personal statement](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-personal-statement-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-college-essay), only to be faced with the "why this college?" supplemental essay? This question might seem simple but is in fact a crucial and potentially tricky part of many college applications. **What exactly is the "why us?" essay trying to understand about you? And how do you answer this question without falling into its many pitfalls or making any rookie mistakes?**
In this article, I'll explain why colleges want you to be able to explain *why* you are applying. I'll also discuss how to generate and brainstorm topics for this question and how to make yourself sound sincere and committed. Finally, we'll go over some "why this school?" essay *do*s and *don't*s.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-this-college-essay)
---
## [4 Tips for Writing a Stand-Out 'Why UChicago?' Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-uchicago-essay-examples-tips)
Posted by [Christine Sarikas](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/christine-sarikas) | October 30, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-uchicago-essay-examples-tips)
For students applying to the University of Chicago, the ["why UChicago?" essay](https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/uchicago-supplemental-essay-questions) is more straightforward than most of the other essay prompts you'll see, but it can still be intimidating to try to figure out how you should tackle this essay.
What should you mention? What will impress the admissions team? **What are they really looking for in your response?**
We break down the "why UChicago?" essay, explain everything the University of Chicago is looking for in this essay, suggest topics to write about that'll help you stand out, and provide "why UChicago?" essay examples to help get your creative juices flowing.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-uchicago-essay-examples-tips)
---
## [3 Top Tips for a Stand-Out Cornell Essay 2024-2025](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cornell-essay-prompt-supplement)
Posted by [Hayley Milliman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman) | October 29, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cornell-essay-prompt-supplement)
For the 2023–2024 admission cycle, Cornell admitted only 7% of their total applicant pool. To be one of the students who gets accepted, you need to write amazing essays as part of your Cornell University application.
In this article, **we'll outline the different types of essays you need to write for your 2024-2025 Cornell University application and teach you how to write a Cornell supplemental essay** that will help you stand out from the thousands of other applicants.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cornell-essay-prompt-supplement)
---
## [5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Rice Essay Supplement](https://blog.prepscholar.com/rice-essay-supplement-examples)
Posted by [Hannah Muniz](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hannah-muniz) | October 19, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/rice-essay-supplement-examples)
Rice University is [one of the top 20 universities in the nation](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rice-3604), and to get in, you need more than just awesome grades and test scores—you need a compelling Rice essay. **The Rice application requires several essays depending on the school you're applying to at the university.** So what should you write about for each Rice essay to make your application as strong as it can be?
We'll explain what the Rice supplement is and go over the Rice University essay prompts you'll see on your application. Then, we'll give you expert tips on how to answer each essay prompt so you'll have an even better shot at getting accepted to this prestigious university!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/rice-essay-supplement-examples)
---
## [How to Write a Diversity Essay: 4 Key Tips](https://blog.prepscholar.com/diversity-essay-college)
Posted by [Hannah Muniz](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hannah-muniz) | October 18, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/diversity-essay-college)
If you're applying to college, you've probably heard the phrase "diversity essay" once or twice. This type of essay is a little different from your typical ["Why this college?" essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-this-college-essay). Instead of focusing on why you've chosen a certain school, **you'll write about your background, values, community, and experiences—basically, what makes *you* special.**
In this guide, I explain what a diversity college essay is, what schools are looking for in this essay, and what you can do to ensure your diversity essay stands out.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/diversity-essay-college)
---
## [How to Write a Perfect UC Essay for Every Prompt](https://blog.prepscholar.com/uc-personal-statement-application-essay)
Posted by [Dr. Anna Wulick](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-anna-wulick) | October 12, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/uc-personal-statement-application-essay)
If you're **applying to any University of California (UC) campus as an incoming first-year student**, then you have a special challenge ahead of you. Applicants need to answer four UC personal insight questions, chosen from a pool of eight unique prompts different from those on the Common App. But not to worry! This article is here to help.
In this article, I'll dissect [the eight UC essay prompts](https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html) in detail. What are they asking you for? What do they want to know about you? What do UC admissions officers really care about? How do you avoid boring or repulsing them with your essay?
I'll break down all of these important questions for each prompt and discuss how to pick the four prompts that are perfect for you. I'll also give you examples of how to make sure your essay fully answers the question. Finally, I'll offer step-by-step instructions on how to come up with the best ideas for your UC personal statements.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/uc-personal-statement-application-essay)
---
## [How to Write Perfect ApplyTexas Essays for 2024-2025](https://blog.prepscholar.com/apply-texas-essays)
Posted by [Dr. Anna Wulick](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-anna-wulick) | October 12, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/apply-texas-essays)
The ApplyTexas college application contains many essay prompts, and each of the most popular colleges in Texas has different requirements for which essays they expect applicants to answer.
