OH NO! Common Application Technical Glitches?!?

The Common Application unveiled a new interface this Fall, which is currently experiencing a range of technical issues.  The New York Times recently highlighted several issues from difficulties with payments and submitting letters of recommendation.  Stressed clients have also been calling and texting, after encountering similar challenges.  Don’t worry.   After a query of college admissions…

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Common Application Essays Part 5: Essay Prompt 3 Explained

Knowing the definition of the prompt can help applicants select topics that most effectively highlight their qualities and give understanding to their qualifications for admissions. Our latest podcast defines the third of five new Common Application essay prompts, that asks applicants to: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted…

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Common Application Essays Part 4: Defining Prompt 2

Knowing the meaning of the essay question can help college applicants write the most insightful college essays possible.  Luckily, we, at Creative Marbles Consultancy, have done the defining work.  Over the last decade, we’ve complied a stack of hand-written, dog-eared yellow pads full of words, along with a growing library of digital photos of our…

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Common App Essays Part 2: How to Write College Essays

Knowing what the college essay adds to a college application, as we discussed in the first podcast of our Common Application essay series, is only the first step in developing a competitive personal statement.  The following podcast advises Seniors how to actually write the autobiographical college essay, and addresses common challenges in the drafting process.   The college…

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Northwestern University’s 2012 Common Application Supplement Essay Defined

Northwestern University includes one essay question as part of their Common Application Supplement.  The question is designed to gain insight to the student’s interests and their potential match with Northwestern, which reads: What are the unique qualities of Northwestern – and of the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying – that make you…

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University of San Diego Supplement Essay Defined

The key to writing a competitive college essay is understanding the prompt.  (Sounds simple, but in the heat of writing college essays, while still keeping up with 15 hours a week of extracurricular activities, plus going to school and completing everyday homework,  clearly defining the prompt may be overlooked.)  Not to worry, we’ve done half the…

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Defining Claremont McKenna: Understanding the Supplement Essay Prompt

The Supplement questions of the Common Application are not only another opportunity for applicants to state WHY s/he is a strong candidate for admissions to ________ university, they reveal more about the college’s values and academic environment the student may join, eventually.    As previously stated in earlier posts, competitive essays start with a thorough…

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“OMG! I Have to Write a Common App Supplement Essay, Too?!? How?”

Essays can be one way for applicants to distinguish themselves and present their case for why s/he should be admitted.  But, they require some effort. Often, the Common Application Supplements–which are a series of questions specific to the individual college submitting in addition to the general Common Application–provides the applicant the opportunity to tell more…

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