Sample College Essays
Written by John Marshall High School Students
UC Prompt #1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
There was undeniable tension in the air as I made my way to class. The unstable political atmosphere regarding immigration was hanging over many students like a dark shadow as the news of President Trump repeal of DACA spread. A wave of fear surged over the Latino community at my school. It became clear that the Latino community was under attack.
This social injustice compelled me to take a stand. I founded the Latino Empowerment Club at my school in hopes of creating a stronger sense of unity within our community, as well as empowering Latino youth to obtain higher education. Education is the only way to empower our communities, enabling us to break the perpetual cycle of crime and poverty prevalent within them.
My passion for leadership was first ignited freshman year when an administrator made it clear to me that by taking on too many activities on top of my rigorous academic course load, I was bound to fail. “Stop trying to be Superwoman,” she said. Feeling disillusioned by her lack of ambition, I made a decision that no other student would ever feel as discouraged as I did that day. Since then, I have felt an obligation to provide support to students aspiring to reach their full potential. I have worked persistently, organizing meetings, events, and activities to provide the Latino Empowerment Club members access to resources such as scholarships, summer programs, and other opportunities.
These educational opportunities provide students with the skills needed to go to college and become transformed individuals going off into the world to create boundless change. The opportunity to create the Latino Empowerment Club not only enabled me to impact people, but it also impacted me. These powerful individuals transformed my perspective on the true meaning of a leader: one who empowers individuals and gives them faith to believe that they can create a positive lasting impact in our world.
UC Prompt #1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
When I was a freshman, a junior at my school died by suicide. As a reaction, I helped found my school's wellness advisory to reduce the stigma around mental health, create a safe place for people to ask for help, and foster conversations about difficult topics.
The wellness advisory is split into three groups: the event planning committee for our monthly Say Hey Day, the organizing committee for our student-led wellness center, and the dialogue group. My role is to plan and facilitate the conversations within the dialogue group each week, which has proven challenging but rewarding.
Every Tuesday I meet with 20 students to talk about race, gender, class, and other topics. Seeing their bright facial expressions when I mention the topic for the week, such as mental health or sexual health, and witnessing their self-realization during dialogue conversations is payback for the hours of training that has gone into preparation. One of the most rewarding experiences while facilitating dialogue was when my friend Andrew, who had been passing as white his entire life, called himself Mexican for the first time. His self-discovery helped him dive deeper into his identity. Later after finding out that he was Jewish, he took a summer trip to learn more about his religion. Experiences like Andrew's remind me of the importance of creating space for difficult conversations because, without the wellness advisory and my work in dialogue, there would be nowhere for students to have these constructive talks.
Our community impact is widespread. We recently received a School Board award for being the first student-led wellness center in the country, and we are now creating a curriculum for other schools to follow.
Through interacting with others, I have learned about my role in society, and bring the lessons of patience, active listening, and understanding into the work I do. Because of my work in the wellness center, I know the process of learning is a two-way road. Often times, my positive influence on others is also a step towards growth for myself.
UC Prompt #2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
When I was 16, I joined the Maya Womxn in LA Project and photographed indigenous women from Guatemala living in Los Angeles to challenge the way we are underrepresented in the media. For the first time, I was able to connect to my Guatemalan identity and learn about both the struggle and beauty of being indigenous.
My favorite picture was the one I took of the Macario family, where I captured a mother and daughter sitting on their front doorstep, clothed in the Guatemalan ropa tica. The sunset and the porch lights created an ethereal glow, making the two women appear like goddesses. On the opening night of the Maya Womxn in LA exhibition, I watched with pride as the Macario family unloaded their truck, filled with dozens of people who had come to see their portraits. Their excitement added to the lively atmosphere of the showcase studio, where live marimba music and Guatemalan food vendors filled the sidewalks, foreshadowing the street scenes I would later see on my trip to Guatemala with the project.
