college essay about buying a car

Buying a Car Essay Example

I am in the market looking to purchase a new car and getting the best deal. This process requires me to establish some parameters. The negotiation setting will take place at my local car dealership where I am trying to buy a new Lexus that has a window sticker price or the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $66,000. The MSRP is usually the “asking price” the seller wants for the vehicle that can be negotiated in the seller’s favor. This negotiation is best done in the live presence of purchasing the car and within the last three days of the month because it helps ensure the buyer finds the best deal. Usually, the last days of the month are times when car dealers try to meet their monthly-end quota. In other words, it when the seller is desperate in trying to get in the final car sales before their monthly performance review. Thus, the dealer’s floor manager will be my counterpart, and I will act as a buyer. 

However, the current price is not in my budget range and my negotiation strategy is to lower the markup on the car’s window sticker by focusing on three objectives that are related to the vehicle’s price analysis. The first objective is to reduce the window sticker price. Upon doing research on the internet, I have identified the relative price range for the car and concluded that I can buy the car at ten percent off the window sticker price of $59,400. This is based on past internet sales that previous buyers have made with other dealers. By reducing the car’s overall price, I can lower the monthly payments. The next objective is setting the monthly payment and terms. For example, the monthly payments would be set on the terms for sixty months at a three percent interest rate or lower by using a credit score that is above seven hundred. This ensures I receive the best rates in order to pay for the monthly car note that I have set at $1,100. Finally, the last objective is to discuss the vehicle’s maintenance cost with the seller. It includes oil changes and tire rotation for the first twenty-five thousand miles. These cost savings will provide for the cash proceeds to cover the monthly gas expense.

In any negotiation, I need to analyze my position by understanding my target point, reservation point, and best alternative to a negotiated agreement. My target point or the best deal is the vehicle’s final purchase price that is below $66,000. window sticker price. Specifically, it would at a price of $59,400 which is ten percent below the MSRP. If I can achieve this target point, it will encompass my other objectives, such as achieving my target monthly payments, monthly interest, and maintenance cost. Conversely, my reservation point or the highest price that I am willing to pay for the car is any price at or above $66,000. Based on online research, there is has been an established customer base purchase at this price point. Thus, any price beyond the reservation point will result in a larger depreciation loss as the car ages and also put me above my car note budget. Furthermore, in this negotiation deal, I have also identified my BATNA or best alternative to a negotiated agreement that describes my bottom line or a solution to the negotiation. Any price within the price range at $59,400 or $66,000 will be my BATNA because this is the price range is within the target and reservation price point. Hence, if I cannot obtain a car in this price range then I will walk away from the deal. I can use my BATNA to pressure the floor because it gives me the opportunity to search for a better deal at a different dealer. In essence, I can price shop for the best deal and leverage my reasoning for reducing the MSRP at the local car dealer. This will pressure the floor manager to call me back.

Buying any new car has several tangible and intangible interests for both buyer and seller during a negotiation process. Tangible interest is anything that can be measured. As a buyer, my tangible interest includes the car itself that will be represented as my property. In other words, the car will be the physical asset I gain in this negotiation process. Moreover, another tangible interest is the equipment that I receive from the car. For example, there will be new safety technology like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assists, and a backup rear-view camera. A new car also does not have a previous crash history. Instead, it comes with a warrant from the factory which reduces stress on unforeseen costs related to used cars. Finally, another tangible benefit is increased fuel economy because new cars are now lightweight yet use strong material to help burn less fuel which will help me save money on gas. On the other hand, intangible benefits in this negotiation include social benefits such as getting my kids safely to school. Also, the luxury service that comes with buying a luxury car. This includes the enjoyment of the VIP treatment, such as valet parking during a car’s maintenance visit at the dealer. Conversely, the seller’s tangible benefits are increased sales revenue for his/her dealership and personal commission by selling the car. Moreover, the seller’s non-tangible benefits include the verbal and physical interaction with customers that can give the seller more experience at his/her job. There could also be recognition and high praise from the seller’s sales manager that can offer better positions in the company if the deal is made. 

In this process, both seller and buyer also possess negotiation powers. As a buyer, I would have reward and expert powers. While these powers are normally given to managers within the organization, occasionally customers can have them as well. For example, one reward power that I would have is controlling the commission rewards for the sales representative. If I do not agree to buy the car, I can reduce the floor manager’s commission by walking away from my current emerging deal if I feel it is not decent as it should be. Moreover, I have expert power because, with the help of the internet, I can put forth data or other evidence to support any price reductions and receive the best deal. On the other hand, the seller has legitimate power. Despite not being able to obtain a commission if the deal is not made, the floor manager makes the final decision in selling the car. Also, the floor manager has expert power too because he has experience making deals in the past with other customers. Because he has a demonstrated successful history, he has knowledge on how to properly handle customers and make the deal in his favor. 

Because there are multiple related price issues like MSRP, monthly payment, and maintenance cost, there are various strategies to achieve integrative potential in this negotiation. To begin, it is vital to understand and incorporate the floor manager’s wants, needs, and concerns in order to achieve my desired price point. This way we both can shake hands and feel that there is a favorable outcome for both of us. I will start by listening to the seller’s concerns and ask the “why” questions to help me identify the floor manager’s BATNA. Once that is established, I can work on a solution. For example, if I cannot buy the car at $59,400 and he will not sell lower than $66,000, then I try to meet at the halfway price mark at $62,700. This will help reach us common ground because we both would have to compromise to a price away from our target points. Finally, I would take my time to identify our interests and constraints to build a proposal that creates value for both of us. For example, I believe humans interests can include something simple as recognition at work. Thus, I would indirectly tailor questions the help me identity his progress towards his sale goals. If the floor manager mentions he is doing almost better than the previous month, I could potentially help him reach his goal if we meet at the half-way price. This strategy would work because it would be incentivizing for the manager to take the deal and perhaps helping him earn an additional bonus for meeting his monthly quota. Consequently, understanding these steps in my negotiation process will ensure everyone’s interest.

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College Admissions , College Essays

The personal statement might just be the hardest part of your college application. Mostly this is because it has the least guidance and is the most open-ended. One way to understand what colleges are looking for when they ask you to write an essay is to check out the essays of students who already got in—college essays that actually worked. After all, they must be among the most successful of this weird literary genre.

In this article, I'll go through general guidelines for what makes great college essays great. I've also compiled an enormous list of 100+ actual sample college essays from 11 different schools. Finally, I'll break down two of these published college essay examples and explain why and how they work. With links to 177 full essays and essay excerpts , this article is a great resource for learning how to craft your own personal college admissions essay!

What Excellent College Essays Have in Common

Even though in many ways these sample college essays are very different from one other, they do share some traits you should try to emulate as you write your own essay.

Visible Signs of Planning

Building out from a narrow, concrete focus. You'll see a similar structure in many of the essays. The author starts with a very detailed story of an event or description of a person or place. After this sense-heavy imagery, the essay expands out to make a broader point about the author, and connects this very memorable experience to the author's present situation, state of mind, newfound understanding, or maturity level.

Knowing how to tell a story. Some of the experiences in these essays are one-of-a-kind. But most deal with the stuff of everyday life. What sets them apart is the way the author approaches the topic: analyzing it for drama and humor, for its moving qualities, for what it says about the author's world, and for how it connects to the author's emotional life.

Stellar Execution

A killer first sentence. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: you have to suck the reader in, and the best place to do that is the first sentence. Great first sentences are punchy. They are like cliffhangers, setting up an exciting scene or an unusual situation with an unclear conclusion, in order to make the reader want to know more. Don't take my word for it—check out these 22 first sentences from Stanford applicants and tell me you don't want to read the rest of those essays to find out what happens!

A lively, individual voice. Writing is for readers. In this case, your reader is an admissions officer who has read thousands of essays before yours and will read thousands after. Your goal? Don't bore your reader. Use interesting descriptions, stay away from clichés, include your own offbeat observations—anything that makes this essay sounds like you and not like anyone else.

Technical correctness. No spelling mistakes, no grammar weirdness, no syntax issues, no punctuation snafus—each of these sample college essays has been formatted and proofread perfectly. If this kind of exactness is not your strong suit, you're in luck! All colleges advise applicants to have their essays looked over several times by parents, teachers, mentors, and anyone else who can spot a comma splice. Your essay must be your own work, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help polishing it.

And if you need more guidance, connect with PrepScholar's expert admissions consultants . These expert writers know exactly what college admissions committees look for in an admissions essay and chan help you craft an essay that boosts your chances of getting into your dream school.

Check out PrepScholar's Essay Editing and Coaching progra m for more details!

Links to Full College Essay Examples

Some colleges publish a selection of their favorite accepted college essays that worked, and I've put together a selection of over 100 of these.

Common App Essay Samples

Please note that some of these college essay examples may be responding to prompts that are no longer in use. The current Common App prompts are as follows:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of 177 college essay examples responding to current and past Common App essay prompts. 

Connecticut college.

• 12 Common Application essays from the classes of 2022-2025

Hamilton College

• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2026
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2022
• 7 Common Application essays from the class of 2018
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2012
• 8 Common Application essays from the class of 2007

Johns Hopkins

These essays are answers to past prompts from either the Common Application or the Coalition Application (which Johns Hopkins used to accept).

• 1 Common Application or Coalition Application essay from the class of 2026
• 6 Common Application or Coalition Application essays from the class of 2025
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2024
• 6 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2023
• 7 Common Application of Universal Application essays from the class of 2022
• 5 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2021
• 7 Common Application or Universal Application essays from the class of 2020

Essay Examples Published by Other Websites

• 2 Common Application essays ( 1st essay , 2nd essay ) from applicants admitted to Columbia

Other Sample College Essays

Here is a collection of essays that are college-specific.

Babson College

• 4 essays (and 1 video response) on "Why Babson" from the class of 2020

Emory University

• 5 essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) from the class of 2020 along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on why the essays were exceptional
• 5 more recent essay examples ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) along with analysis from Emory admissions staff on what made these essays stand out

University of Georgia

• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2019
• 1 “strong essay” sample from 2018
• 10 Harvard essays from 2023
• 10 Harvard essays from 2022
• 10 Harvard essays from 2021
• 10 Harvard essays from 2020
• 10 Harvard essays from 2019
• 10 Harvard essays from 2018
• 6 essays from admitted MIT students

Smith College

• 6 "best gift" essays from the class of 2018

Books of College Essays

If you're looking for even more sample college essays, consider purchasing a college essay book. The best of these include dozens of essays that worked and feedback from real admissions officers.

College Essays That Made a Difference —This detailed guide from Princeton Review includes not only successful essays, but also interviews with admissions officers and full student profiles.

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson—A must for anyone aspiring to Harvard .

50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays and 50 Successful Stanford Application Essays by Gen and Kelly Tanabe—For essays from other top schools, check out this venerated series, which is regularly updated with new essays.

Heavenly Essays by Janine W. Robinson—This collection from the popular blogger behind Essay Hell includes a wider range of schools, as well as helpful tips on honing your own essay.

Analyzing Great Common App Essays That Worked

I've picked two essays from the examples collected above to examine in more depth so that you can see exactly what makes a successful college essay work. Full credit for these essays goes to the original authors and the schools that published them.

Example 1: "Breaking Into Cars," by Stephen, Johns Hopkins Class of '19 (Common App Essay, 636 words long)

I had never broken into a car before.

We were in Laredo, having just finished our first day at a Habitat for Humanity work site. The Hotchkiss volunteers had already left, off to enjoy some Texas BBQ, leaving me behind with the college kids to clean up. Not until we were stranded did we realize we were locked out of the van.

Someone picked a coat hanger out of the dumpster, handed it to me, and took a few steps back.

"Can you do that thing with a coat hanger to unlock it?"

"Why me?" I thought.

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame. Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally. My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed. "The water's on fire! Clear a hole!" he shouted, tossing me in the lake without warning. While I'm still unconvinced about that particular lesson's practicality, my Dad's overarching message is unequivocally true: much of life is unexpected, and you have to deal with the twists and turns.

Living in my family, days rarely unfolded as planned. A bit overlooked, a little pushed around, I learned to roll with reality, negotiate a quick deal, and give the improbable a try. I don't sweat the small stuff, and I definitely don't expect perfect fairness. So what if our dining room table only has six chairs for seven people? Someone learns the importance of punctuality every night.

