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The Anti-Cliché Checklist: 5 Topics Admissions Officers Are Exhausted By (and 5 Fresh Takes)
College application essays shouldn't be cliché! Stop writing about "The Big Game" and "The Mission Trip." Discover the 5 exhausted topics admissions officers are sick of—and get the 5 fresh, unique angles that will actually make your story stand out. Ditch the generic. Write your acceptance.
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
1 day ago4 min read


The "Why Us?" Essay: Moving Beyond Wikipedia
The "Why Us?" essay is the college admissions office's ultimate litmus test. They want to know if you'll actually enroll, thrive, and contribute. But too many students fall into the same trap: writing a glowing, generic summary of the college's website. If you just copy-paste facts about a beautiful campus or a high ranking, you sound like a robot reading a Wikipedia entry.
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Oct 73 min read


Just When I Thought It Was Over: The Supplemental Essay Dash Began
Frustrated parent discovering supplemental essay requirements. As a parent, I thought we had crossed the finish line in the marathon that...
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Jul 164 min read


Tips for Writing a Winning Common Application Essay
The Common Application essay is a crucial component of your college application. It is your chance to express who you are beyond your...
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Jul 153 min read


Breaking Down the Common Application Essay for Success
The Common Application essay is one of the most critical components of the college application process. It gives students a unique...
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Jun 24 min read


Top Tips for Selecting the Ideal Common Application Essay Topic
Choosing a topic that feels authentic to you is crucial. Admissions officers want to hear your voice and understand your thoughts and feelings.
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
May 45 min read


Using AI to Write Your College Admissions Essay
AI. It used to be the stuff of science fiction movies, but it has finally made it into mainstream American culture. How many of you have...
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Jun 11, 20235 min read


Not So Uncommon Essay Mistakes
Student writing an essay. As college admissions consultants, we read countless essays. Many of them are amazing. Others contain mistakes...
Kate-Jen Barker-Schlegel
Dec 10, 20212 min read
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