The Maya Womxn Project transformed me. It was the first time I used my passion –photography — to learn about my people's history, a subject I did not learn about in school. I had been accustomed to hearing the stories of my people from a euro-centric perspective. The project was powerful because Guatemalan women were behind and in front of the cameras, dictating how we wanted to be portrayed and how we wanted to tell our own stories. The ability to take up space in the Los Angeles community as Guatemalan indigenous women serves as a reminder that each aspect of my multicultural identity is valid, and pushes me to keep Ethnic Studies alive in Los Angeles' schools because I want students to have the same opportunity to learn about their histories.
I continue to use photography to document my culture, identity, and topics that matter to me, such as mental health advocacy. Photography is my tool of resistance because it allows me to look at my life through a lens of storytelling and power.
UC Prompt #2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. First, combine the dry ingredients: a cup of amaranth flour, a dash of coconut sugar, a sprinkle of arrowroot. Second, blend in the wet: a mash of black beans, avocado flesh, and melted chocolate. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool, and dig in.
Looking for something to occupy my time while recovering from a stress fracture in my spine, I found myself rummaging through piles of cookbooks sitting around the house. I have always loved cooking and feel at home in the kitchen. I forget about everything else going on in my life. It's just me, the mixing bowl, and the spatula.
Then Eureka! I decided to take up the hobby of baking plant-based eats. Using ratios as a reference, I made vegan versions of traditional desserts, adding a healthy twist. I was a newbie. My first few creations, let's just say, weren't the most gourmet. My mother, as most mothers do, claimed she loved my innovative masterpieces. With a mouthful of black bean brownie, she enthusiastically told me, " They are exquisite!" My brother, on the other hand, was a tough critic. His reviews consisted of nibbling the spirulina banana bread, gagging and dramatically running to the toilet.
Through trial and error, I developed a knack for the art of baking vegan style. I knew exactly how much flavoring was needed, merely by smelling and tasting the batter. I spent hours researching the properties of the ingredients, comparing their nutritional profiles and chemical compositions in order to decide which ones would produce the fluffiest cake, the chewiest cookie.
I also used this talent to develop recipes for plant-based protein energy balls that would fuel my healing body. I invented an array of exotic flavors such as: tahini date, matcha goddess, and coconut acai. And just like that my business was born. I named it StasBites, after my nickname, Stas. I then created promotional flyers, wrapped up my sweets in biodegradable Trader Joe's paper bags, and set out to sell my concoctions to my neighbors and friends.
UC Prompt #5. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome and educational barrier you have faced.
Music has been the savior that has sparked me to persevere through the countless struggles and forms of adversities I have combated. My world became filled with glimmering beams of hope as I was introduced to the world of music at the tender age of ten through the Summer Encounter Program at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. The program grants low-income minority students the opportunity to have access to the arts. After completing the program, I was offered a scholarship to study violin there.
Music became my haven from reality, which at the time was hearing my parents constantly fight about our financial instability. Music was my outlet for creative expression. It was music that led me to the uncharted territories of my full potential. One summer I was faced with an obstacle that threatened my scholarship: my neighbor threatened to call the police if I continued practicing my instrument at home. My dad’s face was drenched with fear as the possibility of getting deported by ICE set in.
My father drove me every day to practice at the Colburn School. As a result, I often arrived home late at night. Exhausted and tired, I struggled to stay on top of both my music and academic work. I had to constantly sacrifice my time with friends to focus on excelling in these two facets of my life. Despite not having a place to practice, I strived to make the best out of my situation. In junior year, I was admitted into one of the most prestigious orchestras in Los Angeles, the Colburn Youth Orchestra, and now find myself surrounded by some of the most talented musicians in the nation. As I prepare for my solo in an upcoming concert that will be broadcast on the radio, the soothing melodies of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” cultivate my soul as I reflect on the fact that I have come a long way.
UC Prompt #6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
I am in love with life -- plants, animals, and humans. I am fascinated by how organisms grow, develop, and create their role in nature. My love for life has led me to my love for science.
