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Writing the main essay for the Common Application takes time. Maybe you’ll have a lightbulb realization– an aha moment– where your topic idea becomes instantly clear. Or maybe you'll deliberate, start writing, change your mind, and start again. Either way, expect to spend several weeks brainstorming, writing, and editing the essay. This piece is going to every school that uses the Common App. So don't rush. And ideally, don't put this off until just before the deadline. Really think about the message you want to send. Here is what the Common App says in 2024: The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.) Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

College admissions is full of lingo. Especially when it comes to the different types of application options. If you're new to the application process, here are some useful definitions. Use this to post to jump start your research into each school, and weigh the pros and cons of each type of application . Early Decision (ED) : Applications are due in November and you get a decision in December. If you get in, it is a binding commitment. This means that you are required to attend the school. You can only apply to one school ED. When you're accepted you withdraw any other applications. Early Decision II (EDII):  Some schools have a second Early Decision deadline in January. The decision usually comes in February. ED II is also binding. Early Action (EA) : Applications are due in November and you get a decision in December. If you get in, you are not required to attend the school. It is not binding. You can apply to other schools. Restrictive Early Action (REA) : You apply early and get an answer early. The restrictive part usually means that you can only apply to one private EA school. You can apply to other schools for Regular Decision. If you get in, you are not required to attend the school.   Regular Decision : RD applications are typically due in January and you get an answer in March or April. These decisions are not binding. Rolling Admissions : Schools review and make decisions on a continuous basis.

Move over, grown-ups. LinkedIn isn't just for the workforce anymore! Yes, college and high school students have jumped on the LinkedIn bandwagon to build their "personal brand." Just remember, you have to be 16 to join the site. So can having a LinkedIn profile help your college application? Maybe. This is another one of the many options to consider as you're working on applications. Here are three reasons you might want a LinkedIn profile: Demonstrate your experiences to college admissions officers. You can include jobs, internships and volunteer work. Connect with potential employers for internships and summer jobs. Explore career options. It's pretty easy to set up a LinkedIn profile. The site walks you through what to do each step of the way. But what you post and share matters. If you're looking for guidance, I can help. Reach out here .

You're only a student. You don't have a career. And yet, some college applications ask for a resume. So what do you do? Do you write a resume? And if so, what goes on the resume? Here are ten things you can include: Biographical information: Name and contact information. Education : Your school, GPA and test scores. Jobs , internships and volunteer work: Do you babysit? Work in a restaurant? Intern for a political candidate? Volunteer at a food pantry? Family responsibilities: Are you caring for anyone in your family? Do you tutor your younger siblings in math? School Clubs: Do you do the lights for school plays? Are you advocating for climate awareness? Sports: Are you on a school team? Are you a captain? Do you love pickup basketball? Music: Are you in a band? Do you write your own music? Do you take lessons or teach yourself? Awards: Did your math team win a local competition? Did your science research project get an award? Skills and hobbies: Can you program in Python? Do you know how to design graphics? Do you keep a sketch book? Publish music on Spotify? Second languages: Are you bilingual? Are you studying a language in school? Do you just love watching movies in French? As you organize these sections, find a resume template online that you can use. Grammar matters. Use active verbs and highlight your accomplishments. And definitely have someone proofread your resume. You may feel like just a kid, but you might be surprised at how much you've accomplished. Questions? I can help you with a resume. Just fill out this contact form , and we can talk.

Vacation. Long weekends. It's peak summer, and the perfect time to travel. It's also an ideal time to visit some college campuses. Rising high school juniors and seniors, and their parents, should consider using the summer to visit some colleges. So if you're already taking family trips, perhaps tack on some college tours. So how do you decide what schools to visit? Make sure you visit a range of schools, in different regions. Here are some considerations that can help a student decide what type of physical setting feels right for college. Urban or suburban. Small or big campus. East Coast or West Coast. Northern or Southern. To organize of all of this, go to a school's website. Look for a tab that says "tours" or "visits." You usually need to book a tour. Tours can fill up, and some schools track "demonstrated interest," ie. whether a student has shown interes in a school. Booking a tour will make sure the school knows you were there. Happy trails to you...