At one time, not so long ago, the Common App asked all applicants for a brief description of their most important extracurricular experiences. When that requirement became optional in 2013, many individual colleges took it upon themselves to issue a similar prompt as a replacement. The activity essay is an excellent opportunity to expand beyond […]
October is over, early deadlines have passed, but terror still lurks around every corner. Boo! Surprise! You’re not done with your college applications yet. You’ve passed a major hurdle, and you should be proud, but the bulk of your applications have yet to be submitted. You’ve got two months left to power through the rest […]
It’s mid-September and the school year is fully underway. You’ve been working steadily on your college applications, powering through the personal statement and filling in your Common App and Coalition profiles. Things are going well, but you’re starting to feel this flickering sense of blah-ness. Or maybe you haven’t started yet, and you’re watching essays […]
Stanford University is consistently ranked as one of the hardest schools to gain acceptance to in the United States, but that doesn’t seem to stop students from applying in hordes every year. In this ridiculously competitive environment, distinguishing yourself from other applicants is tough, which is why Stanford’s sprawling supplement is your ally, not your […]
The University of Virginia has become an increasingly respected and popular academic institution over the past decade, and it’s easy to see why. This distinguished public university, located in Charlottesville, Virginia was founded by none other than United States president Thomas Jefferson. The Jeffersonian architectural influence is especially evident when visiting The UVa campus and […]
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 […]
“WHY?!” The word is echoing in your head. It’s the first thing you think when you wake up and the last thing you think as you lay down at night. It dances in your dreams, Dumbo-nighmare-sequence-style. When Chipotle asks if you want to add guac, it’s the only word you can think to say. If you […]
We have bad news and good news. The bad news is that the Common App personal statement, while important, is not the only essay you have to write; in fact, by now you may have noticed that many of your schools have one or two (or five) supplemental writing requirements. And if you’re applying to […]
October brings with it all manner of terror including chilly breezes, flu shots, pumpkin shortages, and the looming approach of early application deadlines. But one demon lurks in the shadows, lying in wait until the last possible second, when suddenly it pounces on unsuspecting applicants. It is the hidden supplemental essay, scourge of many […]
We thought so.
