University of California
Ethan Sawyer
How to Write the UC Essay Prompts 2024/2025 (+ ...

This guide covers how to write the UC essay prompts (or PIQs) with exercises and essay examples to help you along the way.

Common App, Student Resources
Ethan Sawyer
How to Write a Successful Common App Activities ...

Write an impressive college activities list for your common app using this step-by-step guide and awesome activities list for college applications example, with notes on how to select the right verbs and to decide how many hours per week to list. 

How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List
Personal Statement
Ethan Sawyer
27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top ...

Use these outstanding college essay examples to learn how to write your personal statement and supplemental essays for the college application.

Supplemental Essays
Ethan Sawyer
Why This College Essay Guide + Examples

Stand out on your Why This College essay. Read our Why This College essay examples and follow our clear guidelines to make sure you avoid potential pitfalls, include essential details in your Why This School essay, and use our tried-and-true research tools.

Student Resources
Andrew Simpson
How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for ...

Learn how to ask for a letter of recommendation for college with my comprehensive step-by-step guide and real-world examples

College Admissions

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Student Aid Index: A guide to what SAI is and how it works

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Student Aid Index: A guide to what SAI is and how it works

Student aid, and particularly the changes to the FAFSA, can be confusing—so this guide will walk you through what you need to understand

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Grants for college: a guide to how grants work + list of grants

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Grants for college: a guide to how grants work + list of grants

Paying for college is an extremely common concern among students and families—this guide talks you through how grants can help you cover your costs and avoid loans.

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WELCOME TO THE WAITLIST

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WELCOME TO THE WAITLIST

When students are waitlisted, they frequently aren’t sure about things like what their chances of acceptance are or what steps they should take—this guide talks you through it.

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Computer engineering vs computer science: Key differences, and which is right for you

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Computer engineering vs computer science: Key differences, and which is right for you

If you’re trying to figure out whether to major in computer engineering or computer science (or just want to understand key differences), this guide is for you.

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Should I Discuss Mental Health in My Personal Statement or College Application? (And If So, How)?

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Should I Discuss Mental Health in My Personal Statement or College Application? (And If So, How)?

Especially with the increase in mental health challenges post-COVID, many students and families have asked us about whether (or how) to write about mental health in college applications—this guide will help you understand factors to consider, and, if you choose to write about it, how to do so.

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What is STEM?

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What is STEM?

This guide explains the basics, like what STEM is, but also gets into nuance regarding why STEM is important, and how to decide whether to pursue a STEM major or a career in a STEM field.


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A Guide to the Federal Work-Study Program

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A Guide to the Federal Work-Study Program

Did you know that programs exist to help you find a job to pay for college or grad school? This guide explains how it works.

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Grad School Application Deadlines

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Grad School Application Deadlines

Grad schools have varied deadlines, depending on the school, type of degree, forms of enrollment, and more. This guide talks you through both what to understand and how to approach your grad school application deadlines.

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Master’s vs PhD: Key differences explained

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Master’s vs PhD: Key differences explained

Because the differences between Master’s and PhD programs can sometimes feel inscrutable, this guide talks you through key distinctions to understand as you make education and career decisions.

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A Guide to Externships vs Internships

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A Guide to Externships vs Internships

It might feel a little (or maybe a lot) unclear what exactly the differences are between externships and internships—this guide talks you through everything you need to know.