Diagnostics, tune-ups, and overhauls for college application essays and grad school personal statements
So you're wondering how important college applications actually are. Students that intend to apply to competitive colleges and universities spend most of their high school years in something of a vacuum, pursuing extracurricular activities (ECs), volunteering, preparing for standardized tests, collecting letters of recommendation, and taking AP classes to demonstrate their academic ability and discipline as well as their "fit" for the schools they're targeting.
Looking for some tips to make your college application essay stand out? Avoid falling into the trap of using clichés and overused language that can make your essay – and you – sound uninspired and unoriginal. Every year, students unwittingly rely on the same tired phrases and ideas, which can hurt their chances of being… Continue reading Don’t Let These Clichés Kill Your Essays
Are you struggling to come up with writing topics? You're not alone. Many students feel that their experiences are not as exciting as those they read about online, from peers, or in the news. This is particularly true when applying to college, where certain hardships and obstacles seem to be more valued than others.
Adapted from two AMAs I did on Reddit in May 2019 and August 2022
The Common App's first prompt reads: "Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story." But how do you approach it...?
The Common App essay, also known as the Common Application Personal Statement or CAPS, is a vital component of the college application process. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most misunderstood aspects, causing students and parents alike to experience genuine malaise and panic.