University of California
Ethan Sawyer
How to Write the UC Essay Prompts 2024/2025 (+ ...

This guide covers how to write the UC essay prompts (or PIQs) with exercises and essay examples to help you along the way.

Common App, Student Resources
Ethan Sawyer
How to Write a Successful Common App Activities ...

Write an impressive college activities list for your common app using this step-by-step guide and awesome activities list for college applications example, with notes on how to select the right verbs and to decide how many hours per week to list. 

How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List
Personal Statement
Ethan Sawyer
27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top ...

Use these outstanding college essay examples to learn how to write your personal statement and supplemental essays for the college application.

Supplemental Essays
Ethan Sawyer
Why This College Essay Guide + Examples

Stand out on your Why This College essay. Read our Why This College essay examples and follow our clear guidelines to make sure you avoid potential pitfalls, include essential details in your Why This School essay, and use our tried-and-true research tools.

Student Resources
Andrew Simpson
How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for ...

Learn how to ask for a letter of recommendation for college with my comprehensive step-by-step guide and real-world examples

Student Resources

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Should I Discuss Mental Health in My Personal Statement or College Application? (And If So, How)?

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Should I Discuss Mental Health in My Personal Statement or College Application? (And If So, How)?

Especially with the increase in mental health challenges post-COVID, many students and families have asked us about whether (or how) to write about mental health in college applications—this guide will help you understand factors to consider, and, if you choose to write about it, how to do so.

A Guide to Interlochen Summer Camp

A Guide to Interlochen Summer Camp

If you’re hoping to attend Interlochen, or just curious about what it offers and how to apply, this guide talks you through what you need to know.

A Guide to the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

A Guide to the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

Hoping to explore and develop as a writer? This guide talks you through the amazing Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, including how to apply to its programs.

A Guide to the Summer Science Program (SSP)

A Guide to the Summer Science Program (SSP)

The Summer Science Program (SSP) is an amazing but highly competitive summer program for high schoolers—this guide walks you through what you need to know in order to apply.



A guide to internships for high school students

A guide to internships for high school students

Many high school students have asked us about how to go about finding internships, and how those internships can affect college admissions, so we built this guide to walk you through what you need to know.


Bank of America's Student Leaders Program: What it is and how to apply

Bank of America's Student Leaders Program: What it is and how to apply

A guide that walks students through details of the Bank of America Student Leaders program, including who’s eligible, how to apply, and what the program covers.


What is a technical school? What they offer and whether to apply

What is a technical school? What they offer and whether to apply

Many people are unaware of what options technical school offers, and whether they should consider attending a tech school program (or even how to assess pros and cons)—this guide talks you through what you need to know to make an informed decision.


Guide to the LaunchX Program: What it is, how to apply, and whether it’s worth it

Guide to the LaunchX Program: What it is, how to apply, and whether it’s worth it

Students frequently have questions about how to spend their summers—this guide walks through the LaunchX program and discusses potential pros and cons.


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Beyond the Numbers: Questions families should ask an educational consultant

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Beyond the Numbers: Questions families should ask an educational consultant

We find it frustrating (to put it politely) that plenty of IECs use admissions statistics in deceptive ways. So we want to break down what families should pay attention to, and why.



How many AP classes should I take?

How many AP classes should I take?

 Students and families are often unclear how the number of AP classes they take factors into college admissions—this guide talks you through what you need to know.