The Scourge of the Montage
Over 150 years have passed since Walt Whitman told us that he contains multitudes. Presumably, so do the rest of us. College applications…
Josh Stephens
Why Every College Essays Begins, ‘The first time I . . .’ — And Why They Shouldn’t
If you’re interviewing doctors, do you want to know about a surgeon’s first operation, or about the surgeries they performed last year? If…
On Books and Boys
Dear High School Boys, In my 15 or so years of college counseling and teaching, I’ve worked with roughly equal numbers of boys and girls, and I’ve never addressed just a single group. I’m now addressing this note to boys, man-to-men, because we live in strange times,
The Nightmare of “Dream Schools”
When I review college application essays, I hunt for cliches: overused and inapt words and phrases that are sure to grate on discerning…
Using New Common App Sections: Additional Info and “Challenges & Circumstances”
The Common Application’s combination of essays, objective questions, and the option to submit supplemental materials typically provides…
Avoiding the College Application “Trauma Dump”
This year, a surprising preponderance of students have asked me a certain question, each using the same phrasing: should they attempt to…
Going to College Before You Go to College
Among my high school’s roundabout virtues was its unrelenting emphasis on academic research. I’m not kidding.
A Playlist for College Applicants
It seems quaint to think that, just a few decades ago, rock music drew disdain for being sordid, louche, and Satanic. The nation’s kids…
Making the Most of College Essay Feedback
High school students aren’t likely to ask friends or relatives to review their workaday expositions on the causes of the War of 1812, the…
How AI Undermines Thought
The most important book in the world right now is Writing to Learn, by William Zinsser. It is followed closely, in no particular order, by…
College Essay Rhetorical Trends 2024
Everyday rhetoric, whether it’s in school, on social media, or in edited texts, relies increasingly on cliches — overused words and stale…
College Applicants Under the Influence of Social Media
I’m not exactly a dinosaur. But I’ll admit that, like most other adults, I don’t keep up with app-based pop culture trends. I’m more into…