College essays play an important role in the application process. Whether you're looking forward to writing them or feeling a bit unsure, think of them as your opportunity to share your story. You’ll likely need to write a personal statement, along with anywhere from two to ten additional essays on different topics.
Some essays will come with a clear prompt to guide you, while others may leave the topic entirely up to you. This is a golden opportunity to share who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Your personal statement allows you to show the admissions team what makes you unique and why you'd be a great fit for their school.
Writing these essays might seem like a big task, but they’re really your moment to shine. With the right approach, they can be a powerful tool to highlight your individuality and make a lasting impression. Take a deep breath, get to writing, and show them what makes you stand out!
Successful college essays serve two key purposes for admissions offices. They highlight your writing skills, with proficient writers often finding the process easier. Attention to detail is vital; error-free and focused writing is essential. Even if writing isn't your strength, maintaining correct grammar and spelling matters. Having peers or family proofread your work can help catch and rectify any mistakes effectively.
The second goal of an essay is to share insights about you that cannot be understood by looking at the rest of your application. Your essay could potentially be the piece of your college application that helps you stand out most amongst your peers and win the invitation to attend. This is your chance to allow the admissions officer to get to know you in a way that is not evident anywhere else within your submission materials such as test scores, transcripts or other documents provided.
Use this opportunity to share ideas, experiences and observations that will show the school that you have a demonstrated capacity to learn, grow and/or change. They want to see life through your eyes and how you perceive the world.
Your essay will give a glimpse into you as a person and will help others understand how you have used life’s experiences to navigate your own personal journey, one that has led you to this point in your life, applying to their school with aspirations of attending.
- Crafting a good college essay takes effort and planning.
- Begin by brainstorming, researching, and outlining ideas.
- Make sure your essay reflects your personality.
- Structure the essay to include a compelling introduction, body paragraphs that address how the prompt is met, and a conclusion that ties together all points made in the essay.
- Use descriptive language to capture attention and illustrate experiences clearly.
- Allow time for multiple drafts, review, and editing of essay prior to submission.
Using the SPARC Method to Write your Essays
Some people prefer using tools to start writing their personal statement. If you're one of them, consider using the SPARC method. SPARC stands for the five main topics that most essays include in some way. These topics showcase you as more than just an accomplished student but also as a unique individual making a difference in your personal world or the world around you. It's not necessary to have achieved something extraordinary or overcome terrible hardships to get your essay noticed, even at an Ivy League institution.
SPARC:
S = Seized Opportunity
- This speaks to your ability to be aware of the world around you and this awareness gave you an insight into an opportunity that might have otherwise been missed. Did you do something noteworthy even if it was in elementary or middle school, share it? If so, what was this opportunity? How did you use it to your advantage or for the advantage of helping others?
P = Pursue Goals and Opportunities Despite Obstacles
- This topic is a good one if you can speak to a specific experience in your life where you achieved something that everyone else would have thought impossible given your circumstances or challenges in your way. Here you would speak to persistence, determination, and downright grit. Not everyone possesses these skills, which is why they are important to share.
A = Ask Questions of the World
- It’s those people who are always questioning the world, who are the ones making the biggest impacts. These are the people who see beyond what is and imagine what could be. Have you had an experience where you didn’t let the status quo suffice, you questioned a problem, issue or need and then worked to create a solution? If so, colleges want to hear all about this type of achievement.
R = Risks, Take Smart Risks
- The old adage “the biggest risk is not to take any risks” has some truth to it. Those who don’t try, not only avoid failing they avoid succeeding as well. Taking calculated risks, those where you are making informed decisions, knowing full well the costs, in addition to the potential gains, is how we grow. Have you stepped out of your comfort zone and taken a risk? Even if you didn’t succeed, surely you learned something valuable from the experience. No effort is ever void of learning. The willingness to try and the ability to learn from the experience are valuable traits that college admissions teams look for in incoming students.
C = Create with Limited Resources
- Are you scrappy? Can you work with a little and produce a lot? Those resourceful people who are not deterred by limited resources demonstrate a tenacity to press on and succeed despite the odds, are rare indeed. Have you used your problem-solving skills to create a solution to a problem by being resourceful? What was the problem and how did you solve it? Creativity in this way is an invaluable characteristic that cannot be taught. Colleges and universities seek out students with these traits.
Sample Supplemental Essay Prompts
Essay prompts are essay topics given to not only help you start writing if you are struggling to find something to write about, but also help the schools to know more about you with respect to whatever subject they prompt. Prompts vary from topics meant to elicit a SPARC-type response to more creative prompts meant to encourage an introspective answer. Samples of paraphrased prompts include:
SPARC Prompts:
- Share an experience, where you learned something valuable after overcoming an obstacle.
- Have you ever challenged a belief?
