--- title: Essay Academy | Admit Report description: Welcome to the Essay Academy, a high-quality, comprehensive digital program to help you write your best college essays. --- [Think you can get into a top-10 school? Take our chance-me calculator... if you dare. 🔥](https://uq2z800a22f.typeform.com/to/GSbIvdW0) [![](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/admit-report-logo-black.svg)](https://admitreport.com/) [College Essays](https://admitreport.com/college-essays) Personal Statement Supplemental Essays Writing Advice Example Essays Other Application Writing Sections Personal Statement Foundations [How to Write a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Brainstorming a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-brainstorming-questions) [Personal Statement Mistakes](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-end-a-college-essay) [How to Revise a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-edit-a-common-app-essay) Personal Statement Strategy [Writing About Strengths](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Finding a Topic](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-choose-a-college-essay-topic) [Tone & Theme](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-requirements#college-essay-conventions) Common Application [Common Application Prompts](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-app-essay-examples#the-2022-2023-common-application-essay-prompts) [Common Application Requirements](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/owlhkp/my_giant_guide_to_to_the_common_app_what_is_it/) [How to Write a Common App Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Common App Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples) Personal Statement Examples ["Great" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#the-best-personal-statement-examples) ["Good" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#good-personal-statement-examples) ["Bad" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#bad-personal-statement-examples) Types of Supplemental Essays [Why Us](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-college-essay) [Diversity Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/diversity-essay) [Community Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/community-essay-examples) [Academic Interest Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/academic-interest-essay) [Why This Major Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-major-essay-examples) [Challenge Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-challenge-essay-examples) [Extracurricular Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) Supplemental Strategy [Writing About Strengths](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#goal-1-write-persuasively-about-your-strengths) Our College Essay Philosophy [Creating a Cohesive Application Narrative](https://admitreport.com/blog/cohesive-application) [Writing Vulnerably](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Strengths-Based Writing](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#goal-1-write-persuasively-about-your-strengths) Writing Techniques [Brainstorming a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-brainstorming-questions) [Drafting a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-draft-a-common-app-essay) [Revising a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-edit-a-common-app-essay) Personal Statement ["Great" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#the-best-personal-statement-examples) ["Good" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#good-personal-statement-examples) ["Bad" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#bad-personal-statement-examples) Supplemental Essays [Why Us Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-college-essay) [Diversity Supplemental Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/diversity-essay) [Extracurricular Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) [Academic Interest Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/academic-interest-essay) [Community Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/community-essay-examples) [Why this Major Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-major-essay-examples) [Challenge Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-challenge-essay-examples) School-Specific Supplementals [Harvard Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/harvard-supplemental-essays) [Yale Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/yale-supplemental-essays) [Stanford Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/stanford-supplemental-essays) [USC Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/usc-supplemental-essays) [Dartmouth Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/dartmouth-supplemental-essays) [All Supplemental Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/supplementals) Activities Descriptions [Writing Activities Descriptions that Stand Out](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) Admissions Office Communications [Finding Your Admissions Officers](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email-to-a-college-admissions-office-sample#contacting-your-admissions-counselor-vs-the-admissions-office) [Emailing an Admissions Office](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email-to-a-college-admissions-office-sample) [Preparing to Apply](https://admitreport.com/how-to-apply-to-college) Preparation Pathways Extracurricular Activities Academic Basics Testing Admissions 101 Grade-Based Timelines [First-Year Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/first-year-timeline) [Sophomore Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/sophomore-timeline) [Junior Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/junior-timeline) [Senior Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/senior-timeline) International Students [How to Apply as an International Student](https://admitreport.com/blog/applying-to-college-as-an-international-student) Extracurriculars in Admissions [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurriculars-and-college-admissions) [How to Find Authentic Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-organically-find-your-extracurricular-interests) [Basic Extracurricular