But more than punctuality and a special affinity for musical chairs, my family life has taught me to thrive in situations over which I have no power. Growing up, I never controlled my older siblings, but I learned how to thwart their attempts to control me. I forged alliances, and realigned them as necessary. Sometimes, I was the poor, defenseless little brother; sometimes I was the omniscient elder. Different things to different people, as the situation demanded. I learned to adapt.

Back then, these techniques were merely reactions undertaken to ensure my survival. But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The question caught me off guard, much like the question posed to me in Laredo. Then, I realized I knew the answer. I knew why the coat hanger had been handed to me.

Growing up as the middle child in my family, I was a vital participant in a thing I did not govern, in the company of people I did not choose. It's family. It's society. And often, it's chaos. You participate by letting go of the small stuff, not expecting order and perfection, and facing the unexpected with confidence, optimism, and preparedness. My family experience taught me to face a serendipitous world with confidence.

What Makes This Essay Tick?

It's very helpful to take writing apart in order to see just how it accomplishes its objectives. Stephen's essay is very effective. Let's find out why!

An Opening Line That Draws You In

In just eight words, we get: scene-setting (he is standing next to a car about to break in), the idea of crossing a boundary (he is maybe about to do an illegal thing for the first time), and a cliffhanger (we are thinking: is he going to get caught? Is he headed for a life of crime? Is he about to be scared straight?).

Great, Detailed Opening Story

More out of amusement than optimism, I gave it a try. I slid the hanger into the window's seal like I'd seen on crime shows, and spent a few minutes jiggling the apparatus around the inside of the frame.

It's the details that really make this small experience come alive. Notice how whenever he can, Stephen uses a more specific, descriptive word in place of a more generic one. The volunteers aren't going to get food or dinner; they're going for "Texas BBQ." The coat hanger comes from "a dumpster." Stephen doesn't just move the coat hanger—he "jiggles" it.

Details also help us visualize the emotions of the people in the scene. The person who hands Stephen the coat hanger isn't just uncomfortable or nervous; he "takes a few steps back"—a description of movement that conveys feelings. Finally, the detail of actual speech makes the scene pop. Instead of writing that the other guy asked him to unlock the van, Stephen has the guy actually say his own words in a way that sounds like a teenager talking.

Turning a Specific Incident Into a Deeper Insight

Suddenly, two things simultaneously clicked. One was the lock on the door. (I actually succeeded in springing it.) The other was the realization that I'd been in this type of situation before. In fact, I'd been born into this type of situation.

Stephen makes the locked car experience a meaningful illustration of how he has learned to be resourceful and ready for anything, and he also makes this turn from the specific to the broad through an elegant play on the two meanings of the word "click."

Using Concrete Examples When Making Abstract Claims

My upbringing has numbed me to unpredictability and chaos. With a family of seven, my home was loud, messy, and spottily supervised. My siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing—all meant my house was functioning normally.

"Unpredictability and chaos" are very abstract, not easily visualized concepts. They could also mean any number of things—violence, abandonment, poverty, mental instability. By instantly following up with highly finite and unambiguous illustrations like "family of seven" and "siblings arguing, the dog barking, the phone ringing," Stephen grounds the abstraction in something that is easy to picture: a large, noisy family.

Using Small Bits of Humor and Casual Word Choice

My Dad, a retired Navy pilot, was away half the time. When he was home, he had a parenting style something like a drill sergeant. At the age of nine, I learned how to clear burning oil from the surface of water. My Dad considered this a critical life skill—you know, in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed.

Obviously, knowing how to clean burning oil is not high on the list of things every 9-year-old needs to know. To emphasize this, Stephen uses sarcasm by bringing up a situation that is clearly over-the-top: "in case my aircraft carrier should ever get torpedoed."

The humor also feels relaxed. Part of this is because he introduces it with the colloquial phrase "you know," so it sounds like he is talking to us in person. This approach also diffuses the potential discomfort of the reader with his father's strictness—since he is making jokes about it, clearly he is OK. Notice, though, that this doesn't occur very much in the essay. This helps keep the tone meaningful and serious rather than flippant.

An Ending That Stretches the Insight Into the Future

But one day this fall, Dr. Hicks, our Head of School, asked me a question that he hoped all seniors would reflect on throughout the year: "How can I participate in a thing I do not govern, in the company of people I did not choose?"

The ending of the essay reveals that Stephen's life has been one long preparation for the future. He has emerged from chaos and his dad's approach to parenting as a person who can thrive in a world that he can't control.

This connection of past experience to current maturity and self-knowledge is a key element in all successful personal essays. Colleges are very much looking for mature, self-aware applicants. These are the qualities of successful college students, who will be able to navigate the independence college classes require and the responsibility and quasi-adulthood of college life.

What Could This Essay Do Even Better?

Even the best essays aren't perfect, and even the world's greatest writers will tell you that writing is never "finished"—just "due." So what would we tweak in this essay if we could?

Replace some of the clichéd language. Stephen uses handy phrases like "twists and turns" and "don't sweat the small stuff" as a kind of shorthand for explaining his relationship to chaos and unpredictability. But using too many of these ready-made expressions runs the risk of clouding out your own voice and replacing it with something expected and boring.

Use another example from recent life. Stephen's first example (breaking into the van in Laredo) is a great illustration of being resourceful in an unexpected situation. But his essay also emphasizes that he "learned to adapt" by being "different things to different people." It would be great to see how this plays out outside his family, either in the situation in Laredo or another context.

Example 2: By Renner Kwittken, Tufts Class of '23 (Common App Essay, 645 words long)

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver. I saw it in my favorite book, Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go," and for some reason, I was absolutely obsessed with the idea of driving a giant pickle. Much to the discontent of my younger sister, I insisted that my parents read us that book as many nights as possible so we could find goldbug, a small little golden bug, on every page. I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Then I discovered a real goldbug: gold nanoparticles that can reprogram macrophages to assist in killing tumors, produce clear images of them without sacrificing the subject, and heat them to obliteration.

Suddenly the destination of my pickle was clear.

I quickly became enveloped by the world of nanomedicine; I scoured articles about liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, targeting ligands, and self-assembling nanoparticles, all conquering cancer in some exotic way. Completely absorbed, I set out to find a mentor to dive even deeper into these topics. After several rejections, I was immensely grateful to receive an invitation to work alongside Dr. Sangeeta Ray at Johns Hopkins.

In the lab, Dr. Ray encouraged a great amount of autonomy to design and implement my own procedures. I chose to attack a problem that affects the entire field of nanomedicine: nanoparticles consistently fail to translate from animal studies into clinical trials. Jumping off recent literature, I set out to see if a pre-dose of a common chemotherapeutic could enhance nanoparticle delivery in aggressive prostate cancer, creating three novel constructs based on three different linear polymers, each using fluorescent dye (although no gold, sorry goldbug!). Though using radioactive isotopes like Gallium and Yttrium would have been incredible, as a 17-year-old, I unfortunately wasn't allowed in the same room as these radioactive materials (even though I took a Geiger counter to a pair of shoes and found them to be slightly dangerous).

I hadn't expected my hypothesis to work, as the research project would have ideally been led across two full years. Yet while there are still many optimizations and revisions to be done, I was thrilled to find -- with completely new nanoparticles that may one day mean future trials will use particles with the initials "RK-1" -- thatcyclophosphamide did indeed increase nanoparticle delivery to the tumor in a statistically significant way.

A secondary, unexpected research project was living alone in Baltimore, a new city to me, surrounded by people much older than I. Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research. Whether in a presentation or in a casual conversation, making others interested in science is perhaps more exciting to me than the research itself. This solidified a new pursuit to angle my love for writing towards illuminating science in ways people can understand, adding value to a society that can certainly benefit from more scientific literacy.

It seems fitting that my goals are still transforming: in Scarry's book, there is not just one goldbug, there is one on every page. With each new experience, I'm learning that it isn't the goldbug itself, but rather the act of searching for the goldbugs that will encourage, shape, and refine my ever-evolving passions. Regardless of the goldbug I seek -- I know my pickle truck has just begun its journey.

Renner takes a somewhat different approach than Stephen, but their essay is just as detailed and engaging. Let's go through some of the strengths of this essay.

One Clear Governing Metaphor

This essay is ultimately about two things: Renner’s dreams and future career goals, and Renner’s philosophy on goal-setting and achieving one’s dreams.

But instead of listing off all the amazing things they’ve done to pursue their dream of working in nanomedicine, Renner tells a powerful, unique story instead. To set up the narrative, Renner opens the essay by connecting their experiences with goal-setting and dream-chasing all the way back to a memorable childhood experience:

This lighthearted–but relevant!--story about the moment when Renner first developed a passion for a specific career (“finding the goldbug”) provides an anchor point for the rest of the essay. As Renner pivots to describing their current dreams and goals–working in nanomedicine–the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” is reflected in Renner’s experiments, rejections, and new discoveries.

Though Renner tells multiple stories about their quest to “find the goldbug,” or, in other words, pursue their passion, each story is connected by a unifying theme; namely, that as we search and grow over time, our goals will transform…and that’s okay! By the end of the essay, Renner uses the metaphor of “finding the goldbug” to reiterate the relevance of the opening story:

While the earlier parts of the essay convey Renner’s core message by showing, the final, concluding paragraph sums up Renner’s insights by telling. By briefly and clearly stating the relevance of the goldbug metaphor to their own philosophy on goals and dreams, Renner demonstrates their creativity, insight, and eagerness to grow and evolve as the journey continues into college.

An Engaging, Individual Voice

This essay uses many techniques that make Renner sound genuine and make the reader feel like we already know them.

Technique #1: humor. Notice Renner's gentle and relaxed humor that lightly mocks their younger self's grand ambitions (this is different from the more sarcastic kind of humor used by Stephen in the first essay—you could never mistake one writer for the other).

My first dream job was to be a pickle truck driver.

I would imagine the wonderful life I would have: being a pig driving a giant pickle truck across the country, chasing and finding goldbug. I then moved on to wanting to be a Lego Master. Then an architect. Then a surgeon.

Renner gives a great example of how to use humor to your advantage in college essays. You don’t want to come off as too self-deprecating or sarcastic, but telling a lightheartedly humorous story about your younger self that also showcases how you’ve grown and changed over time can set the right tone for your entire essay.

Technique #2: intentional, eye-catching structure. The second technique is the way Renner uses a unique structure to bolster the tone and themes of their essay . The structure of your essay can have a major impact on how your ideas come across…so it’s important to give it just as much thought as the content of your essay!

For instance, Renner does a great job of using one-line paragraphs to create dramatic emphasis and to make clear transitions from one phase of the story to the next:

Suddenly the destination of my pickle car was clear.

Not only does the one-liner above signal that Renner is moving into a new phase of the narrative (their nanoparticle research experiences), it also tells the reader that this is a big moment in Renner’s story. It’s clear that Renner made a major discovery that changed the course of their goal pursuit and dream-chasing. Through structure, Renner conveys excitement and entices the reader to keep pushing forward to the next part of the story.

Technique #3: playing with syntax. The third technique is to use sentences of varying length, syntax, and structure. Most of the essay's written in standard English and uses grammatically correct sentences. However, at key moments, Renner emphasizes that the reader needs to sit up and pay attention by switching to short, colloquial, differently punctuated, and sometimes fragmented sentences.

Even with moving frequently between hotels, AirBnB's, and students' apartments, I strangely reveled in the freedom I had to enjoy my surroundings and form new friendships with graduate school students from the lab. We explored The Inner Harbor at night, attended a concert together one weekend, and even got to watch the Orioles lose (to nobody's surprise). Ironically, it's through these new friendships I discovered something unexpected: what I truly love is sharing research.

In the examples above, Renner switches adeptly between long, flowing sentences and quippy, telegraphic ones. At the same time, Renner uses these different sentence lengths intentionally. As they describe their experiences in new places, they use longer sentences to immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of those experiences. And when it’s time to get a big, key idea across, Renner switches to a short, punchy sentence to stop the reader in their tracks.

