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

Financial Aid

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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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Can You Use Contractions in College Essays?

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Can You Use Contractions in College Essays?

We get this question a lot—so we’ve built a clear, simple guide to help you understand this and other “rules” of college essay writing.

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5 Ways Students Can Practice Self-Care in the College Admission Process

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5 Ways Students Can Practice Self-Care in the College Admission Process

Applying to college can be pretty stressful—we’ll walk you through ways to practice self-care in the admissions process.

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The Ultimate Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program: What Students Must Know

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The Ultimate Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program: What Students Must Know

Many students are either unfamiliar with the IB program, or aren’t sure how to assess whether its right for them—this guide will answer all your questions.

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Guide to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

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Guide to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

If you’re a creative student wondering whether your art can help you pay for college, this guide walks you through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

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The Elks Scholarship Guide

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The Elks Scholarship Guide

Since paying for college is one of the most common student worries, we built this guide to the Elks Scholarship—covering what it is and how to apply—to help ease the burden.

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CEG's College Admission Nutrients (aka The Great College Application Test)

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CEG's College Admission Nutrients (aka The Great College Application Test)

If you’re trying to understand whether your college application is doing its job effectively, this post walks you through how to assess its strengths and what you could potentially improve, and how to do so.

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Counting Up & Counting Down Exercise

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Counting Up & Counting Down Exercise

This exercise helps students develop critical reflection skills while exploring their academic and personal growth and challenges in high school.

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Posse Scholarship Guide

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Posse Scholarship Guide

Since paying for college is one of the most common student worries, we built this guide to the Posse Scholarship—including requirements and how to apply—to help ease the burden.