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CEA Blog

The College Application ‘Activity’ and ‘Community’ Essays: What You Need to Know

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Want the key to writing the most important and pervasive school-specific supplemental essays? We’ve got the tips and tricks you need to conquer the ever-popular “Activity” and “Community” supplements so you can showcase for admissions how you spend your time, where you feel like you belong and what truly motivates you to action. Assigned by […]

What is a Supplemental Essay?

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Most supplemental essay prompts are designed to both gauge a student’s interest and determine where a student might fit into a school’s particular community. Typically, these essays focus more specifically on future academic and professional goals, school-related activities and a student’s role in your current community than the Common App’s personal statement. Watch this video […]

10 Things You Should NEVER Write in Your College Essay

Topic: Writing  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

In this video, we will walk you through the top 10 DON’Ts of the college admissions essay writing process, so you can submit your Common App personal statement and school-specific supplemental essays with the utmost confidence! This video will teach you: what not to write under any circumstance (or most circumstances), the mistakes applicants make […]

College Application Deadlines 101: Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling, and more!

Topic: College Application Deadlines  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? What is Single Choice Early action? Is there really an advantage to applying early? What does “rolling” admission actually mean? CEA’s Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, has all the answers.

How to Write a Powerful “Why Do You Want to Go Here?” Essay (The Why Essay)

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

The Why Essay takes on many forms and can ask many questions: What will you do when you get here? How will you take advantage of all the resources our school has to offer? How will the school support your academic or professional goals? How do your past experiences or future goals support these claims? […]

College Essay Examples: Writing About a Background, Identity, or Interest

Topic: College Essay Examples  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Many students choose to respond to the Common Application’s first prompt (listed below) for their personal statement. This student (who we’re referring to as The Nike Jordans), is one of them. In her essay, she writes about her background in a way that invites the reader to step into her shoes in order to learn […]

College Essay Examples: Challenging a Belief or Idea (with Humility)

Topic: College Essay Examples  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

In this essay, a student we’re referring to as The Graduation Speaker, answers Common Application prompt #3. (“Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?”) His essay is a fantastic example of how to approach this prompt with humility, wit, and likability. […]

How to Respond to Quirky, Odd, and Bizarre College Essay Prompts

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

There are certain schools, like the University of Chicago, who have always taken special pride in developing crafty questions for their applicants to answer. In recent years, more schools are jumping on the bandwagon, luring students to their applications with questions like “What does #YOLO mean to you” (Tufts, 2013). This is both fun and […]

How to Gain Acceptance to Boston University (with Winning Supplemental Essays)!

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

The Boston University application supplement is a gift: two of the most straightforward prompts you could ask for, and only one of them is required [full prompts below]. But beware, a simple supplement is no reason to ignore a school or save it until the last minute. In fact, it means you have no excuse […]

How to Write the “Why NYU?” Essay

Topic: Supplemental Essays 101  |  Posted on September 20th, 2019  |  Written by Kat Stubing

New York University (NYU) asks undergraduate applicants to pen one supplemental essay (prompt below) in addition to the personal statement. CEA’s Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, is here to tell you everything you need to know in order to draft a compelling response.

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