Every summer growing up, I would spend hours in the San Jose Tech Museum creating jellyfish DNA from lab samples and learning about the role genetics play in our lives. Recently, I learned that genetics and the adaptations that were previously beneficial for animals are no longer sufficient because of climate change.
I joined Earthwatch, a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental conservation, in order to deepen my knowledge about this issue. Two summers ago, I was awarded the Earthwatch Ignite Fellowship to travel to Utah with eight other students to study the impact of warming temperatures on Flammulated Owls in the Wasatch-Cache Forrest.
Every day for two weeks, I woke up at 8:00 AM and often hiked until 2:00 AM, with hours of writing down data and surveying sights. Many nights, I had to sit still in pitch black, staring at the stars, waiting for an owl to fly into our mist nets so we could weigh and tag it. I loved hearing the wind rustling through the trees on the hillside, hearing the crickets chirping in the malaise traps, and listening for the owl calls that I grew to know so well. On our days off, we conducted lab work, which included dissecting and stuffing owls, and studying native insects and plants.
Our research demonstrated that the changing climate has had a negative impact on the owl population because, with a shortage of insects, the mothers are forced to eat their young. Learning this affected me so deeply that I brought Earthwatch representatives to my school to discuss their research and recruit other students. I am happy to say two students attended the year after me, and I have joined them in participating in the recent national walkouts, organized by Greta Thunberg. I will continue advocating for environmental justice because of its urgency and importance.
UC Prompt #7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
Walking down my school’s hallway I am greeted by a distinct variety of cultures. To me, diversity is a beautiful element, essential to students’ intellectual growth. I value and cherish the intricate threads of diversity in my community, and I feel an obligation to stand up for equality.
When I first heard there were random police searches at my schools, I began to question whether they would impair and harm diversity, specifically minority students on campus. Further investigation led me to discover that LAUSD is one of the only school districts in the nation implementing random searches. In addition, fewer than 4% of schools in LAUSD conduct random searches. These schools tend to receive less funding and the majority of students are minority or low-income. These “random” searches only serve to criminalize, traumatize, and degrade racial and ethnic groups, as there is no correlation between random searches and a decrease in violence at schools.
This social injustice in my school’s community compelled me to co-found a chapter of Students Deserve in an effort to advocate for students’ rights. Students Deserve is a grassroots coalition comprised of LAUSD parents, teachers, and students, who have teamed up with groups such as Black Lives Matter, Youth Justice Coalition, and the American Civil Liberties Union in hopes of improving the quality of student life. I aim to end these searches, expand safe passage programs, and ensure that money is not spent entirely on policing but rather re allocated to other needs, such as providing more counselors.
We began by educating people about random searches, letting them know about the urgency of the matter. This past summer, Students Deserve conducted meetings with LAUSD’s School Board President, Dr. Reff Rodriguez in hopes of banning random searches. As I reflect on my efforts to create everlasting change in my school’s community, I have come to learn that we as individuals all have the power to spark progress and instill justice.
Common Application: Prompt #1. Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.
The room is hot and stuffy and paint is chipping off the walls. The smell of my grandma’s cooking wafts into the living room where all fifteen of us are gathered. I can hear the sounds of my little cousins playing and screaming in my grandma’s bedroom. The hum of Spanish and English garbled together in the living room. My world is my family and although they don’t understand it I feel like it is time for me to venture out.
The room may be stuffy but it is not suffocating. I enjoy my family, especially playing games and acting silly with my younger cousins and brother. I don’t think that going away to college means leaving my family behind; to me it means coming back home with a whole new array of stories to tell. My family has always provided me with a nurturing environment that built a sense of security in my life. Although I love my family dearly I want to explore other cultures and meet different people that exist outside of my family circle. I want to fully experience what college is about and am now determined to forge my own path despite the disapproval of my dad.
Twenty years ago, my dad immigrated here because there was a war in his country. I know that my dad had courage because he essentially came here empty handed only knowing the address of where he was supposed to go. My dad sacrificed never seeing his family again for a better life for himself and his family back home. As a result, he always emphasized the importance of family unity to me which also fostered his resistance to my wish of leaving home for college. That same courage has been transcribed unto me and it is what drives me towards fulfilling my ambitions.
