Ivy League College Essay Examples

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The best way to write a great Ivy League college essay is to draw inspiration from already accepted works. The best Ivy League College essay samples show the applicants' strong points, which made them stand out in the competitive group of applicants.

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Fredrick Eghosa

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Ivy League College Essay Examples

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An Ivy League essay is an essential part of the college admissions process. It gives the admissions team more than just a glimpse into your grades and extracurricular activities. In the essay, consider your uniqueness, including your personality, beliefs, and thoughts about the world. It will help show why you would be an excellent fit for that specific school.

Since Ivy League colleges receive many applications each year, the essay will help prove that you are different and have the potential for college success. It also enriches the information about your scores and activities and even explains the gaps or not-so-clear parts of your academic background.

In this article, we will give you 30 Ivy League College essay examples and a downloadable PDF so that you can download it and use the examples in it to learn how to write an Ivy League College essay if you don't know how to do that.

Key Takeaways

Ivy League essays are crucial in admissions, revealing personal attributes beyond grades and extracurriculars.

The structure of an Ivy League college essay is the introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Using tools like CoWriter.ai can aid in generating ideas and organizing thoughts effectively.

How to Structure an Ivy League College Essay

1. Introduction

An introduction usually comes as the first part of one's essay. It's where you would want to get the reader's attention. Begin with a hook that captures the reader from the beginning and draws them into your work. It could be a fun fact, a surprising statement, or even a thought-provoking question.

Set up this area to introduce the topic you will discuss and set up the tone of the essay. Add a true statement for weight; you can make it fancier with rhetorical devices such as metaphors or analogies. You are trying to make the reader curious and willing to continue reading.

2. Main Body

The body of your essay presents an opportunity for you directly to address the essay prompt and emphasize factors that make you different from other applicants. It is where one reflects on his experiences, challenges, successes, personal growth, and values added.

Challenges: Start by describing a pivotal obstacle or challenge you have overcome. Explain how such experiences have shaped your perspective and influenced your worldview. In detailing how you overcame them, you illustrate two of the most valuable qualities Ivy League schools look for: resiliency and problem-solving.

Achievements: Discuss your achievements and who inspired you or facilitated the process. Relate your experiences to your achievements by showing the context in which the success came about. Explaining this connection shows that one learns from one's surroundings and grows from others' support.

Life Lessons Learned: This will expose the significant things you have learned from your experiences. You also need to explain in what ways these lessons have contributed to your personal development. It shows that you are not just listing down achievements but reflecting on how those experiences have made you a better person.

Beliefs: You can also express your opinions on pertinent social or political issues; however, you must be careful around touchy subjects. The idea is to effectively communicate your thoughts and feelings in a manner that proves you 'have' opinions without turning the user off.

Goals: Finally, discuss your short-run and long-run goals. Be concrete about what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life and connect these goals with the academic program you apply to. This part of the essay should show that you seriously reflect upon your future and the way the school will contribute towards reaching your goals.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion allows you to make an indelible mark on the admissions committee. You should reiterate why you are the perfect candidate to join this school and why that particular institution is crucial in achieving your goals. Bring your essay full circle by reflecting on how your experiences, goals, and values align with the college's offerings. You can also conclude with a call to action or a statement showing your interest in joining the community at the school.

30 Ivy League College Essay Examples + Downloadable PDF

Now that we've covered how to structure an Ivy League College essay, let's explore 30 essay examples using the essay prompts. At the end of this section, you'll find a link to a downloadable PDF for reference.

1. How Personal Experiences Will Enrich Harvard’s Community

The essay prompt is: Harvard has long recognized the importance of enrolling a diverse student body. How will the life experiences that shape who you are today enable you to contribute to Harvard?

Describe how your life experiences can enrich the diverse Harvard community. Be specific to any particular incidents or difficulties in your life that have molded you into who you are. You must relate how such experiences have influenced your values, perceptions, and skills.

Explain how you can share your unique background with Harvard peers. Mention the contributions you would like to make through clubs, discussions, and projects. Connect your personal story to the values of diversity and inclusion that Harvard has always pursued.

2. Navigating Disagreements Essay

The essay prompt is: Describe a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about an idea or issue. How did you communicate or engage with this person? What did you learn from this experience?

Describe any clash you have had over an idea or issue. Clearly outline the differing opinions and how you presented your point of view during the discussion.

Describe your strategies to ensure effective communication and encourage others to share their perspectives. Reflect on what you've learned from the experience about conflict resolution, the value of different opinions, and your personal growth.

3. Influential Activities and Responsibilities in My Life

The essay prompt is: Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are.

