Common App Essay Guide

Advertisement



  common app essay guide: Crushing the Common App Essay Julie Ferber Frank, 2018 With candor, humor, and tons of tips, [this book] leads you step by step through the entire process of crafting a killer college application essay. See how to brainstorm ideas, use easy-to-understand examples as a model, and read inspiring real-life admissions success stories--Amazon.com.
  common app essay guide: College Essay Essentials Ethan Sawyer, 2016-07-01 Let the College Essay Guy take the stress out of writing your college admission essay. Packed with brainstorming activities, college personal statement samples and more, this book provides a clear, stress-free roadmap to writing your best admission essay. Writing a college admission essay doesn't have to be stressful. College counselor Ethan Sawyer (aka The College Essay Guy) will show you that there are only four (really, four!) types of college admission essays. And all you have to do to figure out which type is best for you is answer two simple questions: 1. Have you experienced significant challenges in your life? 2. Do you know what you want to be or do in the future? With these questions providing the building blocks for your essay, Sawyer guides you through the rest of the process, from choosing a structure to revising your essay, and answers the big questions that have probably been keeping you up at night: How do I brag in a way that doesn't sound like bragging? and How do I make my essay, like, deep? College Essay Essentials will help you with: The best brainstorming exercises Choosing an essay structure The all-important editing and revisions Exercises and tools to help you get started or get unstuck College admission essay examples Packed with tips, tricks, exercises, and sample essays from real students who got into their dream schools, College Essay Essentials is the only college essay guide to make this complicated process logical, simple, and (dare we say it?) a little bit fun. The perfect companion to The Fiske Guide To Colleges 2020/2021. For high school counselors and college admission coaches, this is an essential book to help walk your students through writing a stellar, authentic college essay.
  common app essay guide: Heavenly Essays Janine Robinson, 2014-05-14 Publisher information from iPage.IngramContent.com.
  common app essay guide: Hey AdmissionsMom Carolyn Allison Caplan, 2019-03-15 Welcome to a no-nonsense, unconventional approach to college admissions! Hey AdmissionsMom: Real Talk from Reddit from the voices of r/ApplyingToCollege, with Carolyn Allison Caplan, aka u/admissionsmom FRONT DOOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS HELP Discover what over 100,000 engaged r/ApplyingToCollege subscribers are learning about as they discuss a fresh approach to college admissions. With Hey AdmissionsMom, Carolyn and the kids from r/ApplyingToCollege give you a place to stop trying to figure out what your top schools want in you and instead ask yourself, What do I want out of life when I leave high school? What do I see for myself? You're a talented, interesting student, and when you really know who you are, you're going to make the best decisions for yourself As a sophomore or junior entering the college admissions process, maybe you're overwhelmed by the paperwork, school descriptions, test score requirements, extracurricular activity options, and the daunting task of figuring it all out without losing yourself. Others of you already started the college admissions process and feel okay about your applications, but you're struggling with the personal statement or essays. Or, you want permission not to be a carbon copy of the ideal student and want out-of-the-box ways to be yourself, both in life and in the admissions process. And you're not just managing your expectations, but also your parents. College admissions can be especially intimidating if your high school sucks, you're first in your family to go to college, or you haven't always been a model student. You might also be a concerned parent or mentor looking for a guide designed not to stress you and your kid out and might even help with that as you learn the ropes of college admissions. For all the times you or your high school student thought, There has to be a better way, when you hear advice about high-performance, achievement, and crazy amounts of EC's (extracurriculars)... You were right. You just found it. Hey AdmissionsMom: Real Talk from Reddit In this refreshingly honest, irreverent digest of college admissions questions and answers from u/admissionsmom and the subreddit, r/ApplyingToCollege, you'll find 37 bite-sized chapters of practical information, inspiring personal stories, insider tips, and yes, we have to be honest about this here - the occasional swear word, too. The time is NOW for you to: Focus on who you are, what you want from life, and how college fits into your goals, not the reverse Write essays and personal statements that actually sound like you, the real you Stop being one of 50,000 students applying to the same 20 colleges Stay positive even if you're not valedictorian or you didn't cure cancer (nobody else has either -- yet) Find questions asked by students just like you, so you don't feel alone or like you're the only one who doesn't already have it all figured out Take a deep breath as you learn about mindfulness By the end of Hey AdmissionsMom: Real Talk from Reddit, you will have peeled back the layers of your authentic self and be able to appreciate your personality traits, interests, and talents as you breathe and apply to college with a smile.
  common app essay guide: On Writing the College Application Essay Harry Bauld, 2001 Offers tips on how to write meaningful essays for college admission applications. Includes sample essays.