Even though it makes me upset that he does not understand my motives, I understand my dad’s position. However, his unwillingness to let me go sometimes makes me hesitate and wonder, “Since my dad doesn’t approve does that mean that what I want is wrong?” My dad’s opinions have always shaped my world and for the first time it is I who is going to make the decision in the same hope for a better future that my dad had when he first arrived in this country. I will be a first-generation college student and for this reason I am determined to pave the way for my little brother so that when it is his turn to leave the nest my parents will already have the experience and will be able to understand his ambitions better. Even though I am scared of the journey ahead of me I feel ready to pursue what I want in life. I need to leave the comfort blanket of my family to become the person who I want to be.
Common Application: Prompt #1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.
I haven’t had many positive influences in my life. I never had the father figure that most people get to grow up with. His impact on me was not exactly like a typical father would. My father is the basis for who I am as an individual, the main factor of motivation in who I aspire to become. The most significant influence on me came from negative experiences.
My father was never around while I was growing up. He was a drug dealer for almost all of my life. The path he chose put not only put himself in jeopardy, but me as well. He didn’t worry about the consequences of what he was doing; he only looked at what he was gaining from it. My father never stopped to think how his actions would have a lasting effect on me.
He was arrested in 1999. At the time, I was just four years old. He was subsequently away from my childhood and most of my adolescence. I struggled growing up because he wasn’t there.
My mom had to have multiple jobs and at times could not pay the bills. We were even evicted from our home. At the time, I blamed my troubles squarely on him. It caused a lot of pain in not having him around when I needed him the most. He left an empty part of me that needed to be filled, but this forced me to grow up faster.
Everything I’ve seen from my father has made an imprint in who I am. Seeing other children with their fathers made me emotionally distraught and showed me a lot about myself that I didn’t know. I learned that I was not as tough as I thought but in other ways it made me stronger. With him not being there I was forced to grow up faster.
I am an underdog in life. I’ve always believed in not letting anyone tell me I cannot do anything I put my mind to. I enjoy proving my detractors wrong. Even though I did not have what you would call a perfect childhood, I’ve made sure not to let anything hold me back or make any excuses that keep me from moving forward.
My father has shaped me into the person I am and who I want to become. Through my whole life I have learned that nothing comes easy. I’ve learned that sometimes negatives in my life can teach me much more than anything positive could have. I’ve also grown to learn that at the end of the day no matter what obstacles are put in front of me, I determine the outcome. But through everything I’ve gone through in my life, I try to live by this quote, “I don’t want to be a product of my environment; I want my environment to be a product of me.”
Common Application: Prompt #2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Because failure is the greatest teacher, I’m not afraid to admit that I faced failure in October 2017 when I was arrested for shoplifting. Upon reflecting on why I broke the law, the not-so-simple answer rests among desperation, impulse, and dejection. You’re such a problem. No one will ever be able to stand you. My mother became a broken record with these harsh comments when she misplaced her anger towards her financial struggles on me. Clashing with my family lasted so long, I began to believe all the criticism was true.
Now, I know this doesn’t excuse my mistake, but it has to do with what drove me to commit this obscene action. I felt a bit better when I stole something for myself without my parents spending their money because of our low-income. Stealing was how I secretly depended on myself before I could make my own money; it was a mark of crooked independence from my self-imposed status as a financial burden to my family. Come October, that ego blew up in flames as I was stopped in my tracks.
Everything got expectedly worse yet surprisingly better afterwards. Although I accepted the disappointment from my entire family, I slipped into a more hopeless feeling. My purpose felt further opaque from all the years of feeling alone and criticized. I had to fix my faults with my family, especially my mother who became depressed. Consequently, I began to push aside all the unnecessary arguing with everyone around me beginning with my mother, whom I asked for forgiveness and fortunately received it.
