The 2016-17 Common Application is finally out! What changed and what stayed the same? How can you make the most of this college admissions tool? Our application essay experts have the answers and are here to help!
There is an upheaval in the world of college admissions. At least that’s what the members of the newly-formed Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success would have us believe as they prepare to launch a new mass application platform this summer. Since the announcement that over 80 elite colleges would be banding together to challenge […]
This past September, a coalition of 80+ top-tier colleges announced their #squadgoals to create a new kind of college application that would promote college access, affordability, and success for all students. This new platform would compete directly with the well-established Common App, offering students an alternative pathway to some of the best schools in the […]
While it’s important to recharge your batteries over the weekend and during school breaks, these rest periods also present great opportunities for you to start visiting colleges and learning more about the admissions process in general. That’s why we’ve handpicked three eye-opening books that you could easily read over a long weekend or break. They […]
Brace yourself for what we are about to say: parents can be helpful in the college essay writing process. Yes, it’s true. Though this may be hard to believe – whether you are a parent or a high schooler – we believe that parents may actually be a powerful secret weapon when used correctly. Of […]
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 […]
When high seniors first encounter the Common Application, most have little to no experience with the personal essay, but this is exactly what colleges expect you to deliver in your application. It’s a format that requires both a conversational tone and polished, insightful storytelling, but most students haven’t had many opportunities or reasons to proactively […]
The time has come. Flowers are blooming. The frost has permanently (we hope!) melted from the trees. Students everywhere have taken the incessant checking of their Instagram feeds to the fresh air of the outdoors. Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes a daunting task – beginning the college admissions essay. We are often […]