Pathways](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-pathways) [Extracurricular Magnitude and Impact](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-magnitude-and-impact) [Leveling Up Your ECs](https://admitreport.com/blog/leveling-up-your-extracurriculars) [Crafting ECs by Combining Interests](https://admitreport.com/blog/craft-amazing-extracurriculars) [Passion Projects](https://admitreport.com/blog/passion-project-ideas) GPA [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurriculars-and-college-admissions) [Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/15ehsq5/aos_dont_want_you_to_know_this_one_weird_fact/) [Assessing Your GPA & Admissions Chances](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) [Class Rank](https://admitreport.com/blog/academics-gpa) Course Work [Course Rigor](https://admitreport.com/blog/do-colleges-care-about-ap-scores) SAT & ACT [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Standardized Test Scores](https://admitreport.com/blog/what-does-test-optional-mean#how-do-admissions-officers-evaluate-my-test-scores) [Test-Optional Admissions](https://admitreport.com/blog/what-does-test-optional-mean) AP & IB Tests [Do AP & IB Tests Matter in Admissions?](https://admitreport.com/blog/do-colleges-care-about-ap-scores) [When to Send Your Scores](https://admitreport.com/blog/senior-timeline) Types of Institutions [Liberal Arts College](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#liberal-arts-colleges) [Private University](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#highly-selective-private-institutions) [State University](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#large-state-schools) [Community Colleges](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#community-colleges) How Applications are Reviewed [How Applications are Reviewed](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) [The Job of the Admissions Officer](https://admitreport.com/blog/reading-5k-essays-in-a-top-15-admissions-office) [What is the Committee?](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications#the-third-trial-committee-recommendations) [Your Application Strategy](https://admitreport.com/application-strategy) Navigating the application College Application Strategy College Research Building Your College List Application Materials Common Application Guide [How to Use the Common Application](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/owlhkp/my_giant_guide_to_to_the_common_app_what_is_it/) [Common Application Essay Prompts](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-app-essay-examples#the-2022-2023-common-application-essay-prompts) Applying to International Schools [A Guide to Applying as an International Student](https://admitreport.com/blog/applying-to-college-as-an-international-student) Our Strategy Philosophy [Creating a Cohesive Narrative](https://admitreport.com/blog/cohesive-application) [How Admissions Offices Process Applications](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) College-Specific Application Guides [Harvard](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-harvard) [Stanford](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-stanford) [Yale](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-yale) [MIT](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-mit) [USC](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-usc) [See the full list](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/application-strategy) Tools & Resources [Demonstrated Interest](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-show-demonstrated-interest) [How to Use the Common Data Set](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-data-set) Visiting Colleges [When to Visit Colleges](https://admitreport.com/blog/touring-colleges#ways-to-visit-college-campuses) Resources [Common Data Set](https://admitreport.com/common-data-set) [Colleges That Change Lives](https://ctcl.org/) School List Basics [How to Build the Perfect School List](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list) [Safety Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-safety-school) [Target Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-target-school) [Reach Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-reach-school) Early Decision Strategy [Early Action vs Early Decision](https://admitreport.com/blog/early-action-vs-early-decision) [How to Pick Your ED](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-strategize-your-early-decision-application) [Early Decision II](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-strategize-your-early-decision-application#what-s-the-strategy-for-ed-ii-schools) Letters of Recommendation [Teacher Letters](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college) [Counselor Letters](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college) [How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college#how-to-get-the-best-letters-of-recommendation-possible) School Report [What Is a School Report?](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/vz09mf/the_document_in_every_application_most_students/) [All Resources](https://admitreport.com/blog) [College Consulting](https://sierraadmissions.com/) [About Us](https://admitreport.com/about-us) [![](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/admit-report-logo-black.svg)](https://admitreport.com/) [College Essays](https://admitreport.com/college-essays) [Preparing to Apply](https://admitreport.com/how-to-apply-to-college) [Your Application Strategy](https://admitreport.com/application-strategy) [All Resources](https://admitreport.com/blog) [College Consulting](https://sierraadmissions.com/) [About Us](https://admitreport.com/about-us) ##### With the Essay Academy, you don't have to be a great writer to write great college essays.   The Essay Academy is an all-in-one college essay program, with a comprehensive video curriculum and essay examples. Its curriculum was created by former top-15 admissions officers. This is your one-stop on your application journey.   ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/lily.