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CEA Blog

How to Optimize College Essay Brainstorming Sessions

Topic: Admissions, advice, Brainstorming, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Productivity, Quick Tips, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on July 18th, 2017  |  Written by Becca Myers

A ton of behind-the-scenes work goes into crafting a great college admissions essay, and it all begins with the brainstorm. While brainstorming was originally coined in the late 1800’s to signify “a severe mental disturbance,” today it refers to the low-pressure, rapid-fire process of generating ideas without self-censure. Here are four tips to get your creative […]

The 2017-18 University of Chicago Supplemental Essays are Here!

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Supplemental Essays  |  Posted on July 18th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

To all of the incredibly ambitious and creatively inclined students out there, the time has come. The 2017-18 U Chicago essay prompts are here. And, as always, they’re totally bizarre, challenging to the core, and, if you’re essay nerds like us, an endless supply of inspiration and entertainment. How will you make the most of […]

The 2017-18 Yale Supplemental Essay Prompts are Out!

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Supplemental Essays  |  Posted on July 18th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

You’ve been scouring the internet for weeks, maybe even months, trying to get a jump start on your Yale application to ensure your essays are imbued with that Ivy League-worthy je ne sais quois. Well, look no further. The supplements ready — but are you ready for them? (We think you are!) This year’s application […]

Ask Yourself These 4 Questions Before Volunteering Abroad

Topic: advice, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on July 11th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Many high school students engage in community service abroad, whether it be on mission trips with churches, schools, clubs, or family. Not all students, however, sit down to seriously ponder what the experience means to them and what they hope to both give to and get out of it. Volunteering in a foreign country can […]

Our Home State Creates Tuition-Free Program

Topic: College Admissions, News  |  Posted on July 7th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

New York has passed a program to make all public schools and universities tuition-free for full-time students, and we could not be more proud as pavement-pounding, hot-dog-eating residents of Manhattan. Students who attend school full time and are on track to graduate between two and four years can take advantage of this new program. Many […]

Dialogue: The Dos and Don’ts of Quotes in Your College Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on July 5th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

“Hey,” I began, “you have cow eyes. I know that sounds like a bad thing but have you ever looked into a cow’s eyes? They are so deep and brown and beautiful. I’ve looked into a lot a cow eyes because I’m from Wisconsin.” This dialogue segment is from Malcolm Conner’s winning “Modern Love” College […]

6 Tips to Make Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay Enjoyable

Topic: advice, Brainstorming, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on June 23rd, 2017  |  Written by Nina Bailey

It’s time to start brainstorming for your college essay! If you find the prospect of brainstorming to be far less fun than a.) sleeping outside b.) tattooing your tongue or c.) bathing in hot chili oil, don’t despair. We have six stellar suggestions for how to make brainstorming not only effective, but even (gasp!) fun: […]

Yale Welcomes the Use of Technology in College Applications

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, College Spotlight, News, Standout Students  |  Posted on June 16th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Are you the next Steven Spielberg? Quentin Tarantino? Ava DuVernay? Well, now is the time to work your cinematic magic, because Yale has opened its arms to digital uploads in place of a short essay! Since more and more of us spend time viewing content than reading it (summer reading list) in our daily lives, […]

Why Summer is the Best Time to Write Your College Essay

Topic: advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Productivity, Quick Tips, Starting Early, Summer Preparation, Tips  |  Posted on June 15th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Listen, we get it. The waves are crashing, sun is beaming, and all you want to do is chill. You’ve been working all year long to make sure your grades are up to par and that you’ve put enough energy into your (nine-thousand?) activities to make a real impact on your community and make an […]

The Common App Announces New Application for Transfer Students

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Common Application, News  |  Posted on June 12th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

The Common App has been a staple for college applicants for years, allowing undergraduate hopefuls to apply to multiple schools through the power of one application (with the choice of one essay prompt). The problem, however, was that all applicants found themselves facing an application meant for high school seniors, when only a fraction of […]

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