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The main college essay in the Common Application is often referred to as a personal statement. Why personal? Because the essay should help the reader gain insight into who the student is as a person. It’s an essay that should be introspective and reflect what is meaningful to you.
Before you turn to the empty document on your computer screen to start writing, it is essential that you spend some time thinking—about your life, your values and the memories you hold dear. Keep in mind…
Chatbots, including ChatGPT, are artificial intelligence programs that are designed to mimic human conversation and can be used for a variety of purposes, including helping students with their writing. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using ChatGPT for high school student writing, as well as the ethics of using it for college essays.
Pros of using ChatGPT for high school student writing:
Improved writing skills: ChatGPT can provide feedback on grammar,
Many colleges ask a variation on the “Why do you want to attend our college?” question. Their goal is to determine how well you know yourself and their college, if you have interests and ideas about what you want to gain from your college experience, and to see if you are a good fit for the school. Keep these tips in mind as you write your “Why Us?” essay.
1. Be interesting. Students applying to a popular Washington D.C. college often send us a first draft to this type of question…
So you have written a first draft of your college essay, and deep down you know it needs work. However, you are feeling a bit stuck because you find it really embarrassing to write about yourself. Plus, everyone keeps telling you that your admissions essay must be personal, that it needs to SHOW not TELL, and that it needs to be interesting and grammatically correct. You know you need help, but where do you turn?
If you are not working with a college consultant or college essay editor…
There are many ways to write a college admissions essay, and students’ approaches range from the meticulous (pre-writing, outlining, and then writing) to the more free form. While we have offered advice on how to write the admissions essay, giving you advice on what to do is only part of the story. Here are some things that you should avoid when writing your college admissions essay (or any essay for that matter):
1. Writing Too Much – The Common Application main essay has a 650 word…
Students spend lots of time and energy on their main Common Application essay and sometimes rush through their college-specific supplemental essays without much thought or care. College admissions officers report that supplemental essays play an increasingly important role in the college application process. A supplemental essay is an extra essay beyond the personal statement or the primary application essay. It typically asks a question such as, “On our campus,…
To view an introductory video by Sarah M. McGinty, please click here.
Dear Writer,
Deadlines are approaching. So here we offer a word or two of advice about that essay you are about to submit. Please do embrace this opportunity to enrich your application. Yes, it’s an artificial exercise: there isn’t (I am hopeful) an irrevocably defining moment in your life yet—but you’re being asked to pitch one. So as you approach the finish line, look back not to your answer (or pile of possible…
Essay writing season is underway at Educational Advocates. We are meeting with students to brainstorm topics and guide them as they begin to free write. While almost any topic written effectively can work, some topics are better than others and a few should be avoided. The key to a successful essay is to convey a quality or characteristic about yourself that will not be obvious to the admissions officers as they read the rest of your application. Then tell a story that brings that…
Liz Young joined Educational Advocates in September as a writing specialist, guiding high school, transfer, and prospective graduate students on their essays and personal statements. Liz is a writer and educator with twenty years experience working with students at both the high school and college level. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University with a BA in Classics and earned a PhD in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley. Before transitioning
For rising seniors, now is the time to start thinking about writing a college essay. Our essay writing workshop will help students get a jump start on the essay. At the end of the workshop, students will leave with a solid first draft of a compelling personal statement to use during the college admissions process.
During the session students will work with their peers and season writing professionals, Joan Casey and Sarah Llewellyn,
Chatbots, including ChatGPT, are artificial intelligence programs that are designed to mimic human conversation and can be used for a variety of purposes, including helping students with their writing. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using 
Liz Young joined Educational Advocates in September as a 