ApplyTexas: Essay Help for Topics A and B

URGENT! ApplyTexas changed their essay prompts in 2016-17.  Click HERE for the current essay prompts! (THIS POST IS OUTDATED!) All public universities, and some private and 2-year colleges, in Texas do not use the Common Application. Instead, they have their own...

Last Minute Help for UC College App Essay Writers!

UPDATE: as of March 23, 2016 The University of California announced NEW essay prompts for 2016-17. Read about how to answer them HERE.     It’s Not Too Late to Write Your College App Essays Before the Nov. 30 Deadline   Yes, you have waited until...

What Do You Believe?

   Students looking for ideas and inspiration on their college application essays should check out the “This I Believe” web site. It’s an international organization set up in 2004 to help students and adults identify and express through writing...

6 College Application Essay Tips for First-Gen Students

 Advice for Students Who Are Underrepresented for Whatever Reason: Tell Your Personal Story In my previous post, I shared my experience working with teachers and students from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, where I’m giving a series of workshops on how to...

Creating a College-Bound Culture along the Texan Border

 First-Gen Students Learn to Write College Application Essays   Last month, I had the privilege to work with a group of teachers and students on their writing and college application essays from the Rio Grande Valley in the southernmost tip of Texas. Almost all...

Waving the Red Flag on College Application Essays

  Last week, a new student came to my home for help on his college application essays. I asked this eager senior about his target schools. He told me Stanford was his top pick, but he was applying to most of the ivies, along with a couple UCs (Cal and UCLA). Then...