Essay Mini Series: How to Write the “Community” Essay
The “Community” essay is one of the most common college application prompts, and at its core, it is about connection, impact, and growth.
Below, we break down what these prompts are really asking, how to choose the right community, common mistakes to avoid, and how to approach variations that ask about your future contributions on campus.
What the Community Prompt Is Really Asking
Before you write a single sentence, take time to truly understand these questions. This essay is not about listing memberships or describing a group in detail—it’s about showing how your experiences within a community have mattered.
Just as important: choose a community where you had real involvement and impact. Surface-level participation makes it much harder to write a compelling, reflective essay.
What Counts as a “Community”?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that “community” must mean something formal or large-scale. Admissions officers allow—and encourage—a broad interpretation of the word.
Communities you might write about include:
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An activity or team
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An academic space
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An online community
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Cultural or ethnic identity groups
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Family-based or identity-based communities
If you’re writing about an ethnic or cultural community, consider narrowing your focus. Instead of describing common struggles, you might explore a specific internal journey, such as reconciling conflicting identities or realizing you don’t have to be defined by a single label.
Smaller, more focused communities often lead to stronger essays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even strong writers can miss the mark on the community essay. Here are some of the most frequent pitfalls:
1. Focusing on accomplishments instead of impact
This essay isn’t about what you achieved—it’s about how you affected others and how the experience affected you.
2. Describing the community more than your role in it
If most of your essay explains what the community is, admissions officers learn very little about you.
3. Writing about being “othered” only to say college will fix it
Colleges want to see resilience, reflection, and agency—not a promise that everything will suddenly be perfect.
4. Choosing a community you barely participated in
Short-term involvement or surface-level roles rarely provide enough depth for meaningful reflection.
5. Being unrealistic about future emotions or commitments
Be honest and grounded when discussing how you’ll stay involved or contribute in the future.
6. Repeating content from other essays
If this community already appears in your personal statement, Why Major, or activities essay, consider choosing a different angle—or a different community altogether.
7. Oversharing without purpose
Every detail should serve a purpose. Ask yourself: What does this reveal about me?
When the Prompt Asks About Your Future Contributions
Some schools frame the community essay as: What unique contributions will you make to our campus?
When answering this version of the prompt:
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Focus on specific values, not vague traits
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Avoid overused claims (for example, simply saying “empathy” without evidence)
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Back up values with clear moments or actions
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Mention concrete contributions, such as starting or contributing to a club, initiative, or program
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Look at the school’s mission or motto for insight into what they value—and connect that thoughtfully to your experiences
Your goal is to show how your past involvement naturally leads to realistic, meaningful engagement in their campus community.
Final Thoughts
The strongest community essays are not about being impressive—they’re about being intentional. When you choose a community where you’ve grown, contributed, and reflected, your essay becomes a powerful window into who you are and how you’ll show up on campus.
If you’re unsure where to start, listen to our Essay Mini Series: “Community” Essay episode, where we walk through these ideas with examples, tips, and real student questions.
Writing about community is ultimately writing about belonging—and how you help create it.