- Give an example of a time when you solved a problem.
- Tell us about a time when you experienced personal growth.
- What are you passionate about and why?
- Who is someone you admire and why?
- Why are you applying to our school?
Creative Prompts:
- What is a book you love and why?
- Name an extracurricular activity that is the most meaningful to you.
- How has having gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Share a song that describes your life right now?
- Tell us what’s so easy as pie.
- What is the truest thing you know?
- What historical event do you wish you could’ve been present for?
- What well-known person or fictional character would you like to meet?
- Tell us about an unusual talent you have and how you use it.
Compare Featured Lenders
Edvisors (Edvisors Network, Inc.
) provides independent advertising-supported platforms for consumers to search compare and apply for private student loans.
- Competitive APRs starting at 3.19%1
- Coverage up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance ($1,000 minimum) 2
- Apply online in 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision
College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
1All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
2As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
3This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 06/30/2025. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
- Choose the #1 Private Student Loan Lender in the Nation. Sallie Mae is trusted by more families than any other private student loan lender.
- Applying online is easy - you could receive a credit result in about 10 minutes.2
Borrow Responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Explore federal loans and compare to make sure you understand the terms and features. Private student loans that have variable rates can go up over the life of the loan. Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income -based repayment and income-contingent repayment plans, and loan forgiveness and deferment benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide. Federal loans generally have origination fees, but are available to students regardless of income.
Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
1Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
2Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note-first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3Based on a comparison of the percentage of students who were approved for any Sallie Mae loan with a cosigner to the percentage of students who were approved without a cosigner from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
4For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.
Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a total loan cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 10.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $150.72 and one payment of $45.51, for a total loan cost of $28,299.39. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Information advertised valid as of 06/23/2025.
Edvisors is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers.
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
© 2025 Sallie Mae Bank. Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America. W646400 0325
- Check your eligibility in just 2 minutes
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment, or late payment3
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)4
This information is for graduate and undergraduate students attending Title IV-qualified, not-for-profit, 4-year institutions. Rates offered vary by loan type (undergraduate, graduate, cosigner). Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the school is located outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizen borrowers who reside in the U.S. are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and are required to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 3.44% to 16.74% (3.19% - 16.49% with auto pay discount). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 5.24% to 17.10% (4.99% - 16.85% with auto pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and requires selection of our shortest term offered (5 years), full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. Enrolling in autopay is not required as a condition for approval.
1You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay.
2Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.
3Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida
residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1.
4Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count toward the forbearance limits. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.
1.) Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate ("APR"): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20.
2.) These examples provide estimates based on interest only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $140.42 for 57 months.
3.) These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate (14.92% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate (14.92% APR)would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00.
4.) These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate (14.67% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate (14.67% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0.
The information provided on this page is updated as of 07/08/2025. Earnest reserves the right to change, pause, or terminate product offerings at any time without notice.
Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107.
Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770) One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.
© 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY PAYMENT OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS OFFER.
- AFFORDABLE fixed rates starting at 3.09% APR with Automatic Debit Discount*
- 1% CASH BACK Graduation Reward*
- COVER UP TO 100% of your tuition and eligible living expenses.
* Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 7/1/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.
- All online, all easy.
- SoFi private student loans cover up to 100% of school-certified costs.
- No fees required.
- Repay your way with flexible repayment options (find the monthly student loan payment and rate that fits your budget).
- Applying with a cosigner may increase your chances of approval and getting a better rate.*
- Over 1 million students have chosen SoFi.
SoFi Private Student Loan
Undergraduate, Graduate, MBA, Law, Health Interest Rates: Eligibility and Important Details. Fixed rates range from 3.29% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.39% APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 5/21/25 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
Parent
Interest Rates: Eligibility and Important Details. Fixed rates range from 5.74% APR to 16.85% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 6.07% APR – 16.85% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 5/21/25 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is current as of 6/9/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
- Prequalification: Prequalify to estimate your rate without affecting your credit score
- Online Application Process: Submit online application in minutes
- Flexible Repayment Options: ELFI offers immediate, interest only, partial payment, and fully deferred repayment options
- No Fees: No application fees, origination fees, or prepayment penalties
- Low Rates: Fixed rates from 3.69% to 14.22% and variable rates from 5.00% - 13.97%*
- Award winning Customer Service: Individually paired Student Loan Advisor to guide you through the application process
*ELFI is a nationwide student loan provider offered by Tennessee based SouthEast Bank. ELFI is designed to assist students financially with receiving their education. Subject to credit approval. See Terms & Conditions. Interest rates current as of 01-01-2025. Variable interest rates may increase after closing but will never exceed 18.00%. Interest rates may also differ from the rates shown above. The term of your loan, financial history, and other factors, including your cosigner’s (if any) financial history can affect the interest rate. For example, a 10-year loan with a fixed rate of 7% would have 120 payments of $11.61 per $1,000 borrowed. Rates are subject to change.
