Get started on your application essays — this framework will help you for both your Common App essay and your supplementals!

A Useful Essay Writing Framework

Like many of the folks reading this post, I never had any life-changing circumstances or sob stories I could write about for college applications. I lived a fairly normal, uneventful life. As such, I spent weeks mulling over what topics I could discuss — what essays would make me stand out as an applicant. 

My Common App Essay: Pigeons

A few years ago, Harvard University was sued by Asian-American applicants for alleged bias in their affirmative action policies. In the wake of this lawsuit, the storied institution was forced to disclose some of their admissions practices. While I’m not here to pick a side in this matter, I did want to analyze what this lawsuit reveals about how Harvard accepts or denies applicants.

A Breakdown of Harvard's Admissions Lawsuit

A few days ago, I thought I would revisit some of the essays that got me into Stanford University. I’ll start with some of the shorter supplemental essays, and if you all find this type of analysis helpful, let me know and I’ll post more of these!

Sharing My Stanford Historical Moment Essay

The admissions process for physical science programs in college is challenging, making it hard to distinguish oneself. Starting college preparation early can help you showcase your interest in physics, astronomy, chemistry, or earth sciences. While good grades and test scores are essential, to stand out, you need to demonstrate personal attributes that align with the major and highlight your fit for a career in the physical sciences.

Extracurricular Activities for High School Students Interested in Physical Sciences

Colleges seek applicants who demonstrate passion and dedication in a specific area of interest, as these individuals are more likely to become leaders in their field. To stand out in the application process, it's crucial to showcase depth in one or two areas of interest through both coursework and extracurricular activities. Creating a spike that tells a comprehensive story about who you are as a student and individual is essential.

What is a College Application “Spike”?

Unlock the Secrets of Strong College Recommendations: A Guide for High School Students! Discover how to stand out from the crowd and impress admissions committees with insightful letters that showcase your unique strengths and accomplishments. Whether you're a student or a parent, this article will provide you with the insights and tools you need to succeed in the college application process.

How to ask for a stellar letter of recommendation

Choosing the right college is a critical decision for pre-med students, as it sets the foundation for their medical education and career. The right college not only prepares students for medical school but also helps them to develop the necessary skills, experiences, and networks to become successful physicians.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Pre Med

Discover the top colleges for creative writing and launch your writing career with confidence. Our guide covers program reputation, faculty quality, curriculum, and alumni networks to help you choose the best fit for your future.

Best Colleges for Creative Writing

Applying to college as an international student in the United States can be difficult, as there are many requirements to follow. In this article, we'll discuss how to apply for college in the United States as an international student, the advantages of attending a US college, student timelines to keep in mind, how to research colleges and universities, which major or degree to pursue, required standardized and English language tests, and more.

International Student Guide: How to Apply to College in the United States

With business programs in the United States becoming more popular, colleges are increasingly offering valuable business opportunities to undergraduates. In this article, we'll take a look at the top ten best undergraduate business programs in the United States, and we'll give some honorable mentions!

The Best Undergraduate Business Programs

College interviews can be a great way to impress universities and boost your admissions chances. Here are some of the most common questions to prepare for!

25 Common College Interview Questions for Students

Struggling to find extracurricular activities to do? Check out these 5 activities and stand out to colleges!

5 Underrated Extracurriculars that Look Great for College Applications

Make yourself a compelling social sciences applicant by taking part in these activities!

Interested in the social sciences? Check out these extracurricular activities!

Are you interested in engineering? Check out these extracurricular activities and stand out to colleges!

Extracurricular Activities for High School Students Interested in Engineering

If your high school grades were poor and you had a low GPA, getting into the college of your dreams could be difficult. But it doesn't mean you can't pursue your collegiate desires! It simply means you'll have to approach college applications differently. Let's look at how to get into college with poor high school grades.

5 Steps to Get into College with a Bad GPA

The Stanford roommate essay is a key component of your application to the university, and in this article, we'll show you what it is and give you tips for making yours stand out.

Tips for Writing Your Stanford Roommate Essay

For years, your children were repeatedly asked, what do you want to be when you grow up? Often times, this response changes over time, and students change what they want to be. Here's what students would change about their initial pick!

Discover the College Majors That Students Wish They Had (or Hadn't) Chosen

In 1935, future President John F. Kennedy was asked to write an essay about why he wanted to attend Harvard University. The results were…interesting. Keep reading to see what JFK’s essay looked like and what lessons we can draw from it!

Analyzing JFK's Successful Harvard Essay

If you're applying to college, you may have heard about (or even received) a likely letter. But what exactly is a likely letter? In this article, we'll discuss what these advantageous letters are and why colleges send them.

What does a likely letter mean for college admissions?

Coming up with college application essay topics is difficult for most students who are going through the already stressful college application process. To avoid receiving a handful of rejections come April, do not write about any of the following topics.

Five College Essay Topics to Avoid

Everyone is telling you that you need to start applying to scholarships and winning them. But how? Where should you even begin? Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of scholarships, when to apply, and how to find them!

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A Useful Essay Writing Framework

My Common App Essay: Pigeons

A Breakdown of Harvard's Admissions Lawsuit

Sharing My Stanford Historical Moment Essay