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CEA Blog

Ask Yourself These 4 Questions Before Volunteering Abroad

Topic: advice, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on July 11th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Many high school students engage in community service abroad, whether it be on mission trips with churches, schools, clubs, or family. Not all students, however, sit down to seriously ponder what the experience means to them and what they hope to both give to and get out of it. Volunteering in a foreign country can […]

Dialogue: The Dos and Don’ts of Quotes in Your College Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on July 5th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

“Hey,” I began, “you have cow eyes. I know that sounds like a bad thing but have you ever looked into a cow’s eyes? They are so deep and brown and beautiful. I’ve looked into a lot a cow eyes because I’m from Wisconsin.” This dialogue segment is from Malcolm Conner’s winning “Modern Love” College […]

6 Tips to Make Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay Enjoyable

Topic: advice, Brainstorming, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on June 23rd, 2017  |  Written by Nina Bailey

It’s time to start brainstorming for your college essay! If you find the prospect of brainstorming to be far less fun than a.) sleeping outside b.) tattooing your tongue or c.) bathing in hot chili oil, don’t despair. We have six stellar suggestions for how to make brainstorming not only effective, but even (gasp!) fun: […]

Why Summer is the Best Time to Write Your College Essay

Topic: advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Productivity, Quick Tips, Starting Early, Summer Preparation, Tips  |  Posted on June 15th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Listen, we get it. The waves are crashing, sun is beaming, and all you want to do is chill. You’ve been working all year long to make sure your grades are up to par and that you’ve put enough energy into your (nine-thousand?) activities to make a real impact on your community and make an […]

How to Dress Your Resume for Success: CEA’s Founder Gives Tips for Landing The Job

Topic: advice, From The Founder, Resume Help, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on May 29th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

Besides being a pasta fanatic and college essay expert, our Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, knows a thing or two about reaching academic and professional goals. Sure, each year she helps hundreds of students get into their dream schools by arming them with the tools required to craft the perfect college essay, but she […]

Guide to The NY Times’ Five Best College Essays on Work, Money and Class

Topic: advice, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, New York Times, Uncategorized  |  Posted on May 22nd, 2017  |  Written by Nina Bailey

Every year, The New York Times issues an open call for college application essays on the subject of money, work, and class. Money becomes a lens through which identity, family, and dreams, can be glimpsed. Out of the many submissions they received this year, The Times published the five best essays (four were published in […]

Five Foolproof Tips for Conquering the Common Application Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Common Application, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on May 12th, 2017  |  Written by Nina Bailey

  The first time I successfully did a handstand in yoga class, it was unexpected and almost effortless. My legs kicked up, and then, as if being lifted by string, I was supporting my body with my arms. When we talk about strategies for tackling the college essay, I like to tell the story of […]

The Activity Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Common Application, Essay Resources, Essay Writing, Uncategorized  |  Posted on December 10th, 2016  |  Written by CEA HQ

At one time, not so long ago, the Common App asked all applicants for a brief description of their most important extracurricular experiences. When that requirement became optional in 2013, many individual colleges took it upon themselves to issue a similar prompt as a replacement. The activity essay is an excellent opportunity to expand beyond […]

4 Things You Should NEVER Do When You Email A College Admissions Officer

Topic: advice, College Admissions  |  Posted on April 21st, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

Boot up your old desktop computers! We’re talking about email! While this super-retro phenomenon may seem as ‘90s as a choker necklace and as outdated as a carrier pigeon, it’s still relevant for the time being. Parents, you know what we’re talking about. So students, listen up. If at any point throughout your application process […]