Sometimes we get lucky and meet people who genuinely want to make a difference—especially for young people. When I find someone like that, I work to cultivate and support the relationship. Over the past four years of running this site, I rarely recommend individuals by name, but I’m proud to introduce my colleague Ethan Sawyer, known as the College Essay Guy. Ethan helps thousands of college-bound students across the country, and his book College Essay Essentials has become the leading guide on college essays worldwide. Below is our interview—clear, practical, and full of heart.
Ethan, how did you come to work with students on college essays?
In many ways my life led me here. I grew up as a missionary kid, moving frequently and learning how to ask good questions. I loved writing from an early age—turning overheard moments into poems—and in college I studied screenwriting. I moved to Los Angeles intending to be a screenwriter, but ended up coaching students on personal statements. I discovered that screenwriting techniques—structure, scene, and emotional arc—translate well to college essays. As I learned counseling methods like Narrative Therapy and Nonviolent Communication, I developed tools for helping students reflect and tell their stories. I began sharing those techniques on a blog and people—students, counselors, and parents—responded. Over time I expanded into workshops, online courses, and resources. What started as work evolved into a career I love: helping students find their voice and tell meaningful stories.
How important is the college personal statement in admissions?
Grades remain the most important factor in admissions, and many schools still weigh test scores. That said, when candidates have similar academic records and scores, the personal statement can be the decisive factor. Beyond admissions outcomes, writing a personal statement is a meaningful exercise in self-understanding. It asks students to reflect on how experiences and memories have shaped them. Done well, the process can be empowering, clarifying, and even healing.
How would you summarize the process of writing a personal statement?
Start with discovery: short exercises that reveal your core values and the objects or moments that matter to you. In my book I open with two five-to-ten minute exercises that often provide enough material for a strong essay. For structure, begin by answering two questions: have you faced significant challenges? And do you know what you want to do in the future? Those answers map to different essay approaches, and each approach benefits from a clear step-by-step method.
You describe four types of student storytellers. What are they?
Students typically fall into four categories based on whether they’ve faced significant challenges and whether they have clarity about future goals:
- Type A: Has faced significant challenges and knows what they want to pursue.
- Type B: Has not faced significant challenges and is still exploring future plans.
- Type C: Has faced significant challenges and is unsure about future direction.
- Type D: Has not faced significant challenges and has clear goals for the future.
For students who have experienced significant challenges (Types A and C), I recommend a narrative structure that links events causally: I faced X, I did Y, and that led to Z. This structure relies on change or insight. For students who haven’t experienced a defining challenge (Types B and D), a montage or thematic structure can work well: loosely connected scenes or moments tied together by a central theme.
Tell us about your courses and the new offerings you provide.
I work one-on-one with a limited number of students each year, but I wanted to scale my support to reach more students, counselors, and parents. That led to the on-demand course How to Write a Personal Statement, which mirrors one-on-one guidance through seven lessons and includes Q&A to address common issues. I also offer workshops and free resources so counselors and families can use proven methods to help students write better essays.
If we were having coffee, what three tips would you give a student about writing the college essay?
- Don’t let the prompt limit you. Prompts can lead you to think about what an imagined reader wants rather than what matters to you. Start with what’s uniquely yours.
- Aim for uncommon connections. Common topics can still produce great essays if you make original connections and use fresh language. The more familiar the subject, the more inventive the insight needs to be.
- Show, then tell. Showing your story demonstrates craft; telling reveals reflection and meaning. Use both to prove you can write and think critically.
How do you make your resources accessible?
Access is a core value for me. Most of my courses and materials are free or offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. I want students of all incomes to benefit from the tools and exercises that help them write better essays and reflect more deeply on their lives.
What’s coming up next?
I’m launching the College Essay Guy podcast to interview respected voices in admissions and turn those conversations into practical guides. I’m also developing a “Counselor Workshop in a Box” so any counselor can run an effective workshop for one student or hundreds, in one hour or over several days. Additionally, I’ll lead an in-depth three-day counselor workshop in the Santa Cruz mountains to explore counseling practice and professional growth.
What do you find most rewarding about this work?
I love that people feel comfortable reaching out. I receive messages from around the world—from encouragement to requests for help to notes from students who feel deeply understood. Creating a space where students and counselors can connect, reflect, and tell honest stories is what makes this work meaningful.
Ethan Sawyer — Bio
Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and a sought-after speaker. Each year he helps thousands of students and counselors through online courses, workshops, articles, products, and books, while continuing to work privately with a small number of students. His book, College Essay Essentials (released July 2016), is widely used as a practical guide to craft and strategy for the college personal statement.
Raised in Spain, Ecuador, and Colombia, Ethan attended many different schools and has worked as a teacher, curriculum writer, voice actor, motivational speaker, community organizer, and truck driver. He holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and an MFA from UC Irvine, along with counseling certificates. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.
Contact: [email protected]