One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming the first few drafts are supposed to sound impressive. They are not. Early drafts exist to help you think. The strongest essays emerge slowly, usually after several rounds of reflection, restructuring,...Read More
One of the biggest misconceptions students have about the college essay is that a unique topic is what makes an essay stand out. It is not. Admissions officers at highly selective colleges have read hundreds of thousands of essays. They...Read More
It’s time to write your college essay. If you are like most high school students, even the ones who love to write, you will likely dread the idea of writing your college essay. It’s got to be personal and vulnerable...Read More
Every summer, high school seniors across the country sit down and ask themselves the same question: What should I write my college essay about? It feels like the right place to start. It is not. Most of you have been...Read More
Option #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? At...Read More
Option #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. This essay is really asking about a defining experience. What has propelled your personal or intellectual growth and really contributed...Read More
Option #4: Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma- anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to...Read More
Option #3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Colleges are institutions of higher learning filled with people of varied backgrounds and different perspectives. Students are...Read More
Option #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?...Read More
Option #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. This essay is asking you to...Read More