The varying syntax and sentence lengths pull the reader into the narrative and set up crucial “aha” moments when it’s most important…which is a surefire way to make any college essay stand out.

Renner's essay is very strong, but there are still a few little things that could be improved.

Connecting the research experiences to the theme of “finding the goldbug.”  The essay begins and ends with Renner’s connection to the idea of “finding the goldbug.” And while this metaphor is deftly tied into the essay’s intro and conclusion, it isn’t entirely clear what Renner’s big findings were during the research experiences that are described in the middle of the essay. It would be great to add a sentence or two stating what Renner’s big takeaways (or “goldbugs”) were from these experiences, which add more cohesion to the essay as a whole.

Give more details about discovering the world of nanomedicine. It makes sense that Renner wants to get into the details of their big research experiences as quickly as possible. After all, these are the details that show Renner’s dedication to nanomedicine! But a smoother transition from the opening pickle car/goldbug story to Renner’s “real goldbug” of nanoparticles would help the reader understand why nanoparticles became Renner’s goldbug. Finding out why Renner is so motivated to study nanomedicine–and perhaps what put them on to this field of study–would help readers fully understand why Renner chose this path in the first place.

4 Essential Tips for Writing Your Own Essay

How can you use this discussion to better your own college essay? Here are some suggestions for ways to use this resource effectively.

#1: Get Help From the Experts

Getting your college applications together takes a lot of work and can be pretty intimidatin g. Essays are even more important than ever now that admissions processes are changing and schools are going test-optional and removing diversity standards thanks to new Supreme Court rulings .  If you want certified expert help that really makes a difference, get started with  PrepScholar’s Essay Editing and Coaching program. Our program can help you put together an incredible essay from idea to completion so that your application stands out from the crowd. We've helped students get into the best colleges in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.  If you're ready to take the next step and boost your odds of getting into your dream school, connect with our experts today .

#2: Read Other Essays to Get Ideas for Your Own

As you go through the essays we've compiled for you above, ask yourself the following questions:

• Can you explain to yourself (or someone else!) why the opening sentence works well?
• Look for the essay's detailed personal anecdote. What senses is the author describing? Can you easily picture the scene in your mind's eye?
• Find the place where this anecdote bridges into a larger insight about the author. How does the essay connect the two? How does the anecdote work as an example of the author's characteristic, trait, or skill?
• Check out the essay's tone. If it's funny, can you find the places where the humor comes from? If it's sad and moving, can you find the imagery and description of feelings that make you moved? If it's serious, can you see how word choice adds to this tone?

Make a note whenever you find an essay or part of an essay that you think was particularly well-written, and think about what you like about it . Is it funny? Does it help you really get to know the writer? Does it show what makes the writer unique? Once you have your list, keep it next to you while writing your essay to remind yourself to try and use those same techniques in your own essay.

#3: Find Your "A-Ha!" Moment

All of these essays rely on connecting with the reader through a heartfelt, highly descriptive scene from the author's life. It can either be very dramatic (did you survive a plane crash?) or it can be completely mundane (did you finally beat your dad at Scrabble?). Either way, it should be personal and revealing about you, your personality, and the way you are now that you are entering the adult world.

Check out essays by authors like John Jeremiah Sullivan , Leslie Jamison , Hanif Abdurraqib , and Esmé Weijun Wang to get more examples of how to craft a compelling personal narrative.

#4: Start Early, Revise Often

Let me level with you: the best writing isn't writing at all. It's rewriting. And in order to have time to rewrite, you have to start way before the application deadline. My advice is to write your first draft at least two months before your applications are due.

Let it sit for a few days untouched. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and think critically about what you've written. What's extra? What's missing? What is in the wrong place? What doesn't make sense? Don't be afraid to take it apart and rearrange sections. Do this several times over, and your essay will be much better for it!

For more editing tips, check out a style guide like Dreyer's English or Eats, Shoots & Leaves .

What's Next?

Still not sure which colleges you want to apply to? Our experts will show you how to make a college list that will help you choose a college that's right for you.

Interested in learning more about college essays? Check out our detailed breakdown of exactly how personal statements work in an application , some suggestions on what to avoid when writing your essay , and our guide to writing about your extracurricular activities .

Working on the rest of your application? Read what admissions officers wish applicants knew before applying .

The recommendations in this post are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Essay on Buying A New Car

Students are often asked to write an essay on Buying A New Car in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Buying A New Car

Thinking about a new car.

When you want a new car, it’s exciting. You might think of the color, the seats, and the fancy features. But it’s important to plan carefully. You need to know what you can pay and what kind of car you really need.

Choosing the Right Car

There are many cars to pick from. Small cars are good for saving gas. Big cars can carry more people and things. Some cars are safe and don’t harm the environment much. Think about what matters most to you.

Paying for the Car

Cars cost a lot. You can pay all at once or in parts over time. If you pay over time, it’s called a loan. Remember, loans come with extra costs called interest. So, the longer you take to pay, the more you pay in the end.

Before You Buy

Before you buy the car, check it carefully. Ask questions. Test drive it to see how it feels. Make sure all the parts work well. It’s better to know about any problems before you decide to buy the car.

250 Words Essay on Buying A New Car

Choosing a new car, setting a budget.

Money is a big part of buying a car. You need to know how much you can spend without getting into trouble. This means looking at your savings and how much you earn. Remember, a car costs more than just the price tag. There’s gas, insurance, and taking care of it, which all need money too.

Finding the Right Place to Buy

There are many places to find a new car. Car dealers are popular. They have lots of cars and can tell you about them. Sometimes they have special deals. Always be careful and make sure you trust the place where you buy your car.

Checking the Car

Before you say “yes” to a car, you need to check it. If it’s new, look at everything. Open the doors, sit inside, and see if you like how it feels. Ask questions about the features. Does it have a radio? What about safety stuff like airbags?

Making the Decision

After you’ve looked at everything, it’s time to choose. Pick the car that makes you happy and fits your budget. Buying a new car is a big step, but if you take your time and think it through, it can be exciting and fun.

500 Words Essay on Buying A New Car

Introduction to buying a new car.

When you think about getting a new car, it’s like looking forward to a new adventure. A car is not just a way to get from one place to another; it’s a space where you make memories, listen to your favorite songs, and enjoy freedom. But buying a car is a big decision and involves many steps.

Deciding What You Need

Money is a big part of buying a car. You need to know how much you can spend without getting into trouble. It’s not just the price of the car; you also have to pay for things like insurance, gas, and maintenance. Make a plan for how much you can spend each month, and don’t forget to save some money for emergencies.

Researching Cars

Nowadays, you can learn a lot about cars on the internet. You can see what different cars look like, how much they cost, and what other people think about them. You can compare cars side by side to see which one is the best for you. It’s like doing homework before you go out and buy the car.

Test Driving

Negotiating the price.

Talking about the price with the car dealer can be tricky. They want to sell the car for as much as they can, and you want to buy it for as little as possible. It’s okay to ask for a lower price or for extra things like a free oil change. Just remember to be polite and to stick to your budget.

Some people save money until they can pay for the whole car at once. Others take a loan from a bank to pay for the car and then pay the bank back little by little. If you take a loan, make sure you understand how much extra money you have to pay back because of interest.

Final Steps

Buying a new car is exciting but also a big responsibility. You have to think carefully, make smart choices, and plan for the future. But once you have done all that, you can enjoy the feeling of sitting in your very own car, ready to go wherever you want to go.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Happy studying!

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142 Car Topics & Tips for Writing a College Essay about Cars

Let’s say you received a task to write an essay about cars. The topic might be interesting for you, but you may still have no idea how to organize your paper. Well, this article is for you.

Below, we talk in more detail about:

• Tips on how to write an essay on cars.
• Examples and prompts for different types of essays.
• Topics ideas for consideration and inspiration.

Our experts have tried to draw only the best advice for a car essay. Take a look at them, use them, and good luck!

• ⭐ Best Topics about Cars

🚘 Types of Car Essays

🏁 50 car topics to write about, 🚗 interesting car topics.

• 🚦 Argumentative Topics

🚚 Automotive Essay Topics

• 🛣️ Car-Related Topics
• ⚙️ Useful Tips

🔗 References

⭐ best topics about cars in 2024 .

• The future of electric and hybrid cars .
• The impact of self-driving cars on employment.
• Ferrari’s influence on exotic car culture and design.
• Artificial intelligence in car design and engineering.
• 3D printing in automotive manufacturing .
• Future trends in car-sharing and ride-hailing services .
• Conserving classic cars for future generations.
• The expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Electric trucks and commercial vehicles.
• The art of car customization .
• The impact of Tesla on the electric vehicle market .
• The role of car manufacturers in promoting road safety .

There are several different types of essays. This section will talk more about what paper about cars you can write.

• Descriptive essays . In such a paper you can describe your first car or the car of your dream. In descriptive essays on cars, you can give any details that you like. Still, you should try to mix them with purely technical characteristics.
• Personal essays . Here you can tell about any experience of yours related to vehicles. For instance, speak about the first time you have driven a car or the first time you had an accident. In this kind of essay about cars, you have all the chances to show your creativity.
• Compare and contrast essays. In such a paper, you might compare two types of cars. For instance, talk more about gas cars and electric cars. Write about which car is faster or more expensive.
• Advantages and disadvantages essays. In this paper, talk about the pros and cons of cars. For example, you can mention the convenience of cars and how comfortable you feel in your vehicle compared to public transport. However, tell about an increased risk of getting into an accident. In this type of essay, back up your arguments with evidence.
• Persuasive essays. Here you’ll need to take a position and persuade a reader to accept it, as well. For example, you might write about the harmful effect of cars on the environment. Therefore, more and more people must start using public transport.

After reading our tips, you may still be unsure about what exactly to write your essay about. Well, don’t worry. Here we have provided car essay topics that will help you get started or give you enough inspiration to write.

• How will cars look in the future? Write an essay about cars in the future. Mention whether everyone will have cars, how the cars will look, how much will they cost. Will there be flying cars? You have room for imagination.
• Reasons why car accidents happen. Mention all the common reasons for car accidents to occur. If possible, give examples of accidents that occurred due to those reasons.
• Car or public transport : an ongoing debate. Write a persuasive essay about what is better to use: car or public transport. Mention the convenience and the environmental effect of both types of transportation.
• Self-driving cars: has the future already come? In this essay, explain the concept of self-driving cars. Mention the role of Tesla in the construction of self-driving cars.
• The story of my first car . Write a personal narrative essay about the first car you ever had. Share the story of getting the vehicle and the emotions you’ve experienced. Provide additional details.
• My dream car . Let your imagination run free. Give any details you’d like. Still, don’t go overboard!
• The pros and cons of driverless cars . What are the benefits and downfalls of using driverless vehicles? Research the topic and write the essay.
• An analysis of the automotive industry. nalyze the importance of the automotive industry. Additionally, mention its issues.
• Electric vehicles : their effect on the environment and society. Write about the pros and cons of electric transportation. Focus more on the electric vehicles’ influence on ecology.
• The impact of automobile use on pollution . Write about the kinds of pollution vehicle use might cause. Do all vehicles have the same influence on the environment?
• My favorite toy. In case your beloved toy in childhood was any type of vehicle, share your story. Write about how you got it and what emotions you experienced. Do you still have that toy?
• Why should you use automobiles ? Write a persuasive essay on the advantages of cars and why people should use them.
• Car safety: what you shouldn’t do while driving. Write about activities that are not encouraged to do while at the wheel (eating, texting, talking on the phone). Mention how those actions are related to car accidents. 
• The controversial issue of flying cars.
• Difference between hybrid cars and traditional cars.
• Analyze the dangers of distracted driving.
• Explain why regular changing of the oil in your car is crucial for safe driving.
• Examine the dangerous habits of drivers and explain how to overcome them.
• What should you do to avoid motor vehicle accidents?
• Compare electric and gasoline-powered cars and explain which are better in your opinion.
• Benefits of Honda Pilot car.
• Describe the shortcomings of autonomous vehicles .
• Are speed limits important for safe driving?
• Analyze the necessity of buying energy efficient cars .
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid vehicles .
• Explore the evolution of automobile industry in the US, its opportunities and challenges.
• How to change the oil in your car .
• Explain why lack of parking in big cities is one of the most urgent problems for car owners.
• Can we call electric cars the future of automobile industry?
• Analyze the market demand for alternative vehicles.
• Describe the specifics of electric vehicles manufacturing in the UK.
• Compare gasoline and electric cars .
• How to wash car like a pro .
• What are the drawbacks of electric cars?
• Examine the peculiarities of different trucks.
• Is it possible to survive without a car in the modern world?
• Analyze the difficulties and expenses connected with owning a private car .
• Does the concept of automated cars have future?
• Discuss if switching to electric cars will help to reduce the environmental problems.
• Explore the impact car emission has on global warming and suggest the ways to reduce it.
• Describe the environmentally friendly cars and why they are important.
• Discuss the peculiarities of the fuel cell vehicles.
• Examine the ways cars are presented in popular culture .
• Explain why people choose to buy luxury cars .
• Analyze how automobiles influenced the transformation of American culture.
• What are the reasons of American car industry success?
• Describe the specifics of Volkswagen cars .
• Disadvantages of cars .
• Do you think using cellphones while driving should be banned?
• Examine the impact human factor has on automobile industry development.
• The legacy of the Nissan GT-R from the Fast and Furious franchise.
• Study the representation of automobiles in modern art.
• The evolution of Lamborghini from tractors to supercars.
• The iconic status of the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future .
• What are the causes and consequences of aggressive driving behavior ?
• The Ectomobile as a symbol of cultural iconography in the Ghostbusters franchise.
• The timeless appeal of James Bond’s Aston Martin .
• How our choice of vehicle reflects who we are.
• An analysis of the emotional connection between humans and cars.
• How do aesthetics and functionality shape our perception of automobiles ?
• The role of cars as extensions of characters’ identity in Mad Max: Fury Road .
• The evolution of the Batmobile in the Batman franchise.
• Study the therapeutic benefits of driving for mental health.
• What are the stereotypes and realities of men and women drivers?
• The significance of automobiles in coming-of-age literature.
• Research the psychological effects of fast driving and adrenaline rush.
• The influence of advertising on car purchases.
• Pixar’s Cars and the representation of American car culture.
• Trace the evolution of car chases from classic Hollywood to modern blockbusters.
• The shift in attitudes toward car ownership in large cities.