  common app essay guide: College Admission Essentials Ethan Sawyer, 2020-07-21 You can get into the perfect school! You may think that getting an acceptance letter from selective colleges and universities is a mad dash to the top that only the very best students survive, and those who make it are just the lucky ones. Stress levels soar as it feels like the bar is rising higher and everything is out of your control. But that's not true! You can take control, and you can do it in a way that's as effective as it is empowering. From describing your extracurriculars to interviews with admission officers, it comes down to two questions: What matters most to you? How does it manifest in your life? The answers will give direction to every part of the admission process. Ethan Sawyer (the College Essay Guy), along with dozens of top admission experts, will help you stand out by showing colleges and universities how your values and your drive will change you, your alma mater, and the world. Inside you'll find... Advice and insight from a team of counselors, advisors, and deans of admission Interactive exercises that quickly and easily provide the best content for your application Access to a massive database of online resources, including organizational tools and in-depth guides Guidance for veterans, students with learning differences, LGBTQ+ students, students interested in women's colleges or HBCUs, and more www.collegeessayguy.com
  common app essay guide: The Best 387 Colleges, 2022 The Princeton Review, Robert Franek, 2021-08-31 Make sure you’re preparing with the most up-to-date materials! Look for The Princeton Review’s newest edition of this book, The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition (ISBN: 9780593450963, on-sale August 2022). Publisher's Note: Products purchased from third-party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality or authenticity, and may not include access to online tests or materials included with the original product.
  common app essay guide: I'm Not Feeling Well Today Shirley Neitzel, 2001 Anyone who can turn pages can read this book.And what fun it is! If you're not felling well today, the prescription for felling better--quickly--is: A box of tissueA catCartoons on TVA bearAnd a whole bedful of other things guaranteed to make any day a happy one!
  common app essay guide: Escape Essay Hell! Janine Robinson, 2013-11-03 Publisher information from iPage.IngramContent.com.
  common app essay guide: On Writing Well William Knowlton Zinsser, 1994 Warns against common errors in structure, style, and diction, and explains the fundamentals of conducting interviews and writing travel, scientific, sports, critical, and humorous articles.
  common app essay guide: Graduate Admissions Essays, Fifth Edition Donald Asher, 2024-07-16 The fully updated fifth edition of the go-to guide for crafting winning essays for any type of graduate program or scholarship, including PhD, master's, MD, JD, Rhodes, and postdocs, with brand-new essays and the latest hot tips and secret techniques. Based on thousands of interviews with successful grad students and admissions officers, Graduate Admissions Essays deconstructs and demystifies the ever-challenging application process for getting into graduate and scholarship programs. The book presents: Sample essays in a comprehensive range of subjects, including some available from no other source: medical residencies, postdocs, elite fellowships, academic autobiographies, and more! The latest on AI, the GRE, and diversity and adversity essays. Detailed strategies that have proven successful for some of the most competitive graduate programs in the country (learn how to beat 1% admissions rates!). How to get strong letters of recommendation, how to get funding when they say they have no funding, and how to appeal for more financial aid. Brand-new sample supplemental application letters, letters to faculty mentors, and letters of continuing interest. Full of Dr. Donald Asher's expert advice, this is the perfect graduate application resource whether you're fresh out of college and eager to get directly into graduate school or decades into your career and looking for a change.
  common app essay guide: The Elements of Style William Strunk Jr., 2023-10-01 First published in 1918, William Strunk Jr.'s The Elements of Style is a guide to writing in American English. The boolk outlines eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition, a few matters of form, a list of 49 words and expressions commonly misused, and a list of 57 words often misspelled. A later edition, enhanced by E B White, was named by Time magazine in 2011 as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923.
  common app essay guide: You Got Into Where? Joi Wade, 2016-06-17 You Got Into Where? is the first college admissions guide written by a student who is fresh out of the college admissions process. Learn how I was admitted to schools like the University of Southern California and New York University with full tuition scholarships. The guide features copies of my admissions essay, writing supplement, and activities resume that I used to apply to college the fall of my senior year. Get advice on all the secrets of the admissions process from start to finish. I can't believe that a 17 year-old has written a college admissions books that is so well-written, clear and accurate. No wonder USC jumped at the chance to have her become their student. My sense of things is that mostly parents read college admissions books; high school students just don't want to take the time. Given what she says and how she says it, I truly believe that teens will rush to read You Got Into Where? It is well worth their time. -Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz Author, adMISSION POSSIBLE
  common app essay guide: Write Your College Essay in Less Than a Day Elizabeth Wissner-Gross, 2009-09-15 Strategies from a noted educational consultant on how to ease the pressure, ace the essay, and gain admission into your top-choice school Getting into college has become fiercely competitive, which makes the personal-essay part of the application process even more important–and stressful. But stop worrying! In Write Your College Essay in Less Than a Day, Elizabeth Wissner-Gross–a top educational strategist in this area who counsels students at schools across the country–breaks down the harrowing ordeal of essay writing into manageable steps, leaving you with a fresh, polished, stand-out piece that admissions officers will love to read. Inside you’ll find • exercises to help you select an essay topic inspired by your most notable achievements–and winning a Nobel Prize needn’t be one of them • timed chapters (including snack breaks) to help you brainstorm, create, and critique your essay in only five hours • sample essays and grading criteria so that you can play the admissions officer–and know what you’re up against • advice on which writing techniques will score you points–and which could potentially sink your chances Accessible, savvy, and written with a student’s needs and concerns in mind, Write Your College Essay in Less Than a Day gives you all the tools you need to compose an original, professional essay that will help you turn your dream school into a well-deserved reality.
