Updated September 3, 2026
11 College Essay Introduction Examples (That Got Students Into Ivy League Schools)
Bonus Material: PrepMaven’s 40 College Essays that Worked
Expert guidance provided by Mike Kleynman (PhD in English, 10+ years’ experience coaching admissions) and reviewed by Kevin Wong (co-founder PrepMaven, 20+ years’ experience coaching admissions).
If you’re applying to selective universities, the college essay is your best chance to stand out from a crowded field of selective applicants.
And when it comes to the essay, your introduction is what will either capture or lose the attention of admissions officers. There’s no such thing as spending too much time on a college essay introduction: if it doesn’t work, neither will your essay.
In this post, we’ll provide 11 examples of successful college essay introductions. How do we know they’re successful? Because they got the writers accepted into elite schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Duke! We’ll offer advice on how to mimic these introductions in your own writing.
Why listen to us? Well, not only are these essays objectively successful, but so are we: over the last two decades, our Princeton alumni founders have guided thousands of students to top-percentile test scores, stellar grades, and–most importantly–a track record of college acceptances.
Below, we’ll get into 11 college essay introduction examples, analyzing what they do well. You can also download the full essays (plus 24 more examples!) by clicking the link below.
Jump to section:
College Essay Intro Example 1
College Essay Intro Example 2
College Essay Intro Example 3
College Essay Intro Example 4
College Essay Intro Example 5
College Essay Intro Example 6
College Essay Intro Example 7
College Essay Intro Example 8
College Essay Intro Example 9
College Essay Intro Example 10
College Essay Intro Example 11
Next steps
College Essay Intro Example 1:
This first example is one of our favorites: read through the first paragraph carefully, then take a look at our analysis of why it works.
At eleven years old, I wrote the New York Times best-selling novel, The Chosen, the first installation in a trilogy that would become the newest sensation of the fantasy genre, and grow to be even more popular than the Harry Potter series. At least, that’s what I originally imagined as I feverishly typed the opening words of my manuscript. I had just received a call from my parents, who were on a business trip in London. While touring the city, they heard about an amateur novel writing contest open to all ages, and thought that I, as an amateur writer, would be interested. All I had to do was compose an original manuscript of merely 80,000 words and submit it to an office in London, and I could win $20,000 in addition to a publishing deal.
Why this intro works:
First thing’s first: the opening sentence is immediately attention-getting. It’s (obviously) not true, but that’s not the point. What matters is that, after a long day of reading generic and cliche essays, admissions officers are immediately going to pay attention to this essay.
The introduction also quickly clarifies the situation. It would be a bad idea to leave the reader wondering whether the writer actually wrote a “best-selling novel,” so it’s wise that the writer immediately clarifies that this was something they imagined.
Finally, the introduction sets the stage for the student to describe something unique that they engaged in: even if they didn’t write a best-seller, taking on the task of writing a novel is already impressive and worth reading.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Unique hook + context + set-up for a story.
College Essay Intro Example 2:
5:30 a.m. As I rush out the door to meet my carpool, I call a quick “Good morning” to our llamas and goats who have already made their “maa-ing” sounds to greet me. It’s an hour drive to school that I fill with music that ranges from Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 to Ben Folds and sometimes the Spanish radio station. After a full week of classes and student council work, the fun begins.
Why this intro works:
The opening sentence immediately grabs attention by starting with action and detail. The mention of llamas and goats sets a distinctive, whimsical scene, making us want to learn more about this student’s background.
This detail not only makes the writer stand out, but it also hints at an unusual lifestyle or upbringing that deviates from the norm—something likely to intrigue an admissions officer looking for individuality.
The intro continues to engage by illustrating the writer’s multifaceted interests. From classical music to Spanish radio, the variety of genres listed showcases a breadth of taste and cultural awareness, signaling intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness.
Finally, the line “After a full week of classes and student council work, the fun begins” sets up anticipation for an activity or experience the writer will expand on in the essay. This closing phrase invites the reader to continue.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Action + unique interests + a teaser for the story.
College Essay Intro Example 3:
They were quite little. Tiny, even. And each was a perfect clone of the one before it, like someone had taken a long piece of string and cut it into flawlessly congruent segments that were thereafter permitted to grow heads.
