Resources & Tips


CEA Blog
How this Student Got Into All 8 Ivy Leagues
Yes, he’s done it. Martin Altenburg, a 17-year-old from Fargo, North Dakota has gained acceptance into every Ivy League plus a couple more schools for good measure. You might be asking yourself, “But don’t Ivy Leagues have some of the lowest acceptance rates in the country?” Yes, they do! But Altenburg figured out the […]
Five Foolproof Tips for Conquering the Common Application Essay
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 Ultimate Guide to College Application Short Answer Questions | College Essay Advisors
Don’t be fooled by the minimal word count on these—they still require close consideration and strategy! Short answer questions are your opportunity to convey a sizable amount of personal information that most likely won’t appear anywhere else on your application. What was your favorite thing about last Friday? What would you like your future roommate […]
How to Write an Oddball Essay | College Application Guide
The Oddball Essay is a supplemental essay type that mines for information about not only who you are, but also how you think. Colleges are interested in the way your mind works so they can determine if you’d be a good fit for their campus community. Are you easily led down a rabbit hole of […]
How to Write a Compelling Community Essay | College Application Guide
The Community Essay is a standard supplemental essay type that mines for information about your social habits and favorite causes. Since you will become a member of whichever college community you choose to attend, it’s not surprising that admissions is curious to learn more about the communities you are already a part of and the […]
How to Write a Compelling Extracurricular Activity Essay | College Essay Advisors
Admissions knows you lead a busy life, both in and out of school, and this standard supplemental essay type is an opportunity to elaborate on your most meaningful or prolonged extracurricular involvement. Colleges have the expectation that you will be an active contributor on campus, and your past participation is a window into your future […]
How to Write a Compelling “Why This College” Essay
The famous Why Essay is one of the most common supplemental essay types, and it’s not difficult to ascertain why that is. When competitive colleges and universities are trying to carefully select applicants to admit to their institution, they want to find the ones who really want to be there. The “Why This College” Essay […]
24 Hours of Free College Essay Help on Black Friday
We’re doing it again! Get your latest dose of free college essay help on Black Friday 2016, when will be offering free 15-minute essay reviews to the first 50 people to send in their drafts. On anything from the Common App personal statement to school-specific supplements, we’ve got you covered. This event is perfect […]
Free College Essay Topic Help: June 28, 2016!
School is out. The sun is shining. The beach is beckoning. But you’ve got college essays to write. We know. If we were you, we’d want to prioritize bronzing over brainstorming, too. That’s why we’re giving away tons of free advice and goodies on Tuesday, June 28. Kick off your summer writing season with a […]
Bragging Writes College Essay Contest 2016
Congratulations to the future class of 2020! Acceptances are starting to roll in and we couldn’t be more excited for you, or prouder to have been a part of your journey. As one final hurrah, we’re holding a college essay contest to honor this year’s best essays. So, submit your winning application essay to the […]