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/lily.png) "This program saved me. The videos and essay examples were next-level. Alex & his team changed how I saw my application strategy. This program was the reason I got into Georgetown, hands down. 10/10. Thank youuuu." Lily S., Georgetown University '26 [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) Essay Academy students have gotten into schools like... ![1](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/1.png) ![2](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/2.png) ![3](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/3.png) ![4](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/4.png) ![5](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/5.png) ![6](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/6.png) ![7](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/7.png) ![8](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/8.png) ![9](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/9.png) ![10](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/10.png) ![11](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/11.png) ![13](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/13.png) ![14](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/14.png) ![15](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/15.png) ![16](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/16.png) ![17](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/icons/universities/17.png) ## Across 12,582 college applications we've reviewed, the essays defined the successful ones. Essays are the biggest barriers separating even highly competitive students from breaking out of the "sea of sameness" and standing out in the admissions process. The Essay Academy bundles together a comprehensive instructional curriculum with dozens of example essays and a clear, step-by-step process to take you through your applications.  ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/placeholders/irena-smith.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/placeholders/irena-smith.png) The Essay Academy is the best college essay program I've seen in 20+ years of working in admissions. Alex built the perfect balance of deep curriculum and personal support. The essays this program turns out are amazing. If there are spots left, sign up. Irena Smith, PhD., Former Stanford Admissions Officer [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/jessica.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/jessica.png) **"The example essays were insane."** The example essays were insane, maybe the best part of the program for me and probably worth it all on its own. The program gave me a million good data points and comparisons for me to use as I wrote my essays. They taught me how to write my college essays in 3 days.  Jessica F., Vanderbilt Admit ('22) ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/tim.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/tim.png) **"Everything about essays in one place."** I was spending way more time trying to track down information about how to write the essays than I was writing! Probably spent 100 hours procrastinating on reddit and random blogs. The program laid out everything I needed to know about the essays in one place. It got me writing. Tim P., University of Texas, Austin Admit ('22) ## Craft essays that hit admissions officers like a bolt of lightning [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/cara.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/cara.png) **"The program covered everything."** The program covered everything. Alex went over Common App, every big type of supplemental, and the UC essays. Great examples for everything. So helpful. Cara S., USC Admit ('22) ![Worked 2](https://admitreport.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Worked%202.jpeg?width=1006&height=629&name=Worked%202.jpeg) ##### Essay examples that deliver Understand what a winning college essay looks like—and how to write your own. [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ## The only essay program by former admissions officers and professional writers. ## Here's what's actually inside the Essay Academy program 1. Application Strategy Bootcamp We share the strategy framing that we use with private clients. You'll learn to use your essays to create a coherent and strategic narrative. - 2+ hours of video content focused on application and essay strategies.  - Get the framing we use with private clients to help them craft a strengths-based narrative that stands out.  - Understand the biggest mistakes and missed opportunities students make across their applications.  2. A Common App masterclass We go deep on how to write a great Common App personal statement, sharing tons of example essays that cover different types of topics. - 4+ hours of video content focused on writing the best common app essay possible.  - 15+ annotated example essays for the most flexible and common essay genres.  - Detailed strategy sections that lay out best practices and common mistakes for the common app essay. - A rubric you can use to systematically review and improve your personal statement.  3. Crush the supplementals We cover every major type of supplemental essay and help you find a strategy for balancing your narrative across many essays. - 3.5+ hours of videos dedicated to the supplemental essays.  - Over 15+ supplemental essay examples that we go through in detailed videos.  - Worksheets and a framework to easily identify the strengths behind your resume.   - Extensive webinars in the Essay Academy Community focused on writing effective supplementals and resume sections.  4. Lock down the UCs We help you plan your UC PIQ section—by sharing great essay examples and telling you how to meet the specific requirements for the UCs. - 2.5+ hours of video content focused on the UCs. - Extensive essay examples with strategies for each of the UC PIQs.  - Strategy videos focused on the biggest mistakes and tips for crafting great UC essays.  - Follow-up discussion and webinars in the Essay Academy community dedicated to UCs. [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ![Screenshot](https://admitreport.