I hated their heads the most. Scaly arrowheads encrusted with two black eyes that seemed to indicate a total absence of soul, an inability to feel. Each head tipped with a forked tongue that moved quickly and unpredictably, seeming to dare victims to come closer.
Why this intro works:
The opening is unclear and even mysterious. Who are the “they?” What are these “clones” who can “grow heads?” It almost sounds as if we’re in a sci-fi story, but that weirdness and confusion is exactly what makes this intro effective.
Remember: confusing the reader can be a powerful tool to keep them reading!
From there, vivid, well-written description keeps us engaged. The description of the creatures’ heads as “scaly arrowheads” with “black eyes” is eerie and precise.
At the same time, the description begins to give us more context: it’s clear that these are likely some kind of snake or reptile, so we can begin to understand where this story is going.
Finally, by ending with the language of “victims” the intro suggests some kind of looming confrontation or fear–incredibly effective for making admissions officers pay careful attention to what comes next.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Mystery + vivid detail + set-up for conflict.
College Essay Intro Example 4:
“Skilled guild makes headline deadline: releases elite dispatch.” But the school journalism business demands more than just a penchant for clever titles, snappy rhymes, endless alliteration, and groan-eliciting puns. Well, they seem clever at the time.
Why this intro works:
It might be short, but this intro has it all!
We open with a playful and self-aware tone. The headline is intentionally over-the-top and full of alliteration, immediately signaling that the writer has a knack for wordplay and a sense of humor.
This cleverness, however, is quickly undercut by the self-deprecating twist—“Well, they seem clever at the time”—which humanizes the writer and shows they don’t take themselves too seriously.
At the same time, the intro promises something more to come when it tells us that school journalism needs more than just clever wordplay. So we know from the start that this essay will take us somewhere else, in some new direction.
As with the previous intros, this one ends by making sure that we know there’s something else coming without telling us exactly what that will be. Mastering that technique is just about the most important element of crafting an effective intro.
If you haven’t had much practice with it, one of our college essay tutors can help you develop that skill for yourself, so that your college essay intro works just as well as our examples here.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Playful opening + self-awareness + setup for a larger exploration of personal growth.
College Essay Intro Example 5:
To him, I was a stranger. He could not recall that I had fervently cared for him every day for the past five weeks. As I laughed at his trademark joke for the third time that day, he felt a familiar, but unidentifiable gratitude. When I mentioned a detail about his past, he blushed, realizing that I, a perceived stranger, knew him better than himself. The only recollection he had of me was of a girl with an unmatched dedication to his happiness. This man was one of the patients I encountered during my volunteer internship at Expressions, a hospital program for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Why this intro works:
Unlike the previous intros, this one is more about setting an emotional and thought-provoking tone.
The writer introduces a moment of profound disconnection—being seen as a stranger by someone whom they’ve cared for. While we might not know exactly what the context is, it’s clear that the story will be serious, reflective, and profound.
The rest of the short intro continues to explore a rollercoaster of emotions: embarrassment, gratitude, dedication, happiness. These are complex feelings that go well beyond cliche or vague attempts to describe emotional encounters.
The intro concludes with an explanation of the context—volunteering at a hospital program for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia—while also making it clear there’s more to be said, since this man was just “one” of the student’s patients.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Emotional depth + context + set-up.
You can read the whole of this powerful story in our collection of essays below. Each of the essays there was really written by a student who was accepted to one of the most selective universities in the country (Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, to name a few).
College Essay Intro Example 6:
Teiku. I consulted the dictionary. The Aramaic word meant, “let it stand.” What a disappointment. I had followed an entire page of logic and proofs eagerly awaiting the zenith of the Talmudic debate, the statement in which one scholar’s opinion would prevail without doubt. Instead, I was left with this cryptic word, teiku, let it stand. Could this word be an answer? Over my years of studying the Babylonian Talmud, I’ve grown accustomed to such moments of confusion. The text is notoriously esoteric: rife with tangents, terse logic, and abstruse Aramaic. Developing the skills to study Talmud independently had taken patient practice. But as the Talmud became clearer, my relationship with it became more confusing, as I realized that my studies were paradoxical, both traditional and untraditional at the same time.
Why this intro works:
Like many of the best examples, this intro starts by disorienting the reader: “Teiku. I consulted the dictionary.”
