by j9robinson | Jun 18, 2013
College Application Essays Write Like You Talk The voice and tone of narrative essays usually is “looser” or more “casual” than the typical academic essay. To do that, however, you often have to break the rules. Bend them gently and stay consistent. But if it sounds...
by j9robinson | Jun 13, 2013
College Application Essays Which Prompt Will You Pick? UPDATE: Most of this information is still helpful and relevant. However, please see the changes in the NEW Common Application Prompts for 2015-16! If you are ready to brainstorm ideas for your Common...
by j9robinson | Jun 13, 2013
College Application Essays: How to Answer Prompt 3 of the Common App. Who or What Have You Confronted Lately? When you read the five options for your Common Application essay, one prompt probably will appeal to you first off. Others you will skim and...
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 | Jun 7, 2013
College Application Essays: What They Mean When They Ask for a Story Most students have never written narrative essays, which are so different from most essays taught in English classes. The classic 5-paragraph essay has a formal style, uses the third person, includes...
by j9robinson | Jun 6, 2013
PLEASE NOTE! This prompt has changed for 2017-18. This post is now obsolete, although you can still find helpful general information on how to think about prompts and write your essays. The revised prompt 5 is: Discuss an accomplishment, event,...
by j9robinson | Jun 5, 2013
Yesterday, I wrote about how you can answer Prompt #2 of The Common Application and write about recovering from a failure. Coincidentally, our favorite motivator Oprah Winfrey stood up in front of the graduating class at Harvard University just last weekend and...
by j9robinson | Jun 3, 2013
College Application Essays: Best Writing Advice Five Hot Tips to Use on Your Essay It’s hard to find good advice on writing. Here are five of my favorite tips from the best of the best: 1. If you are just starting to write your college application...
by j9robinson | May 17, 2013
College Application Essays “Meant to Inspire” All Students Showed an “Appetite for Risk” Earlier this year, a business writer for The New York Times invited students to share their college admissions essays on the topic of money, class,...
by j9robinson | May 9, 2013
College Admissions Essays Must Be Interesting How To Stay Bold And Avoid the Trap of a Dull Essay After six years working with students, parents and college counselors on writing college admissions essays, I’m more convinced than ever that...
