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CEA Blog

The Additional Information Essay: When and How to Use It

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 often discussed, but the Common Application offers students the opportunity to complete another essay in addition to the personal statement: the Additional Info Essay.  If you are wondering whether you should be writing and submitting an Additional Info Essay, you’ve come to the right place.  Read on to find out what the […]

Everything You Need to Know About Duke University

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, College Spotlight, Uncategorized  |  Posted on October 30th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

So you want to go to Duke University? You’re not the first and you definitely won’t be the last. With an acceptance rate of 9%, your chances aren’t great. So let’s make sure you really want to go to this school before you take the time to apply and, yes, write the essays. Undergraduate tuition […]

How to Outline Your Personal Statement Like a Boss

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on October 18th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

Okay, so you have drilled and drilled until your fingers could tap no more and your noggin was verifiably empty. You have thousands of words on the page and you have color coded your best material for building out the big picture and filling in the meaningful details. Now what? Could it be that it’s […]

New Additions to The Supplemental Essay Guide: TU and JHU!

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Supplemental Essays  |  Posted on October 11th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

Fear not, young students, for we have heard your pleas! We have added supplemental essay guides for both the University of Texas at Austin and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore!! Yay!!!           While the University of Texas requires one long essay and three short essays from most applicants, JHU only requires […]

We Have New Guides for the NYU, Columbia, and University of California Essays!

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Writing, Supplemental Essays  |  Posted on September 29th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

Hello essay rockstars! We have published new guides to help you navigate the tricky prompts brought to you by the 2017-18 college application season gremlins. Although some prompts can seem straightforward, it’s important to always keep your audience (admissions officers!) in mind. The supplemental prompt for NYU fits the model of a standard Why Essay, […]

What It’s Like to be a College Admissions Officer

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Resources  |  Posted on September 25th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

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 […]

The Amherst College 2017-18 Supplement is Next Level

Topic: Admissions, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Supplemental Essays, Uncategorized  |  Posted on September 15th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

Amherst College does not take supplemental essays lightly. The private liberal arts college in Massachusetts asks students to go the extra mile and write an essay inspired by one of the quotes they provide. Students also have the option to submit an essay presenting a persuasive argument. Since we believe the college essay works best […]

How to Write an Amazing Closing Line

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Resources, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Quick Tips, Tips  |  Posted on September 13th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

The last line of the essay is just as important as the first. The opening line sets a stage of intrigue and the closing line makes the final mark; don’t miss the chance to leave a lasting impression. The closing line can tie your story up in a neat little bow or leave admissions lingering, […]

How to Write a Great College Essay

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, From The Founder  |  Posted on September 11th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

Writing a great college essay is one of the most pivotal tasks students will complete in their senior year of High School. You’ve already passed your driver’s test and writing a fantastic college essay will help determine where you will be driving around for the next four years of your life! Our Founder and Chief […]

Time Management Tips for College Applicants

Topic: Admissions, advice, College Admissions, Essay Tips, Productivity, Quick Tips, Tips, Uncategorized  |  Posted on August 10th, 2017  |  Written by Kat Stubing

You wake up, get ready, go to school, go to practice, go to work, spend some much needed time with your friends, and then you’re supposed to write a college essay?!?! We know, we get it. It can be difficult to not only find time to write your college essay, but use that time efficiently. […]

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