Need intro examples for my college essay

Hi fellow students! I'm having a tough time brainstorming the intro for my college essay. I've got some ideas, but I'd really appreciate if any of you could share some examples of great college essay intros that really caught the reader's attention. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! I totally understand wanting to start your college essay on a strong note. Here are a couple of examples of eye-catching opening lines to help inspire your own intro:

1. Engaging Anecdote:

"As I stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon, staring at the endless expanse before me, I couldn't help but think how my own life felt like standing at a precipice, just one misstep away from falling into the unknown."

2. Startling Fact or Statistic:

"Did you know that there are over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide? Yet, in my small hometown, the only language I ever heard was English."

3. Intriguing Paradox:

"While most people embrace sunlight and detest darkness, it was always the shadows that captivated me. In the soft embrace of the moonlit night, I discovered a world teeming with hidden life."

4. Engaging Question:

"Have you ever wondered how many people's lives you've unknowingly impacted? It was during a routine trip to the grocery store that I realized just how interconnected our lives really are."

5. Challenging Assumption:

"Growing up, I was always told that 'bigger is better,' whether it was about the school I attended or the size of my family's house. But it wasn’t until I downsized my life that I found the true meaning of happiness."

You can also find some examples of complete essays, written by real students, on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/. These full samples can give you a sense of not only how to write a strong introduction, but also how to build from there into an overall compelling essay.

As you write your own intro, keep in mind that you don't need to fit everything you want to say into the opening sentences. Focus on hooking the reader and sparking their curiosity. Then, let your essay unfold naturally from there. Good luck with your essay!