importance of community development essay

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17 Dec Community Development: What it is, its Importance, and How to Contribute in Your City

Picture a young girl with dreams of owning her own business. Her family doesn’t have the means to pay for private school or hire coaches. She’s curious and motivated, but isn’t sure how to pursue her dreams of starting a business and lacks the money to fund it. Support, whether provided from a local incubator or information gained from a seminar series held at a local library could fan this entrepreneurial spark into a flame that turns into a business. That business could then help drive the local economy –providing jobs, tax revenue, and improving the lives of residents.

Mentioned in my introduction to this series , there are three key types of development that are needed in order for a community to thrive and their people to succeed and grow — community, business, and economic. Each is unique and important, yet they are rarely discussed individually. They are often confused for each other and misunderstood. This short series is being written not only to define and explain each, but to further develop my own understanding of them and to empower those wanting to help their city grow, and I hope that includes you .

Let’s take a look at community development.

What is Community Development?

Community development  is “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.”

When asked “What is community development,” Bloomington, Illinois Alderman Jamie Mathy said, “Anything dealing with people working together to make our community better can be put under Community Development, whether those are social or economic needs. The goal is to make the entire community stronger.” City planning, beautification, and zoning and permitting are all part of community development efforts for the city of Bloomington according to Mathy.

Mathy also says that economic and community are the most commonly confused forms of development. “This is probably because you often see them listed side by side in Community Development plans. ‘We need to focus on Economic Development to attract new businesses and Business Development to grow our existing business community so that we can achieve our Community Development goals,’ ” says Mathy.

According to Matt Brown, Director of Economic Development in Santa Fe, New Mexico, community development directly impacts the quality of life of the residents in a city. Developing the community includes projects like libraries, schools, and parks, and includes providing care and resources for the elderly, homeless, and at-risk youth. Matt believes that education is possibly the most important component because it’s more than just preparing for a job; “it involves learning to be a responsible citizen and community member, building strong social and emotional skills, sparking curiosity and a passion for learning, developing physical skills and health, just to name a few of the powerful benefits of attending school or being homeschooled.”

Examples of Community Development

• A city with a large number of residents in severe debt launches a campaign to increase financial literacy and assist community members in getting out of debt. Money from the city is invested in programs to provide education and resources, from simple talks and materials explaining how debt works to offering discounts on budget software that will help them pay off their debts quicker. The program lowers debt and increases citizens’ expendable income (purchasing power). This money will better the city by allowing citizens to purchase property, start businesses, save for retirement, and support other important local businesses and initiatives.
• The main road of a once vibrant small city is now comprised of houses that are poorly maintained. The community and local leaders decide to designate this neighborhood as a historic district (or redevelopment), offering resources for homeowners in that area and requiring a certain level of upkeep. The curb appeal of the district now brings citizens from local areas to the town and helps raise property values, and a new restaurant has opened up to serve residents of this neighborhood.

Why is Community Development Important?

Community development is important because it provides the foundation a city builds off of to improve the lives of its citizens. It creates strong, diverse communities that are able to attract and keep talent, start and grow businesses, and overcome issues that arise. Citizens will be happier, healthier, richer, and live longer lives. Businesses will have a larger base of customers who can purchase their products and services, and the city will earn tax income to continue to support important programs and reduce debt.

When community development is effective, there is less crime, less disparity between citizens, better jobs available, a more talented workforce, and less overall issues that impact residents. Community development doesn’t necessarily solve problems in a city; it reduces problems and increases opportunities for growth. Without community development, both economic and business development suffer greatly.

How to Facilitate Community Development in Your City

Successful community development takes collaboration among stakeholders who are dedicated to working together to define and solve problems within the community and pursuing opportunities. It requires those not associated with the government (also known as the private sector) to get involved through volunteering and take action. As a member of a community — you are a stakeholder, and you can contribute to the development of your community .

Several years ago, I dedicated a portion of my time to help give back to the cities I spend the most time in (Bloomington/Normal, Illinois). I’ve volunteered for local boards and councils, have taken the role as a campaign manager for a local resident who is running for Town Council, and I attend local meetings.

