In writing a college or graduate school application essay (or job application), there can be a temptation to write whatever will “work,” that is “get you in” to a more selective college than would ...

Writing college essays that stand out is a critical step in the college admissions process. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and a compelling essay can make a ...

As the college essay program manager for Write the World, a nonprofit writing organization for teens, I oversee a group of advisers who guide students through the essay writing process. I have seen ...

While the University of Chicago says there is no strict word limit on its supplemental essays, other schools prefer brevity.

Stanford graduate Carter Osborne started a side hustle tutoring high school students on their college application essays in 2017. He had 50 clients last year and made $114,000 from tutoring in 2023.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brennan Barnard writes about the nuances of college admission. If you are looking for the “secret formula” for writing a “winning” ...

There are basically two things every high school student needs when it comes time to apply for college; a transcript of your grades and your essay. The transcript is a straight forward record of your ...

At its core, Irena Smith’s job as an independent college counselor means being a writing coach. With a PhD in comparative literature, the former Stanford admissions officer helps her teenage clients ...

With college essay season upon us, many young writers will fall into the same old trap that hurts applicants every year: viewing the personal statement as an extension of the resume. It's ...

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think. By Nell Freudenberger Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either ...