Resources & Tips


CEA Blog
Why Summer is the Best Time to Write Your College Essay
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 […]
The 3 Most Common College Essay Topics: Why CEA’s Founder Thinks You Should Write About Them Anyway
The whole point of writing a college essay is to differentiate yourself from other applicants and place yourself ahead of the pack. For this reason, many students shy away from writing about common college essay topics. CEA’s Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, believes this doesn’t have to be the case. Stacey recently published an […]
How to Dress Your Resume for Success: CEA’s Founder Gives Tips for Landing The Job
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
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
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 […]
5 Tips for the Perfect Summer College Road Trip
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 […]
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 […]
5 Things You Have To Do Now That The SAT Is Over
Your second to last chance to take the SAT before the end of the school year is this Saturday and you are prepared. In fact, you may be SO prepared for the SAT that it’s all you’ve been thinking about. Well, that and season 2 of Dark. But after you color in that final circle, […]
Guide to the 2016-17 Coalition Application Essay Prompts
There is an upheaval in the world of college admissions. At least that’s what the members of the newly-formed Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success would have us believe as they prepare to launch a new mass application platform this summer. Since the announcement that over 80 elite colleges would be banding together to challenge […]