Are you ready to help develop your community? There are many ways to get involved, including:

• Attending a City Council meeting
• Volunteer to help at a local event hosted by the city
• Ask local representatives if they would be willing to go out for a cup of coffee to talk
• Serve on a Board
• Volunteer time for a Committee that helps with Community Development
• Volunteer to help people outside your usual circle of friends and influence
• Encourage others to be involved with local organizations

What first step will you personally take to help with the development of your community? What recommendations do you have for others?

• 3 Keys to Developing Cities and Improving Lives: An Introduction to Community, Business, and Economic Development  

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Community Development and Its Role in the Public and Private Sector Essay

Introduction, the concept of community development, community development and the public sector, relevance of community development in the public sector, resistance of community development within the public sector, community development and the private sector, resistance of community development within the private sector, resistance of community development within itself, list references.

James and Susan (2009, p. 67) have defined community development as a set of activities taken by a group of people within a given society to eradicate poverty, social injustices and such other undesirable factors within a given society. It is a set of principles, practices and values that are geared towards making the society a better place to live in.

For a long time, many countries have been looking for the government to undertake most of the development issues within the society. Even in countries that were practicing communism, the government was expected to direct most of the activities that were taking place within the society.

As Rhonda and Robert (2009, p. 90) note, Russia was the leading communist state. However, the projects that were meant to bring development to the country were fostered by the government. In capitalist countries like the United States, individuals had to depend on themselves for development, and the state, for such issues as infrastructural developments.

Community development begun in the United States of America in early 1960swhen some citizens noted some serious disparities within the society. There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor.

These specific individuals noted that although the government was doing much to ensure that every member of the society was uplifted both socially and economically, this effort was not translating to direct benefits for the lower members of the society.

Those who were benefiting from this program were the richer society members. There was therefore a need to devise other methods to ensure that all the society members were liberated from poverty and other social injustices.

Community development gained popularity very fast. People begun to realize that this was the best way through which the society would be developed was through an effort made from all the members of the society (Balshem 1993, p. 62).

Community development was viewed as the strategy through which the communities would be developed. From the United States, it spread to other countries like Canada and other developed nations. In the mid eighties, a number of philanthropists noted with concern that African countries and other developing nations were ridden with poverty among other social evils.

The gap between the governed and the governors was big, and these societies were not enlightened in many fronts. Community development was therefore the only way through which these societies could be developed. Currently, community development is seen as a very important approach of enhancing a prosperous society both in the developed and developing nations.

Community development is a concerted effort made by members of a given society that is geared towards the development of a given society. Jerry (2011, p. 54) argues that community development is an principle taken by moderate capitalists to ensure that although members of the society are to work for themselves to achieve specific goals in life, other well endowed members of the society should make an effort to ensure that they help the less fortunate.

Community development may take various fronts. As Lee (1989, p. 78) explains, the empowerment of the society may take social, economical or religious front. The most important concern of community development is the attainment of the basic needs. Margaret (2011, p. 23) notes that community development is currently viewed as being relevant in the developing countries, a concept that is very misleading.

When it was started, community development was to ensure that people were empowered in the three aspects named above. However, it was noted that before a person is empowered economically, other fronts of empowerment may not make sense. A person who is hungry may not understand the need to actively participate in the leadership of a given country.

As such, economic empowerment was given the first priority. Most of the developed societies do not have serious problem with the basic economic requirements.

For this reason, the economic front of community development has been relevant in the developing nations. The other front of community development is the political front. There has been need to ensure people participate in the leadership of the country. They should influence the way their country is governed.

Low (2000, p. 81) says that leadership starts from within the community. Good leadership within a given community would lead to desired results. As such, every members of the society would be required to participate actively in determining the direction that the leadership takes within that particular community.

Just like economic empowerment, economic empowerment is much needed in the developing countries. In many developed democracies like Australian, members of the society understands the need to actively participate in the leadership of the country.