I also discovered resilience is a necessity for facing challenges. It's a resilience I finally control to snap out of negative feelings or situations by accepting that I was built to walk on eggshells to endure difficulties for a fulfilling life. I now feel capable to strive as a resilient adult. It is how I am grateful for what I have because things could be worse. I am fortunate to be myself and of the advantage of never-ending room I have for amelioration. I don’t feel the need to replace the void I felt with materials either stolen or mindlessly bought anymore.
I am humbled to say that had I not been arrested and forced to speak to my school’s probation officer for advice, I wouldn’t be applying to college; I earned a high grade point average, but lacked the confidence and motivation. However, I now embrace that I am just as great as I set myself out to be. I've proved that I’m a lot smarter and more ambitious than I thought; I’ve won honor roll awards, I was salutatorian in middle school, and I applied myself to a gifted program in high school. I was a straight A student, but I strayed. Darkness of self-doubt became the canvas under which I dwelled. But I have learned that this lifestyle I was born into isn’t for me to stay in. I now understand to a deeper extent that albeit school is arduous, trying to make a living on minimum wage alone is unbearable. The only way out of my current poverty-stricken life is through college. School is tough. If it weren't, everyone would have a degree, but it takes resilience and persistence to follow through. Having this, I would gladly sacrifice time and effort becoming an expert academically for a professional career. I feel like myself again but with a purpose; I'm more focused in school, which makes me my own individual on the right tracks this time. I learned about myself that if I had the frustration to commit an error, then I should and will turn it around for better outcomes. With this in mind, I am grateful that I didn't let myself stay under the radar any longer by choosing a way out for myself. Now I know that college is where I belong.
Common Application: Prompt #2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
It is 2 a.m. and I am awakened by my mom’s agonizing screams. She clenches the phone and begins to cry. “We have to go! Your dad has been stabbed! Hurry! He is downstairs!” Panic surges through my veins as we urgently make our way to the parking lot of our apartment structure. Sirens blare in the distance, growing louder by the minute. Police and paramedics soon rush to my dad’s side. I want to scream but feel a strong sense to hold back the river of tears building inside me, remembering my dad would want me to be strong. Time slows. Details are incomprehensible. Dad was at work. He got stabbed, managed to escape, and drove himself home. It was a gang member, he thinks. Reality has yet to set in.
My dad is my inspiration. His tired eyes and sun-tinted skin are a result of the arduous challenges he has needed to overcome as an undocumented Mexican immigrant chasing the American dream. Striving to bring his family into a world of endless possibilities, the life he has crafted for us has been one of humble upbringing. I vividly recall long nights studying for exams, staying up late only to see him getting ready for work at midnight. His job delivering newspapers in the rugged dark streets of downtown Los Angeles has served as a constant reminder of the dangers prevalent in our communities. It is here where gang activity merges with drug violence. After finishing his shift, he would head to his second job. Minimum wage jobs constituted his reality.
My dad’s constant sacrifice has come from his desire to be able to provide my brother and me with the necessary tools we need to reach our full potential and obtain the education that was never accessible to him in Mexico. His determination and perseverance has made me into the person I am today as I attempt to mirror his traits by pouring myself into my school work, music, and sports. These were the thoughts going through my head as I found myself sitting in a hospital room, incredulousness, as I looked at my dad lying in bed, connected to an IV machine. His ubiquitous smile replaced with despair. It was my father’s efforts to lift us from the issues of violence, poverty and lack of economic opportunities that resulted in his assault. This harsh reality ignited my interest for social justice.
My dad was lucky to have survived that atrocious night. However, struggles after the incident, still persisted. At home, my brother and me had to pitch in to make ends meet, as the flow of my dad’s income was put on hold. My mom spent the majority of time by my dad’s side, aiding him through his excruciating pain. The fear in his eyes affected all of us. Through months of recuperation, he was finally able to work, but the mental and physical scars are something he will never be able to leave behind.
