The unimaginable has occurred. You have been waitlisted at the school of your dreams. Even Frank Bruni’s lighthearted jibes about plunging Ivy League admission rates don’t soften the blow of Yale and Harvard’s record low acceptances this year. The class of 2020 at each of these esteemed institutions comprises just slightly more than 5% of […]
Juniors! Do you smell that? It’s the end of the year creeping closer. Soon, your time as juniors will close and you will open a new chapter as seniors and college hopefuls. The end of the year is a big part of this transition and can be a critical runway for starting your college applications. […]
Congratulations to the future class of 2020! Acceptances are starting to roll in and we couldn’t be more excited for you, or prouder to have been a part of your journey. As one final hurrah, we’re holding a college essay contest to honor this year’s best essays. So, submit your winning application essay to the […]
College fair season is in full effect. Prepare to get swept away in a sea of your peers and competition, all dressed similarly, carrying folios and streaming into the already packed event space. Some common adjectives for these sorts of events include: itchy, smelly, and overwhelming. Now, take a deep breath and stop paying attention […]
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new weekend course at the School of the New York Times, “Supplemental Essay Writing: A College Essay Toolkit.” Every year, college applicants across the country find themselves buried by an unexpected avalanche of supplemental essays. Most students only write one personal statement, but they must answer anywhere […]
The College Board’s 2014 announcement that there would be a complete overhaul of the SAT sent many people into a tizzy; and the time has finally come for students to meet the new test. The good news is, even with the test’s latest revisions, you know more than you think you do. Guest blogger and test prep expert Erika […]
With the early release of the 2016-2017 Common App essay prompts came an early onset of anxiety for high school juniors around the country. Even though experts at Harvard are trying to quell the intense pressure of the admissions process, it’s hard not to have college on the brain. Contemplating personal essay prompts this early […]
Ah, Presidents Day. That random break in the middle of February. It’s the perfect time to contemplate the Declaration of Independence, memorize the score of Hamilton, or create a portrait of Thomas Jefferson using nothing but bottle caps. Alternatively, you could abandon all patriotic rumination and go on a quest for the perfect rainbow bagel […]
Yes, it’s true. While you were sleeping, the tiny elves powering the Common Application were up all night perfecting the 2016-2017 prompts. This unprecedented early release gives juniors almost an entire year to plan for this momentous assignment. Plus, the 2016-2017 Common App prompts are exactly the same as the 2015-2016 prompts! So, juniors, make […]
This week, CEA founder Stacey Brook provided some unique insight into Harvard’s recent “Turning the Tide” study. The college essay has become a crucial turning point in the application process that reveals just how damaging the college admissions culture has become. Stacey writes: I see it all the time: Imposter Syndrome in a thoughtful and […]
We thought so.