Community development may also take the social approach. Civilization is one of the most controversial words in the current world. Each society considers itself civilized in its own front. An American, civilized in the western culture, would be astounded by the cultural practices of the Indians. They may consider the respect Indians accord cows as a backward behavior that is passed by time.

On the other hand, a Russian would be perplexed at the practices of the Muslims. An African would similarly be uncomfortable with the practices of the west (Hasson & Ley 1994, p. 29). Each of these societies would therefore have their own ways of defining civilization. However, there are some cultural practices of some societies that have been considered as archaic by most societies in the world.

For instance, some African societies would offer human offerings as a sacrifice to their gods when they needed rain or any other blessings that they believed could only come from god. Other still practice female genital mutilation. Such practices are inhumane because they result into serious harm to the specific individuals of the society.

On social front therefore, community development seeks to ensure that cultural practices of a given society do not in any way result into harm to other members of the society (Qiu 2006, p. 36).

It strives to ensure that the practices of the society are acceptable universally and that all the members of the society are treated equally and with the respect they deserve, irrespective of gender, color, religion or any other demographical groupings. The practice should also be geared towards the betterment of the society.

From the foregoing, it is evident that community development is one of the ways through which the society may develop without having to depend on other members of the society. It would take effort of both the public and private sectors to ensure that a given society is developed in all the fronts.

There has been need to have a ‘perfect’ community. Even among the developed nations, there has always been a feeling that something is missing. Recently, there was a public rebellion in Britain, one of the countries that are considered as the most developed in the world. In United States, there is pressure for the government to ensure that its citizens get employed as per their qualifications.

Other developed nations also have their own concerns that they feel should be addressed in order to have the ideal community. This need is even more among the developing nations. According to Robbins (2007, p. 20), most of the developed nations have a lot of challenges economically, socially and politically.

The government, through its public sectors, has the obligation to ensure that its citizens are provided with various facilities that would ensure their well being. Such facilities may include among others, hospitals, schools, accessibility to waters, source of employment among others. These are facilities that are very basic, and a community may not be considered complete without them.

Basically, the government would be expected to provide the above facilities to the community (Visser 2010, p. 31). However, it is common to find that the government has failed in one or two of the above requirements. In such occurrences, there must be a means of ensuring that the facilities that the government cannot provide are provided for through others means.

Community development has been one of the strategies through which communities have ensured that they are able to achieve beyond what the government cannot provide. This has made the work of the government easier. Because members of the society would be willing to support some of its projects, it can redirect its finances to other projects.

Community development is very relevant in the public sector. As Martine (2008, p. 89) states, in order to ensure prosperity of a given society, there is need to involve every member of the society. Government effort alone may not achieve the best results that the society expects.

Community development is the best strategy that can be applied to ensure that the society is developed in all fronts. Government may build a hospital within a given location of a community. However, this facility may either be too far for a section of the society, or it may not be well equipped to serve the need of all the members of the society.

Through community development, other well endowed members of the society may consider improving the facility, by either offering to buy the facilities needed for the hospital or building other supportive clinics that may help decongest the existing government health facility (Zhao 2011, p. 37).

This combined effort by the government and members of the society would make it easy for the society to realize its dreams with much ease. Similarly, government may build a school. However, the community should come in to finance the school as per their own expectations.

Supplementing government effort in this manner makes it easy to have such infrastructural developments much easier. Through this partnership, the government would find it ease in achieving its development goals. It would be easy to ensure that projects that require huge investments are completed within the desirable time.

The benefits that community development offers the public sector is as numerous as can be seen above. However, at times there arises some resistance towards community development by the public sector. The first conflict always arises due to conflict of interest. The effort of the community development team may seem to be conflicting with the government effort.

This is especially so when the empowerment is on the political front (Hofstede 2005, p. 68). Some countries, especially in the aristocratic and dictatorial leaderships, governments have been keen to ensure that the community remains less empowered politically. This makes it easy for the government to manipulate them.

When an organization comes in to sensitize the society on their rights to actively participate in the leadership of the society, it would be viewed as a direct interference to the efforts of the government and this would be met by resistance.

