Today we’ll continue our dive into sound strategy behind each of the personal essay prompts offered by the Common App. Choosing the one that helps you tell the most persuasive story filled with meaning and subtext is a major step to creating an advocate in the admissions officer who reads it.Here’s how the third prompt reads: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?Do you have a story that fits this scenario? Perhaps one of your proudest accomplishments was convincing someone to change their viewpoint on something that mattered to you. Perhaps the viewpoint that changed was your own. Let’s take a closer look at a few important points to keep in mind as you approach this prompt.

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Today we’ll continue with part two of our series unpacking the Common App main essay questions. Here’s how the second prompt reads:“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”It might seem counterintuitive at first but reflecting on moments of failure or struggle can be a positive addition to an application otherwise dedicated to your accomplishments. Showing the reader how you’ve grown clues them in on your humanity and motivation as well as your ambition.

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Now that the Common App has confirmed this application cycle’s essay prompts, it’s time for rising seniors to begin thinking about how they’ll respond. Your personal statement plays a major role in telling your story to admissions officers; starting early will give you the time you need to do your best.Over the next few posts, we’ll take a closer look at each of the Common App essay prompts and give you a few pointers to keep in mind as your craft your response. Let’s start with the first prompt:“Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.”This question gives students a lot of freedom to talk about themselves. But this can be a blessing and a curse. Below are some of our best tips for using the space you have to tell your story.

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Over the coming weeks we’ll take a closer look at each of the specific essay prompts you’ll have to choose from as you write your Common App personal statement. Creating a memorable and persuasive body of writing is a critical component of your success in the application process.Before we dive too deeply though, let’s take a quick look at five important dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you’re writing. Following these tips will greatly improve the overall quality of your work and set you up to have a more successful process.

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Though you’ve hopefully been putting some preliminary thought into your college application process, the real work begins in earnest the summer after junior year. Once you are past finals, AP exams, or any lingering school commitments, it’s time to turn your attentions to the essays and other pieces that will comprise your application. That said, you should allow yourself a week or two after summer break starts to rest up, before diving back into deep brain work.

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As you consider your options for college this fall, do not forget about community colleges (CC). They offer general education courses at a much lower cost than traditional universities and many students may find a CC located only a few miles from their home.Despite the popular trend to enroll straight away in a four-year college or university upon graduating high school, this is not a one-size-fit-all solution. No matter how accomplished or intelligent you are, you still may require time to figure out your academic interests and to ease into the process of pursuing a higher education

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Let’s face it, seniors: once you’ve gotten those acceptances from the colleges of your dreams, it’s hard to stay focused the last couple months of high school. And before you know it, your “last summer” will transition into your first year of college.You may feel like you’re ready to start right now. Or you may be looking at the calendar with dread. Transitions are difficult for everyone; but the good news is you’re not alone.

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Almost every student has endured significant disruptions to their classes and extracurricular activities over the past weeks. And while we remain hopeful about life returning to a relatively normal routine sooner than later, chances are high that your summer plans will be impacted as well.

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From the Ivy League to the nation’s top public universities to small liberal arts colleges in far-flung corners of the country, the story you’ll hear from admissions officers is the same: your grades are the most important part of the process.

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From Olympic athletes to first-time sleepaway campers, people all over the world are watching their summer plans—along with many of their life routines—unravel. There is hopefully some consolation in knowing that we’re all in this together and can emerge stronger and more purposeful!

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As admissions decisions begin to pour in, high school seniors everywhere are anxiously waiting for clarity about where they’ll begin their college careers. If you find yourself in this boat, hopefully you’ve already started to receive some good news and are anticipating your next step with joy.

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One of the best ways to learn a little about a lot of colleges and universities is by attending a college fair. Representatives from dozens, sometimes hundreds, of schools set up stations full of colorful material designed to drum up interest in their respective institutions.As social distancing restrictions begin to ease it is likely that this valuable form of information gathering will return in some capacity. We will all have to keep a close eye on state-by-state developments; but being prepared in advance will serve you well, nonetheless.

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The end of this school year has been anything but traditional to say the least. But even amid restructured exams, virtual classes, and a disruption in normal activity, rising seniors are still hopeful and excited about their upcoming college process.

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If you are interested in a creative passion such as art, film, design, or theatre, institutes like the Rhode Island School of Design or CalArts may be perfect for you. These schools offer undergraduates specialized classes, career offices with ample connections, and accomplished faulty to help you hone your craft. You will be immersed in a community brimming with fellow photographers, painters, and movie makers who can fuel your creative juices.

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Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into some wonderful schools. All your hard work has paid off. Now comes the fun (also difficult verging on nerve-racking) process of deciding which college or university to attend. Many factors – sometimes even competing with each other – will come into play as you make your choice.

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Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell. Each of these Ivy League institutions has a long history of excellence and an almost mythical reputation that precedes them.

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If you are a rising junior, your college process is beginning to ramp up even amidst all the social disruption. And, with a growing list of colleges and universities pushing back their deadline for students to accept their spot in the upcoming first year class, many seniors are still be weighing options and will find this information relevant and timely.

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I’m sure you’ve heard that 11th grade is the most important year of high school in terms of your college admissions chances. And while each class you take is important and you should always do your best, it is true that admissions officers place an emphasis on junior year because it is the last full year before you apply where you can demonstrate what you know and are passionate about.

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Efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus have far-flung consequences that filter all the way down through the education system, including the college process. As students try to maintain as much normalcy and routine as they can, we continue to monitor institutional responses to the changing realities of their applicants.

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