Creative Ideas for Common App Essays 2018

High school college counselors often advise students away from creativity and into a box of ordinary, albeit palatable humble brags. Their method has worked for them before and they’re not about to go out on a limb if they’re not positive it will work. But college is getting increasingly more competitive and run of the mill essays are not going to put anyone over the edge.

How to Write the Haverford Supplement 2018-2019

Haverford is a liberal arts school eight miles from Downtown Philadelphia. The student body is small, only 1,318 students, and Haverford has become known for putting immense trust in them. All students commit to adhering to an honor code that comes with more freedom than most college kids could imagine. This tradition was started in 1897, and the Honor Code is re-approved each year by the student body themselves. Haverford dorms do not have RAs overseeing student behavior, and exams are un-proctored (yes, there is no teacher in the room making sure you don’t cheat). Don’t think about breaking the honor code, though. With great freedom comes great consequence.

How to Write the Swarthmore Supplement 2018-2019

Swarthmore is a private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. Swarthmore is also a member of the tri-college consortium, along with Bryn Mawr and Haverford. With an acceptance rate is 13 percent, Swarthmore has been continuously ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top (and for many years the top) liberal arts schools in the nation.  

How to Write the Colorado College Supplement 2018-2019

Colorado College is a private, liberal arts college in Colorado Springs. The campus is located against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains and the school is on the block plan, meaning classes run for intensive, three and-a-half week periods. Many classes incorporate the university’s natural environment. The acceptance rate is 15 percent

Is Demonstrated Interest in College Admissions Dead?

Demonstrated interest is a fancy admissions term for showing that you are interested in the school beyond just applying with the school name spelled right. Ways of demonstrating your interest can include touring, going to an admissions information session, doing an interview if it’s an option, taking part in their summer programs, or basically anything else that puts you on their radar before they hand down judgment on your application.

How to Write the Stanford Supplement 2018-2019

Stanford has become iconic for being hard to get into. It’s a great school, we know, but deciding to apply to Stanford is picking to fight an uphill battle. Last year, over 44,000 people applied. 2085 got in. The acceptance rate was 4.7%. That’s half of what it was just 10 years ago (2008 was 9.5%). The scores kids got in with? Pretty close to perfect.

This American Life College Episode: Our Reaction

On August 31st, This American Life released an episode of their iconic radio show entitled “How I Got Into College.” Even before anyone had time to listen to it, we were getting texts and emails. Most of the episode isn’t actually about getting into college, but, in the first ‘Act’ of the episode, there are some things that are we feel need to be addressed.

How to Write the Wellesley Supplement 2018-2019

Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college located outside of Boston in Wellesley, Massachusetts where students can cross-register at MIT, Brandeis, Babson, and Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. Wellesley’s notable alumni include the likes Hillary Clinton. In 2018, the acceptance rate was 19 percent.