In some extreme cases, some governments have been keen to ensure that the community remains less empowered economically. As Meng (2010, p. 73) once said, it is very easy to control the less economically empowered members of the society because they will be struggling to get the basics in the society. An effort to empower such a society economically will be met by some form of resistance.

Some cases may involve conflicting priorities. Community development team may have a priority that may be contrasting that of the government. In such cases, the government may be trying to implement a policy across the whole country. However, the community may have a different view as to what project they need most urgently.

As such, community development may meet some form of resistance from the private sector. When the private sector fails to support community development, the projects may take longer than the expected duration, or at times it may completely fail. This is because the private sector is a major financer of community development projects.

Withdrawing their financial assistance may mean that such projects would have to get other alternative financial sources in order to be implemented. If such alternative financing fail to come, the project may completely stall.

Community development is also very important in the private sector. Just like the public sector, private sector is also geared towards ensuring that the community is developed. The private sector works in a similar front as public sector but as different entities. The private sector stands to gain a lot in case of the success of the projects set forth for community development.

Through community development, such micro-finance facilities may be developed to empower the society economically. When such facilities are developed, the private sector stands to benefit a lot because their financing solutions would have been made easier. Through an effort of community development facilitators and government, such infrastructures like roads can be developed.

As such, the private sectors would find it easy to undertake their activities through improved transport system. Such other facilities as hospitals and availability of water would make it easy for the private sector to undertake their duties. They would be working in an environment that has basic infrastructural requirements.

Although the private sector has a lot to benefit from community development, there has been some form of resistance from some quarters. The main form of resistance always comes from competing interests. Some of the activities of community development offer direct challenge to the private sector.

According to Hakim (2000, p. 79), most of the projects undertaken in community development are always meant to ensure that the community is economically empowered. Some of the projects may involve starring businesses for some members of the society. This would directly affect the section of the private sector that was involved in that particular business.

In this case, the private sector would not view community development as a partner in the development of the society, but a competitor that threatens to push it out of the market. Just like any other competitor, community development would face a lot of resistance from the private sector. In some cases, community development may pose a real threat to community development.

For instance, some not for profit organizations would offer free medications to the public as a way of ensuring that the community has good health. However, this would have direct negative effect to the private firms like pharmacies.

There arise situations where resistance would come from the concerned individuals that are involved in undertaking certain projects in community development. As stated above, community development refers to principles and values geared towards ensuring that a given community is liberated.

Because different people would reason differently, the principles that a given party would support may be different from what another party would have. Anarchy may arise especially when both parties insist on their strategies as being the best. One party may accuse the other of bringing strategies that do not work, while the other may also view the other group as fronting strategies that are not workable.

Such antagonistic relationship within community development itself poses great challenge to prosperity of the intended projects. Much of the resources would be spent on choosing which approach to take in undertaking certain duties. Furthermore, even after one approach is taken, the party whose strategy was not taken would most likely fail to support the project.

On the contrary, they may bring in strategies that would ensure that the project fails just to prove that their strategy would have worked better were it to be chosen. Caves (2007, p. 36) says that most projects would fail because of such misunderstanding.

Besides government interferences, this scholar notes that in-fights among the implementing partners is the most destructive factor that would interfere with the success of community development.

Community development is one of the best ways through which a given society can develop its structures. It started out in the United States in early sixties as a way of ensuring that members of the society who were economically challenged get elevated economically. Community development was also motivated by the need to have a society where equality of the citizens is respected both socially and politically.

It moved to other countries when people realized that it was the best approach through which different societies could be developed.

Currently, community development is very popular in the developing countries. In these countries, there is a serious need to ensure economic empowerment as other members of the society live on deplorable conditions. This has made community development be viewed as an approach fit for the developing nations. However, it is very helpful both to the developed and developing nations.

Community development has a lot to offer to the public and private sector. To the public sector, it helps in ensuring that the infrastructure is developed. Through this combined effort, a given community would be able to develop such facilities as schools, hospitals and other related facilities.