The unfamiliar word creates intrigue and sets up a moment of intellectual discovery, signaling that the writer is grappling with something complex and important. It’s not a typical “I opened a book” moment—this feels like the beginning of a deeper thought process, which compels the reader to keep going.
Then, the writer combines interesting information with context, telling us more about why the writer is exploring this word and how. It’s also unique, hinting that the student has an unusually deep interest in the Talmud.
The end of the intro gets at the stakes: it’s not just about a word, but about the relationship between “traditional and untraditional.” This personal exploration sets the stage for a rich, introspective narrative that promises to go beyond simple academic achievement.
In a nutshell: hook + context + stakes.
College Essay Intro Example 7:
Over 13 billion pennies are made each year, and for the most part, they are indistinguishable from one another. Each copper-brown coin has the same feel, the same size, and even the same old Abraham Lincoln on one side. Yet, as a collector of pressed pennies, these seemingly insignificant coins have taught me some of the most important life lessons.
Why this intro works:
This is definitely more in the mode of a “quirky” or “creative” essay: nobody’s going to get teary-eyed reading about pennies. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less effective than the Alzheimer’s intro.
Starting with a surprising and thought-provoking fact—“Over 13 billion pennies are made each year”—is an effective strategy for capturing readers’ attention. Of course, there’s a caveat: you need to be sure the fact really is surprising and thought-provoking.
It’s crucial that this intro quickly connects these facts to the writer’s personal experience as a “collector of pressed pennies.” This makes it clear that the essay isn’t just about pennies, but about the author’s hobby and lessons learned. An essay like this always has to be personal.
The final line of the intro, as we’ve seen before, invites curiosity: How could something as simple as a penny teach important life lessons? We now know as readers that the author will show us something important about their character.
In a nutshell, this introduction looks like this: Surprising fact + personal connection + setup for a lesson learned.
College Essay Intro Example 8:
I am an aspiring hot sauce sommelier. Ever since I was a child, I have been in search for all that is spicy. I began by dabbling in peppers of the jarred variety. Pepperoncini, giardiniera, sports peppers, and jalapeños became not only toppings, but appetizers, complete entrées, and desserts. As my palate matured, I delved into a more aggressive assortment of spicy fare. I’m not referring to Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the crunchy snack devoured by dilettantes. No, it was bottles of infernal magma that came next in my tasting curriculum.
Why this intro works:
Like many of the previous examples, this essay starts with an unexpected claim that confuses readers while also engaging them.
From there, we get bombarded with lots of interesting and highly specific details that convince us of the writer’s interest. Using lists is often very effective: it lets you convey a lot of information quickly, using the quantity for stylistic effect.
The last section of the intro leans further into the humor by making jokes about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Honestly? It’s a little bit risky, potentially coming off as too jokey or unserious.
But in this case it pays off: because the writer has set up the essay from the start to be humorous and casual, the added jokes at the end feel natural, allowing the writer to keep the reader engage
In a nutshell: surprise + details + humor.
College Essay Intro Example 9:
The squeaks of whiteboard markers have now replaced the scritch-scratch of chalk, but the hubbub of voices is always the same. For millennia, the great thinkers of their day would gather and discuss. In ancient Greece, it was Socrates debating about philosophy; centuries later it was Newton lecturing at Cambridge on fluxions and physics. This summer Paul Steinhardt and his eminent colleagues sat down for a panel about inflationary theory at the World Science festival- though there was neither chalk nor markers there. Though we make no claim to be the greatest thinkers of our day and our school in no way resembles the hallowed edifices of science, my friends and I have staked out a corner of our AP Calculus room where we can have our own discussions. We even have a whiteboard.
Why this works:
Though this essay doesn’t start with anything emotional or funny, it still effectively captures the reader’s attention.
First and foremost are the specific details and actions that set the scene. We can hear the squeaking of the whiteboard, the scratching of the chalk, and the voices in the background. Even if we’re not sure what’s happening, we can begin to picture ourselves there.
Then, the intro uses a mixture of details and references to show both depth and breadth of interests. We get everything from Socrates to Newton to Steinhardt: it’s clear that this writer is deeply interested in many things.
Finally, the intro leaves us with the promise of something else, some other story. After establishing the contrast between the writer and those great thinkers, the intro tells us that there’s some other project at work–one we’ll have to keep reading the essay to find out about.
