How to Write Your Own Costco Essay: A Breakdown of Brittany Stinson’s Famous Personal Statement
When Brittany Stinson’s now-famous essay about Costco helped earn her acceptance to five Ivy League schools and Stanford, it made waves in the world of college admissions. Why did this essay stand out? And more importantly, what can you learn from it to craft your own unforgettable personal statement?
In this post, we’ll break down the key components of the Costco essay and walk through strategies you can apply to your own writing.
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Why the Costco Essay Still Resonates
College admissions officers read hundreds of essays each week. Most blur together. But Stinson’s essay didn’t. Why? Because it was unforgettable.
She didn’t try to impress with a grand achievement. She told a personal, specific story — one only she could tell. It started with a simple question:
What’s something unique about me that my friends associate with me instantly?
Her answer? Costco.
Finding a Topic That’s Truly Yours
One common mistake students make is thinking they have to write about something dramatic — a loss, an injury, a major triumph. But admissions officers aren’t looking for a recap of your resume. They’re looking for who you are.
Ask yourself:
- Who were you at recess?
- When were you included or excluded?
- What memory from childhood has stayed with you?
Even something as ordinary as shopping at Costco can carry extraordinary meaning — if it’s tied to identity and curiosity.
📝 “Anybody who has survived childhood has enough information about life to write for a lifetime.” – Flannery O’Connor
The Hook: Start With Energy
Let’s look at the first sentence of the Costco essay:
“Managing to break free from my mother’s grasp, I charged. With arms flailing and chubby legs fluttering beneath me, I was the ferocious two-year-old rampaging through Costco on a Saturday morning spree.”
Notice how vivid this is. The verbs do the heavy lifting:
- Break free
- Charged
- Flailing
- Rampaging
Avoid weak openers like “I ran away from my mom.” Instead, start with an image that demands attention. Lead with motion, emotion, or tension.
What Makes Writing Pop: Precision + Playfulness
Great writing blends precision, concision, and freshness:
- Exact verbs: “jettisoned” instead of “threw”
- Sensory detail: cinnamon sugar, plush toys
- Playful metaphors: the aisles of Costco as El Dorado
Stinson’s essay didn’t just describe her childhood trips. It transformed them. She became a conquistador, scaling the towering aisles, exploring a kingdom of gold.
Pro tip: Use your five senses — taste, touch, and smell in particular — in every paragraph. Challenge yourself to include at least two sensory details per section.
Using Humor to Show Intellectual Depth
Another reason this essay stands out? It’s funny. But not just for laughs — it’s humor with depth. Consider this passage:
“I contemplated the philosophical: If there exists a 33-ounce jar of Nutella, do we really have free will?”
In just a few sentences, she references:
- Math (finitudes and infinitudes)
- Physics (projectile motion)
- Philosophy (free will)
All while describing a Costco shopping trip.
The message to admissions officers is clear: This student is curious, clever, and can connect the dots across disciplines.
Metaphor: The Intellectual Shopping Cart
Stinson writes:
“Just as I sampled buffalo chicken dip or chocolate truffles, I probed the realms of history, dance, and biology — all in pursuit of the ideal cart, one overflowing with theoretical situations and notions both silly and serious.”
This metaphor is brilliant:
- The shopping cart represents her mind
- Each sample = a different academic pursuit
- The Costco trip = her intellectual journey
This is how metaphor should work in a personal statement — making abstract qualities feel tangible.
From Childhood to Curiosity: Essay Structure
While Stinson’s essay is creative, it’s also structured with purpose:
- Opening scene: Toddler at Costco
- Early childhood: Asking big questions
- Adolescence: Academic curiosity emerges
- Reflection: Defining herself through curiosity
- Conclusion: Naming curiosity as her core identity
This movement from concrete to abstract — from a simple store visit to a portrait of intellectual identity — is what makes the essay so powerful.
How to Write Your Own “Costco Essay”
Here are some takeaways for your own college essay:
Choose a Personal, Specific Topic
Something only you could write about. Think quirks, habits, and passions.
Hook Them in the First Sentence
Use vivid imagery, action, or tension.
Use Strong Verbs
Replace “was,” “is,” or “did” with words that move the story forward.
Weave in Metaphor
Let your story symbolize something bigger — your values, growth, or passions.
Structure with Intention
Ensure your essay builds both emotionally and intellectually.
Final Thoughts
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s normal. Personal statements are hard, even for great writers. But you do have something worth sharing. You just need to find it, frame it, and shape it into a compelling story.
And if you need support…
Bentham Admissions is here to help.
Our team of expert consultants can work with you one-on-one to craft an essay that’s authentic, memorable, and effective. Contact us today!
Thanks for reading — and watching. Best of luck with your writing journey.
