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

Developing a College List on a Budget

Developing a College List on a Budget

Because college can be incredibly expensive, this guide discusses how to develop a strong college list while keeping costs and budget in mind.

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How to Answer the Diversity (and Other Related) Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

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How to Answer the Diversity (and Other Related) Supplemental Essay Prompts 2024-2025

After the 2023 Supreme Court decision on race in college admissions, many colleges changed their essay prompts to more directly ask about diversity. This guide walks students through how to approach these prompts, with key brainstorming exercises and example essays.

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Colleges and Universities that Changed Their Supplemental Essay Prompts After the SCOTUS Decision Was Released

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Colleges and Universities that Changed Their Supplemental Essay Prompts After the SCOTUS Decision Was Released

After the 2023 Supreme Court decision on race in college admissions, many colleges changed their essay prompts in response, leading in many cases to new essays and approaches needed. This guide walks through what the patterns in changes were, and offers a list of schools that changed.

Why You Don’t Have to Write about Trauma in Your College Essay to Stand Out—and What You Can Do Instead

Why You Don’t Have to Write about Trauma in Your College Essay to Stand Out—and What You Can Do Instead

Many students and parents are under the misconception that they have to write about something traumatic to stand out in college application essays. That isn’t true. This guide explains why, and illustrates what you can do instead with example essays and analysis.

Is It “Okay” to Talk About Race in Your College Application and Essays—And If So, How Should You Do It?

Is It “Okay” to Talk About Race in Your College Application and Essays—And If So, How Should You Do It?

After the 2023 Supreme Court decision on race in college admissions, many students and counselors were worried or confused concerning whether students could or should write about race in college essays. This guide discusses what students/counselors should consider as they work through the application process.

Cornell Acceptance Rate: Official Common Data Set 2023

Read about Cornell’s acceptance rate (7.3%), or the percentage of applicants that get accepted. Better understand your odds of getting in, check out the demographics of Cornell University, and get some helpful tips for applying and writing your essays along the way.

ASU Acceptance Rate: Official Common Data Set 2023

Read about ASU’s acceptance rate (89.8%), or the percentage of applicants that get accepted. Better understand your odds of getting in, check out the demographics of Arizona State University, and get some helpful tips for applying and writing your essays along the way.

Tulane Acceptance Rate: Official Common Data Set 2023

Read about Tulane’s acceptance rate (11.5%), or the percentage of applicants that get accepted. Better understand your odds of getting in, check out the demographics of the University of Tulane, and get some helpful tips for applying and writing your essays along the way.

UC Irvine Acceptance Rate: Official Common Data Set 2023

Read about UC Irvine’s acceptance rate (28.9%), or the percentage of applicants that get accepted. Better understand your odds of getting in, check out the demographics of UC Irvine, and get some helpful tips for applying and writing your essays along the way.

University of Michigan Acceptance Rate: Official Common Data Set 2020-2023

Read about the University of Michigan’s acceptance rate (17.7%), or the percentage of applicants that get accepted. Better understand your odds of getting in, check out the demographics of the University of Michigan, and get some helpful tips for applying and writing your essays along the way.