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…
Essays & Applications
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…
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…
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…
College Essays and the Misuse of 'Voice'
Reconsidering one of the most common pieces of advice that students receive when they write college essays College counselors and English teachers exhort students to use "voice." It's a reasonable goal. But it's nearly useless advise for inexperienced writers. Josh Stephens offers some alternatives
College Choice
Freedom Returns to Common Application Essays
High school juniors get atwitter this time of year when the Common Application releases its essay prompts. This year’s prompts, released last week, mean less than ever before. That’s a good thing.
College Choice
College Essay Prompt Pet Peeves
Students should always take expansive, creative views of their prompts. They should think critically. If that means that they acknowledge a prompt's stupidity, so be it.
The Hidden Perils of Applying to ‘Reach’ Colleges
Students who are serious about applying to ultra-selective schools need to affirmatively articulate — first to themselves, then to the…
Some Recommendations About Recommendation Letters
You scored 5’s on all but one of the six AP exams you took as a junior and sophomore. You won the history department award, and took second…