How to Write a Community Essay That Will Get You In

Many colleges, including schools like Cornell and Michigan, ask students to respond to a supplemental essay about community. This common prompt isn’t just a simple question about belonging; it’s an invitation to share something deeply personal about how you see yourself and relate to others.

When colleges ask you about “community” in their application essays, like the community essay prompts from Cornell or Michigan, they’re not looking for a resume recap. Instead, they want to understand how you fit into the world and how you see your place among others. So let’s get a little unconventional with this one.

Step 1: Forget the Obvious

First, resist the urge to define “community” by just one thing you do, like a sport or a club, or a large group you’re automatically a part of, like your race or religion. Yes, those aspects of your identity are important, but here, you have a chance to show admissions something inherently you—a mix of what you do and who you are.

Think about it this way: If you met a stranger who shares this “community” with you, you’d both recognize something fundamental about each other without saying a word. It’s almost like a private language or shared understanding that only people within this community fully get.

Step 2: Get Specific, Even Strange

The best community essays don’t describe something broad and generic; they paint a portrait of a unique part of your life and personality. Here are some great examples:

• A diehard fan of a perpetually losing sports team. You know the pain, the loyalty, the absurdity.
• A kid who’s moved schools five times, constantly adapting but also learning to connect deeply, even temporarily.
• A muslim ballet dancer, balancing faith with the rigor and culture of the dance world.
• Someone who’s passionate about 90s rom-coms, finding hope and humor in the quirks of the characters and the predictability of the happy endings.

Step 3: Define the Values of Your “Community”

A great community essay isn’t just about identifying with a group; it’s about defining how that community shapes your worldview and connects you with others. Let’s break down some examples by values:

• The “Resilient Fan Club”: Let’s say you’re a devoted follower of a sports team that hasn’t seen victory in years. That’s not just about dedication; it’s about hope, patience, and loyalty. Being part of this community means embracing optimism in the face of constant failure and those are qualities that define how you approach challenges everywhere, not just on game day.
• The “Long-Haul Friend”: Maybe you’re someone who sticks with things, even when others walk away. Whether it’s relationships, hobbies, or responsibilities, you’re committed to seeing things through. In this community, members share a mutual respect for resilience and the belief that growth takes time. This is more than just loyalty; it’s a philosophy of life, and it’s one you bring to every relationship.
• The “Adaptable Newcomer”: Let’s say you’ve moved several times, constantly adjusting to new schools and communities. You’re part of the “new kid” community, and that’s given you a deep understanding of adaptability and empathy. It means you understand how to read people, how to find common ground quickly, and how to make friends wherever you go. These are skills that make you invaluable to any community you enter.

Step 4: Reflect on Your Impact

Community is a two-way street; it shapes you, but you also bring something to it. Think about how you contribute to this unique group:

• As a small-talk expert, maybe you’ve lightened awkward situations or helped break down barriers in new settings.
• As a lifelong fan of an underdog team, perhaps you rally others, encouraging them to keep cheering no matter the score.
• If you’re from a single-parent household, you might have an unspoken understanding with others raised the same way. You don’t just connect over your shared background. You bring resilience, resourcefulness, and perspective to people around you.

Step 5: Show How You’ll Carry This Forward

The best community essays don’t just stop at “here’s how my community defines me.” They look forward, showing how you’ll take these values with you into college and beyond. Colleges want to know how you’ll enrich their campus community, so consider:

• How will your adaptability from moving a lot help you connect with a diverse group of students?
• How will your loyalty as a sports fan transfer to supporting your classmates or sticking through tough projects?
• How will your values from growing up with a single parent shape your future interactions and leadership style?

In Summary

Approach your community essay like a creative exercise. Think beyond the obvious definitions and dive into the quirks, values, and lessons that make your community truly yours. Colleges like Cornell and Michigan are looking for thoughtful, nuanced responses that give them insight into who you are and how you connect with others. Remember, it’s less about what community you’re part of and more about how it’s shaped you and how you’re ready to bring those qualities to their campus.