For many students, the phrase optional admissions interview triggers a familiar fear: What if I say the wrong thing? What if I don’t have the perfect answer? It’s easy to imagine the interview as exposing and unforgiving. Yet, the optional admissions interviews are as much for the applicant as for the college. Think of the…
At some time, the rumor started, then spread year after year, that college admissions officers admit students who have experienced heartbreak, difficulty, the “I overcame this challenge” narrative. So, students often compare their experiences to loss or catastrophe or illness, paralyzed to start writing when nothing seems “tragic enough.” But, in reality, admissions officers seek…
Many students think the first draft of their college essay must be perfect. The truth? Writing begins with a mess. Start by “yapping”—rambling in a Google Doc, voice note, or even a notebook. Talk about what frustrates you, what excites you, what keeps showing up in your life. The ideas don’t have to make sense…
Many students get stuck when starting their college essays, convinced their lives are too “boring” or lacking in dramatic experiences to be worth reading about. But college essays aren’t about trauma—they’re about insight. Admissions officers seek understanding of the person—perspective, motivations, and the meaning of one’s experience. And those experiences don’t need to be earth-shattering.…
In recent years, more students seek any advantage in the competitive college admissions process, thus more are applying in early admissions programs like Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). ED, a binding admissions agreement, requires students to commit to that college, if accepted, rescinding all other applications. EA, however, is non-binding, so students apply…
In December, students who applied early admissions—whether Early Action or Early Decision—will receive one of three responses: Admitted, Denied, or Deferred to the Regular Decision pool. Yet, for teenagers, the responses often translate emotionally as: Validated (or Vindicated), Rejected, and In-Between (not quite a rejection, but not an acceptance either). For both students and parents,…
“Brevity is the soul of wit.” Polonius, Hamlet, William Shakespeare Being concise, we can communicate with intelligence and clarity. When writing, especially without the chance to explain our meaning as is possible in conversation, brevity ensures readers can more likely grasp our ideas effectively. Since most college essays are limited in word count, then students …
Parents of rising high school seniors typically are proud, excited, and anxious in the summer before submitting college applications. Commonly, parents worry about quality of their teen’s college essays, as their teens do everything else BUT work on the college essay. Some tips to frame any fears and support teens through this important transition: Quality…
As we previously discussed here and here and here, as well as contrary to popular belief, studying computer science is not necessarily a guarantee of a high paying job upon college graduation. Yet, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Computer-Science Majors Graduate Into a World of Fewer Opportunities: Computer and information science is…
Searching for “The Ideal College”, students often seek the most elite admissions possible. Many believe a seemingly “prestigious” or “ranked” college equates to greater professional opportunities after graduation, as well as seek the “reward” for a lifetime of effort to best the academic meritocracy. But I want all this work that I’ve done in high…
High schoolers tend to write passive constructions in academic writing, often needing to fulfill assigned word counts requirements in order to earn the highest grade. Students can often dilute their intended meaning with verbosity. Yet, for college essays, students need to write in an active tense, self-assured and self-aware, as they are essentially writing their…
Students are advised to request the letters 6-8 weeks prior to the application deadline, ideally from two academic teachers: history, English, language other than English, math, or science, plus their high school counselor. Students should select teachers with whom they built a trusting relationship, regardless if a teacher’s academic expertise is related to their potential…
Some private university admissions officers invite prospective applicants to schedule evaluative admissions interviews before applying. Students have a dual opportunity: develop more understanding of the university, and present more insights about themselves. Applicants should note the deadlines for requesting and completing the optional interviews. Notably, some admissions officers, especially at Ivy League institutions, arrange alumni…
The college essay is autobiographical, not a typical academic writing exercise. However, most students have been trained to write academic assignments, according to a structured grading rubric aligned with the teacher’s expectations. However, crafting an autobiographical essay demands different skills and efforts, including a thorough examination of one’s life experiences. Then, students can effectively communicate…
It’s a mistake to start the process of drafting college essays by choosing a prompt, then brainstorming ideas based on an interpretation of said prompt. By focusing too narrowly on writing exactly to the prompt, students can contort their own voice and write an essay that isn’t authentic. The Common Application Writing Section‘s directions specifically…