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Resources & Tips

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CEA Blog

How to Start Your College Admissions Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, Brainstorming, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, News, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on September 10th, 2018  |  Written by Kat Stubing

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

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on August 20th, 2018  |  Written by CEA HQ

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 […]

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 decided to compile […]

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 […]

Don’t Make These Mistakes in Your College Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Supplemental Essays, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on December 12th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

The admissions essay is a crucial part of your college application because it is the only chance you have to communicate with admissions officers in your own voice. You need to take advantage of every word at your disposal and send the message that you’re the kind of student that colleges should want on their […]

College Essay Checkups 2017

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Uncategorized  |  Posted on November 27th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

We all need a little TLC sometimes, even our essays. If you’re anything like me, after you stare at your essay for too long, it all but turns into hieroglyphics. It is no longer beautifully crafted sentences diving into overarching themes and humorous anecdotes. It is words on a page and you’re sick and tired […]

The Additional Information Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on November 10th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

It is not much discussed, but the Common Application offers students the opportunity to complete another essay in addition to the personal statement. (No, this is not a random bonus round.) This space is reserved for additional information and while it is tempting to use it to explore another random subject of your choosing, students […]