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Resources & Tips

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CEA Blog

Getting in Gear: 3 Ways to Make Writing the College Essay Easier

Topic: Admissions, advice, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Procrastination, Productivity, Quick Tips, quotes, Tips  |  Posted on June 15th, 2018  |  Written by Kat Stubing

They don’t call it writer’s block for nothing! Writing can be difficult, especially when you’re staring down the business end of a totally blank page. And super especially when you are under the gun to meet deadlines. If you’re feeling seen and your palms are starting to sweat, take a breath and summon the ghost […]

Your Guide to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About College Essays

There is a ton of information that high school juniors and seniors have to absorb as they begin their college admissions journey. Understandably, many students (and parents!) have a lot of questions.  We are in the business of alleviating the stress and pressure long associated with the college application process, so we’ve compiled a list […]

What Is Early Decision, Early Action, Single-Choice Early Action, and More? College Application Deadlines Explained

It’s basically impossible to start the college admissions process gradually. Practically from the moment you fill in the final SAT bubble, someone is asking you for something. Your guidance counselor wants a list of schools by Friday! Your dream school wants you to schedule a visit ASAP! Your favorite teacher is waiting for you to […]

Guide to Writing a Great Transfer Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on May 1st, 2018  |  Written by Kat Stubing

If you find yourself reading this post, you’ve already been through the college application process once. You wrote the essays; you got accepted (!); you made your choice. But now that you’re on campus, you’ve decided that this school just isn’t for you. It happens! The mere decision to re-apply and relive this entire process […]

This is What College Admissions Officers Look For in College Applications

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Tips  |  Posted on March 23rd, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

While the essay is a potent piece of the puzzle, it is important to remember that it is but one of the crucial components of your college application. There is also the transcript, which is undeniably one of the most important factors in an admissions officer’s assessment of any applicant. Even this pretty straightforward index […]

Why You Should Start Your College Essay Junior Year

Topic: Admissions, advice, Essay Resources, Quick Tips, Starting Early, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on February 14th, 2018  |  Written by Kat Stubing

It feels like it’s too early to start. Should you really take time out of your schedule to start writing your college essay? Yes! In a way. We agree that it’s a little early to begin the writing process in earnest, but you can never get enough of a head start on brainstorming how you […]

How to Use the College Essay to Your Advantage

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Inspiration, Nerds Of Wisdom, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on January 31st, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

So, you are settling into your comfy desk chair and cracking your knuckles, ready to start writing. You take a drink of water, open Microsoft Word and stare at the blinking cursor. You suddenly realize: you have no idea what you’re supposed to be accomplishing with this essay. Don’t worry, we are here to save […]

How to Write Your Personal Statement

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing  |  Posted on January 24th, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

So you want to know how to write your personal statement, huh? Well, let me tell you this: the best personal essays tell a story. And like all good stories, they have (drumroll, please) a beginning, a middle, and an end. As you pull the notes from your brainstorm into your outline, think about the […]

Two-Minute Cures For the Hopelessly Stressed

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Uncategorized  |  Posted on January 17th, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

We have always been skeptics when it comes to activities that require you to talk to yourself — or that prevent you from talking to anyone else. But science actually backs up the power of some of the following exercises. Though they may seem a little woo-woo at first, the truth is, when you’re desperate […]

The Origins of The Common Application

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Common App Prompts/Topics, Common Application, Uncategorized  |  Posted on January 10th, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

A long time ago (back when applicants had to – GASP! – hand-write their applications) in a land far, far away (upstate New York), some fine academic institutions decided to take pity on the cramping hands of college applicants by creating a standardized form to help students streamline the application process. This great work of […]

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