Essay about what?
A safe choice, for printed text would be a serifed typeface.

Its a design related essay. I dont really want the font to reflect the content in this case, im just after a nice alternative to the standard essay fonts.

I understand I need a serif font, but there are so many :s

Even if you don't want the font to reflect the content, it should at least remain appropriate.
Dp you need "special" features? (i.e. small caps, lining numerals, superscript, semibold, optical sizes for footnotes, etc.)

You mentioned default Microsoft fonts. Are you at a institution with a full Adobe install?

Hi. I don't need any special features, just numbers, lower and upper case.

I have access to all the adobe programs and I will probably be using in design for the project.

I'm not really after anything wacky, just something easy on the eyes :)

Adobe apps come bundled with a number of fine serif text typefaces.
Adobe Caslon, for one, or, if you want something a bit less formal, Chaparral.

I set my dissertation in Arno Pro. It worked beautifully.