Hi, Reader! In two weeks, I'll be heading out to San Diego, where I’ll spend the week with the College Essay Guy team to plan for the next admission season. I love the team I work with and am grateful to be able to spend the week with them learning, connecting, and planning. They make me a better essay coach — and person. And even though I have plenty of time before I leave, I can bet you that I'm likely to wait until the night before to start packing. Can you empathize? It seems like often,...
11 days ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had the chance to enjoy a restful winter break with friends and family. We had the chance to take a family cruise, and we loved spending New Year’s on the ship. It’s been a busy year, so I really valued the time to relax, recharge, and read some mindless books on my Kindle — one of my favorite Christmas presents from last year. But I’m back in action (though I'm missing the all-you-can-eat-bacon) and have been seeing a lot of Facebook posts about the...
18 days ago • 4 min read
Hi, Reader! It's almost Black Friday, and you know what that means: Shopping! I’ll admit, I was doing a little post-dinner shopping last night, scoring a few deals on Etsy and a few things from my daughter’s wish list. As you're looking for the best deals out there, you might as well earn some cash back or gift cards, too. Here are my favorite deals I've been using for years! (And they're all free!) These aren’t college-related at all, but saving money is something we can all get behind as we...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! Between school work, activities, the upcoming holidays (and travel uncertainty), and more application deadlines not that far away, I know it can feel like there’s a lot to juggle. But don’t worry — you’re not alone in this! This month, there are some key steps you can take to stay organized, focused, and on track with your college plans, no matter what grade you (or your student) are in. Whether college isn’t even on your radar quite yet or you’re eagerly awaiting admission...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hi, Reader! We’re just about a week out from Nov. 1 deadlines, which means I know there’s a lot of work being done right now. As early deadlines continue getting closer, I just wanted to send a few quick reminders to help keep everyone’s stress level (slightly) lower: 1. Don’t panic about “missing” materials in your application. (But keep an eye on them.) Here’s what I’ve been seeing (and hearing): For most schools, your application itself must be submitted by the deadline — but supporting...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! Some of you may be getting ready to submit applications soon — remember that you have until 11:59 p.m. local time on the deadline day to submit them. (But don’t wait until the last minute! The Common App becomes notoriously glitchy as we get closer to midnight.) I know I’ve shared them before, but in case you need any last-minute help with your Common App application, here are two resources I find helpful: AXS Companion — Open Resource. Anyone can use or share this free resource....
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! I had a great week last week in Columbus attending the National Association for College Admissions Counselors conference and connecting with some of my College Essay Guy colleagues. September is a tough time to have a college counseling conference — when we’ve got lots of students preparing for their first round of submissions — but I’m fortunate to have been able to serve my students, spend time with colleagues, and make some great memories. Me and some of the CEG team at a...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! All of you are likely well into the thick of the school year now — and from what I hear, teachers didn’t waste any time assigning projects and scheduling tests. I hope y’all are adjusting to the new schedule well. It’s back-to-school time in our house, too. My son started his junior year of college, and it’s always been tradition in our house that I have hot, fresh, homemade chocolate chip cookies waiting for the kids when they get home from school. My son and I have been in a...
4 months ago • 6 min read
Hi, Reader! Did you know students of all ages can apply for scholarships — right now? And why not apply for them? It’ll put those essays and letters of recommendation you’re already writing and getting to good use. Here’s a list of just a few of my go-to sites for these scholarships (hint: I’ve got even more on my website). 12 Best College Scholarships Websites Plus Other Resources Access Scholarships Best College Reviews BigFuture (College Board) — Under Pay for College Tab...
5 months ago • 3 min read