🚦 Argumentative Essay Topics about Cars

• Will electric cars fully replace traditional combustion engine vehicles ?
• Should stricter regulations be enforced on car manufacturers ?
• Does owning a vehicle provide a sense of independence?
• Which brand offers the best value for money, BMW or Mercedes-Benz?
• Should governments provide more incentives for the adoption of electric vehicles?
• Are autonomous vehicles truly safer than human drivers?
• Are luxury car brands overpriced, or do they offer superior quality and features?
• Classic cars: a good investment or overvalued collectibles?
• Are electric cars more affordable than traditional vehicles in the long term?
• Will alternative modes of travel replace cars in the coming decades?
• Should vintage vehicles be preserved for future generations?
• Which iconic muscle car reigns supreme, the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang?
• Do vehicle choices reflect personal values and beliefs?
• Are vehicles a financial burden or investment for individuals and families?
• Does traffic congestion influence drivers’ mental health?
• Are higher speeds on highways safer or more dangerous for drivers?
• Do luxury vehicles symbolize success or excessive consumption ?
• Will car-sharing services replace traditional ownership models?
• Will Uber lead to a decline in personal vehicle ownership?
• Who is responsible in the event of an accident – the driver or the manufacturer?
• The electric vehicles’ impact on the automotive industry.
• Green initiatives and practices in the automotive industry .
• The role of artificial intelligence in car manufacturing and design.
• Diversity and inclusion in the automotive workforce.
• The impact of trade wars and tariffs on the global automotive market .
• Opportunities for growth in emerging markets for automotive sales .
• The role of big data and analytics in improving vehicle performance and customer experience.
• Consumer trust issues in autonomous vehicles.
• The influence of consumer preferences on car design and features.
• Opportunities for collaboration between automakers and tech companies.
• The rise of subscription-based models for car ownership and leasing.
• Challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled labor in the automotive industry.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive supply chain and production.
• Sustainability and the use of recyclable materials in automotive design .
• How government regulations are shaping the future of the automotive industry.
• The potential of 3D printing in automotive manufacturing and prototyping.
• Assess the benefits of using virtual showrooms in automotive retail.
• Challenges in implementing sustainable practices in dealerships and service centers.
• The role of design thinking in creating user-centric automotive experiences.
• How autonomous vehicles are transforming public transportation systems.

🛣️ Car Related Topics

• The hidden stories behind famous car logos and emblems.
• Explain the phenomenon of car brand loyalty and why people stick with a particular brand.
• What’s psychology of road rage and aggressive driving ?
• The influence of personal memories on emotional connections to vehicles.
• Study the iconic status of the Le Mans 24-hour race.
• How influence of technology innovations on Formula 1 .
• Explore the cultural significance of cars in American society.
• The design and engineering process behind creating a concept car.
• The evolution of taxi services from horse-drawn carriages to app-based platforms.
• Are microcars a viable solution for congested cities?
• The influence of car culture on music, fashion, and lifestyle trends.
• Study the psychological and cultural implications of car color choices.
• Are flying cars a realistic vision or science fiction?
• The history of women in the automotive industry .
• Unconventional uses of vehicles in art installations and performances.
• The role of historic car restoration in preserving cultural heritage.
• The influence of drive-in restaurants on contemporary dining habits.
• The role of cars in shaping cultural identities and national pride.
• How do road trips impact mental health and well-being?
• Car rituals and traditions around the world.

⚙️ College Essay about Cars: Useful Tips

Preparing for composting an essay about a car, you may wonder where to start and how to handle it. In this section, we will introduce some helpful tips. See what you should include and elaborate on in your car essay.

• Get creative. Some students may think that essays on cars are not the right place for creativity. Writing about cars should be full of some specific terms and descriptions of various car details. However, it is a mistake. Essays on cars can omit such issues but remain informative and catchy.
• Keep your opinion to yourself. You don’t have to present a positive or negative conclusion about cars. You are not required to have an unequivocal statement when you write about such a difficult topic. In order to fulfill this requirement, you can even use a thesis statement creator to come up with unbiased foundation for your content.
• Don’t try to say everything at once . Your essay has a word limit, so you’re better to find one topic to talk about. Focus on one aspect of the issue, such as environmental impact, and state your position with evidence.
• Change an angle. If you are not interested in a topic but need to write about cars, look at the subject from the other side. If you are not willing to elaborate on ecological impact, write about races. If you don’t want to talk about sports, write about the invention of the first car. The subject is extensive, so everyone will find something of their own, especially if you were not given a topic in advance.

Thus, writing essays about cars can also be exciting. If you think for a while, you will find ways of writing your paper creatively.

Thank you for reading this article! We hope that you found it useful. If that is the case, don’t forget to share it with your friends and comment.

Further reading:

• Family Values Essay: How to Write, Essay Topics & Examples
• Impressive Essay on Being Late: Hurry Up with Exciting Ideas
• Smoking Essay: Writing about Students and Teens Smoking
• Subjective Essay: Example, How to Write and Topics
• How to Write an Opinion Essay: an Ultimate Guide + Examples
• Persuasive Essay Outline: Houston Community College System
• Cars Essays: Bartleby
• Comparing and Contrasting: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Car Accident Essay: Cram
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• Life Skills

5 Tips For Buying A Car The Smart Way

Chris Arnold

New cars these days have better safety features and more tech gizmos than models from a decade ago. And let's face it: Trading in a beat-up clunker with grimy seats is an enticing idea.

But many Americans make big mistakes buying cars. Take new car purchases with a trade-in. A third of buyers roll over an average of $5,000 in debt from their last car into their new loan. They're paying for a car they don't drive anymore. Ouch! That is not a winning personal finance strategy.

But don't worry — NPR's Life Kit is here to help. Here's how to buy a car without getting over your head in debt or paying more than you have to.

1. Get preapproved for a loan before you set foot in a dealer's lot.

"The single best advice I can give to people is to get preapproved for a car loan from your bank, a credit union or an online lender," says Philip Reed. He's the autos editor at the personal finance site NerdWallet. He also worked undercover at an auto dealership to learn the secrets of the business when he worked for the car-buying site Edmunds.com . So Reed is going to pull back the curtain on the car-buying game.

For one thing, he says, getting a loan from a lender outside the car dealership prompts buyers to think about a crucial question. "How much car can I afford? You want to do that before a salesperson has you falling in love with the limited model with the sunroof and leather seats. "

Reed says getting preapproved also reveals any problems with your credit. So before you start car shopping, you might want to build up your credit score or get erroneous information off your credit report.

And shop around for the best rate. "People are being charged more for interest rates than they should be based upon their creditworthiness," says John Van Alst, a lawyer with the National Consumer Law Center.

Find Money You Didn't Know You Had

Get out of debt.

Van Alst says many people don't realize it, but the dealership is allowed to jack up the rate it offers you above what you actually qualify for. So with your credit score, "you might qualify for an interest rate of 6%," says Van Alst. But, he says, the dealership might not tell you that and offer you a 9% rate. If you take that bad deal, you could pay thousands of dollars more in interest. Van Alst says the dealership and its finance company, "they'll split that extra money."

So Reed says having that preapproval can be a valuable card to have in your hand in the car-buying game. It can help you negotiate a better rate. "The preapproval will act as a bargaining chip," he says. "If you're preapproved at 4.5%, the dealer says, 'Hey, you know, I can get you 3.5. Would you be interested?' And it's a good idea to take it, but make sure all of the terms, meaning the down payment and the length of the loan, remain the same."

One word of caution about lenders: Van Alst says there are plenty of shady lending outfits operating online. Reed says it's a good idea to go with a mainstream bank, credit union or other lender whose name you recognize.

2. Keep it simple at the dealership.

If you're buying a car at a dealership, focus on one thing at a time. And don't tell the salespeople too much. Remember — this is a kind of game. And if you're playing cards, you don't hold them up and say, "Hey, everybody, look — I have a pair of queens," right?

So at the dealership, Reed and Van Alst both say, the first step is to start with the price of the vehicle you are buying. The salesperson at the dealership will often want to know if you're planning to trade in another car and whether you're also looking to get a loan through the dealership. Reed says don't answer those questions! That makes the game too complicated, and you're playing against pros. If you negotiate a really good purchase price on the car, they might jack up the interest rate to make extra money on you that way or lowball you on your trade-in. They can juggle all those factors in their head at once. You don't want to. Keep it simple. One thing at a time.

Once you settle on a price, then you can talk about a trade-in if you have one. But Reed and Van Alst say to do your homework there too. A little research online can tell you what your trade is worth in ballpark terms. Reed suggests looking at the free pricing guides at Edmunds.com , Kelley Blue Book and NADA . On Autotrader, you can also see what people in your area are asking for your car model. And he says, "You can get an actual offer from Carvana.com and also by taking the car to a CarMax, where they will write you a check on the spot."

How To Pay For College

How to buy a house.

So he and Van Alst say don't be afraid to walk away or buy the car at a good price without the trade-in if you feel the dealership is lowballing you on your old car. You have plenty of other good options these days.

3. Don't buy any add-ons at the dealership.

If you've bought a car, you know how this works. You've been at the dealership for hours, you're tired, you've settled on a price, you've haggled over the trade-in — then you get handed off to the finance manager.

"You're led to this back office. They'll often refer to it as the box," says Van Alst. This is where the dealership will try to sell you extended warranties, tire protection plans, paint protection plans, something called gap insurance. Dealerships make a lot of money on this stuff. And Van Alst says it's often very overpriced and most people have no idea how to figure out a fair price.

"Is this add-on, you know, being marked up 300%? You don't really know any of that," Van Alst says. So he and Reed say a good strategy, especially with a new car, is to just say no — to everything. He says especially with longer-term loans, there's more wiggle room for dealers to try to sell you the extras. The finance person might try to tell you, "It's only a little more money per month." But that money adds up.

