by j9robinson | Apr 17, 2016
How to Record Scratch Your College App Essay Stories Aug 24, 2018 How to Background an Anecdote (Includes 5 writing examples at the bottom!) If you’ve done your homework on how to write an effective college application essay, you...
by j9robinson | Jun 10, 2015
The Best Way to “Show” in Your College App Essay When I started as a young reporter at my first newspaper job in Illinois, I was assigned to cover a half dozen small farm towns. I didn’t think much would happen out there. But after about a month,...
by j9robinson | Aug 31, 2013
I love anecdotes. Especially for starting narrative essays for college application essays. They can take a little practice to compose, but what a deceptively powerful writing tool. Actually, if you start almost any type of writing with an anecdote–from a college...
by j9robinson | Jun 8, 2013
College Application Essays In Search of an Anecdote Just yesterday, one of my tutoring students, a high school junior, wanted help on her English assignment: To write a practice college application essay. One tip from her teacher was to tell a story. (I first...
by j9robinson | Feb 3, 2023
Sorry, Artificial Intelligence Won’t Save You From the Dreaded College App Essay. Yet. When I first heard about ChatGPT, and how this new artificial intelligence bot could write college essays for students, I thought, “Ugh oh, looks like my no one is going...
by j9robinson | Jun 16, 2022
I’m excited to work with students this summer who get to attend the My Pathway to College pre-college experience in sunny San Diego. During the weeklong conference, which will be held on the gorgeous campus at the University of San Diego (the private liberal...
by j9robinson | May 2, 2022
SUMMER 2022 WORKSHOPS*All students receive free access to my popular online college application essay writing course!July 25, Monday: Jumpstart Your Personal Statement (aka Common App essay)10 a.m. – noon+Cost: $100July 26, Tuesday: Jumpstart Your University of...
by j9robinson | Aug 24, 2018
How to Background an Anecdote (Includes 5 writing examples at the bottom!) If you’ve done your homework on how to write an effective college application essay, you probably know the place to start is with your real-life stories. The...
by j9robinson | Apr 23, 2018
What You Can Learn From Michael Brown’s College Application Essay I must have watched the viral video of Michael Brown learning he got into Stanford at least three times in a row. Such a feat and well-deserved accomplishment for what seems like an...
by j9robinson | Mar 25, 2018
Let Lynda Barry Help You Find and Tell Your Best Stories! Try One of Her Awesome Brainstorming Exercises If you’re starting to brainstorm that perfect topic to craft your dreaded college application essay, I have a new writing technique you might find helpful....
