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

The Expanding Horizons Institute Programs and Internships

The Expanding Horizons Institute Programs and Internships

The Expanding Horizons Institute helps first-generation, college-bound students prepare for college life, learn about the various careers that are out there after graduation, and become civically engaged members of local communities.


Empowering Students to Achieve Their Dreams: A Guide to The QuestBridge National College Match

Empowering Students to Achieve Their Dreams: A Guide to The QuestBridge National College Match

This guide walks you through the basics of QuestBridge’s National College Match program.


MOOCs: A guide to Massive Open Online Courses

MOOCs: A guide to Massive Open Online Courses

This guide helps students understand how MOOCs—Massive Open Online Courses—function, and assess whether they MOOCs might align with their educational and career goals.


Colleges That Offer Complete Financial Aid

Colleges That Offer Complete Financial Aid

Paying for college is tough (and student loans are a massive burden for many students/families), so this guide walks through colleges that offer complete financial aid.


Guide to the Yale Young Global Scholars Program

Guide to the Yale Young Global Scholars Program

Many students and families don’t understand how financial need plays into the application process, and what colleges are “need-blind”—this guide walks you step-by-step what you need to know.


A Guide to the STARS College Network

A Guide to the STARS College Network

Many rural/small town students in America face added challenges when it comes to higher education—the STARS College Network aims to help level the playing field.


A Guide to TASS: the Telluride Association Summer Seminar

A Guide to TASS: the Telluride Association Summer Seminar

Many students ask us about how they should spend their summers during high school—for some, the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) might be an amazing. This guide talks you through what you need to know.


A Guide to “Need-Blind” Colleges + List of US Need-Blind Schools

A Guide to “Need-Blind” Colleges + List of US Need-Blind Schools

Many students and families don’t understand how financial need plays into the application process, and what colleges are “need-blind”—this guide walks you step-by-step what you need to know.


Guide to the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

Guide to the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

Many students ask us about how they should spend their summers during high school—for some, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) might be a great fit. This guide talks you through what you need to know.


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The Roles & Identities Exercise

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The Roles & Identities Exercise

CEG’s Roles and Identities Exercise can be a great way for students to brainstorm topics and/or content for both personal statements and supplemental essays for their college application.