"Concerning the extended factory warranty, you can always buy it later," says Reed. "So if you're buying a new car, you can buy it in three years from now, just before it goes out of warranty." At that point, if you want the extended warranty, he says, you should call several dealerships and ask for the best price each can offer. That way, he says, you're not rolling the cost into your car loan and paying interest on a service you wouldn't even use for three years because you're still covered by the new car's warranty.

Gap insurance promises to cover any gap between the purchase price of replacing your almost-new car with a brand-new car if your regular insurance doesn't pay for full replacement if your car gets totaled. Van Alst says gap insurance is often overpriced and is fundamentally problematic. If you still want the product, it's best to obtain it through your regular insurance company, not the dealer.

4. Beware longer-term six- or seven-year car loans.

A third of new car loans are now longer than six years. And that's "a really dangerous trend," says Reed. We have a whole story about why that's the case. But in short, a seven-year loan will mean lower monthly payments than a five-year loan. But it will also mean paying a lot more money in interest.

Reed says seven-year loans often have higher interest rates than five-year loans. And like most loans, the interest is front-loaded — you're paying more interest compared with principal in the first years. "Most people don't even realize this, and they don't know why it's dangerous," says Reed.

Don't see the graphic above? Click here.

Reed says that if you want to sell your car — you decide you can't afford it, or maybe you have another kid and need a minivan instead — with a seven-year loan you are much more likely to be stuck still owing more than the car is worth. So he says, "It puts you in a very vulnerable financial situation."

A better way to go, Reed says, is a five-year loan for a new car and "with a used car you should really finance it for only three years, which is 36 months." One reason that makes sense, he says, is that if your used car breaks down and isn't worth fixing — say the transmission totally goes — you're more likely to have paid off the loan by that time.

Exercise: Learn To Love (Or At Least Like) It

Reed says a five-year loan make sense for new cars because "that's been the traditional way — it's kind of a sweet spot. The payments aren't too high. You know the car will still be in good condition. There will still be value in the car at the end of the five years."

Also, Van Alst and Reed say to make sure dealers don't slip in extras or change the loan terms without you realizing it. Read carefully what you're signing.

Reed says a colleague at NerdWallet actually bought a minivan recently and "when she got home, she looked at the contract." She had asked for a five-year loan but said the dealership instead stuck her with a seven-year loan. "And they included a factory warranty which she didn't request and she didn't want." Reed says she was able to cancel the entire contract, remove the extended warranty and get a rebate on it.

"But the point of it is," he says, "I mean, here's somebody who is very financially savvy, and yet they were able to do this to her. And it's not an uncommon scenario for people to think that they've got a good deal, but then when they go home and look at the contract, they find out what's been done to them."

5. Don't buy too much car. And consider a used car to save a lot of money!

"The golden rule is that all of your car expenses should really be no more than 20% of your take-home pay," says Reed. And he says that that's total car expenses, including insurance, gas and repairs. "So the car payment itself should be between 10 and 15%."

And if a new car with a five-year loan doesn't fit into your budget, you might decide you don't really need a brand-new car.

"We're actually living in a golden age of used cars," says Reed. "I mean, the reliability of used cars is remarkable these days." Reed says there is an endless river of cars coming off three-year leases that are in very good shape. And even cars that are older than that, he says, are definitely worth considering. "You know, people are buying good used cars at a hundred-thousand miles and driving them for another hundred-thousand miles," says Reed. "So I'm a big fan of buying a used car as a way to save money."

He acknowledges that which car you buy matters and that it's a good idea to read reviews and ratings about which brands and models are more or less likely to run into costly repair problems down the road. He says some European cars are famously expensive to maintain.

NPR has a personal finance Facebook group called Your Money and Your Life. And we asked group members about car buying. Many said they were shocked by how much money some other people in the group said they were spending on cars. Patricia and Dean Raeker from Minneapolis wrote, "40 years of owning vehicles and our total transportation purchases don't even add up to the cost of one of the financed ones these folks are talking about."

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Dean is a freelance AV technician, and Patricia is a flight attendant. They say, "our nicest, newest purchase was a 2004 Honda Accord for $2400, bought last year, that with regular maintenance could likely last another 100,000+ miles." And they say they "can't understand those who insist on driving their retirement funds away."

Even if you buy a slightly newer used car than the Raekers', the couple raises a great point. What else could you be spending that car payment money on? And if you can cut in half what you might otherwise spend, that's a lot of extra money for your retirement account, your kids' college fund or whatever else you'd rather be doing with that money.

Correction Oct. 31, 2019

An earlier version of this story misspelled Kelley Blue Book as Kelly Blue Book.

• personal finance

How to Buy a Car: A Background Check Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Buying a car can be an intimidating task, regardless of whether a person is a first-timer or not. There is quite some valuable information one needs to know before making that final decision to buy a particular car.

The most important thing that a person must decide first is whether he/she wants a used car or a new car. If the person is looking to buy a used car, a background check is very important. This will include knowledge of the number of preceding owners, previous mechanical problems and accidents and finally, past maintenance of the car. A used car can give a person a great deal as the car may be well maintained and still be in an excellent condition.

Used cars can be located easily from dealers, used car websites and even from new car dealers. It’s important to have a trusted mechanic inspect the car to check for any damages. One should take time to read the paperwork before signing any document to avoid hidden buying conditions which might be problematic in future. It is also important to make sure that all finances are ready for the purchase.

If a person decides to buy a new car, it’s important to determine if he/she can actually afford it. Besides the cost price, another cost that might have a great impact on a person’s finances includes; Insurance cost, repair and maintenance, registration and licensing and fuel. After determining that one can afford the car, it’s now time to decide the type of car he/she wants. This is largely influenced by your lifestyle and the purpose for which one is buying the car.

Price determination is a key factor to consider before making the final deal, it is important to compare prices from different dealers and consult widely from recent owners of that particular car one wants to buy. This is to ensure that a person gets the best deal. A new car costs a lot of money; in this case it’s important to determine whether one will be buying the car from personal savings or from a bank loan. It is at this point in time that one needs to make sure that all financing processes are through and that the money is available for the car purchase.

Test drive is another important step that should never be overlooked. Arrange with the dealer to have a test drive one week before making the final decision. Ask for all available literature and manuals to read prior to purchasing. This gives you ample time to decide and ask any question that one might be having in regards to the car that he/she want to buy.

Finally, after the person is certain that he/she is are ready to buy the car, it’s now time to put the pen to paper. Check and counter-check all the documents and make sure that any agreement is put down in writing before signing any document. Sign on the dotted line on all required documents. Finally, hand over the cash or cheque, as the dealer hands over the keys. The final step is driving the car home.

• Manufacturer-Distributor Relationship
• Buying a Car
• Tesla and the Auto Dealers Industry
• The Development of Auto Industry in Europe in the Last Twenty Years
• How to Change a Flat Tire: Process Explanation
• Car Audio System, Brands, Upgrade
• Re-Imagining New York: Moving to and from the City
• The Global Bicycle Industry
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, September 21). How to Buy a Car: A Background Check. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-buy-a-car-a-background-check/

"How to Buy a Car: A Background Check." IvyPanda , 21 Sept. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-buy-a-car-a-background-check/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'How to Buy a Car: A Background Check'. 21 September.

IvyPanda . 2021. "How to Buy a Car: A Background Check." September 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-buy-a-car-a-background-check/.

1. IvyPanda . "How to Buy a Car: A Background Check." September 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-buy-a-car-a-background-check/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "How to Buy a Car: A Background Check." September 21, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-buy-a-car-a-background-check/.

How to Afford a Car if You Are a College Student

Many students decide to buy their first car while studying in college, especially the ones who don’t live on campus or need to get to their work every day. However, is it really necessary considering how much it costs? Eventually, you have some other things to pay for, including your tuition . If you are considering whether you should buy a car or not, you should read this article where we share the best tips on how you can afford and pick your first car without struggling.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Car in College

Of course, when talking about such a big purchase, we should start with the pros and cons of it. So, here is the list of things that might help you make a decision about whether you should buy one or not.

• Getting everywhere you need. The ability to drive yourself to and from campus, choose the job depending on the perspectives and career, and not because it is near to where you live – these things are much appreciated when you have them and very missed when you don’t.
• Being a driver and owning a car is something that might really help you establish a better relationship with your college mates and give you high status. It might also allow you to attend various parties and events, help you with your job a little, or even give you a promotion. In other words, owning a car gives you a lot of opportunities.
• Always being a driver. That’s what many car owners experience, especially through their college years – they are always expected to drive their friends. It’s not that big of a deal if your friends can split the gas bill, but if they take advantage of your generosity and it makes you uncomfortable, you should definitely tell them how you feel. What makes a situation even less pretty is that you, as a driver, should always be sober in a company of drinking friends – that’s sad.
• It’s not cheap. Buying a car is not the end – you will need to spend a lot of money every month. Gas, insurance, spare parts – the costs depend on the car that you buy, but they are always there when you need to care about your automobile.

Tips on Buying a Car as a College Student

Of course, buying a car is a big step for anyone, especially for a student with all the bills to pay and all the tasks to manage at the same time. However, if you made a decision to buy a car and feel that you will really benefit from this purchase, there are ways to make your dream come true. Here are a few tips on how you can afford a car while studying in college.

Start Saving as Early as You Can

This is the tip for everyone who considers buying a car later in their college years. Start saving now if you haven’t started yet. Just like with your tuition payment, the earlier you start saving, the faster you get rid of the loan. It might seem like a huge sum to manage, but with a meal plan on your hands and some self-discipline, you will be able to do it much faster than you think.

Choose Wisely

When choosing the car to buy, pay attention to these factors:

• A used car. There are multiple options for a college student to choose from when buying a car, but what remains the same – a used car is probably the wisest choice. It costs significantly less than a new car, and you can find some really good deals on the Internet. You can also check for some pre-owned cars to buy at a dealership.
• If it’s a new car that you are buying, make sure to check the financing options that you have. It’s best to choose the one that you can put as much down possible, considering interest charges that you will need to pay later. When buying a new car, you have an opportunity to negotiate a loan or a lease, which will make the purchase much more affordable.
• Pay attention to its efficiency ratings. The price of gas might not be the things that you are thinking about now, before buying a car, but when you own one, it matters a lot. Choose the car accordingly to its EPA mileage ratings and avoid buying gas-guzzlers as they are much more expensive to fill up compared to gas-sipping vehicles.
• Size and mobility. This is also one of the most important characteristics of a car. If you need a car to drive to your campus or classes, you should avoid buying big cars that will be a problem to find a parking spot for or maneuver in traffic.

Search for a Cosigner

Having bad credit or no credit score at all might be a problem when negotiating loan options. Finding a cosigner is a way to make you get approved faster. Talk to your parents or friends is they can be a cosigner for you in this deal. Remember that this person will have to take a risk, so you should make sure you stay on top of your payments and don’t ruin their credit score.

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Articles & Advice > Student Life > Blog

Is It Smart for You to Buy a Car and Drive in College?

Buying a car is a huge investment, including payments, gas, insurance, and maintenance. Should you make the leap before leaving for campus? Let's discuss.

by Callie McGill Content Marketer, ValuePenguin

Last Updated: Aug 17, 2023

Originally Posted: Sep 19, 2019

Teens used to long for the day they could finally get a driver’s license and buy a car—but it’s a trend that’s disappearing. Since 1983, the percentage of Americans who are getting licensed has fallen among those under 50 years old, and car sales have also decreased recently in some age groups. While some sources tie the decline to the internet, there are a handful of more pressing reasons teens hold off on getting a car. For those still in college or graduating soon, it may make financial sense to continue the delay. Here’s why.

Buying a car is expensive

Most college students have a limited income and expensive student loan payments on the horizon. According to Experian, a credit reporting bureau, the average cost of a new car in July of 2023 is $44,700 for non-luxury and non-electric vehicles, with the cost significantly higher for these other types of cars. Unless college students have enough money saved for a new car or have a steady income, getting approved for financing may be difficult or even impossible without a cosigner. If relocation is a possibility after college, it also may make sense to wait on buying a car, especially if you plan to move to a city. In some places, a car may not be necessary for daily commutes, and be a larger hassle to find suitable (and cheap) parking.

