University of California
Ethan Sawyer
How to Write the UC Essay Prompts 2025/2026 (+ ...

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

Personal Statement

How to Write an Overcoming Challenges Essay

Learn how to brainstorm, outline, and write a college essay about overcoming challenges.

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How to Write a Great Transition Sentence

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We’ll cover what good transition sentences look like and how to write a great transition sentence in your college essay.

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How to Write a Personal Statement (Tips + Essay Examples)

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This ultimate guide covers everything you’ll need to brainstorm, outline, and write an outstanding personal statement for college applications.

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How to End a College Essay: 10 Tactics & Strategies

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How to End a College Essay: 10 Tactics & Strategies

Because a strong ending can help a college application essay stand out, this guide offers 10 approaches students can use to build better endings.

How to Format a College Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

In this guide, we’ll teach you two different essay formats to outline and structure the perfect college essay (aka structures) to help write your best college application essay.

How to Write a Challenges-Based (i.e., Narrative) College Essay That TBH Wasn’t That Big of a Deal

There’s nothing wrong with writing your personal statement about a challenge you faced. Before you get in too deep though, consider these insightful points about narrative (challenge-based) essays plus other essay types that could be a better fit for you.

12 Personal Statement Examples + Analysis 2025/2026

12 Personal Statement Examples + Analysis 2025/2026

Learn to write a successful personal statement by reading and analyzing these awesome personal statement examples for the college application.

27 Outstanding College Essay Examples From Top Universities 2025/2026

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

How to Write About Coronavirus / COVID-19 In Your College Essay & Application

Should you write about coronavirus in your college essay, or in the Common App? Both? Neither? We’ll break down step-by-step how to write about coronavirus/COVID-19 in your college application.

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The 2025-2026 Common App Prompts (and 7 Example Essays & Analysis)

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Learn how to navigate which common app essay prompt to use for writing your personal statement when applying to college. Which common app prompt is best? How do you choose? Learn more here.