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

Student Resources

Can You Apply to College As a Junior?

Can You Apply to College As a Junior?

Can you apply to college as a junior? Yes. Should you? This guide will help you figure that out.

CEG’s Thoughts on AI and College Application Essays

CEG’s Thoughts on AI and College Application Essays

This post discusses CEG’s views (which will likely continue to evolve) on AIs such as ChatGPT and college application essays.

What Not to Write About in a College Essay

What Not to Write About in a College Essay

 A guide to topics to avoid for college essays and personal statements, why to avoid them, and what to write your college essay about instead (or, if you really, really want to, how to write about these topics to probably avoid).

Hardest AP Classes: What Are They And Should You Take Them?

Hardest AP Classes: What Are They And Should You Take Them?

A guide to what the hardest AP classes are, how AP classes impact college admissions and list building, and why students should or shouldn’t take them.


7 Ways to Amp Up Your Writer’s Voice in a College Essay

7 Ways to Amp Up Your Writer’s Voice in a College Essay

A guide to help students understand what “voice” is in a college essay, and how to create it, with 7 specific techniques + examples and exercises.

Easiest AP Classes: What Are They And Should You Take Them?

Easiest AP Classes: What Are They And Should You Take Them?

A guide to what the easiest AP classes are, different ways to think about what makes an AP class “easy”, how AP classes impact college admissions and list building, why students should or shouldn’t take them, and how many AP classes to take.

How to Apply for Scholarships: Your Ultimate Guide

How to Apply for Scholarships: Your Ultimate Guide

A guide to help students understand how to find and apply for scholarships.

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What Should I Write My College Essay About? How to Brainstorm + Examples

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What Should I Write My College Essay About? How to Brainstorm + Examples

A guide + examples and analysis to the often-confusing process of how to brainstorm and write a college essay (AKA personal statement).

How to Write a Hook for an Essay

How to Write a Hook for an Essay

A guide on how to write a good hook for different kinds of college and academic essays including several approaches, examples, and tips.

Harvard College vs Harvard University: What’s the Difference Between Them?

Harvard College vs Harvard University: What’s the Difference Between Them?

Learn the difference between Harvard College vs Harvard University, plus explore a guide to how to apply to Harvard and a successful Harvard application.