Related:  5 Things Students Should Know Before Buying a Car

Insurance rates are often based on experience

Traditionally, auto insurance rates for new drivers can cost nearly three times more than policies for those with driving experience. However, insurers in some states like California can only base premiums on the driving experience and not the driver’s age. This can significantly add to the costs of owning a car, so you might wait until you’re older and can afford the high premiums. Plus, insurance rates rise annually (like by 13% in some states!), so don’t just think about year one—you need to consider years two, three, and beyond.

You have public transportation options

Public transportation options are expanding. No longer is the bus your only option, especially with ride-share programs making an impact. There are also numerous cities implementing rentable bike stations and other sustainable travel options . These typically cost less than owning a car if you’re using them for short distances. By using public transportation options, students can put their savings toward their loans or rent after graduation instead.

Related: Pros and Cons of Owning a Car in College: On Campus vs. Off Campus

What should college students do instead?

College students sometimes need a way to get around, and public transportation options don’t always work. Consider getting your license, especially so you know how to drive if you’re ever in an emergency where you need to hop behind the wheel. But drivers can hold off making an investment in a car if it’s not a necessity for their everyday living. With a license in hand, individuals can rent a vehicle for longer drives through car-sharing services like Zipcar which let drivers use cars for as little as an hour.

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About Callie McGill

Callie McGill is a Content Marketer for ValuePenguin.com .

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Should I bring my car to college? The Pros and Cons

Are you wondering, Should I bring my car to college? Will I need my car at college?

These are questions that college students frequently ask themselves, whether as first-year college students or returning college students. Having a car in college can be a major convenience or a huge hassle—or both at the same time! 

The question of whether you need a car at college depends largely on your college and your personal needs. So there’s no simple answer to whether or not you should have a car in college. 

The college journey is often a transformative and pivotal period in a young adult’s life, marked by academic pursuits, newfound friendships, and a sense of independence. 

College-bound students naturally wonder, should they take their car to campus? This simple question carries significant implications that can shape the college experience.

It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of having a car on campus before deciding to bring your car to college. This comprehensive guide to having a car at college will discuss everything you should think about before deciding whether you should or should not bring your car to campus.

Whether you’re about to go to college for the first time or you’re a returning student weighing your transportation options, this post will help you make an informed decision about having a car in college, so you can make the right choice for your needs and lifestyle. 

Are you allowed to have a car on campus?

The first question you have to answer is: Can you have a car at college? Will your college allow you to have a car on campus?

Some colleges do not allow first-year students to have a car on campus. Colleges that prohibit first-year students from having a car on campus usually do so because either:

1. The college wants to encourage freshman students to stay on campus.

The college suspects that having access to cars would mean that first-year students would go home more often and not be as involved in campus life. 

2. There is limited parking on campus.

Restricting the number of cars on campus is necessary due to available parking spaces. 

Each college has its own rules about whether you can have a car on campus. 

Look at your college’s website to find the answers to the following questions:

• Are first-year students allowed to have a car on campus?
• Are sophomores, juniors, and seniors allowed to bring a car to campus?
• Is there guaranteed freshman parking?
• Where are you allowed to park a car on campus?
• What is the cost of a parking permit on campus? 
• Are there limited numbers of parking passes available? 
• If you aren’t allowed to have a car on campus, are exceptions ever granted? If so, for what reasons?

These are important questions to answer before moving forward with deciding whether you should bring a car to college. 

Do you need a car for college?

Before deciding to bring a car to college, you’ll need to think about if you even need a car at college. 

Most US residential colleges provide everything their students need on campus or know that students can find what they’ll need a short walk from campus. 

For example, college campuses usually have a pharmacy, a store with necessary items like laundry detergent, and a shop with snacks and drinks. 

Dorms, student centers, athletic facilities and academic buildings are all within walking distance from each other.

So a car isn’t usually necessary for most college students, strictly speaking. 

However, there are some other things to consider when deciding if you want to bring a car to college:

College setting

Is your college in an urban, suburban or rural setting? In urban areas, public transportation is often readily available and more practical than having a car.

Generally speaking, colleges in urban areas prohibit or discourage students from bringing their cars to campus. And in cities, parking tends to be very expensive. 

In rural areas, a car might make running errands and getting off campus easier, but your college may also provide a shuttle service. 

If you’ll be attending college on an urban campus in New York City or San Francisco, you do not need a car. If you’ll be attending college in a rural or suburban location, you might find a car to be helpful or even necessary. 

Campus Location

Will you be close enough to home that you’ll drive home for holidays? Or will you always fly? Is it possible to buy a train ticket or use a bus service instead?

Independence

Do you have a personal reason for needing a car?

Do you need to attend religious services off campus?

Will you need a car to get to doctors’ appointments?

Do you participate in extracurricular activities that will require you to have your own transportation? 

Are you going to be working or pursue an internship that will require you to drive? 

Other transportation options

Does your college town have public transportation? Or does your college have a shuttle system? 

Can you get where you need to go by biking or cycling? 

Benefits of having a car on campus

1. easier to live off campus.

If you will be living off campus, having a car might make off-campus living easier. 

With a car, you’ll be able to transport furnishings, groceries, and other household items you need in your off-campus apartment. 

Having a car could allow you to live farther from campus and potentially save money on housing. (Be sure to check the price of parking on campus for student commuters!)

2. Getting to work or an internship

If you plan to work or go to an internship off campus, having your car can make your commute significantly easier and faster.

Going to work at an off-campus job or an internship in your car may be faster than using public transportation. 

3. Grocery savings

If you don’t have a meal plan, you’ll have to grocery shop! Being able to go grocery shopping at the grocery of your choice, because you have a car, will allow you to go to the grocery store with the best sales or overall best prices. 

Also, transporting your groceries in your car will save you from lugging heavy bags back from the grocery store. 

4. Save on other shopping

Having a car at college will also make it easier for you to buy clothing, personal items, or other necessities.

You’ll be able to comparison shop, visit thrift stores, or venture farther away. By not limiting yourself to shops nearby campus, you’ll have a better selection and be able to save money on things you need in college .

You’ll also be able to make last minute purchases and track down hard-to-find items. 

5. Drive home from college

If you live close enough to your college campus, having a car on campus will give you flexibility and save money when it’s time to go home from college. 

For example, if you have a car at college, you can be flexible about when you leave for Thanksgiving Break—super helpful if your professors end up canceling classes Thanksgiving week and you can go home earlier than expected.

Taking your car to college will give you the flexibility to go home for the weekend or a special event, without having to worry about the cost of airline tickets or having to purchase them far in advance. 

Bringing a car to college also means your parents won’t have to make a round-trip drive to pick you up….and another to drop you off.

Depending on how far away your college is from your home, this could save a substantial amount of time and money (on gas and even a hotel room).

For out-of-state students who living within driving distance of their college, driving is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get home for school breaks. 

6. Explore the area Near Your College

Having a car means you can get away from campus and explore nearby towns, hiking areas, or cities. You can do fun autumn activities with friends and escape campus for spring break.

Being able to explore the region near your college is a great perk, especially if you’re going to college in a new place or region of the country that’s unfamiliar to you.

7. Everyday freedom to Travel Independently

If you have your own vehicle at college, you won’t have to depend on public transportation or your friends to run errands or get wherever it is you need to be. 

You’ll also be able to plan roadtrips. You’ll be able to drive for weekend trips or spring break adventures. 

8. Fun with Friends

Having a car on campus will allow you to do fun things with your friends. You can easily drive across town to try a new restaurant, get out of town for a weekend road trip, or make a late-night fast food run. 

Drawbacks to having a car on campus

1. costs of buying a car.

If you take your car to college, you will have various expenses associated with having a car on campus. Consider these costs before deciding to take a car to college. The first is the cost of buying a car.

If you already have a car, this is probably not a factor in your decision. But if you’d need to buy a car to take to college, ask yourself if you really have the funds to buy a car. 

Can you afford monthly payments and all the expenses associated with car ownership? If you do have the funds, would buying a car be the best use of your money?

Whether you’re looking at new cars or used cars, it’s only a good deal if you can afford it!

2. Cost of Insurance

Before deciding to take your car to college, it’s a good idea to call your insurance agent and see what your auto insurance would cost if you take your car to college, compared to your savings if you left the car at home. 

If you leave the car at home, you might be able to save money on your insurance premiums, since you’ll be away at college and not driving the car. 

3. Cost of Gas and maintenance

You’ll obviously have to pay for gas, oil changes, and any other maintenance while you’re driving the car. Fuel costs and car maintenance expense can add up quickly!

4. Cost of Parking Permits and Fees

Most college charge fees for on-campus parking permits. You’ll have to check with your college to see what their parking fees are. 

Some colleges have limited parking spots, so it can be a competitive process to secure a permit.

Find out if your college guarantees parking or not, before deciding to bring a car to college. 

5. Finding a parking space

Even with a campus parking permit, finding a place to park on campus might be challenging. 

If you plan to drive to class, rather than walk, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise. You can only drive so close to academic buildings, and there are limited parking spaces in central campus. If you plan to save time by driving to class, you may find you spend more time looking for a parking space than you would have spent walking to class. 

Also, student parking may be restricted to a parking lot at the far edge of campus. So you might not be able to park your car near your dorm. 

6. Theft and damage

College campuses seem to be magnets for car thieves who are counting on college students to leave car doors unlocked and forget to take valuables out of their cars. 

Be alert to safety concerns. Park in well-lit and monitored parking garages if possible. Never leave valuables in your car. Thieves are just looking for a reason to break into your car!

Always lock your car!

7. Tickets and fees

College campuses are notorious for parking police who have no sympathy for college students who parked in the wrong place or forgot their parking permit. 

Chances are, you’ll also be risking a parking ticket from city police. If you parked in the wrong zone, blocked a driveway, or are blocking street cleaning, you’ll probably have a ticket on your car when you return. 

If you’ve parked in a lot or parking space illegally, you could also be towed. Towing fees are not cheap, and it will take a chunk of time to get your car out of an impound lot. 

Speeding tickets are another thing to consider if you take your car to college. Don’t exceed the mandated speed limit.

If you do get a ticket of any sort, pay it promptly. 

8. Potential accidents

Accidents do happen! Be aware of what your car insurance deductible is, in case you are in an accident and need to file a claim. 

If you are in an accident, be sure to take photos of the scene, get a police report, and call your auto insurance company right away. 

9. Too much freedom

Some college students find that having a car provides too much freedom. If you can drive off-campus to do something fun everyday, maybe you won’t spend quite enough time going to class or studying.

If you know having your car will be too much of a temptation to do fun things, consider leaving your car at home, at least until you’ve established good study habits and gotten involved with campus activities.

10. Needy friends

Most college students with cars find that their friends frequently ask them for favors, like a ride to the airport or to the nearest stores.

While you may want to help your new friends, you will have to say no at least some of the time. It’s not your job to be their personal taxi service!

This could lead to strained friendships (of course, any “friend” who is using you for your car isn’t really a friend!)

11. Extra responsibility

A car is a lot of extra responsibility. You’ll have to stay on top of required maintenance, paying any parking tickets, and taking precautions against theft. 

You’ll also have to be sure never to drink and drive or let anyone else drive your car after they’ve been drinking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that for drivers ages 16-20 who have been drinking, their fatality risk is 12 to 32 times higher than for sober drivers. 

What to do before taking your car to college

1. update your auto insurance.

Be sure that your car insurance is current and that you have up-to-date insurance cards in your car.

Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts for full-time students or students with good grades, so check with your insurance agent!

2. Car maintenance before going to college

Take your car to your regular mechanic before you leave for college. 

Be sure to have your mechanic change the oil and check the fluid levels.

Check your tire treads. Be sure that your tires are good for weather conditions where you’re going. For example, if your college is in Vermont and you live in South Carolina, be sure your tires can handle snowy roads.

Replace your wiper blades so you’re ready for rainy days. 

Check for any recalls. Make sure there are no other problems with the car. 

3. Driver’s license

Check the date on your driver’s license. Make sure it won’t expire while you’re away at college.

4. Emergency assistance

Do you have emergency roadside assistance?

Some car companies provide it when you purchase a car.

If not, consider signing up for AAA. They have different levels of roadside assistance. (I absolutely made sure my daughter had AAA roadside assistance before she took her car to college!)

Knowing you have someone to call for help in an emergency provides a lot of peace of mind!

