How Auto-Admit and Auto-Merit Policies Work at Public Universities
Key Takeaways “Do I really not need to write an essay to get into this school?” For a surprising number of public universities, the answer is genuinely yes. If a studen...
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What to Do When You Have Too Many Good Topics
Key Takeaways “I don’t know what to write about — I have like six things I could use.” Most essay advice assumes the opposite problem. Not enough material, not ...
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The Danger of Writing to the Prompt Instead of Through It
Key Takeaways “The prompt asked about a challenge, so I wrote about my challenge.” That sounds reasonable. It’s also exactly how a lot of essays end up sounding l...
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Reflection Isn’t a Compliment You Give Yourself
Key Takeaways “I learned that I’m actually really resilient.” That sentence shows up in draft after draft. It’s not wrong. It’s just not finished. Ess...
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The “Why This College” Essay Is Not a Research Report
Key Takeaways A student opens the supplemental essay portal. “Why do you want to attend Yale?” They pull up the school’s website. Strong economics department. Bea...
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Your Recommendation Letters Are Part of the Narrative Too
Key Takeaways “I have two teachers who both said yes. Does it matter which one I pick?” Yes. It matters more than most students think. Students often treat recommenders...
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Writing About Identity Without Making It a Trauma Essay
Key Takeaways “I feel like I have to write about being the only Black kid in my AP classes, but I don’t want it to sound like a sob story.” This sentence, or some...
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Test Optional Doesn’t Mean Test Blind: How to Decide Whether to Submit Scores
Key Takeaways “So do I even need to take the SAT anymore?” That question comes up in almost every family meeting once test-optional policies enter the conversation. It&...
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Your College List Needs More Than Reach, Target, and Safety Schools
Key Takeaways: A student finishes their college list. Two reaches. Three targets. Two safeties. Balanced, on paper. Then a parent asks the obvious question: “Why this school?...
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Your Application Should Not Feel Like a Pile of Evidence
A strong application is not just a collection of impressive pieces. Essays, activities, awards, and recommendations should help the reader understand one student.
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