They say orange is the new black and it seems like transfer is the new freshman. Duke University, a school with an incredibly low acceptance rate, is spreading its wings and accepting more transfers than ever before. But why?! “We want to increase the number of transfer students gradually because there’s an acknowledgement that transfer […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Okay, so it’s senior year and you have approximately one billion things on your plate. Not only do you have school at least six hours a day, but you also have all of your after school activities, sports, homework…maybe even a part-time job. With everything going on in your life, how are you supposed to […]
This summer, you’re probably doing a lot of things to get ready for your senior year. You’re obviously beginning your summer reading list early so you don’t have to cram five books in the week before school starts. You may have just started your first real job, or are taking as many shifts as possible […]
The University of Chicago is known for its intellectually rigorous core curriculum, beautiful gothic architecture, and quirky application supplement (more on those oddball essay prompts below). It’s a nerd paradise where the blustery Chicago winters are the perfect excuse to stay inside with a nice book or ten. Even though the unofficial school motto is, “If […]
Where will YOU go this summer? Is a good long stay at camp in your future? Will you head abroad to study or volunteer? How about a trip to Canada to hang out with ducklings and nice people? Is the inside of the local ice cream parlor your destination of choice? Will you be wielding […]