As I hold a picture of my dad to my heart, I envision a world where he would not have to endure so much pain and struggles. My dad is my hero who has made me see the need of creating everlasting change in this world. I hope to one day live in a world of justice. A world where undocumented immigrants do not have to endure so much hardship to make ends meet. A world where students could focus on education rather than becoming a gang member, like my dad’s assailant. A world where light can shine through in even the darkest places. My life purpose derives from this heartbreaking episode in my life, as it is through the government that I plan to advocate for the needs of immigrant families, combat issues of social injustice, and strive to improve the quality of low-income communities like my own.
Common Application: Prompt #2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
I have witnessed those precious moments a mother experiences with every child. I held each of my siblings in my arms and I knew that I would love them unconditionally from that moment on. Their first words were “mama” and to this day, they still call me mama. Due to my father’s absence and my mother’s work, I was thrown into the world of motherhood. At eleven years old, I learned to change my sister's diaper and make her bottle. Then came another child in my junior year whom I also take care of to this day.
I’ve created a balance between being selfish and selfless, fierce yet gentle and carefree and careful like a lion with her cubs. I read to them every night despite the burning of my eyes trying to stay open. I take them to our local park and I find myself smiling as I push them on the swings despite the aching in my back. I watch my siblings crawl into my bed when they have nightmares. I help my sister with her homework because I want to teach her how powerful and important education is.
When I entered high school, I hoped for a sport, or extracurricular activities after school. I had to miss out on football games, homecoming dances, and I had few opportunities to socialize with friends outside of school. Staying afterschool was not a choice and making up lost school work was difficult; taking care of my family was what mattered. It was my inner strength, faith, and the picture of my siblings in my mind that gave me the resilience to rise and the strength to take the steps needed to further my education.
Being the older sister is a responsibility that helped me develop patience, maturity and time management skills. Every night I make them dinner while finishing homework, give them a shower while folding my laundry, and study for hours after I tuck them to sleep. I learned that with the right mindset, I can transform any circumstance or situation into a lesson that teaches me to adapt and overcome difficulties. Although I did find it quite exhausting juggling my academic life and life at home, I learned to hold my head up. Any boulder that comes my way can become a pebble, any mountain I must climb can turn into a flyspeck just as this challenge turned into an experience that I wear like a trophy. I came to a realization that those sleepless nights were worth it because they built character and admirable characteristics that will stay with me forever. I discovered the great lengths I would take for my family and my education. This is the endurance I will need for the increased rigor I expect in college.
I will miss waking up to the sound of their bickering, the light thumping of their small feet outside my door and their crooked smiles. But I know this departure must happen. I learned that setting my priorities is not selfish, it is necessary. It’s time for me to open new doors and live up to my potential. I hope to make many connections with professors and mentors and create lifelong friendships. I hope to express my individuality and strengths in courses that quench my thirst for knowledge while having the time and space to pursue a fulfilling career. I am excited to commence a life changing journey that will allow me to find my purpose and leave an imprint in my mind and on others. I am ready to have a taste of adulthood, explore my sweet independence and create a new legacy for my family.
Stanford University – Supplemental Essay. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — know you better.
Dear Future Roommate,
I’m used to living in a small place. For the first fifteen years of my life, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment with my family. First it was just me, then my brother came along and eventually my little sister. Five people in a little room (don’t ask how the beds were arranged). As I grew up, I began to argue more with my parents, I’ll admit to a little talking back (what teenager hasn’t).
I’m the type of person that likes alone-time when I’m anxious or frustrated, but there was always someone in another room. I learned how to create space for myself by internalizing my emotions: my anger, sorrow, fear, and even curiosity. I created distance by closing myself off because the confining spaces made the heat of each moment that much more intense. My parents kept us in that apartment because they loved our family and prioritized financial stability. I regret that sometimes they don’t see how much I love them back because of the way I have distanced myself emotionally. I have to work on opening up because I know that sharing vulnerability is one of the best ways to establish a relationship. I’ve been in a small room, with four other people, so a single roommate will be a relief. Opening up will be more challenging. I want us to be close because, at the same time, a confining space also makes the good parts of a relationship even better.
Sincerely,