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CEA Blog

Bragging Writes Winner: A Real College Essay that Really Worked!

Topic: College Admissions, Essay Tips, International Students  |  Posted on May 25th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

We are thrilled to announce that Kelly Porter’s essay, “En Español, Por Favor,” is the First Place winner of CEA’s Bragging Writes college essay contest. Her thoughtful approach to the Common App’s fifth prompt, about the transition from childhood to adulthood, stood out from the pack. Kelly’s essay caught our attention from the first line, […]

The 2016-17 Coalition Application Essay Prompts Have Been Released

Topic: College Admissions, International Students, Most Popular  |  Posted on April 21st, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

This past September, a coalition of 80+ top-tier colleges announced their #squadgoals to create a new kind of college application that would promote college access, affordability, and success for all students. This new platform would compete directly with the well-established Common App, offering students an alternative pathway to some of the best schools in the […]

Don’t Miss CEA at the 2016 NACAC College Fair in NYC

Topic: College Admissions, Essay Tips  |  Posted on April 18th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

This Sunday, hundreds of students will pay a visit to the fabled Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan for the 2016 NACAC College Fair. This incredible free event will give juniors the opportunity to explore a huge range of higher education options and get detailed information in subject-specific workshops. Plus, we’ll be there! Two friendly […]

Your 5-Step Guide to Surviving the Wait-List Apocalypse

Topic: College Admissions, Uncategorized  |  Posted on April 14th, 2016  |  Written by Stacey Brook

This post was originally published on USA Today College. The recent onslaught of wait-list letters arriving in the inboxes of disappointed students around the country probably isn’t quite as dire as a zombie apocalypse, but the terrors can be just as scary to combat. Once you’re infected, that feeling of unease can penetrate your life […]

4 Strategies for Getting Yourself off the Waiting List and into Your Dream School

Topic: College Admissions  |  Posted on April 7th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

The unimaginable has occurred. You have been waitlisted at the school of your dreams. Even Frank Bruni’s lighthearted jibes about plunging Ivy League admission rates don’t soften the blow of Yale and Harvard’s record low acceptances this year. The class of 2020 at each of these esteemed institutions comprises just slightly more than 5% of […]

The 5 Best Questions to Ask at a College Fair

Topic: College Admissions  |  Posted on March 24th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

College fair season is in full effect. Prepare to get swept away in a sea of your peers and competition, all dressed similarly, carrying folios and streaming into the already packed event space. Some common adjectives for these sorts of events include: itchy, smelly, and overwhelming. Now, take a deep breath and stop paying attention […]

3 Essential Books for Writing the Personal Statement

Topic: Essay Tips  |  Posted on March 10th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

While it’s important to recharge your batteries over the weekend and during school breaks, these rest periods also present great opportunities for you to start visiting colleges and learning more about the admissions process in general. That’s why we’ve handpicked three eye-opening books that you could easily read over a long weekend or break. They […]

5 Reasons You Should NEVER Buy an Admissions Essay

Topic: College Admissions, Essay Tips  |  Posted on February 18th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

With the early release of the 2016-2017 Common App essay prompts came an early onset of anxiety for high school juniors around the country. Even though experts at Harvard are trying to quell the intense pressure of the admissions process, it’s hard not to have college on the brain. Contemplating personal essay prompts this early […]

2016-2017 College Application Calendar for Juniors

Topic: College Admissions, Common App Prompts/Topics, International Students, Most Popular  |  Posted on January 13th, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

Dearest juniors-or do you now prefer to go by “rising seniors?” Dearest class of 2017, welcome to the busiest year of your life. Before you start stockpiling RedBull or making plans to flee to Cuba, know that you can do this. At this very moment, you have the whole year ahead of you, and if […]

You Can Write Your College Essay in 10 Days. Take the Challenge.

Topic: Essay Tips, International Students, Most Popular  |  Posted on September 24th, 2015  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

With early decision deadlines inching ever closer, the rush to get those college essays written is real. But fear not, dear applicants! Our Uncommon Essay Approach, will help you can craft winning essays in just 20 minutes a day for 10 days! (Or condense the process and get it done in even less time!) Just follow […]

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