  common app essay guide: The College Application Essay Sarah Myers McGinty, 2012-07-17 The 25th- anniversary edition of this best-selling guide gives students simple strategies to maximize the opportunity to tell us about yourself. Updated to reflect the experience college applicants face today, this book provides a clear path to an essay that says, Pick me!--
  common app essay guide: Laziness Does Not Exist Devon Price, 2021-01-05 From social psychologist Dr. Devon Price, a fascinating and thorough examination of what they call the “laziness lie”—which falsely tells us we are not working or learning hard enough—filled with practical and accessible advice for overcoming society’s pressure to “do more.” Extra-curricular activities. Honors classes. 60-hour work weeks. Side hustles. Like many Americans, Dr. Devon Price believed that productivity was the best way to measure self-worth. Price was an overachiever from the start, graduating from both college and graduate school early, but that success came at a cost. After Price was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia and heart complications from overexertion, they were forced to examine the darker side of all this productivity. Laziness Does Not Exist explores the psychological underpinnings of the “laziness lie,” including its origins from the Puritans and how it has continued to proliferate as digital work tools have blurred the boundaries between work and life. Using in-depth research, Price explains that people today do far more work than nearly any other humans in history yet most of us often still feel we are not doing enough. Dr. Price offers science-based reassurances that productivity does not determine a person’s worth and suggests that the solution to problems of overwork and stress lie in resisting the pressure to do more and instead learn to embrace doing enough. Featuring interviews with researchers, consultants, and experiences from real people drowning in too much work, Laziness Does Not Exist encourages us to let go of guilt and become more attuned to our own limitations and needs and resist the pressure to meet outdated societal expectations.
  common app essay guide: How to Prepare a Standout College Application Alison Cooper Chisolm, Anna Ivey, 2013-08-26 Demystifying the process of completing a college application Written by two former admissions officers at top universities and current admissions coaches, this book is a must-have for preparing a winning college application. The authors reveal the mystery behind what college admissions officers are looking for and show applicants how to leverage their credentials, stand out in the over-crowded applicants' pool, and make a genuine, memorable impression. This is the book that will help the college-bound get off the like many others pile and onto the acceptance list. Includes instructions and examples for every component of the college application, from writing the essay to answering questions like Why do you want to go to College X? Shows how to avoid underestimating the importance of critical features on any application Includes the latest information on the Common Application 4.0 and corrects outdated, holdover advice still stressed in many other books This book is filled with step-by-step advice that students and parents can use immediately and will refer to again and again.
  common app essay guide: Get Real and Get In Dr. Aviva Legatt, 2021-08-03 An insider's college admissions guide that teaches students to identify and harness their unique passions, stand out from the crowd, and achieve their dreams. Dr. Aviva Legatt has spent her career in higher education as a professor, counselor, and admissions officer in the Ivy League, and she wants to let students in on a secret: admissions offices are sick of seeing the same cookie-cutter applications. What were once considered best practices for “doing high school right” are now so commonplace that they have become a liability. Get Real and Get In teaches readers to think outside of the box and focus on what admissions officers are really looking for—young people who dare to be their most authentic selves. Through engaging, accessible, and empathetic prose, this book forms an inspirational roadmap for readers to uncover their true passions and leverage them to create applications that truly stand out from the crowd. It also features a variety of useful exercises and candid stories from many influential figures, which teach students to look beyond just getting into a “good” college and focus more actively on identifying and attaining their long term goals. Get Real and Get In is designed to ignite an essential mindset shift in students: stop trying to just “get in” and start figuring out exactly what you want from life and how to get it. Stop managing the impressions you make on admissions officers and start defying impressions. This is an essential guide to cutting through the noise of the admissions process and gaining the confidence to forge one’s own path to success—in college and beyond.
