Your Common Application personal statement is a chance to showcase who you are in a compelling way. One of the most important elements of your essay is the hook—the opening few sentences that grab the reader's attention and draw them in.

Writing a standout college essay is like walking a tightrope: you must ensure you frame your unique story so that it is accessible and has emotional resonance across a broader audience.

Discover a strategic approach to high school extracurriculars that goes 'Beyond the Competition.' Learn about 'surrender value' and how to prioritize activities that boost personal growth and impress college admissions officers. Create a compelling application while gaining valuable experiences.

In the high-pressure world of college applications, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for students. This post explores how mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and enhance the essay writing process, offering practical tips for incorporating these techniques into the college application journey.

Learn how to tackle college essays with our 3-stage writing process. Overcome procrastination, reduce stress, and craft authentic, standout essays.

This post examines the depiction of the college application process in Netflix's hit show "Never Have I Ever" and identifies at least one key lesson students can learn from the show.

This post discusses a story that the Ira Glass, the host of the This American Life radio show, tells in which he talks about realizing that his show's format is identical to a sermon. The blog then connects this format with the personal statement.

This post contrasts the conventional advice students receive about the common application personal statement with the attributes students should really seek to highlight. 

This advice is true, but it’s not particularly helpful for the majority of students.

In this week’s post, we focus on the role of joy in brainstorming for the Common App personal statement. We examine how exploring moments of joy can enriches a narrative and offers a fresh perspective for admissions officers.

This post argues the personal statement is your best chance to articulate who you are. While applicants at prestigious universities have overwhelmingly strong test scores and GPAs, these schools still admit fewer than 8% of applicants.

The Key Question:

If applicants already have top GPAs and test scores, how can they set themselves apart?