Diagnostics, tune-ups, and overhauls for college application essays and grad school personal statements
A lot of college applicants place particular value on opinions from college students and graduates who have been admitted to T20 schools: after all, the thinking goes, they must’ve done something right to get in. Unsurprisingly, some T20 college students and recent graduates exploit this notion. A college student or graduate’s success in getting into… Continue reading College Admissions Consulting Hell: Separating the Mostly-Harmless from the Totally Unqualified
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com Every college admissions consultant – professional and otherwise – seems to have a process for getting through college application essays. These processes typically contain a combination of well-worn advice and various steps that include brainstorming (and writing lists or random ideas), writing a shitty draft (I’m not sure if… Continue reading The Secret To Writing Any Essay
I am now offering reviews of the Common Application Personal Statement for students who would like actionable, detailed feedback on their CAPS. My reviews cover syntax, thematic and narrative consistency/cohesion, grammar, spelling, academic sophistication, redundancy analysis, word choice and whatever else I see fit. In addition to in-text/sidebar comments, I will also provide separate editorial… Continue reading New Service: $300 Common App Personal Statement Review
If you've followed me on the r/ApplyingToCollege subreddit or its Discord server, then you're probably familiar with my lengthy rants advising college applicants to avoid prompt 7 when they write their Common Application Personal Statement (CAPS). Despite my exhortations and pleas, I still receive messages containing either essays or abstract ideas intended for this prompt.… Continue reading The Problem With The Common Application’s 7th Prompt
There are a few harsh truths that no one wants to face about college application essays, writing in general, and the state of this aspect of the humanities in K-12 education as it relates to higher education. Since no one seems to be addressing them, I'm going to say the quiet part out loud, but I'm going to try not to re-litigate the case for literature, philosophy, and the humanities as they relate to culture.
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.
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.