Comment on one or two extracurricular activities, jobs, travel experiences, or special family responsibilities that solidified your character and values.

Explain how these experiences taught you important life lessons like leadership, teamwork, and time management.

4. Future Aspirations Essay

The essay prompt is: How do you hope to use your Harvard education in the future?

Describe your career goals and the contribution you hope to make in your field with a Harvard education. If applicable, mention particular skills or knowledge you would find especially valuable.

You are also to discuss how you would wish to give back to society or your community, relating your aspirations to Harvard's resources and values.

5. Three Unique Insights for Future Roommates

The essay prompt is: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

Share three things that reveal important aspects about yourself with your future roommates.

Let your roommates understand your personality and what it might be like to live with you—share the fun and serious sides of you.

6. Academic Pursuit at Brown

The essay prompt is: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

Describe your interest in a particular subject area and what inspires you, such as an experience or a project.

Describe how you might use Brown's Open Curriculum to explore this interest by naming specific courses, faculty, or research opportunities that resonate with your learning style.

Finally, connect your current interests to your plans so that you can describe how a Brown education will further your intellectual growth and your long-range goals.

7. Reflecting on My Roots and Contributions to Brown

The essay prompt is: Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

Describe an aspect of your upbringing that has been particularly influential in shaping you. How has this experience related to your values and identity?

Given your background, what unique contribution can you make to the Brown community? Identify specific perspectives or skills you will share on campus.

8. The Importance of Joyful Moments in My Journey

The essay prompt is: Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

Discuss one source of happiness, either in a specific hobby that you enjoy or a person, and explain why it is important to you.

Then, with that joy, connect it to your future at Brown, focusing on how it will further enhance interactions among peers and campus living.

9. Getting to Know Me Essay

The essay prompt is: Help us get to know you better by reflecting briefly on each of the questions below. We expect that answers will range from a few words to a few sentences at most:

What three words best describe you? (3 words)

What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

10. My Journey and Aspirations in the Field of Healthcare Essay

The essay prompt is: Committing to a future career as a physician while in high school requires careful consideration and self-reflection. Explain your personal motivation to pursue a career in medicine, and why the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) will best meet your professional and personal goals. (500 words)

Explain why you want to be a doctor. You can share personal experiences that made you decide whether a challenge or an inspirational moment.

Also, describe how the Program in Liberal Medical Education at Brown aligns with your career goals and how its unique program will contribute to your growth and aspirations, using specific examples to connect your past with your future in medicine.

11. My Vision for Positive Change in Medicine

The essay prompt is: Healthcare is constantly changing as it is affected by racial and social inequities, economics, politics, technology, and more. Please respond to one of the following prompts (250 words):

How will you, as a future physician, make a positive impact?

How has your personal background uniquely shaped your perspective on the field of medicine?

Explain your contribution to creating a positive effect in healthcare as a future doctor. You can focus on social and racial disparity issues, technological advancement, or patient care.

Otherwise, you could comment on how your background influences your relationship with medicine. Describe specific experiences that have led you to develop such views.

12. Why Major and Why School at Cornell?

The essay prompt is: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected, and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice.

Describe your interest in the major you are applying to and why you wish to pursue this major at Cornell CALS. Explain how your interests, past experiences, or career goals have influenced this decision.

Specify what you like most about this major and how the resources or programs at Cornell will contribute to your goals, making this a good fit.

13. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

The essay prompt is: How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)

Describe how your interests align with your chosen major at AAP, whether architecture, art, or urban and regional studies. Highlight what attracts you to the field and mention any creative project that inspired your passion.

14. College of Arts & Sciences

The essay prompt is: At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences.

Discuss how curiosity drives or motivates your academic interests. Describe the academic subjects or majors you will be most interested in studying, and also explain what intrigues you about them.

Next, tell us how your passion for learning aligns with the College of Arts and Sciences and how you plan to use the opportunities and curriculum to delve deeper into your interests.

15. Why Business and Why SC Johnson?

The essay prompt is: What kind of business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are essential to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration).

Explain what ignites your passion for business, incorporating personal, academic, or work experiences. Describe the topics or issues that you care about the most and why they are of interest to you.

Demonstrate how their interests connect to the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business School, where they apply through the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

16. Personal Experiences Shaping My Contributions

The essay prompt is: Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you? (400 words or fewer).

Share a personal experience that has had the greatest influence on turning you into who you are now. Describe how the experience influenced your values, views, or character.

Show how your unique insight, background, or skills have better prepared you to contribute positively to the college community.

17. The Significance of Community

The essay prompt is: Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like. (400 words or fewer).

Describe a community with which you hold the strongest affiliation.