Elements of 5 Winning Ivy League Essays
If you read any number of the sample essays available on the internet, you will start to notice that those noted for being the most successful possess some of the same fundamental elements. Those elements are:
- Writing Skills: The ability to communicate clearly and write in a manner that’s not only free of spelling and grammar errors but also flows well and keeps the reader captivated.
- Perceptive Insights: An understanding that life is more than classes and grades. These essays share insights and experiences that have sparked a teachable moment, illuminating a universal truth or big picture view of life.
- Capacity to Learn: Willingness to change and grow. Nothing ever stays the same, so a student who shows a desire to evolve is important. In one way or another, successful essays will typically demonstrate growth, acceptance, and the capacity to learn and move on.
- Quiet Confidence: Grandiose subject matter and/or achievements are not necessarily required to impress college admissions offices. This is probably the most surprising element, as most people assume they need to share their biggest accomplishments to impress college admissions officers. This isn’t entirely true, as you will see in our 5 examples below, benign subject matter such as a label maker or the letter “s” are also just as capable of captivating the reader and can communicate important personal and/or individual accomplishments just the same.
Read about some essays that were identified as successful in the admissions process at an Ivy League school. See how they do an excellent job of capturing all 4 of these elements noted above.
Essay Theme 1 – Growth Through Empathy
In a beautifully illustrated story of observations and experiences, one student shared how someone he met profoundly impacted his life. He first tells how this person entered their family and quickly became a beloved addition; only to discover she was about to struggle with a life-threatening diagnosis followed by aggressive medical treatment shortly thereafter. This was told with the writing skills of a novelist, gripping the reader until the very end; while vividly illustrating the evolution of life and change. Watching this person change from a vivacious individual to one fighting for her life, caused the essay writer to see life through the eye of another and in doing so, gain a stronger appreciation of his own.
Essay Theme 2 – Development of Wisdom and Understanding
Writing about a label maker would not seem like an ideal subject to talk about, especially at an Ivy, but this student did a phenomenal job explaining how his love for labeling items: books, tools, etc. caused him to think about how the world labels people and groups. The essay opens with the student thrilled to have received his new holiday gift (a label maker), and how he uses it to label everything he can. Using graphic imagery, the reader can literally see all the labels in their mind’s eye. The student is stopped cold when he realizes he can’t label people or groups as easily as things. The comparison to labeling items vs. people allowed the essay writer to tackle a challenging topic while keeping the overall tone light and digestible.
Essay Theme 3 – Overcoming Tragedy with Wit
Sometimes life is so hard that if we didn’t interject humor, we might lose our minds. This student who wrote this essay did just that, sharing her raw feelings as she wrote about the heart-wrenching story of losing a parent too soon. The essay topic is based upon the letter “s” and how she now despises the “s” in parent(s), having only one parent now. Taking out her pain on the letter “s”, she progresses through the stages of grief until she gets to acceptance and discovers that two “s’s” are better than one when she finds her passion and joy again. Without seeking sympathy, this student shared something very personal in her essay to show admissions officers that she has the capacity to overcome extreme challenges and not only survive but thrive.
Essay Theme 4 – From Reluctance to Change
This light-hearted easy takes the form of a mock trial. Using the student’s family members to make up the court, the defendant on trial being math. Math is accused of being irrelevant and unnecessary. The essay writer is the prosecutor, and his father is the defendant’s counsel. His mother is the presiding judge and his siblings are the jury. The essay takes us through the trial, during which, after objectively contemplating all the evidence; the student changes his mind about math, now understanding the true necessity for it in its various forms.
Essay Theme 5 – Learning by Experience
The student who wrote this essay shared his experiences of traveling abroad to Asia over two consecutive summers. The first he visits a metropolitan area and the second a rural farming community. He writes about his experiences in both, but especially the farming community. Being a city kid, he didn’t expect to identify with the farmers but found that people of all kinds are fundamentally the same when we remove the outer layers and our world views. He used this eye-opening discovery to share his ability to grow and learn, even in the most uncommon of circumstances.
What We Learn from these Best College Essays
All these essays share some form of SPARC content, but they don’t necessarily share a great achievement. They are humble, raw, humorous, and truthful. These essays stand out not because of some outstanding achievement but rather because they share the experience of being human in one form or another. At the end of the day, traditional achievements (good grades, recognition, etc.) can be expressed in a resume, transcript, or test score, but it’s our true character that shines the most and only that can be conveyed in your essay. Don’t despise the essays but cherish them as your opportunity to stand out not by your achievements but simply by the wonderful person that you are.