**So how do you get advice on writing your best ApplyTexas essays, no matter which school you're applying to?** Look no further than this article, which completely unpacks all possible ApplyTexas essay prompts. We'll explain what each prompt is looking for and what admissions officers are hoping to learn about you. In addition, we'll give you our top strategies for ensuring that your essay meets all these expectations and help you come up with your best essay topics.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/apply-texas-essays)
---
## [3 Tips for Writing Stellar 2024-2025 Georgia Tech Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/georgia-tech-essays-examples-prompts)
Posted by [Hannah Muniz](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hannah-muniz) | October 10, 2023
[College Info](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-info), [College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/georgia-tech-essays-examples-prompts)
Before you envision yourself getting settled in at Georgia Tech, you must get over the hurdle of writing the Georgia Tech essays. **The Georgia Tech supplement requires you to write a short essay specifically for Georgia Tech.** But what is the essay prompt? And what should you include in your Georgia Tech essay?
Keep reading to learn exactly what the Georgia Tech essay is, what kinds of topics you can write about (and what kinds of topics to avoid), and how to ensure you're submitting a quality essay.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/georgia-tech-essays-examples-prompts)
---
## [Which Common App Essay Prompt Should You Choose?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-common-app-essay-prompt-should-you-choose)
Posted by [Dr. Anna Wulick](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-anna-wulick) | October 3, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-common-app-essay-prompt-should-you-choose)
On one hand, the Common Application has seven essay prompts to choose from, which is great news: No matter what your story, you're sure to find a good fit! On the other hand, having seven prompts means you can write seven different kinds of essays, each with its own potential pitfalls and clichés to steer around.
In this article, I'll outline **two totally different approaches to figuring out which Common App essay prompt is right for you** and help you brainstorm possible ideas for each. I'll also talk about what makes great college essays great and give examples of what you want to avoid when crafting your essay.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-common-app-essay-prompt-should-you-choose)
---
## [What Is a Personal Statement? Everything You Need to Know About the College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-personal-statement-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-college-essay)
Posted by [Alex Heimbach](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/alex-heimbach) | October 2, 2023
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-personal-statement-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-college-essay)
In addition to standardized test scores and transcripts, a personal statement or essay is a required part of many college applications. **The personal statement can be one of the most stressful parts of the application process because it's the most open ended.**
In this guide, I'll answer the question, "What is a personal statement?" I'll talk through common college essay topics and what makes for an effective personal statement.
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-personal-statement-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-college-essay)
---
## [201 College Essay Examples for 11 Schools + Expert Analysis](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-essay-examples-that-worked-expert-analysis)
Posted by [Dr. Anna Wulick](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-anna-wulick) | September 13, 2023
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-essay-examples-that-worked-expert-analysis)
The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to **check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually *worked.*** After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.
In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With **links to 187 full essays and essay excerpts**, this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-essay-examples-that-worked-expert-analysis)
---
## [Complete Strategies: Common App Essay Prompts (2025-26)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/common-app-essay-prompts)
Posted by [Alex Heimbach](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/alex-heimbach) | August 13, 2023
[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/common-app-essay-prompts)
If you're applying to more than one or two colleges, there's a good chance you'll have to use the Common Application, and that means **you'll probably have to write a Common App essay**.
In this guide, I'll cover everything you need to know about the essay. I'll break down every single Common App essay prompt by going over the following:
- What is the question asking?
- What do college admissions officers want to hear from you?
- What topics can you write about effectively?
- What should you avoid at all costs?
**This will be your complete starting guide for Common App essays.** After reading this, you should have a lot of ideas for your own essays and directions to write a really [strong personal statement](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay).
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/common-app-essay-prompts)
---
## [Can You Use ChatGPT for Your College Essay?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/chatgpt-college-essay)
Posted by [Ashley Robinson](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ashley-robinson) | May 3, 2023
[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions), [College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)
[](https://blog.prepscholar.com/chatgpt-college-essay)
ChatGPT has become a popular topic of conversation since its official launch in November 2022. The artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot can be used for all sorts of things, like having conversations, answering questions, and even crafting complete pieces of writing.
If you’re applying for college, you might be wondering about ChatGPT college admissions’ potential. ** Should you use a ChatGPT college essay in your application**?
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know much more about ChatGPT, including how students can use it responsibly and **if it’s a good idea to use ChatGPT on college essays**.We’ll answer all your questions, like:
- What is ChatGPT and why are schools talking about it?
- What are the good and bad aspects of ChatGPT?
- Should you use ChatGPT for college essays and applications?
- Can colleges detect ChatGPT?
- Are there other tools and strategies that students can use, instead?
We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get started!
[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/chatgpt-college-essay)
---
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