5. Car wash

Before heading off to college, wash and vacuum your car. You’ll appreciate starting the school year with a clean vehicle. 

6. Maintenance Plans

Regular maintenance is just part of having a car! Discuss with your parents in advance how you will get your car serviced while you’re at college.

Where should you take the car for an oil change or a strange clanking sound? Making plans in advance will make it less stressful when you need to have the car serviced or repaired. 

7. Conversations

You should also discuss any rules regarding your car. You’ll need to know your parent’s rules about your car if your parents own your car or you’re on their car insurance policy.

Who is allowed to drive your car? Just you? Or can you loan it to friends? 

How far are you allowed to drive the car? Are your parents comfortable with a 12-hour road trip?

It’s much better to know your parents’ policy about how you use your car before anything goes wrong!

Decide on your policy for giving friends rides or letting anyone borrow your car in advance. 

8. Understand the parking situation

Familiarize yourself with your college’s parking system. What lots can you park in? Are there game day restrictions? Is street parking restricted on certain days?

Things you need if you take a car to college

Before taking your car to college, you might want to be sure you have these things in your car:

1. Phone Mount

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If you don’t have an in-dash screen, you’ll want a mount for your phone . Some states forbid holding your phone while driving, so find out what the laws are in the state where you’ll be going to college.

2. Tire pressure gauge and Inflator

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Having a tire with low air pressure is never fun! This tire gauge and portable air compressor will let you check your tire pressure and inflate your tire, so you can top up a low tire.

3. Portable Car Battery Starter

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This portable car battery starter is all you need to jump start your car battery.

You won’t need to ask a stranger if they can jump start your car.

The car battery box can also charge laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

4. Flashlight

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Keep this extremely bright, rechargeable flashlight in your car in case of emergencies at night.

5. First Aid Kit

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Keep this first aid kit in your car for all sorts of emergencies.

6. Escape Tool

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The Bling Sting Safety Hammer has a hammer tool to break tempered window glass and a seatbelt cutter. Strap it into your car visor so it’s within reach if you ever need it.

7. Roadside Flares

These emergency roadside flares provide a high visibility warning to approaching traffic. If you’re in a car accident, you’ll want to place these around your car.

8. Warm Blanket

If you’ll be driving in cold weather, be sure to keep a warm blanket or two in your car, just in case you are stuck on a highway due to an accident or snowy conditions.

9. Ice scraper

If you’re going to college in a part of the country that will get ice or snow, you’ll need to take an ice scraper and snow brush to clear off your car windshield.

10. Phone Charging Cables

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It’s important to keep your phone charged when you’re driving. Get a multipack of phone chargers and be sure to always keep at least one phone charging cable in your car.

If you don’t take a car to college

If you decide not to take your car to college, there are several things you can do to cover your transportation needs. 

1. Use public transportation

If available at your college, this will be your cheapest transportation option. Find out about local discounts on public transportation for college students. 

2. Ask a friend

Find a friend with a car and generously offer gas money in return for rides.

(If you’ve read this and realized all the potential drawbacks of having a car at college, you’ll understand why your friend would appreciate some financial compensation for taking you places!)

3. Take an Uber or Lyft

These services will be far less expensive than bringing your own car to campus. Download the apps and set up your payment information in advance, before you need it.

4. Get a bike

Having a bike on campus makes it easy to get around campus quickly. 

5. Rent or bring a scooter

Scooters are hugely popular on college campuses now. You can bring your own. Or see if your college has scooters available to rent when you need one. 

6. Walk everywhere

Get some comfy walking shoes and start walking around campus.

7. Use Amazon

You can order almost everything you need from Amazon ! It will be shipped to you, whether you live on campus or off campus. 

If you have Amazon Prime Student , you can get fast, free shipping. Ordering from Amazon means you won’t have to worry about making the trip to Walmart or Target—snacks and dorm supplies will come right to you!

Pros and Cons of taking a car to college

Pros of having a car at college.

• Flexibility to go home
• Possibly save money by living and shopping off campus
• Easily go to work or an internship 
• Freedom to explore the area
• Shopping, doctors appointments, and other errands are more convenient

Cons of having a car at college 

• Cost of maintenance, insurance, gas, parking permits, etc. 
• Challenges of finding a parking space
• Potential for theft, damage, tickets, or fees
• Maybe too much freedom or responsibility

How many college students have cars?

According to a U.S. News and World Report survey conducted during the 2016-17 academic year, just under 47 percent of college students brought cars to campus. 

A more recent 2022 survey conducted by Value Penguin says that 56 percent of undergraduate students have a vehicle they can rely on when attending school.

This same survey noted that 66 percent of students attending college in the southern US have a car, compared to 40 percent of students going to school in the northeast. 

Tips for commuter students

If you’re a commuter student, then of course you’ll have a car on campus!

1. Leave early

Leave your home early enough to allow a lot of time to get to campus, find parking, and walk from the parking lot to class. 

2. Know where you’re allowed to park

Familiarize yourself with the map of parking lots where you have permission to park.

You’ll quickly learn what lots fill up early and which ones always have open parking spots.

Depending on your class schedules and locations, and the size of your campus, you might find it’s better to park in different lots on different days. 

3. Stay all day

One way to cut down on college commuting expenses is to make only one trip to campus a day. So if you go for a morning class, stay on campus until your late afternoon class, instead of going home. 

While you might find that you’re spending a lot of money on gas and car maintenance, in the long run, you’ll save money by living at home. 

Staying on campus all day will also help you find new opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and be part of campus life. 

Final thoughts on taking your car to college

The question, should I take my car to college? , is a personal one. The right choice depends on your specific circumstances. 

Bringing your car to campus with you will come with some additional costs. But having your car at college with you could help you save money as well.

Having a car in college will also make many aspects of college life easier. You’ll have more freedom and independence if you bring a car to college. 

Consider the location of your college, campus parking policies, and your other transportation options. Also think about your finances and activities. 

For some students, going to college without their car is an easy choice. They save money, don’t stress about a car, and find everything they need on campus (or from Amazon).

For other college students, having a car on campus is necessary or convenient enough to make it worth the hassle. 

Many people recommend that first year college students leave their car at home. Freshman year of college, you’ll probably live on campus and focus on participating in on-campus activities. 

However, as a first-year student, you may have a compelling reason to have a car at college. 

For older college students, the question of whether or not to take a car to college will mainly depend on where your university is located, parking costs, if you work a part-time job off-campus, and if you need to drive home. 

There are many important things to consider when deciding if taking a car to college is the right decision for you!

Whatever you decide about bringing your car to campus, always drive safely!

Graduate of Brown University, higher ed professional, and mom of three. Sharing everything I’ve learned about college with you.

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What to Know About Owning a Car in College

Congrats! You’ve been accepted at the college of your dreams and you’re preparing to move out. As you are buying all of your college dorm and classroom supplies, there is another important purchase that you should think about. Many students find themselves in need of a car while at college, and don’t always have the biggest budget to get one. Here are a few things that you should know about buying and owning a car in college. 

Pros and Cons of Owning a Car in College

First off, there are many pros and cons of owning a car in college that you need to consider. Some of the pros are that it is a lot easier to get around, especially if your campus is large and your housing isn’t in a super convenient place. Having a car is also helpful when you need to get to the grocery store or local library. If you intend to go on dates and have a fun social life, having a car will definitely help out with that. Best of all, having a car means you can go home for the holidays to see your family and parents. However, there are some cons of owning a car in college. College is already expensive enough without having to pay for pricey gas or a hefty car payment. Also, your college may have limitations on parking or how many cars can be allowed on campus. This can make it difficult to navigate life with a car at college. 

What You Should Spend

If you’ve decided that you’d like to invest in a college car, you need to know how much you should spend. It is likely that you’ll want to buy a cheaper used car, especially if you are paying for your own rent and tuition. It is important to stick to your budget when it comes to shopping for a college car. If you’re trying to calculate how much you can afford to spend on a car, there are car payment calculators that you can use online. Buying a used car can be great if you simply don’t have the money to keep up with a car payment. However, it is also important to remember that a used car may come along with some repair costs and lower fuel efficiency than a new car. So, factor in some extra payments for those types of costs if you’re buying a used car. 

How to Limit Your Car Usage

Remember, the more you limit your car usage , the less you’ll have to pay for gas and repairs. Especially if your college campus has a lot of local amenities, it can be easy to use your car minimally and walk or bike to close locations. This can save you a lot of money. It can also help improve the air quality in your area, which your college will be very happy about. 

Protect Your Car

Once you have your college car, you’ll want to make sure that you take extra measures to protect it from costly damage. There are lots of different methods that you can take to protect your car. For example, you can add an additional layer of protection to your car, called a clear bra. A clear bra protects your car from damage from sap, debris, rocks, and other elements. IT not only protects your car’s paint but also protects your car from scratches and dents, which could lead to future problems. As you spend a little extra money on treatments to protect your car from expensive damage, you’ll save money down the road. 

Research Fuel Efficiency

If you’ve decided to buy a car but aren’t sure what kind of car is right for you, there are a couple of things that you should consider and research. One of the most important features of a good college car is good fuel efficiency or gas mileage . Lots of smaller cars usually have pretty good fuel efficiency. Bigger cars like trucks or SUVs are known as “gas guzzlers” and tend to use up gas very quickly. If your car has good fuel efficiency, you will save a lot on gas, because your car won’t use up gas as quickly. 

What to Know About a Used Car

There are also a few more things you should know about buying a used car for college. When you’re looking at buying a used car, you should always check the insurance rate that you will get on the car. Insurance rates change depending on your type of car and its age. You will want to find a used car with a manageable insurance rate. You’ll also want to look into the warranties that are offered with your car so you know what repairs will be covered in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to check your tires and see if they need replacing, as well as checking for other common damage on the vehicle. Knowing about these different factors will help you to decide whether or not you’d like to buy a used car. 

Lease or Buy

You should also know that buying a car isn’t your only option. You can also lease a vehicle if you aren’t wanting to own your college car long-term. For students on a tight budget, leasing can be easier to manage since monthly lease payments are usually lower than monthly car payments. You also can usually lease a nicer, newer car for much cheaper than you can buy one. However, you do need to know that you might have some extra charges at the end of your leasing contract according to your mileage limitations. 

College Limitations

One of the last things you should know about having a car in college is that your college may have specific limitations when it comes to students with cars. For example, you may be required to park in a certain area on campus that is designated student parking. That student parking might not always be super convenient for you. Additionally, you might have to register your car on campus and pay for a parking pass, which can be kind of expensive. Some campuses are really trying to decrease the number of students with cars, so they offer free public transportation for students. Before you decide to buy a college car, check the car limitations and requirements at your college. 

As you are getting closer to making your decision about a college car, remember the things that have been discussed in this article. Take your time to research the different options that are available to you to find a decision that matches your needs and lifestyle. If you follow the steps suggested in this article, you’ll be better prepared to make a smart decision about having a car in college.

Read this next: 6 Best Ways to Volunteer in College or University

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These selections represent just a few examples of essays we found impressive and helpful during the past admissions cycle. We hope these essays inspire you as you prepare to compose your own personal statements. The most important thing to remember is to be original as you share your own story, thoughts, and ideas with us.

Ordering the Disorderly

Ellie’s essay skillfully uses the topic of entropy as an extended metaphor. Through it, we see reflections about who they are and who they aspire to be.

Pack Light, But Be Prepared

In Pablo’s essay, the act of packing for a pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for the way humans accumulate experiences in their life’s journey and what we can learn from them. As we join Pablo through the diverse phases of their life, we gain insights into their character and values.

Tikkun Olam

Julieta illustrates how the concept of Tikkun Olam, “a desire to help repair the world,” has shaped their passions and drives them to pursue experiences at Hopkins.

Kashvi’s essay encapsulates a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and the invaluable teachings of Rock, their 10-year-old dog. Through the lens of their companionship, Kashvi walked us through valuable lessons on responsibility, friendship, patience, and unconditional love.

Classical Reflections in Herstory

Maddie’s essay details their intellectual journey using their love of Greek classics. They incorporate details that reveal the roots of their academic interests: storytelling, literary devices, and translation. As their essay progresses, so do Maddie’s intellectual curiosities.

