Smarter Prep, Authentic Essays, and Global Options: 3 Ways to Strengthen Your Admissions Strategy
Some say tests don’t matter. Others insist on resume-stuffing extracurriculars. Let’s cut through the noise and focus on three areas that matter most.
Why Your Best Idea Isn’t What You Think — And How To Find It
Q: How do I brainstorm a unique college essay topic? Start with moments, not achievements. List 10–15 memorable moments, note the insight from each, pick the one that best points to your future contributions, and draft from your perspective—not the event. Tie the story to how you’ll engage on campus. Your Essay Isn’t a Trophy […]
Top Common App Essay Prompts in 2025 and How to Answer Them
It’s time to face the most misunderstood piece of the college admissions puzzle: the personal statement.
Every year, families ask us: Which Common App prompt should we choose?
College Admission Essay Tips: Expert Review Strategies to Help You Stand Out
college essay. That 650-word Common App prompt—and the stack of supplemental questions still to come—can feel like a pressure cooker with no clear recipe.
Here’s what most people get wrong: they treat the essay like a farewell letter. A sentimental summary of “who I was” in high school.
But the best college admission essays? They look to the future.
Common College Essay Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Let’s make one thing clear: the college essay is not an English class assignment.
If you’re a rising senior staring down the Common App or supplemental prompts, here’s what you need to know. This isn’t the time to showcase your vocabulary, experiment with metaphors, or impress your AP Lit teacher. It’s the time to be strategic, honest, and above all—clear.
Because here’s the truth: most college essays fail not due to poor writing, but because of poor decisions.
They waste time. They over-explain. They try too hard.
And when an admissions officer is skimming their 47th essay of the day, you don’t get points for effort. You get points for resonance.