Describe why this community is important to you, how it has shaped your identity or values, and what role you have played within it. Showcase how it has influenced your life and helped you grow into who you are today.

18. Why Dartmouth College Essay

The essay prompt is: As you seek admission to Dartmouth’s Class of 2029, what aspects of the college’s academic program, community, and/or campus environment attract your interest? How is Dartmouth a good fit for you? (100 words or fewer).

Describe what Dartmouth interests you.

If specific programs, campus life, or community features attract you to the college, explain how they will meet your goals with Dartmouth as the best fit.

19. Self-Discovery and the Influence of Background

The essay prompt is: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer.

There is a Quaker saying: Let your life speak. Describe the environment in which you were raised and the impact it has had on the person you are today.

“Be yourself,” Oscar Wilde advised. “Everyone else is taken.” Introduce yourself.

For option A, describe your upbringing and how that upbringing has shaped your beliefs, values, and personality. You may highlight significant influences or experiences.

Option B requires you to tell us where/how you grew up or the unique characteristics that make you who you are. Highlight what sets you apart and how you will contribute to campus life.

20. Exploring Personal Growth Through Reflection and Engagement

The essay prompt is: Required of all applicants, please respond to one of the following prompts in 250 words or fewer:

What excites you?

Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta recommended a life of purpose. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things,” she said. “That is what we are put on the earth for.” In what ways do you hope to make—or are you already making—an impact? Why? How?

In “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” Dr. Seuss invites us to “Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” Imagine your anticipated academic major: How does that course of study sync with Dr. Seuss’s advice to you?

The social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees have been the focus of Dame Jane Goodall’s research for decades. Her understanding of animal behavior prompted the English primatologist to see a lesson for human communities as well: “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” Channel Dame Goodall: Tell us about a moment when you engaged in a difficult conversation or encountered someone with an opinion or perspective that was different from your own. How did you find common ground?

Celebrate your nerdy side.

“It’s not easy being green…” was the frequent refrain of Kermit the Frog. How has difference been a part of your life, and how have you embraced it as part of your identity, outlook, or sense of purpose?

What excites you? Share what keeps you going and drives your passions.

Impact and Purpose: Describe what you would like to give to the world, how you will do so, and why.

Academic Major and Wonder: Herein lies your opportunity to introduce your intended major and describe how such relates to the concept of thinking and wondering.

Engaging in Difficult Conversations: Find a difficult conversation in which you listened to someone with a different perspective than yours. Explain how you found common ground.

Celebrate Your Nerdy Side: How being different has helped create an identity or sense of calling and purpose.

21. Why Major and Why Princeton College?

The essay prompt is: As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests?

Discuss your academic interests and goals and explain how these relate to the programs offered at Princeton. Describe the issues that enthuse you and why. Identify specific courses, faculty members, or research opportunities at Princeton that will help you delve deeper into these areas. Demonstrate why Princeton is the best fit for your aims.

22. Reflecting on Lived Experiences and Community Engagement

The essay prompt is: Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff, and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall, or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?(Please respond in 500 words or fewer.)

Describe how your personal experiences enable your interactions at Princeton. Discuss life lessons you feel are essential and how they will enrich the Princeton classroom or community.

You can elaborate on what your classmates and instructors can learn from your perspective, showcasing your potential to have respectful discussions that create profound shifts in thinking and even visions.

23. Intersection of Personal Story and Civic Engagement

The essay prompt is: Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Explain how your life experiences connect with Princeton's service and civic engagement focus. Share specific examples from your background and motivations about why you want to support people. Discuss aligning values with Princeton's mission and what you would like to contribute to the community during your time at the school.

25. The Wharton School Essay Prompt

The essay prompt is: Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.

Discuss a current problem you feel is important to you—economic inequality, climate change, or another social justice issue. Explain why it's an important topic and how it impacts society.

Then, explain how Wharton will help you learn more about this issue and seek solutions. Focus on resources, courses, or other opportunities you will be leveraging at Wharton to enable you to formulate solutions or strategies related to your topic of choice.

26. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Essay Prompt

The essay prompt is: Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn.

Explain your engineering interests and an idea of how you want to explore these interests at Penn Engineering. Identify some of the specific engineering disciplines that intrigue you and how the emphasis on science, math, and liberal arts at Penn will enrich your learning experience. Mention any unique programs or research opportunities you are interested in and how these will influence your development as an engineer.

27. Huntsman: The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business

The essay prompt is: The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words)

Write about your interest in the dual-degree program of business and international studies. You can explain why you are interested in studying both disciplines and how they relate.