My Spotify Playlist

Alyssa’s essay reflects on special memories through the creative lens of Spotify playlists. They use three examples to highlight their experiences with their tennis team, finding a virtual community during the pandemic, and co-founding a nonprofit to help younger students learn about STEM.

More essays that worked

We share essays from previously admitted students—along with feedback from our admissions committee—so you can understand what made them effective and how to start crafting your own.

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

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ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best smart notebooks you can buy: Expert tested

Writing down your to-do lists, class notes, and random reminders in an old-school notebook doesn't have to be your first option. 

As a hybrid option, digital notebooks, also known as smart notebooks, offer the nostalgic pen-to-paper feeling while integrating cloud storage for note accessibility when you  don't  want the physical presence of pad and paper. If you enjoy the feeling of writing on paper but want the convenience of digital storage and organization, then a digital notebook might be up your alley. 

Also:  The best tablets we've tested

What is the best digital notebook right now? 

To help you decide which smart notebooks are worth the investment, we tested and researched the best ones on the market, considering notebook feel, storage capabilities and options, special features, and price. Based on our hands-on experience, our pick for the best smart notebook overall is the Boox Note Air 3 C thanks to its note-taking and productivity features and smooth color display. We also included notebooks from brands like Kindle, Rocketbook, and others that ZDNET staff use and recommend. 

The best smart notebooks of 2024

Boox note air 3 c, best smart notebook overall.

• Pen-to-paper writing experience
• Excellent note-taking features and templates
• BOOXdrop to share files
• Screen can lag when browsing web or watching videos

Based on my hands-on experience with the Boox Note Air 3 C, it is the best smart notebook I have tried. While it doesn't have as crisp a color display as a traditional tablet like an iPad, this tablet's purpose is for note-taking, and it does an excellent job. 

It has all the best features of the best apps, like templates, audio recording, color-coding, inserting links and attachments to notes, and more. Plus, built-in artificial intelligence allows for text recognition, shape perfection, and a strikethrough erase feature that makes erasing much easier.

Review:  The best E Ink tablet I've tested is not by ReMarkable or Kindle

Some of its standout features enhance your productivity, like the split screen feature that allows you to switch between two different apps, so you can take notes on one side while reading an article on the other. 

In addition, if you need to use this tablet for work or school, you can easily send files to the tablet from your computer or smartphone using BOOXdrop. It takes mere seconds, and you can easily annotate PDFs and other Word documents. One Reddit user noted that the tablet is outstanding in terms of PDF files. 

Boox Note Air 3 C tech specs:  Colors: Black |  Storage : 64GB |  Display : 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 display, 1240 x 930 (150 PPI) for color and 2480 x 1860 (300 PPI) for black and white |  Connectivity : Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz) + BT 5.0

Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook

Best budget smart notebook.

• Transfers notes from book to app
• Different page styles allow for different uses
• Compatible with popular cloud services like Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, and more
• No hardcover option

The Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook has versatile page and template options for only $40. The notebook's synthetic paper allows you to write with the included Pilot FriXion pen, then wipe the page clean with a damp cloth to reuse it repeatedly.

In addition, you can save your pages to the Rocketbook app's cloud by tapping your pen on the icon at the bottom of the page to make them easy to find later.

I have gone hands-on with the Rocketbook Fusion, and it scratches that itch of satisfaction when hand-writing notes/to-do lists while also letting me check those lists via the app when I'm out and about. I also appreciated the different page styles, such as weekly and monthly planners, goal setting, task trackers, an ideas page, dot grids, and lined pages, so I could carry around one notebook instead of three. 

Amazon customers who have bought and reviewed this smart notebook also agree that the Rocketbook Fusion's ease of use, quality, organization, performance, and writing experience make it a great budget option. 

Rocketbook Fusion features: Color options:  Nine |  Pages:  42 |  Page styles:  Seven

Kindle Scribe

Best smart notebook for reading.

• Impressive battery life
• Included pen for handwritten notes
• Compatible with Microsoft Word
• Premium pen upgrade will cost you more
• Does not support note-taking on magazines or newspapers

The Kindle Scribe is the perfect example of a smart notebook that doubles as a tablet. It has the same functions you've come to know and love in a Kindle, like a 300ppi glare-free screen, weeks of battery life, and adjustable warm light. It's also compatible with Amazon's Basic or Premium Pen, so you can take handwritten notes or underline important quotations within the book you're reading. 

Your notes are automatically organized in one place for every book so that you can browse, review, and export them via email. The Kindle Scribe also comes with preset templates to help you create notebooks, journals, and lists, and you can create sticky notes in Microsoft Word and other compatible Word documents. 

Read the review:  Amazon Kindle Scribe review: 7 ways it could be even more remarkable

ZDNET's Matthew Miller said the Scribe has "made paper and pen notes obsolete for me." "While I have various other tablets, I've yet to find a pairing that feels natural, both in hardware and software and often end up rarely ever using the stylus that they support," he wrote. "Also, I love that I can highlight text, make notes, and even sign documents with a signature that doesn't look like that of a two-year-old with the Scribe."

In addition, the Kindle Scribe comes with the Basic pen, but for the more advanced features like a dedicated eraser and the shortcut button, you'll need the premium pen, which costs $30 extra. Overall, 93% of customers who have bought the Kindle Scribe at Best Buy said they would recommend it.

Kindle Scribe features: Colors:  Black with colored folios |  Storage:  16GB/32GB, or 64GB |  Display:  10.2-inch display with 300ppi, 16-level gray scale |  Connectivity:  Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

Moleskine Pen+ Smart Writing Set

Best stylish smart notebook.

• Real-time sync creates digital notes as you write them
• Sleek and stylish Moleskin notebook
• Thick and resistant 100 g/m paper
• Pages can stick together
• Sometimes slow transcription

If you appreciate the look and feel of Moleskine notebooks, then the company's Pen+ Smart Writing set could be the right smart notebook for you. The notebook features the signature dotted Moleskine page in a "paper tablet" format, so the pages are tucked in between a sturdy tablet-like design. Ncoded technology is embedded within each page, which enables the accompanying smart pen to recognize where it is within the notebook and to transfer all your freehand notes from page to screen in real-time.

You can upload or share your notes digitally through the Moleskine Notes app and share them to Google Drive or Evernote. In addition, you can use the pen to record audio that lines up with what you've written, creating a multimedia note-taking experience.

Read the review: Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse: Smart note-taking cuts out digital distractions

ZDNET put the Moleskine Pen+ to the test and particularly appreciated the replay option, which allows you to re-run how your notes came together.   " This might not seem very useful for simple note-taking," Steve Ranger, who wrote the review, said, "but if you are drawing or brainstorming, it's really quite handy to see how an image or a set of ideas come together." 

We thought that artists, in particular, may find playback useful to see how their drawing process evolved. Customers who have bought the Moleskine agree, saying it's great for sketching, but cautions that the transcription process is a little slow. 

Moleskine Pen+ features:  Color options:  black |  Pages:  176  |  Page styles:  ruled and dot grid

reMarkable 2

Best smart notebook splurge.

• Free one-year subscription to Connect app
• Left-handed mode
• Easily markup documents
• Expensive option
• Have to buy the marker separately

Those diligent note-takers looking to really splurge on a smart reusable notebook should consider the reMarkable 2. This notebook is more of a large-screen tablet with a low-latency E-Ink writing experience that makes you feel like you're writing on paper rather than on a tablet screen. In addition, with reMarkable's cloud app called Connect, you get access to standout features like screen share, handwriting conversion, unlimited cloud storage, and more.

Read the review:  reMarkable 2 E-Ink tablet: Superb for on-screen writing, but key features are still missing

ZDNET contributor Sandra Vogel was impressed with how it felt writing on the notebook. "There's a 'gritty' feel to using the stylus on-screen that's not unlike writing on paper," she said. "Both styli support 4,096 pressure levels, and there are plenty of pen choices and ink thicknesses to select from."

The reMarkable 2 comes with the option of either the Marker or Marker Plus pen that doesn't need charging and has a built-in eraser (only in the Marker Plus). Customers rate this smart notebook a 4.6 out of 5, calling out its use as an organizational tool for students and professionals alike.

reMarkable 2 features: Color options:  Black, blue, red, gray, and white |  Storage:  8GB internal storage |  Pages:  Stores about 100,000 pages |  Resolution:  1872 x 1404 

Digital notebooks, compared

The best smart notebook is the Boox Note Air 3 C. I made this pick based on its quality for the price, average rating, and standout features it offers, such as templates, split-screen, text recognition, and more.

*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.

Is a smart notebook just a fancy way of saying tablet?

If you're on the fence about buying your first tablet:

• What exactly is a digital notebook? The sole purpose of a smart notebook is exactly that, to digitize a normal notebook. A smart notebook will enhance your basic note-taking experience to another level with better handwriting integration and cloud services.

A tablet, usually runs on a mobile operating system and offers a wider range of functions such as browsing the web, multimedia, gaming, and other tasks. A digital notebook is more niche and designed specifically for note-taking and digital writing tasks. 

• Is a digital notebook worth it? You can find a digital notebook for well under $20, making it a pretty budget friendly option for students or anyone looking to organize their notes without breaking the bank. But, if you like for all your devices to be consistent in terms of software, then you might be better off spending a little more for a tablet.  

Which smart notebook is right for you?

While any of these smart notebooks are great options, it ultimately comes down to what size notebook you want, what kind of notes you will take, and what price you're willing to spend.

Factors to consider when choosing the best smart notebook:

When making our top picks, it came down to the following important factors. 

• Notebook feel:  Does the notebook have a traditional notebook feel? Does it have a resolution that makes it feel more like a tablet as opposed to a notebook, or an appropriate latency?
• Storage capabilities:  While some of these smart notebooks use actual paper, others have digital storage options. I considered both page count and storage capacity so you have plenty of room to write notes. 
• Price:  Smart notebooks range in price points from $10 all the way up to $450. The lower price points will get you real paper notebooks you can convert to digital notes, while the higher price points are more tablet-like notebooks. 
• Special features:  You may not need special features in a smart notebook, but they are nice to have. These include audio notes, page templates, cloud compatibility, etc. 

How did we test these smart notebooks?

I considered my own hands-on experiences with the products, as well as other ZDNET staff that have used and recommend these smart notebooks along with extensive research. We test these smart notebooks in real-world situations focusing on features, design, performance, and overall value. For products we recommend, we write a product spotlight review that we update periodically with new features and pricing information.

I also looked at real customer reviews (both good and bad) across various retail sites.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What's the best smart pen for my electronic notebook.

Our best pick for smart pens would have to be the Apple Pencil for Apple devices (but those only work strictly with Apple). For Windows users, the Wacom Bamboo is the next best option. but, as a general rule of thumb, you should use the pen designed for your notebook for software compatibility and functionality purposes. 

Do they come with a smart pen or are those sold separate?

Most smart notebooks already include a smart pen, but it will also depend on the manufacturer and specific model. Smart notebooks such as reMarkable 2 and Wacom Bamboo Slate include the smart pen with their notebook. 

Would I recommend a smart notebook for students?

Keeping your notes and reminders organized on a single device for school is the best way to improve your productivity in and outside of class. That is why we recommend all students look into our best list of smart notebooks and find which is right for their needs. The Boox is a great option since you can connect it to many third-party apps through the Android store and transfer any files onto it, like essays or notes from class. 

Do smart notebooks feel like paper?

That depends on the specific product. For example, Rocketbook's lineup of smart notebooks are made with real paper, as is the Moleskine smart notebook. However, other options like the Kindle Scribe and the ReMarkable 2 have low-latency, e-ink screens that feel paper-like, but you can still definitely tell they are more of a tablet than an actual notebook with paper. 

Can you use an iPad as a smart notebook?

While you won't get the "feel" of real paper with an iPad, you can use an iPad as a way to take notes digitally, especially if you have a quality stylus like the Apple Pencil. iOS apps like Noteflow allows you to take notes, annotate PDFs, sketch and doodle, and more while syncing to the cloud.

Are there alternative smart notebooks to consider?

I chose the best smart notebooks based on pricing, styling preferences, and purposes. If you want a few more choices, here are alternatives: 

ZDNET Recommends

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