Hi, Reader! As school starts back up (today is the first day of school for my district!), a few things are certain: Nobody wants to get up early. Someone is going to walk into school and then realize they’ve forgotten something important at home. Free time becomes increasingly scarce. College application deadlines get even closer. And the third and fourth ones can feel especially true for our new seniors, who are balancing the stress of college applications with the fun (and intensity) of...
15 days ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! We’re at the beach this week for a little vacation and a little essay work, so apologies for this email coming out late. Because I’m getting ready to head down to the beach, I’m going to make this newsletter a little bit of a roundup of current news and tidbits of information you might find helpful! The Common App Is Open The Common App came back online a little early last night, and here are some of the changes you can expect to see when you go on and create a new account or roll...
28 days ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! Application season stress is real. Are you feeling it? Luckily, with thoughtful support, parents and students can navigate the pressure without turning the whole household into a stress vortex. (And I'm speaking not just as an essay coach but also as someone who has come through the other side of college admissions with her own two kids.) Here are some tips you might want to keep in mind as application season draws near. For Students Here’s a truth you might already know (or may...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hi, Reader! I’ve had a great few weeks lately! A few weeks ago, I spent nearly a week with some of my College Essay Guy colleagues and other college counseling professionals at a retreat in El Cajon, Calif., where we talked all things authentic relating and storytelling. We even had the chance to write our own personal statements, and if you’re curious, you can check out mine here. I got back and then quickly made the switch from writer to coach and went up to College Station last Tuesday and...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hi, Reader! We’re heading into summer, and that can mean only one thing (besides essay writing): The Common App is prepping for its Aug. 1 debut! This year, the Common App is getting a long-overdue glow up to its look and feel, but much of the content will stay the same — including all seven personal statement prompts. Here’s what you need to know. 📆 Important timing: The Common App will shut down July 28 for maintenance and relaunch Aug. 1 with the new design. 💄 The visual makeover: Think of...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! I’m in the thick of summer here in Texas. Pool days, vacations, and (of course) lots of essay work. After an unfortunate run-in with a copperhead under my rosemary a few years ago, I’m also trying gardening again. (If you’re not too squeamish, you can read my story here.) Some might call my little garden disorganized — a mishmash of citrus, cantaloupe, berries, and herbs — but I call it an experiment. See what grows and evolves, see what I like, and see what I crave more (and...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Hi, Reader! Last week, we talked about how many schools you might want to apply to … but now you’ve got to make sure that number is a nice balance of safety, target, and reach schools. And with college admissions changing from year to year (and seemingly moment to moment), defining those schools (and then creating a balanced list from them) can be challenging. The ideal list includes safety schools (roughly a >70% chance of admission), target schools (30%-70% chance), and reach schools (<30%...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! Ah, the "magic number" question! If only there were just one right answer (or number). Here's my guideline: quality over quantity, always. I typically recommend 8-10 thoughtfully selected schools for most students, but there are students who apply to only 3-4 schools … and some who apply to more than 20. Now, back in the day, I applied to just two schools: Illinois Wesleyan University and DePauw University. (And no, I have no idea what I wrote my essay on, but I sure wish I had a...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! It’s cliche to say, but I’ll say it anyway: How is it already May? Spring has just flown by, and now we’re in full-on summer prep. Vacations, summer jobs, workshops, college tours — you know the drill. Sometimes, summers are just as busy as the school year! I just finished giving two two-day workshops for two (notice a theme?) local high schools, and it was exhausting but amazing. So many of them came in with no ideas at all and left with solid outlines that they can continue...
4 months ago • 3 min read