Let’s face it, the competition is fierce to gain entry into Ivy Leagues and other prestigious institutions across the nation. In 2019, many schools reported record low acceptance rates for the Class of 2023, though Stanford wasn’t one of them. For the first time, Stanford opted out of reporting data regarding admissions rates (having announced […]
Deadlines are the worst. Even the word looks terrifying. It has the word “dead” in it. What’s with that? Bitter feelings aside, deadlines are inevitable. And many Regular Decision deadlines are going to be here before you know it. Whether you’re applying Regular Decision to safety, target, or dream schools, it’s important to make sure […]
So: you’ve written your Common App personal statement, finished your supplemental essays, acquired recommendations from your favorite teachers, created a fantastic activity resume, sent out your applications, crossed your fingers (and toes!), and now all you have left to do is wait for the results. And waiting is the wooorst! Especially this year, with standardized tests […]
Early Action and Early Decision deadlines will be here before you know it. If you have one school in mind that is your ride-or-die, you should definitely consider applying Early Decision to put yourself toward the front of the pack. Many schools tend to accept a higher percentage of both Early Decision and Early Action applicants than […]
There are a few things you should be specifically aiming for in your college essay, and all of them are easy enough to accomplish: Make Yourself Memorable: In advertising, the idea of making yourself memorable is called “branding.” Celebrities often call it “star power.” What it really boils down to is finding something about yourself, […]
While the essay is a potent piece of the puzzle, it is important to remember that it is but one of the crucial components of your college application. There is also the transcript, which is undeniably one of the most important factors in an admissions officer’s assessment of any applicant. Even this pretty straightforward index […]
School. Is. Almost. Out. For Summer. And now, dear seniors, the real work begins. Summer is the perfect time to firm up your list of target schools and get to know the platforms you will be using to submit your applications. If you’ve been wondering whether your dream schools are on the Common Application or […]
This article was originally posted on USA Today. Yes, there is such a thing as writing your college essay too early. For over a decade, my students (and their parents) have heard me deliver this refrain, and it remains true as it ever was. At the sprightly age of 16 or 17, students are pulling […]
This article was originally published in USA Today. Every year, as my team at College Essay Advisors (CEA) begins to brainstorm essay topics with our students, the same refrain always emerges: “I read that I shouldn’t write about this” or “My teacher said I shouldn’t write about that.” What subjects are actually taboo in a college essay? […]
To absolutely no one’s surprise, this was a very competitive year for college applications. With each passing year more applicants pen Early Action and Early Decision love letters to their dream schools. In response, top schools have carried on with their tradition of accepting a very small percentage of these eager applicant pools (but still […]