At its core, Irena Smith’s job as an independent college counselor means being a writing coach. With a PhD in comparative literature, the former Stanford admissions officer helps her teenage clients ...

Writing college essays that stand out is a critical step in the college admissions process. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and a compelling essay can make a ...

Writing the personal essay for your college application can be tough, but we’re here to help. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, but the sooner you begin, the more time and thought ...

As the college essay program manager for Write the World, a nonprofit writing organization for teens, I oversee a group of advisers who guide students through the essay writing process. I have seen ...

If you talk to your friends — or worse, your parents talk to their friends — you might feel like you need to write a heroic narrative about overcoming monumental challenges while accumulating an ...

College essay writing can seem daunting. One feels compelled to do well, remain concentrated, and follow deadlines. It’s not as difficult as it looks, so don’t be concerned. A few useful tips and the ...

You’ve finally embarked on your journey toward college, and now it’s time to tackle the admissions essay. It’s important to leave a lasting impression and set yourself apart from the competition, but ...

Every year more than a million students use the Common Application, a standardized electronic form accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, to apply to college. And every year since 1976, the Common App, ...

A powerful Common App essay is a key component of the college application process. Most high school students who are applying to college start out by completing the Common Application that is accepted ...

Need advice on selecting personal insight questions or writing any college application essay? Get insights from UC Davis Admissions Director, Robert Penman and Admissions blog editor, Abigail Loomis.