College Admissions: What to Do Before You Apply
Feeling unsure where to start? This step-by-step guide breaks down what to prioritize before you apply, so you can approach college admissions with a clear plan instead of guesswork.
Developing Your College List
5 RESOURCES THAT WILL SAVE YOU $3,480
Become your own college admissions counselor and save thousands on application costs. These trusted tools and resources walk you step-by-step through building a smart college list, researching schools effectively, and making confident decisions from the very start.
HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE
Use my guide to find colleges that matches your personality, lifestyle, hopes and dreams. With so many colleges to choose from, I can help you find a well-rounded list of college to apply to using our favorite resources.
Rethinking “Best” Colleges: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for a Better College List
This episode walks you through tools that help you discover colleges that truly fit who you are and what you want.
Demonstrated Interest: A Brief and Practical How-To Guide
What is demonstrated interest, and how do you show it? Demonstrated interest can increase your chances of admission. Learn how to show colleges you’re excited to attend.
Picking a Major
5 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT COLLEGE MAJORS
Worried about getting a job? Worried about having to make up your mind? Ease your mind as I bust out a few unexpected myths about how to choose a college major.
HOW CHOOSING YOUR CLASSES AHEAD OF TIME CAN HELP YOU GET INTO THE RIGHT COLLEGE
Go ahead. Geek out. Fantasize. Get excited about that Mathematical Logic or History of Mozambique Dance class. Doing so can help you show your application reader that you’ve done your college research, show them you’re interested (bonus!), and get you excited about applying to that school.
HOW TO CHOOSE A MAJOR, OR HOW COLLEGE IS LIKE THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Ever ask yourself, “what should I study in college?” Well pick a major, any major: Decide what’s most important to you. Evaluate the importance of each value. Consider your options. Is this my college major? Keep exploring.
5 REASONS IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU MAJOR IN
The jigs up. The cat’s out of the bag. It turns out that most hiring institutions, even medical and law schools, don’t really care what you major in. So get out there. Study what you love. Decide how to choose your major based on what you, not someone else, will want.
Extracurricular Activites Essay and List
SIX TECHNIQUES FOR WRITING YOUR 150-WORD EXTRACURRICULAR ESSAY
What’s that one thing that you’ve spent countless hour dedicated to, until late on weekday evenings? Steal these six college essay tips for writing your best extracurricular essay. Capture you.
HOW TO WRITE YOUR COMMON APP ACTIVITIES LIST
Having a clear, concise writing style is everything when it comes to packing lots of the right details about your high school extracurricular activities into your common application. By capturing the fullness of your impact, this helps out both your application and your application reader.
5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR ACTIVITIES LIST AWESOME
Ever ask yourself, “what extracurricular activities should I do?”. Bottom of the ninth. Fourth quarter. Two minutes left in the game. Only 150 characters per activity and a small section for a title. Read this guide to writing about extracurricular activities in high school that takes your application to the next level.
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY TO WRITE ABOUT
Don’t stress about how to pick the right topic for your common app extracurricular essay. I offer four great types of extracurricular activities for capturing your passion project, from Rockstar achievements, to One-Hit Wonders.
Other Resources
A BRIEF GUIDE TO USING THE COMMON APP “ADDITIONAL INFO” SECTION
Easily the most under-loved portion of the Common Application: the additional info section. Show your application reader more sides of you by briefly writing about grading problems, IB Extended Essay Topics, things that didn’t fit on your other sections (AP scores, extracurricular activities), or even mental health issues.
HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION IS DOING ITS JOB
Having a clear, concise writing style is everything when it comes to packing lots of the right details about your high school extracurricular activities into your common application. By capturing the fullness of your impact, this helps out both your application and your application reader.
FOUR QUALITIES OF AN AMAZING COLLEGE ESSAY
Discover four tasty writing techniques for a college essay, personal statement, or even Common App main essay by drawing on screenwriting narrative structure.
RACKING UP STYLE POINTS: TWO TIPS FOR REVISING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY
Vulnerability never goes out of style. Tube TVs, on the other hand, definitely have. Read more for a few more helpful tips for writing a college application personal statement that packs a punch.
The Free Guide to Writing the Personal Statement
Kick things off with the two greatest brainstorming exercises ever, learn about the four types of college essays, check out some amazing example essays, and get on your way to writing your own killer personal statement.
AFTER YOU APPLY
WHY YOU SHOULD PROBABLY SET YOUR FACEBOOK SETTINGS TO PRIVATE AFTER SENDING IN YOUR COMMON APP
Do colleges look at social media profiles? Read on to find out what colleges look for in an application.
COLLEGE INTERVIEW TIPS AND STRATEGIES – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Before starting your research on school interview questions, check to see how much your college interview really matters to the school you’re applying to. Read on to learn more.
HOW SENIORITIS CAN EARN YOU A “FEAR OF GOD” LETTER
What does rescinded mean, you ask? Don’t let your senioritis give your college an excuse to reverse or to rescind the offer they’ve made to you. A revocation of acceptance could leave you high and dry.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
5 RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR GETTING SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE
Dive in and discover the keys to finding scholarships that can help you pay less for college, whether you’re looking for scholarships for women, a minority scholarship, weird scholarships, need based financial aid, and much more.
5 FAFSA MYTHS – BUSTED
This post is for anyone who has asked themself, “should I apply for FAFSA?” Don’t leave financial aid for college on the table, since billions of federal student aid goes unclaimed, when these grants for college could actually be in your wallet.
UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL AID FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (PDF DOWNLOAD)
Discover what schools offer financial aid for international students, whether it be need based financial aid or a minority scholarship. Scholarships for high school seniors are only a click away.
AROUND THE WEB: RESOURCES THAT HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE
COFFITIVITY (CREATIVITY BOOSTER)
Tune into the sounds of a coffee shop. Academically-tested (says one research paper) to improve your creativity.
ETHAN’S PRIVATE STASH OF REALLY GOOD READS
Get hooked on informational and riveting writing, from David Foster Wallace’s review of an adult video awards show to investigative journalism about being a used car salesman.
FOCUS AT WILL (CONCENTRATION BOOSTER)
Block out distractions and hit the books. This website gives you the tools to tune in and rock that To Do list.
MEDITATION EXERCISE (WITH MARCONI UNION, WEIGHTLESS)
Build empty pockets of stillness in your day.
O*NET ONLINE CAREER EXPLORER
Search by skill set, interest, or experience–find the job of your dreams.