• FREE LIVE WEBINAR

How to Stand Out On Your College Essays This Fall

  • Tuesday, August 25th
  • 4-5 PM PST/7-8 PM EST
  • Can't make it live? A recording will be available within 1–2 business days.

Join Ethan Sawyer, founder of College Essay Guy, along with Tom Campbell, Senior College Admissions Counselor & Essay Specialist, for a countdown through the five qualities admissions officers look for, the four questions your personal statement should answer, and everything else you need to know for the 2026 admissions season.

We’ll cover:

  • My deep-dive analysis of the update supplemental essay prompts for 2026.

  • Five qualities college admission officers look for (based on an analysis of 300+ colleges and universities).

  • Four key questions your personal statement should probably answer.

  • Three keys to upleveling your activities list.

  • Two qualities your supplemental essays should probably demonstrate.

  • One walk-through of the NEW “challenges and circumstances” section.

     

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MEET YOUR HOSTS

Our Facilitators

Ethan Sawyer

Founder • College Essay Guy

Ethan Sawyer is the founder of College Essay Guy which means he has been eating/sleeping/breathing college essays for most of his waking hours since 2003. He is an internationally recognized college essay and admissions expert and the author of the Amazon bestsellers College Essay Essentials and College Admission Essentials.

Each year he and his team reach more than one million students and counselors through the College Essay Guy blog, online pay-what-you-can courses, workshops, books, and one-on-one work. Receiving his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in Performance Studies, an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine, and two counseling certificates, Ethan’s educational experiences, reading, and training have informed his deep interest in storytelling as a vehicle for personal development and growth, which in turn inspired Ethan to start College Essay Guy. 

A man with neatly styled hair, a trimmed beard, and a light blue collared shirt smiles at the camera in an outdoor setting.

Tom Campbell

Senior College Admissions Counselor & Essay Specialist • College Essay Guy

With 11+ years of admissions experience, Tom brings a rare insider perspective from both sides of the process, including roles as an admissions officer at the College of the Holy Cross and Assistant Dean at Pomona College.

He’s helped shape policies like test-optional admissions and supported students nationwide in gaining admission to highly selective schools.

Tom specializes in helping students turn “I have no idea what to write” into essays that feel authentic, compelling, and unmistakably them.

Known for his warm, student-centered approach, he makes a high-stakes process feel more human (with the occasional nod to Kacey Musgraves and breakfast burritos).