Essays We Love

Here are a few essays that, y’know, we love reading! Some of them are written by our students, others are by professional writers and critics. They’re all pretty different — from a hilarious Guy Fieri restaurant review to a haunting remembrance of one author’s father — which is what we like about them: how powerful essays can grow from each author’s individual thoughts.

One quick request: if you’re trying to find examples of “correct” essays to model your own after… please don’t! We promise: there is no “correct” or perfect essay that you should try to copy. Each one is distinct in its structure, voice, topic and intent. Your own story, the one you want to write — that’s what will stand out!

Sample Essays:

By Professional Authors

(None of these are related to college, we just think they’re neat.)

Pete Wells, “As Not Seen On TV”: a review of Guy Fieri’s restaurant

Celeste Ng, “What Did My Mother The Chemist See in Betty Crocker?”: a contemplation of cakes and rats

Firoozeh Dumas, “The F Word”: a meditation on changing names in America