U.S. Education News; College Essay Prompts Get Absurd. ‘So Where Is Waldo, Really?’ Essays might now play a greater role in admissions. Good luck writing them.

With affirmative action banned, application essays ask about “life experience,” the one place in admissions where discussing race is still explicitly legal. By Anemona Hartocollis and Colbi ...

It may help to identify minority students, but experts caution against expecting essays to replace affirmative action. One of the essay prompts on the Common Application is: “Some students have a ...

An important part of the Common Application, which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, is the personal essay. Students are given six options as prompts, as well as a seventh option which is ...

Admissions counselors can tell when a student is truly passionate about what they are writing about, making for a more memorable essay. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious, so consider what excites you.

Tips for Writing a College Application Essay from Bucknell Admissions Counselors. March 3, 2025. by Matt Hughes. ... As soon as you've narrowed down the list of schools where you want to apply, check ...

An important part of the Common Application, which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, is the personal essay. Students are given six options as prompts, as well as a seventh option which is ...

How to Pick a College Essay Topic. You usually have several broad, open-ended essay prompts to choose from. Successful essays focus on a specific experience, hobby or quirk that reveals something ...

Students dread the application essay. Critics think it’s an exercise in fakery. Here’s why it’s worth preserving — and how to save it. Liza Libes is a writer and college counselor in New ...

The college admissions counselors reading your essay want to get to know you as an individual. They’re eager to hear your unique story. So, be personal, tell your own story, and the more specific to ...

The start of this year’s application cycle was more momentous than usual, as colleges introduced new essay prompts and adjusted requirements for a post–affirmative action world. Even in a typical year ...