Resources & Tips


CEA Blog
3 Ways High School Juniors (and Sophomores!) Should be Preparing for the College Essay
Are you a high school junior or sophomore looking to get a jumpstart on your college admissions essay? You’re in the right place. Read on to find out more about this crucial piece of the college application puzzle and how you can set yourself up for success. Can you start your college essay too early? […]
What It’s Like to be a College Admissions Officer
Imagine you’re a college admissions officer. You’re pumped to dive into your pile of new applicants. You’re jazzed to see what the students of 2017 have to bring to your academic community. You’re responsible for viewing over 1,000 applications per season! This means 40 applications a day and 8.5 an hour! This gives you about […]
Follow this Timeline to Write a Winning College Essay
More goes into an essay than brainstorming, writing, and revising. You have to make sure you’re advancing through the process at the right speed. But how much time should you dedicate to each phase of the process?! Don’t worry, we have answers! Follow this timeline to keep yourself in check and ensure that when all […]
The University of California Essay Prompts 2017-18
All University of California schools require the same application – which is awesome for students who are interested in multiple campuses! The application doesn’t come without its downfalls, however. Students have to write four essays to be considered for admission. Since most students are also applying to other universities that accept the Coalition or Common […]
6 Tips to Make Brainstorming for the College Admissions Essay Enjoyable
It’s time to start brainstorming for your college essay! If you find the prospect of brainstorming to be far less fun than a.) sleeping outside b.) tattooing your tongue or c.) bathing in hot chili oil, don’t despair. We have six stellar suggestions for how to make brainstorming not only effective, but even (gasp!) fun: […]
CEA at the New York Times: Supplemental Essay Writing Class
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new weekend course at the School of the New York Times, “Supplemental Essay Writing: A College Essay Toolkit.” Every year, college applicants across the country find themselves buried by an unexpected avalanche of supplemental essays. Most students only write one personal statement, but they must answer anywhere […]