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot.jpg?width=1241&height=603&name=Screenshot.jpg) #### Build your essay strategy Our strategy framework will help you craft essays that fit together and stand out. [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ## Who is the Essay Academy for? We built our program for students who care about their college applications deeply but who lack clarity about the college essays—and yet who understand how important they are in the process and know that admissions to selective schools often depends on writing great essays. The program is for you if... - You’re preparing to apply to college or you’ve already started the process, and feeling daunted as you start thinking about a topic for a personal essay. - You struggle to write in a personal tone and find yourself gravitating to stories that feel overdone, boring, or impersonal. - You don’t understand the conventions of college essays and need help navigating their unwritten rules. - You’re tired of browsing through forums and half-completed blog posts to piece together an idea of how to approach the writing process. - Your writing may be OK, but you have a hard time seeing the “bigger picture” of your application and narrative strategy You aren't a fit if... - You aren’t actively applying to colleges this year—e.g., you are currently a first-year or sophomore in high school. - You’re **only** looking for help with things like school list-building or extracurricular crafting - You want to work in a one-on-one setting with a college consultant who can personally guide you through the entire writing process. If you fall into this group, our private consultants can personally guide you through your admissions journey. [Read more](https://sierraadmissions.com/) [Enroll Now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/ryan.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/ryan.png) **"Worth every cent."** I couldn’t afford a consultant, so I gave this a try. I was really lucky to get into the beta because it ended up changing EVERYTHING for my essays. The Essay Academy was worth every cent. I wouldn’t have gotten into Cornell without this. Thank you guys!!! Ryan F., Cornell Admit ('22) ## The Essay Academy helps you craft unforgettable essays quickly | | DIY | Private Consultant | Essay Academy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Cost | 100+ hours of your time spent hunting down unreliable answers. | Up to $25,000 for comprehensive support. Hit or miss quality. | $350 for the only help you'll need all year. | | Format | A thousand random blog posts, Reddit threads, and open Chrome tabs. | Low-quality phone calls or the cafe at the local Barnes & Nobles. | Complete cinematic course & a curriculum designed by former-T15 admissions officers. Dozens of resources. | | Timeline | You're free to Google late into the night, every night... | Support happens hourly and on the consultant's time. | A consistent approach to writing great college essays designed for everyone. Created by professional writing coaches and former admissions officers. | | Essay Guidance | Anecdotal advice and no clear sense of what works. | Often hit-or-miss frameworks for writing so-so essays. Consultants are not always skilled writers. | A consistent approach to writing great college essays designed for everyone. Created by professional writing coaches and former admissions officers. | | | | | [See Pricing](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) | ## [Ready to write? Secure one of 10 Boot Camp spots now for $2500 ](https://admitreport.com/essay-academy#pricing) ## Ready to write? Secure one of the Essay Academy spots now. [Secure your spot now](https://learn.mcneiladmissions.com/courses/essay-academy) ## Essay Academy FAQs ###### What's included in the Essay Academy? The Essay Academy is a digital course designed to get you through the college essay gauntlet. It includes 15+ hours of cinematic video content, 40+ example essays from real applications, and 30+ pages of workbooks and resources to help you through the process. It's also based around 35k+ words of written curriculum never before published by our team. The course is divided into five sections: strategy, the Common App Personal Essay, Supplemental Essays, UC Essays, and revision and writing.  There's something here for everyone. The Essay Academy is the one stop you need to craft some spectacular essays.    ###### What example essays do you have? We've built an epic bank of 40+ example essays covering every major essay genre. Our essay examples are drawn from real applications and extensively discussed by Alex McNeil in detailed video walkthroughs.  ###### Do I have to complete the whole course to get value? Nope. You can go at your own pace and watch whatever content is most compelling to you. There are several "universal" sections that you should complete--these are where we share our strategic framework. But otherwise, you can dip into the Common App section, then pop over to learn about Why Us supplementals, then graze through our sections on drafting and revising. It's all up to you.   We provide a variety of "pathways"—program syllabuses (including one for procrastinators!) that you can use to help steer a custom course through the Essay Academy.   ![https://23161381.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23161381/vargas.png](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/vargas.png) **"Balanced my personal essay and supplementals."** I didn’t have a narrative strategy before I started the Essay Academy. I was just kind of writing whatever. The program helped me lock in a strategy for all my essays. They showed me how to talk about my different extracurriculars in a way that balanced out across my personal essay and supplementals. Vargas D., University of Chicago Admit ('22) ### Upgrade your college journey ###### Content [Admissions Guides](https://admitreport.com/admissions-guides) [Categories](https://admitreport.com) ###### Legal [Privacy Policy](https://admitreport.com/privacy) [Terms of Use](https://admitreport.com/terms) K&S Canon, PLLC 1200 5TH Ave Ste 1950, Seattle, WA, 98101-1183, United States Copyright © 2026 McNeil Admissions ### "The only actually useful chance calculator I’ve seen—plus a crash course on the application review process." Irena Smith, Former Stanford Admissions Officer We built the best admissions chancer in the world. How is it the best? It draws from our experience in top-10 admissions offices to show you how selective admissions actually works. [Get Chanced (We Dare You)](https://uq2z800a22f.typeform.com/to/GSbIvdW0)