In a nutshell: action + references + set-up.
This essay is a great example of how even a simple story can be told effectively. While having discussions in AP Calculus isn’t unique, the way this story begins is. That’s what matters!
A good college essay coach, like one of our many Ivy-League tutors, can help you transform any topic into something that’s as effective as this.
College Essay Intro Example 10:
“So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.” –Franz Kafka
Kafka, I’m afraid, has drastically overestimated the power of food. And though it pains me to undermine a statement by arguably the greatest writer of the 20th century, I recognize it as a solemn duty. Perhaps Kafka has never sat, tongue wild in an effort to scrape residual peanut butter off his molars, and contemplated the almost ridiculous but nevertheless significant role of peanut butter in crafting his identity. Oh, did I just describe myself by accident? Without further ado, the questions (and lack of answers, I point out) that I contemplate with peanut butter in my mouth.
Why this works:
We’ll admit it: we often tell students never to start their college essays with a quote. But there are exceptions to every rule, and this essay intro is a perfect example.
Why does the introduction quote work here? Two key reasons: first, because it’s an unusual quote from an unusual (for a high schooler) source, avoiding the typical pitfall of the cliche quote. Second, because of what the writer does with the quote.
Instead of just using the quote to prove a point or introduce an idea, the writer actually argues against it. It’s clever and risky, but the author is self aware about it: “it pains me to…” Immediately, the writer shows a confidence and depth of thought that’s rare in these essays.
The intro also does what all successful college essay intros must: it quickly pivots the focus to the writer, setting us up to understand that the rest of the essay will comprise these “questions” that the writer contemplates.
In a nutshell: unusual quote + clever spin + set-up for questions.
What are those questions? The only way to find out is by reading the full essay! It’s available below for free, along with 34 other full essays that got students into schools like Princeton and Yale.
College Essay Intro Example 11:
I follow the sound of jumbled conversation and laughter to an auditorium filled with two hundred sixth grade girls. We are barely fifteen minutes into the first day of middle school, and it seems like people have already dispersed into loose tribes. Surveying the scene, I make snap judgements— cool kids taking Instagram pictures to my right, athletes carrying huge duffles to my left, geeks violently clicking computer mouses straight ahead. Taking a deep breath, I think to myself, “this is your pilot episode.“
Why this works:
Here, we start in medias res, right in the middle of the story. This is one of the oldest, safest, and easiest techniques to make your college essay intro pop. Simply start your essay write in the middle of a scene of you doing something: as readers, we’ll naturally want to figure out what’s going on!
From there, we get vivid details that both add context and establish the writer’s voice. We now understand exactly where we are (first day of school) while also getting a feel for how the narrator thinks and talks. As with all good college essay intros, we quickly get connected to the person writing.
Finally, by ending the intro with this being her “pilot episode,” the writer immediately makes clear that the story won’t stay here. Instead, the rest of the essay will show us just what happens to her from here.
In a nutshell: action + context + promise of more.
Next Steps
Crafting an attention-grabbing college essay introduction is essential for standing out in the competitive admissions process.
You may have picked up on some patterns from these 11 highly successful examples. The best college essay intros captivate admissions officers through humor, vivid imagery, or emotional depth. And they always leave the reader wanting more!
But these intros are an art, not a science. If you want to master them, it takes practice and guidance. Fortunately, we can help with both.
Not only can you find 40 real college essays that worked in the free resource below, but you can also contact us anytime to be matched with one of our college essay tutors.
In fact, all of these essays have been sourced from our tutors! They’re the best people to help you with your college essays because they’ve already done it, and done it successfully, earning admission into top universities like Princeton, Yale, and Duke.
Happy writing!
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Mike Kleynman is an expert test prep tutor (SAT/ACT/LSAT) and college essay consultant, with over a decade of experience and industry-leading results.
With average final scores of 34+ on the ACT and 1500+ on the SAT, nearly all of Mike’s test prep students score in the top percentiles. They also routinely earn admission to the most selective universities: just last year, Mike had students accepted to Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, UC Berkeley, USC, and Carnegie Mellon. The average final LSAT score of his students is over 172, and his law school application coaching students have been accepted to Harvard, Yale, and Columbia Law.
Mike holds a PhD in English from Duke University.