Crafting a Standout College Essay: Lessons from a Forager
When working with students on their college essays, I always emphasize the power of storytelling—how the right details, connections, and structure can transform a simple anecdote into a compelling narrative. Last year, I interviewed a student whose passion for foraging perfectly illustrates this process.
His essay draft contained rich descriptive details, deep personal connections, and a strong structural arc, making it a great example of what works in college essays.
Let’s first read the essay. Then I’ll explain what I like about it.
Green, brown, green, brown—my eyes scan the forest floor, searching for something that feels out of place. Then, out of the corner of my eye, a flash of orange. My arm shoots into my bag to grab my field guide. After hours of creeping through the autumnal underbrush, I finally find it: Laetiporus sulphureus, the elusive chicken of the woods. As my fingers trace over the mushroom’s subtly irregular surface, a wave of satisfaction washes over me.
For as long as I can remember I’ve needed a reason, a purpose, for whatever I’m doing. I don’t like downtime-- the idea of “doing nothing” makes me anxious. Over time, I have luckily found ways to feel relaxed while still pursuing a specific goal, and one of the ways I find this balance is through foraging. It allows me to spend time in nature, where I genuinely feel at peace, yet each step feels purposeful, like I’m contributing to something larger than myself.
My fascination with fungi began unexpectedly on a warm day in Connecticut, as I navigated a remote trailhead. There, sticking out from the path like a sore thumb, were three large lavender-capped mushrooms. A simple post on Reddit’s mycology forum drew me into the world of fungi, and I was immediately captivated. From healing to harming to hallucinating, I learned that mushrooms can do just about anything. Even before fungi produce mushrooms, they’re already amazingly complex, creating webs of root-like mycelium that expand through almost any terrain, providing nutrients and structure to their environment.
Coincidentally, mushrooms have had a similar structural effect on my life as well. Before I started foraging, I often felt that I lacked structure; many days in middle school, I didn’t even know which parent’s house I would be sleeping at. Foraging, however, has become a constant. Whether it’s a snowy December morning or a sweltering July afternoon, mushrooms will be waiting for me, even in a bustling metropolis like New York City. In fact, living in a big city has actually made foraging much more enjoyable, as it has made it easy to find like-minded individuals to explore with. When I joined my first Zoom call with the New York Mycological Society, I was surprised to be the only one without gray hair. Fortunately, though, as I nervously introduced my newfound fungi fascination, the group was as hospitable as I could have possibly hoped. Soon, I was venturing into natural spaces across the city with Sigrid, Tom, and other new friends. I have since come to cherish these connections immensely, and in the future I hope to find and foster new communities with the same kindness that I saw and received in the NYMS.
The reason I initially became more involved with foraging and its community was because of the sense of structure and purpose I felt it gave me. I soon learned, however, that this feeling of motivation was not restricted to foraging. In my sophomore year I entered a climate science internship with a NASA researcher. While I was initially rather apprehensive, I still remember the feeling I got after my first background presentation. Researching something as niche as local precipitation patterns and sharing what I had discovered made me feel both proud and ambitious to learn more. I found that this moment affected me in much the same way that stumbling upon that chicken-of-the-woods did. It made me realize just how terrific I feel when I immerse myself into a new and fascinating intellectual pursuit, especially when I have a real product or accomplishment to show for it. Whether I’m foraging for mushrooms, researching the climate, or even studying the history of my neighborhood, I have come to learn just how much joy and tranquility I can find when I commit myself to learning something new, even if that joy comes in ways that I might not initially expect.
The Power of Descriptive Detail
One of the most engaging aspects of the draft was his use of vivid imagery. His opening lines—“Green, brown, green, brown” and “a flash of orange”—immediately transported me into his world, allowing me to see through his eyes as he scanned the forest floor for mushrooms. This kind of sensory detail immerses the reader in the moment and makes the experience tangible.
Connecting the Essay to Values and Experiences
A great college essay goes beyond recounting an event—it reveals something essential about the writer. His passion for foraging isn’t just a hobby; it reflects key aspects of his personality and values:
Need for Structure: The practice of searching for mushrooms became an anchor in his life. He even drew a parallel between fungi networks—spreading nutrients and information—and foraging providing structure for him.
Love of Nature: His deep interest in the environment extends beyond foraging. He enjoys hiking, studies ecology, and seeks out nature even in unexpected places. His love of the natural world isn’t passive; it informs his academic interests and career aspirations.
Intellectual Curiosity: Foraging introduced him to the thrill of deep, independent research. He found satisfaction in studying precipitation patterns during a climate science internship, mirroring the way he methodically learns about mushrooms. His discovery of a “chicken-of-the-woods” mushroom was a lightbulb moment—realizing how fulfilling it is to dive deep into a new subject.
Love of Community: What started as a solitary pursuit led to the warmth and generosity of the New York Mycological Society. He values how foraging connects him with like-minded people. He hopes to build and contribute to similar communities in the future.
Bringing the Essay Full Circle
A strong college essay doesn’t just start with a compelling hook—it should return to that opening idea to create a sense of closure. This essay began with his discovery of a “chicken-of-the-woods” mushroom. Bringing the essay back to its beginning leaves the reader with a lasting impression. This technique is one of the most effective ways to make an essay feel complete.
Final Thoughts
For any student working on their essay, this student’s approach offers valuable lessons: lean into specific details, connect your topic to your deeper values, and bring your story full circle. A well-crafted essay isn’t just about telling a story—it’s about revealing the person behind it.
