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CEA Blog
Transforming Good Essays into Great Ones with Common App Essay Revisions
Here it comes—the behemoth that lurks in the dark, prompting you to look over your shoulder, a cold sweat dripping down your neck. Your breath quickens as you pick up your pace—but no matter how fast you go, it’s still just behind you. It’s the one admissions essay to rule them all: the dreaded Common […]
Three Reasons to Write Your Regular Decision Application Essays Immediately
Every year, we work with students who pour their blood, sweat, and tears (okay, maybe not blood) into their Early Action and Early Decision application essays and, once November 1 rolls around, they are ready for a well-deserved break. We could not be more on board! But that well-deserved break should last one week only […]
How to Finish Your College Essays in Time for Submission
If you’re reading this, odds are you’re staring at your calendar while a single bead of sweat drips down your face. First, get a tissue. Blot. Next, get comfortable; you’re about to accomplish something spectacular. In order to finish all of your college essays—we’re talking the Common App essay, UC essays, supplemental essays, COVID essays, […]
What Can You Accomplish in the Common Application Essay?
There are a few things you should be specifically aiming for in your college essay, and all of them are easy enough to accomplish: Make Yourself Memorable: In advertising, the idea of making yourself memorable is called “branding.” Celebrities often call it “star power.” What it really boils down to is finding something about yourself, […]
Where Does the Essay Fit into the Overall College Application?
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 […]
How to Start Your College Admissions Essay
It’s a classic story of student-visits-campus, and it goes like this. First, student visits campus (duh). Then, student notices campus’ uncanny likeness to a wizarding school that shall-not-be-named. Student declares undying love for campus. Student decides to apply Early Decision because student is All In™. But then student realizes it’s only July. The deadline is […]
The Best Way to Proofread a College Essay
If you have happened across this article, then congratulations! You’ve finished a draft of your college essay! Now is the time to make sure your essay is fit for submission. To initiate the proofreading process, put your detective hat on. It’s time to search the dark corners of your essay for mistakes. Errors are your […]
How To Approach The College Essay as a STEM Student
So you’re not about to declare a Creative Writing major and your dream has never been to win a Pulitzer prize. The words don’t come naturally to you and you have trouble transforming your ideas into eloquent sentences. You might find yourself working harder in English and relaxing in Math and Computer Programming classes (in […]
How to Write a College Essay When You Have Learning Differences
You sit down to start writing your college admissions essay. Maybe you wonder whether you should write about your learning differences. Perhaps you have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, APD, LPD, ASD, and/or ADHD. Whatever the case may be, we bet your learning differences have played a big role in your education, and maybe even your life […]
Getting in Gear: 3 Ways to Make Writing the College Essay Easier
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 […]
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