To the private sector, community development comes as a tool that allows the concerned involved to work in collaboration to ensure that the society is self sufficient. Community development is very vital to the private sector. Through it, the infrastructure of a given society will be developed.

When such facilities as roads, banking institutions and even hospitals are developed, the private sector would find it very easy to progress in their activities.

Despite the obvious benefits community development has to offer to the public and private sectors, it has met some resistance from both of these sectors and within itself. From the public sector, many government or government institutions view the activities involved in community development as a challenge to their leadership, or conflicting their own projects.

For this reason, such public sectors may fail to support the projects for the community development. This would pose a challenge to the success of these projects.

To the private sector, some of the project may pose challenge to their prosperity, hence making them view community development as an impediment to their development. Within community development itself, there may be resistance, especially when there seems to be a contradiction in the approach that should be taken to accomplish a given project.

Balshem, M 1993, Cancer in the community: Class and medical authority , Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.

Caves, RE 2007, Multinational enterprise and economic analysis, Cambridge University Press, London.

Hakim, C 2000, Research Design: Sucessful Designs for Social and Economic Research, Routledge, New York.

Hasson, S & Ley D 1994, Neighborhood organization and the Welfare State, University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

Hofstede, G 2005, Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values . 2nd edn, Sage, London.

James, D & Susan, S 2009, The Community Development Reader , Taylor & Francis, New York.

Jerry, W 2011, Introduction to Community Development: Theory, Practice, and Service-Learning , SAGE, London.

Lee, C 1989, Community Development as a Process , University of Missouri Press, New York.

Low, N 2000, C onsuming cities: the urban environment in the global economy after the Rio Declaration , Routledge, London.

Margaret, L 2011, Community Development: A Critical Approach The Policy Press . New York.

Martine, G 2008, The new global frontier urbanization, poverty and environment in the 21st century , Earthscan, London.

Meng, X 2010, The great migration: rural-urban migration in China and Indonesia, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.

Qiu, X.2006, A case of two cities , St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York.

Rhonda, P & Robert, H 2009, An Introduction to Community Development , Taylor & Francis, New York.

Robbins, P 2007, Encyclopedia of environment and society , Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.

Visser, R 2010, Cities surround the countryside: urban aesthetics in post-socialist China . Duke University Press, Durham.

Zhao, J 2011, Towards sustainable cities in China analysis and assessment of some Chinese cities in 2008 , Springer, New York.

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How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

• How to Write the Why This Major Essay + Example
• How to Write the Overcoming Challenges Essay + Example
• How to Start a College Essay – 12 Techniques and Tips
• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Strategy — Community Development

Essays on Community Development

Writing an essay on community development is crucial as it helps to raise awareness and understanding of the concept. It also allows individuals to explore the various aspects of community development, such as social, economic, and environmental factors, and how they all interconnect to create a thriving community.

When writing an essay on community development, it is important to consider the following tips:

• Research: Start by conducting thorough research on the topic. Look for scholarly articles, books, and reputable sources to gather information and data on community development.
• Outline: Create a clear and concise outline that outlines the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all necessary aspects of community development.
• Clarity and Precision: Use clear and precise language to convey your ideas. Avoid using jargon or overly complex language that could confuse the reader.
• Examples and Case Studies: Incorporate real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your points and provide a deeper understanding of community development in action.
• Impact and Solutions: Discuss the impact of community development and potential solutions to address any challenges or issues within a community.
• Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking by analyzing different perspectives and theories related to community development. This will help to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive view of the topic.

By following these tips, you can effectively write an essay on community development that is informative, engaging, and thought-provoking.

