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

  The Common App has released the essay prompts for the 2021-2022 application cycle.  Many of the prompts are the same with one new one. Here they are: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful...Read More

The comma is one of the most frequently used punctuation marks, but it is also one of the most misused. Here is a quick reference to help you determine where to place your commas. Creating Lists: You were likely taught...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