Mention a global issue—such as climate change or poverty—that interests you and how you will use your education to help with the problem. Emphasize how the skills and knowledge you will gain from the Huntsman Program will allow you to become an effective leader and innovator in business and international affairs.

28. School of Industrial and Labor Relations

The essay prompt is: Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 words)

Describe your relevant experience, academic exposure, or professional background concerning labor issues. Point out specific areas that interest you most, such as workers' rights or workplace diversity, and elaborate on why the subjects are essential. Relate these interests to the School of Industrial and Labor Relations mission, highlighting what you wish to accomplish and how you will contribute.

29. College of Human Ecology Essay

The essay prompt is: How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (650 words)

Describe how your experiences have influenced your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology. Identify pivotal moments that inspired your interest in your intended major or field. Explain how studying at CHE will prepare you to achieve your long-term objectives and how interests correspond to the mission and programs of the college.

30. LSM: The Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management

The essay prompt is: The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single-degree essay. (400-650 words)

Discuss specific issues you'd like to address through the learning on the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management. Explain how the program's focus on life sciences and management will prepare you to find and deliver innovations. Please identify any unique perspective and indicate how yours differs from your other applications.

Here’s a downloadable PDF with the Ivy League College essay examples; we’ve just briefly described what they should entail.

How to Write an Ivy League College Essay Using CoWriter.ai

Writing an Ivy League College essay might seem challenging, but with CoWriter.ai, the process becomes easier. Here's how CoWriter.ai can help you write a strong Ivy League College essay:

1. Brainstorming

Start by brainstorming for the Ivy League College essay with CoWriter.ai. Generate ideas that align with the essay prompt or the personal experience you want to share.

CoWriter.ai will process the series of questions or keywords you feed it and generate ideas for you.

2. Create an Outline

Now that you have ideas, it's time to structure them. CoWriter.ai can help you structure your essay so that its flow makes sense and provides a template for quickly expanding your ideas into a story.

3. Generate Content

Once you’ve got your outline, it’s time to start writing the content. CoWriter.ai will create paragraphs using the outline. Prompt the AI to expand more on each section.

However, all material generated expresses your personal story and experiences and is focused on answering the question. This stage is valuable because it combines the ideas to create a coherent essay.

4. Edit and Refine

After you’ve written the first draft of the essay, revise it for clarity, brevity, and impact. CoWriter.ai can help you double-check certain aspects of your essay's flow, sentence structure, and coherence.

5. Proofread

The last step is proofreading for typos and mistakes. CoWriter.ai does support grammar and spelling checks. These will go a long way in ensuring that your essay lacks grammar and typo errors. Even though the AI detects and corrects most mistakes, it is essential to review your essay yourself, too.

Finally, read through the essay to ensure it is your voice and your personality is reflected. It will serve as a final polish, allowing the essay to be well-written and error-free, thus making a good impression when located by the admissions committee.

Additional Tips for Writing an Ivy League College Essay

1. Think about the reader’s perspective

The reader will be, too, if you're bored writing your essay. But if you're excited about it, like something you deeply care about, that energy comes through. The admissions reader will likely feel more connected with your story and understand who you are.

2. Start strong like a journalist

"Don't bury the lede!" Your opening sentences should identify something interesting to the reader but also give an overview of the essay and its direction. Like articles, the first several lines determine whether readers will continue or stop. Usually, a good start puts the reader in a positive frame of mind, while a weak one loses the reader from the beginning.

3. Don’t stress about the Common Application prompts

Try not to overthink the prompts. Generally speaking, an admissions officer sits there thinking, "Oh, great, another essay about prompt C." They're thinking, "Great, an essay about this topic, and let me learn more about you—what's important to you and how you think." So just write your story and choose a prompt later that it goes under, or use the "any topic of your choice" option.

4. Show your emotions

Instead of listing achievements, describe your feelings during the most crucial moments. Let them see your emotions and how some experiences have sculpted you. Being openhearted about fear and struggles displays maturity and self-awareness with more strength.

5. Revise early and often

An Ivy League college essay takes more than a quick read-through. Do multiple passes through edits, and be bold and ask for feedback from people who know you well—your parents, teacher, and even friends. Take their suggestions and build from them to make your essay even better.

Conclusion

Writing a perfect Ivy League College essay is labor-intensive and requires excellent devotion. Even though it is only one part of the admission process, it nevertheless draws upon both your personal and academic capabilities.

Of course, there is no straightforward formula to gain entrance into an Ivy League school; however, one can increase their chances significantly with the above steps. Successful people always know what makes them strong, what puts them together, and what makes them different. This essay may give you and the admissions team more insight into yourself.