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Why It’s in Your Best Interest to Write Your Common App Essay Before Your UC Essays

Topic: Admissions, advice, Essay Tips  |  Posted on June 27th, 2024  |  Written by CEA HQ

For students who hope to submit applications to a range of colleges, including the UCs, we always recommend writing your Common App 650-word personal statement before your UC personal insight essays. (And for good reason!)  Here’s why: 1) The Common App Prompts are Confirmed First The Common Application prompts are usually confirmed in January or […]

How to Answer the Required UC Transfer Application Essay in a Memorable Way

Topic: Admissions, Essay Tips, Essay Writing, Uncategorized  |  Posted on November 13th, 2023  |  Written by Kat Stubing

If you’re hoping to transfer to a University of California (UC) school next fall, you will have to write four essays. Transfer applicants are asked to respond to one required question (more on this below) and choose three of seven remaining prompts to respond to in 350 words or fewer.  These seven prompts overlap with […]

How to Complete the UC Application’s “Additional Comments” Section

Topic: Uncategorized  |  Posted on November 29th, 2021  |  Written by Kat Stubing

The UC Application offers students the opportunity to submit up to 550 words as “Additional Comments” within the Personal Insight section of the application. This space is reserved for additional information, and while it is tempting to use it to explore a subject of your choosing, students should use it sparingly. The directions read: If […]

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, […]

The University of California Essay Prompts 2017-18

Topic: advice, Brainstorming, College Admissions, College Spotlight, Essay Tips, Essay Writing  |  Posted on September 6th, 2017  |  Written by CEA HQ

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 […]

College Spotlight: UC Application 2016-17

Topic: College Admissions, College Spotlight, Supplemental Essays  |  Posted on July 5th, 2016  |  Written by CEA HQ

How could anyone not want to check out at least one of the campuses that the University of California offers students? You’ve probably heard of UC Berkeley and UCLA, but did you know that UC has nine campuses located all over California? And each one offers unique academic and social experiences. The University of California’s […]

What You Can Learn from Stalking Your Dream College on Facebook

Topic: College Admissions  |  Posted on June 2nd, 2016  |  Written by Thea Hogarth

You’ve been warned. In this digital age, 40% of college admissions officers scour your social media profiles about as closely as your academic records. While this Facebook (or Twitter or Instagram) stalking may seem invasive, it’s also a window into your judgement, values, and sense of humor – and now, two can play at this […]