College Essays

The Common Application has announced the personal statement essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions season.

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By Carolyn, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor

In eighth grade, my English teacher Mrs. Houlihan told me that I was the only student in my class who knew how and when to use a comma. That feedback stuck with me, not just because it made me feel like the greatest student of all time (which, let’s be honest, I totally was), but because it made me realize the awesome power of the comma. For such a tiny piece of punctuation, the comma packs a mighty punch, in that using it correctly or incorrectly is one of the most glaring signs that a writer either does or does not know what they’re doing.

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Few things are scarier to students than submitting their college application only to find grammar and spelling mistakes afterward. This can lead to panicked calls to counselors and colleges, asking to resubmit their essays or correct an error. While small grammar and spelling mistakes won’t kill your college admission chances, they can lead to a lot of additional headaches for already stressed-out students.

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This essay, while seemingly simple, can help take an application from the “maybe” pile to the “accepted” stack. It is also a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their interest, knowledge of the school, and make a lasting impression on the admissions office. So, how do you write a killer “why this college” essay?

This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your interest in a college and highlight that you’ve done your research in the schools to which you apply. If tens of thousands of other applicants all chose to apply to Brown University, for example, what makes you so special? This is where admissions officers will turn to the supplement prompts. After all, if you were in their shoes, would you be more likely to admit the student that answers the “Why Brown?” question with deep consideration about their academic future,

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Brown is at the top of plenty of students’ best-fit lists, so it’s no surprise that most prospective applicants want to do everything they can to stand out in their applications. While grades and course rigor carry the most weight in admissions decisions, students also need to write compelling essays that demonstrate their interest in attending the college.

In addition to the personal statement, students must prioritize the Brown University supplemental essays when compiling their application. Keep reading to learn more about the supplemental essays that Brown requires, as well as what it takes to write a top-tier personal statement.

Like most colleges, Brown University requires applicants to submit a personal statement as part of the Common Application. Students can choose from the Common Apps’ list of prompts and compose a response of approximately 650 words.

Brown University has a series of supplemental essays that students must answer in addition to the required Common App essay. For first-year applicants, there are three questions, and each response should be approximately 200-250 words. For students applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), there

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The Common Application is officially open, and many college-bound high school students are hard at work on their college applications. In addition to the main Common App essay, many schools might also require supplements that include some thoughtful – and downright quirky – essay prompts and short answer questions.

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With its lengthy history and unparalleled academic rigor, it’s no surprise that Yale tops many students’ best-fit lists, with an acceptance rate that has dipped below 5% in recent years.

Given the competitive nature of Yale’s admissions process, every component of your college application is going to be crucial, including supplemental essays. Like many colleges, Yale has a number of writing prompts that students are required to answer as part of their submission. Keep reading to learn more about the Yale supplemental essay to make sure your writing sets you apart from the pack.

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NYU has long been a top choice school for many students. New York University’s application volume has now reached a new level. Last year, more than 100,000 students submitted applications, marking a new record for the college.

Consequently, it’s no surprise that gaining a seat at NYU is exceptionally competitive. To boost your admissions odds, you must ensure that each component of your application presents you in the best possible light, including your NYU supplemental essays. Read on to learn what you can do to make sure your writing sets you apart for all of the right reasons.

If you think you only need to worry about your personal statement, think again. Supplemental essays matter, particularly at highly competitive colleges like NYU where students are applying amidst tens of thousands other applicants.

One of the most important questions you will need to answer as part of the NYU supplemental essay process is about the college itself. Many schools include a supplemental essay question that asks the applicant why they are choosing to apply to their institution. They ask this question because they want to gauge an applicant’s

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Columbia University is a popular choice for many students’ best-fit lists. There are many reasons why the Ivy League university appeals to thousands of applicants each year, from a prime location in the heart of New York City to its renowned Core Curriculum,

Given its popularity and unparalleled academic rigor, it’s no surprise that Columbia is one of the most selective schools in the country. To gain a seat, students should ensure that every component of their application, including their supplemental essays, are top notch. Read on to learn best practices that will help your writing stand out to Columbia’s admissions officers.

The first question you might ask yourself is: “How do I get into Columbia University?”. When it comes to supplemental admissions essays, their second is probably going to be “How many will I have to write?”

Every college has different essay requirements and guidelines. At Columbia University, applicants are asked to answer three short-answer questions with a 200 word maximum, as well as three list questions with word limits ranging between 75 and 125 words.

If you want to write the

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If Princeton is at the top of your list for best-fit colleges, you know that every component of your application counts. With a record-low acceptance rate of less than 4% for the University Class of 2025, it’s clear that applicants are going to have to submit their best work to be competitive, and that includes writing compelling supplemental essays.

While grades may pull the most weight in admissions decisions, supplemental essays give students an opportunity to highlight what makes them unique, demonstrate their knowledge of Princeton, and articulate the impact they will have on campus. Keep reading to learn how to write Princeton supplemental essays that will help you stand out for the right reasons.

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With colleges receiving more applications than ever before and admissions rates dwindling each year, many college-bound students are deciding to hedge their bets and apply to as many schools as possible in order to secure sufficient offers of admission. There have been reports over the years of students applying to dozens of colleges ­– sometimes 30, 40, even 50. But is this really beneficial? How much is too much when it comes to college applications?

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Even the most esteemed names in the literature encounter writer’s block once in a while. However, the personal statement college admissions essay is not the time for students to run out of ideas or settle for a sub-par topic.