Community development is an important aspect of social change and improvement. It involves working with community members to identify and address issues that affect their well-being and quality of life. There are many topics that can be explored in community development essays, ranging from the role of government in community development to the impact of globalization on local communities. Here is a long list of community development essay topics to consider:

• The role of community development in addressing poverty and inequality
• The impact of community development on social and economic empowerment
• The importance of community participation in the development process
• The role of government in supporting community development initiatives
• The challenges of community development in rural areas
• The impact of community development on public health outcomes
• The role of community development in promoting environmental sustainability
• The impact of community development on education and skill development
• The role of community development in promoting cultural preservation and heritage
• The impact of community development on crime and safety
• The role of community development in promoting gender equality and women's rights
• The impact of community development on social cohesion and community resilience
• The role of community development in addressing urbanization and urban development
• The impact of community development on housing and infrastructure
• The role of community development in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development
• The impact of community development on food security and agriculture
• The role of community development in promoting access to basic services such as water and sanitation
• The impact of community development on disaster risk reduction and management
• The role of community development in promoting social justice and human rights
• The impact of community development on mental health and well-being
• The role of community development in promoting intergenerational solidarity and youth engagement
• The impact of community development on indigenous and marginalized communities
• The role of community development in promoting peace and conflict resolution
• The impact of community development on migration and refugee integration
• The role of community development in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth
• The impact of community development on technology and digital inclusion
• The role of community development in promoting civic engagement and democracy
• The impact of community development on aging and elderly care
• The role of community development in promoting sports and recreation
• The impact of community development on social entrepreneurship and innovation

These are just some of the many topics that can be explored in community development essays. Each of these topics offers a unique perspective on the role and impact of community development on society. By exploring these topics, students can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in community development and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how to build stronger, more resilient communities.

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Essay Samples on Community Development

What is community development: exploring the essence.

At the heart of every thriving society lies the concept of community development. It's a term often mentioned, but its true depth and significance go beyond mere surface definitions. Community development is a multifaceted approach that encompasses empowerment, inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainable progress. This essay...

• Community Development

The Importance of Community Development

The importance of community development cannot be overstated in the ever-changing landscape of our interconnected world. Community development goes beyond physical infrastructure; it encompasses the cultivation of thriving neighborhoods, empowered individuals, and resilient societies. This essay explores the multifaceted importance of community development, shedding light...

How Education Contributes to Community Development

How does education contribute to community development? This question lies at the heart of understanding the intricate relationship between education and the progress of societies. Education is not only a means to personal growth but also a powerful catalyst for collective advancement. This essay explores...

The Essence of Community Development: Fostering Growth and Empowerment

About community development, it's a transformative process that empowers individuals, strengthens connections, and creates a foundation for sustainable progress. Community development is more than just infrastructure projects; it's about nurturing social cohesion, enhancing quality of life, and fostering a sense of ownership and pride among...

Why Community And Giving Back To The Community Important

Entering college as a freshman is an experience you’d cherish, or so you hope. As exciting as it can be, colleges entail mounts of pressure and the assignments keep on piling up. To make things worse, it becomes almost natural to feel demotivated and glum,...

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Finding Motivation To Giving Back To The Community

Giving is related to the way we act philanthropically since is not a spontaneous action, it is the end of a process that is motivated by feelings of social responsibility, equity or reciprocity. The benefits of putting our hearts in what we give and what...

The Benefits Of Community Service: Giving Back To The Community

Different people have different reasons for taking up community service programs. Irrespective of one’s circumstances and motives, community service activities have and should help accomplish several goals in an area. However, giving back to the community should not only be about meeting particular personal and...

• Community Service

Improvement Of Life Quality Of The Hamilton Road Community

The Hamilton Road community appears to have a diverse physical environment with two-thirds of the community older in appearance while the other third located on the outskirts of London seems to be expanding with many new homes being built. The majority of buildings and homes...

• Quality of Life

Recommendations For Niagara Falls Community Development

Niagara Falls, being one of the Seven Natural Wonder of the World, is a tourist destination for people from all walks of life. With it being between two densely populated areas, it can be hard to imagine that this destination is not bringing any amount...

• Niagara Falls

Community Development Project Around The Town Of Kinnegad

I have decided to base my Community Project around something is very close to home for me as I was born and raised in this town, which is the Further Development of the town Kinnegad, County Westmeath. This project will be based around the campaigning...

Key Elements Of Community-based Organization For Community Development

Some people are born with a passion of helping other people or better yet addressing their concerns and they would go out of their way to offer help and/ or starting an organization its ones choice and right, and looking at the current frame work...

