“Real college essay examples” is one of the most commonly searched phrases in the college application Googleverse. Cloaked in mystery, the personal statement is an assignment that students rarely encounter before senior year. And yet the college-applying hordes are required to tackle this beast every year. “Surely the successful essays of my predecessors will hold […]
“Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.” — Isaac Asimov
The average admissions officer reviews over 1,000 applications per admissions cycle, enduring a host of hackneyed college essay topics and combatting the urge to groan at the cliched treatment of usual-suspect topics that reveal little to no information about the student at hand. Applicants often choose to write about these subjects because they THINK the […]
The Common Application went live earlier this month, so you already know the task it is going to ask of you: use 650 words to describe yourself and make the various college admissions officers fall head-over-heels, rom-com style in love with you and your delightful youness. YIKES! What’re you gonna do? What’re you gonna do?? WHAT’RE […]
Do you ever get so fed up with the real world that you just want to leave the human race? Get primal? Go back to nature? Be a goat? Or are you the Snow White type who befriends all creatures and even has them at your wedding? Or maybe your personal call of the wild can […]
A LOT of really important stuff has happened over the past few weeks. The Republican Debate came and went (hope you were all watching to stay informed, you soon-to-be-voters!), Hoverboards are now totally a real thing, World of Warcraft released an AWESOME new expansion, and most importantly and tragically: Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy BROKE.UP! […]
Our choices in life matter. Perhaps signing up for the right English class at the right time helped you discover your passion for literature. Maybe you decided to eat a day-old burrito for lunch, only to rue the decision a few short hours later. Occasionally you may turn left when you normally turn right. The […]
There are some things in this world that really just can’t be explained. Like why BBC’s “Merlin” only got five seasons, why stores start selling summer clothing in February and then start selling fall clothing in July, or how this beluga whale got so ripped (seriously though, it’s weird…). But I’m sure the unanswered question […]
Hello, readers! Welcome back to Personal Essay Spotlight! We know that you are now confident that you have SOMETHING to write about (but if you’re still struggling, try these great brainstorming techniques!), and we know that you’ve nailed the concept of keeping sight of the big picture, so this week let’s talk about storytelling. Benjamin […]
We know. Your phone is basically magic. You can connect with your friends instantly! You can order 500 pizzas! And Snapchats – WHERE DO THEY GO?! But we bet you didn’t know that your phone – smart or standard – has a number of basic features that can make a world of difference to your […]
We thought so.