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College Counselors Give Advice on How to Address COVID-19 In College Applications

As seniors prepare to submit applications during an admissions cycle unlike any other, many students may be wondering whether or not they should discuss the pandemic and if so, how? While there isn’t a universal approach that will be best for every applicant, there are some tips students should keep in mind when planning their approach. 

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Join Our Facebook Live Webinars April 15 & 17 to Learn More About How To Prep for College Admissions Process This Fall

Tune in to IvyWise Live on our Facebook page next week, where College Admissions Experts Christine, Scott, Nat, Zach, and Rachel will discuss how students can prepare for the college admissions process this fall and answer your most pressing college prep questions.

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Tips for Students Right Before College Applications are Due

Between family vacations and holiday festivities, it can be all too easy to put off college application work until the very last minute. While it’s always best to work consistently and strategically, even the most dedicated students find themselves working down to the wire from time to time.

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Understand the Importance of College Essays in Order to Increase Your Chances of Admission

If you’re under the impression that grades and test scores are the only admissions criteria that really matter, it’s time to think again. While it is true that these types of hard factors carry significant weight throughout the admissions process, well-written essays that reveal your true personality are also extremely important.

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Use These Pointers to Write an Essay You’re Confident About

Now that the Common App is officially open, many rising seniors are eager to get started on their personal statements. Writing an impactful essay can help students convey their personality to an admissions office and reveal something that may not be found anywhere else on their application.

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Take Your Writing to The Next Level With These Pointers

Compelling writing won’t only help you earn top marks in English – it’s also an important part of the college application process. In addition to grades and test scores, college applicants must submit a personal statement, which can be excellent opportunity to convey your personality, differentiating factors, and big-picture goals.

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Here’s What to Remember When Writing Your College Application Essays This Fall

For many students back-to-school season is already here, and with the opening of the Common Application on Aug. 1, the pressure to start on college applications is already on. While it’s smart for students to get a head start on their college applications during the summer, it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to write about in your essays – or how to write it.

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Here’s What College Bound Students Need to Do to Write a Great College Application Essay

It’s college application crunch time for high school seniors, and there are probably more than a few of you who are behind on writing those application essays. Don’t get stressed! Our team of counselors is here to help with some of their top essay writing tips.

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Students Can Get a Head Start On College Applications and Essays This Summer

The school year may be coming to a close, but the college admissions process is just starting for rising high school seniors (aka the college class of 2022). In addition to preparing for standardized testing and finalizing college lists, rising seniors also have the opportunity to get a head start on their college application essays during the summer break.

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College application deadlines are just days away, so now is the time for students to put the finishing touches on their apps, and double check for any college application mistakes.

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Brainstorming is the first step toward writing an authentic and compelling college admission essay. For some students, however, brainstorming can be a challenge.

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The college admissions process is just wrapping up for current high school seniors, but for juniors preparing for the admissions process this fall there’s a chance to get a head start on their essays. The Common Application, the pending Coalition Application, and various colleges are already releasing their essay prompts for the 2016-17 application season.

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Recently, the Common Application announced that the prompts for the 2016-17 application season will remain the same as last year, and that, instead of waiting for the Aug. 1 open date, current high school juniors can create accounts now that will roll over into the fall admission cycle. This is a big move, as the Common App stands to have some competition from the Coalition App, which plans to launch its “locker” feature soon and new application this summer. But what does this mean for current juniors, who are already under enough college prep pressure that these colleges supposedly want to help alleviate? How early is too early to get started on your college application essays?

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Many colleges are known for getting creative with their essay prompts, sometimes asking weird and wacky questions to encourage students to dig for thoughtful, creative responses. Another way some colleges are shaking up the college admissions process is with college application essay videos.

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Parents and students hear it every year: The college admissions process is more competitive than ever, and on many levels it’s very true. With the digital age came easier access to application materials, and students are applying to a longer list of colleges than ever before, making for a very saturated applicant pool at many top schools.

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The Common Application opens this weekend on August 1, and for many rising seniors this is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on their college applications before the start of the school year. However, before students dive into their college application essays, they need to know what’s true, and what’s false, about these common application essay myths.

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The August 1 Common Application open date is just around the corner, but many colleges have already released their 2015-16 college essay prompts. For many students, the summer can be a great time to get a head start on their college essays before the school year starts. If you’re already working on your college applications, there are many resources out there that can help you craft a great essay before you’re able to meet with your college counselor this fall.

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Recently, IvyWise CEO and founder Dr. Kat Cohen stopped by the TODAY Show to talk about what college students should include in their college applications. A lot of great questions came up, and we want to make sure families are armed with the knowledge they need to succeed. Many of these questions and concerns stem a lack of clarity or  understanding of the college admissions process.  At IvyWise, we strive to help families demystify the college application process and guide students on how to put their best foot forward when it comes time to apply through our college admission counseling services.

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More and more colleges are getting creative with their applications, including asking some weird, wacky, and unusual essay questions. These out-of-the-ordinary and very open-ended prompts can send some applicants into a panic, unsure about how to approach these crazy admissions essay questions.  

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Supplemental essays on the Common Application are a big part of your applicant profile. They help the admissions office learn more about you, demonstrate your interest, and they give you the opportunity to really stand out in the admissions process.

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The Common App launched last week, and while there were some first day hiccups, student have started to plan and write their college admissions essays to a variety of colleges and universities throughout the US.

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Today the Common Application released the essay prompts for the 2013-2014 application, along with news that they will enforce a strict 650 word limit, an increase of 150 words from the previous 500 word limit.

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