• Non-Profit Organization

Village Community Development Field Trip Report

This a short report on my own observations from the three field trips outside Madang town in one of my units I study which is the Community Development Practice PG 303. During the field visit the two programs that we went out was on positive...

• Early Childhood Education

Movements of Community Development in Ireland

Jackson & O Doherty (2012) state ‘community development is the process in which people join together to improve conditions and create change at the community level.’ Traditionally, Ireland has a long history of community development, beginning with the co-operative movement over a century ago. The...

• Civil Disobedience

Social Policies in Community Development

What you mean by Social Policy in Community Development programs? And Describe its various Benefits to the people. This essay defines Social Policies in Community Development Programs and its benefits to the communities in the context of developing countries as Papua New Guinea is also...

• Public Service

Community Governance: A Measure to Ensure Participatory Development

Bhutan, a small kingdom in south Asia has introduced democratic constitutional monarchy since 2008. Today, country’s democracy is just about 11 years old where the developmental activities are full swing because of the equal participatory made by central government as well as by the local...

• Role of Government

Best topics on Community Development

1. What is Community Development: Exploring the Essence

2. The Importance of Community Development

3. How Education Contributes to Community Development

4. The Essence of Community Development: Fostering Growth and Empowerment

5. Why Community And Giving Back To The Community Important

6. Finding Motivation To Giving Back To The Community

7. The Benefits Of Community Service: Giving Back To The Community

8. Improvement Of Life Quality Of The Hamilton Road Community

9. Recommendations For Niagara Falls Community Development

10. Community Development Project Around The Town Of Kinnegad

11. Key Elements Of Community-based Organization For Community Development

12. Village Community Development Field Trip Report

13. Movements of Community Development in Ireland

14. Social Policies in Community Development

15. Community Governance: A Measure to Ensure Participatory Development

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Community Development - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

An essay on community development can examine the strategies and principles behind fostering vibrant and sustainable communities. It can discuss topics like grassroots initiatives, urban planning, social cohesion, and the role of local governments and non-profit organizations in addressing community needs and promoting equitable growth. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Community Development you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Critical Importance of the Police Community

Undoubtedly, one of the most difficult relationships and dynamics to maintain in the United States today is the one that exists between the police and the communities they serve. This relationship is grounded on the principles of need and respect for the function that the police play, however, this relationship has become tremendously more complex and tense in recent years. The widespread availability of information has brought to light issues within the police force that highlights some of the faults […]

Discourse Community Ethnography: Yazaki

Abstract Discourse communities are a part of people’s lives whether they identify themselves in a discourse community or not. Throughout people’s lives, they acquire new skills or preferences that lets them join a certain discourse. To identify whether a community is a discourse, one must follow Swales six characteristics to see if a community qualifies. Following these six characteristics, I examined whether the Yazaki North America, Inc. could be categorized as a discourse community. In my research and after conducting […]

Sociology of Community and Sociological Perspective

To understand the sociology of a community, you must first understand the meaning of community. To understand sociology in the first place, or to be able distinguish it from other social sciences, you must develop a sociological perspective. The term sociological imagination (or sociological perspective) was first defined in a book of the same title as, “The sociological imagination enables its possessor to understand the larger historical scene in terms of its meaning for the inner life and the external […]

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Small Towns Community Assessment Project

Assessing your local community helps provide insight into the needs that arise and the resources that are available for those needs.  The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the community of Milan, Georgia, focusing on the elderly population. Overview of the Community             Milan is a small town in southern Georgia located in both Telfair and Dodge Counties.  It is located 11 miles west of McRae and 15 miles east of Abbeville. According to the United States Census Bureau, the […]

The Impact of a Nurse on Society

A nurse does not affect just one individual, they can influence a community. Throughout many researches the rate of individuals becoming unvaccinated is increasing every year, this is an issue because there have been vaccine-preventable infections that affect our community, if enough people get sick, it can lead to an outbreak. However, if enough people are vaccinated against a certain disease, the germs cannotVaccine spread as much and the entire community is less likely to get the disease. The role […]

Each of Us is Part of the Community

For most people in the United States, if not all, forming a community around where they live is very significant. Communities are not only formed by the people who live in them, but also by what surrounds them. People often seek communities that reflect their personal beliefs, values, and identities. A community isn't only formed by the people who live in it and their beliefs or religious affiliations. It's primarily created by the public spaces, schools, and businesses that surround […]

Vulnerable Groups of the Population: Alcoholics Drug Addicts Homeless People

Nursing is a widespread profession that stretches across the world. One part of nursing includes the community. Everyone is impacted by the community in one way or another whether it is through screenings or events (feeding the homeless). It is important to know about the community and be able to recognize vulnerable populations that need help. These vulnerable populations include the homeless, migrants, indigent, substance abusers, and victims of violence which can include children, women, and the elderly. Within these […]

Victims of Domestic Violence

In Victorville, California, there is a shelter and outreach program that is centered around domestic violence to help victims of domestic violence have safe places to go, give support, and provide further education. The problem being addressed is that men, women, and their families are being affected by domestic violence and don’t always have the greatest resources around. Margaret Diaz is the woman behind “A Better Way”. She wanted to bring more awareness and safety to those suffering, because she […]

Solutions to Improve Public Police

Officers become more familiar with the local residents. Police also conduct search and seizures to seize evidence from vehicles, homes, or any locations that complies with the fourth Amendment. Also, police officers may interrogate the suspect for questioning which does comply with the fifth and sixth Amendment. Contraband is another idea that gives law enforcement to look for especially during a stop and frisk. It is the officers job to investigate and collect evidence of criminal activity. They must observe […]

Junction City Community Center

Abstract In this paper I will identify some public issues in my community that will benefit from having a community center in the city. I will go over the functions of my programs and how they will affect the immediate population. I will also go over potential cost of a program and development of this magnitude and again outline what it will bring to the community. Various social groups and businesses in the area will be attracted to the positive […]

Importance of the Elderly Community

The Community Meeting Paper: Core Principles and the Council on Aging Meeting Due to COVID -19 the Tewksbury council on aging meeting was hold on virtually to present via video conference and via telephone. The council on aging community in Tewksbury is to provide and identify the senior needs. The national council on aging is a nonprofit organization that to help senior and elderly people get benefit to improve they retired life and get them to involve the local senior […]

Culture Heritage – LGBT+ Community

One thing, many people pride themselves on is their culture heritage. Culture can be described as the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of indigenous or social groups that have been passed down through generations. U.S. Census Bureau has recorded that 11 % of people in America were not native born, which has created America to become a multicultural society (Black, 2017). All culture are different when it comes to their beliefs and values. One culture that is rapidly building its members […]

Selfless Service and Ethics: a Blueprint for Building Compassionate Communities

The actual value of human actions often arises from their intent. Selfless service and ethics are two principles that elevate our deeds above the ordinary. They not only enrich our individual experiences but also fortify the foundations of our communities. Self selfless service is helping or serving others without expecting anything in return. It's a genuine commitment to the betterment of someone else's life. In numerous cultures and religions, it's considered the highest form of charity, as it emanates purely […]

The Presidency of John Adams: Achievements and Challenges

Although he was frequently overshadowed by his more well-known predecessor, George Washington, and his successor, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, the second President of the United States, presided over an administration full of historic events and lasting effects on the developing nation, including internal strife, diplomatic setbacks, and a steadfast commitment to republican ideals. Adams served from 1797 to 1801. Amidst the growing threat of war with France, President Adams's early years in office were overshadowed by the Quasi-War, an unofficial […]

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Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. as a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. what lessons have you learned in life thus far what will your classmates learn from you in short, how has your lived experience shaped you  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (required for all applicants. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. we believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about, 3. duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community., 4. we recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. why is this community meaningful to you you may define community however you like. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place, things to consider: think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. you can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community, why were you inspired to act what did you learn from your effort how did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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