  common app essay guide: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 'I'm a HUGE fan of Alison Green's Ask a Manager column. This book is even better' Robert Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide 'Ask A Manager is the book I wish I'd had in my desk drawer when I was starting out (or even, let's be honest, fifteen years in)' - Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck A witty, practical guide to navigating 200 difficult professional conversations Ten years as a workplace advice columnist has taught Alison Green that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they don't know what to say. Thankfully, Alison does. In this incredibly helpful book, she takes on the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You'll learn what to say when: · colleagues push their work on you - then take credit for it · you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email and hit 'reply all' · you're being micromanaged - or not being managed at all · your boss seems unhappy with your work · you got too drunk at the Christmas party With sharp, sage advice and candid letters from real-life readers, Ask a Manager will help you successfully navigate the stormy seas of office life.
  common app essay guide: Valedictorians at the Gate Becky Munsterer Sabky, 2022-08-02 A former Ivy League admissions officer offers an inspiring battle cry for sanity in the college application process that looks beyond the rankings to successfully determine what's truly the best school for you or your child. After years as a college admissions director for Dartmouth, Becky Munsterer Sabky had seen it all. The perfect grades, the perfect scores, and the perfect extracurriculars. The valedictorians were knocking at the gate, but in their quest for perfection they didn't realize what prize they were trying to win. In Valedictorians at the Gate, Sabky looks beyond the smoke and mirrors of the admissions gauntlet and places the power firmly where it should be: in the hands of the students themselves. Offering prescriptive, actionable advice for applicants and their mentors, Valedictorians at the Gate is the needed tonic for overstressed, overworked, and overwhelmed students on their way to the perfect college for them. -- page [4] of cover
  common app essay guide: The Naked College Essay Charity Hume, 2020-11-21 The Naked College Essay looks beneath the six prompts on the Common Application and helps you explore the deeper question: Who are you? This book reverse engineers the Common Application and other college essay questions by beginning the writing process with your most original and unforgettable material. After decades of experience coaching students with their college essays, and seeing many gain admission and win scholarships to top universities, I learned their strongest material drew from the key memories of their lives. This book will give you the writing techniques you need to write a compelling and unforgettable college essay. In the process, you will discover something even more valuable: the story of the true you.
  common app essay guide: College Essays that Made a Difference Princeton Review (Firm), 2010 Presents examples of 104 real essays by college hopefuls, along with advice from admission officers from top universities on what they look for when evaluating essays and applicants.
  common app essay guide: The Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, 2018-08-20 Classic Books Library presents this brand new edition of “The Federalist Papers”, a collection of separate essays and articles compiled in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton. Following the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, the governing doctrines and policies of the States lacked cohesion. “The Federalist”, as it was previously known, was constructed by American statesman Alexander Hamilton, and was intended to catalyse the ratification of the United States Constitution. Hamilton recruited fellow statesmen James Madison Jr., and John Jay to write papers for the compendium, and the three are known as some of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Alexander Hamilton (c. 1755–1804) was an American lawyer, journalist and highly influential government official. He also served as a Senior Officer in the Army between 1799-1800 and founded the Federalist Party, the system that governed the nation’s finances. His contributions to the Constitution and leadership made a significant and lasting impact on the early development of the nation of the United States.
  common app essay guide: A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays Cory M. Franklin, Paul Weingarten, Suzanne Franklin, Linda Black, 2021 This book is a handy, readable manual, which deals with the practical problems students face when writing their college admission essays--
  common app essay guide: Write Out Loud: Use the Story To College Method, Write Great Application Essays, and Get into Your Top Choice College Carol Barash, 2013-09-06 Tell your story and connect with the college of your dreams for admission and financial aid If everyone wrote essays like this, admissions officers would have to take every student's essay seriously. --Steve LeMenager, founder of Edvice Princeton and former director of admission at Princeton University With patience, contagious confidence, and plenty of real-life examples, Carol illuminates a process that can help anyone discover and articulate those stories that will help them stand out in their own way, and in their own words. --Shelley Krause, college counselor, Rutgers Preparatory School, and curator of the College Lists Wiki Because the college essay offers applicants their lone opportunity to demonstrate what truly matters to them, and to share the qualities that make them unique, the stakes could not be any higher. With meticulous detail, Barash delivers a foolproof plan for helping college applicants strike essay gold. --Chad Troutwine, cofounder and CEO of Veritas Prep To write out loud is to write and speak in a way that makes people pay attention. Write Out Loud teaches the Story To College program--with its proven storytelling-based approach, the Moments Method. This program has helped more than 8,000 students from high schools in the United States and around the world create effective, authentic application essays to win admission and financial aid at their top college choices. Write Out Loud enables anyone to masterfully integrate past experiences and future ambitions into successful application essays and interviews. The guided exercises help college essay writers get past the stress and confusion of writing about themselves. Write Out Loud reveals how to find unique topics for compelling essays, shows how to make the transition from a spoken story to a written essay, and provides examples of successful essays. The book also walks students through the Common Application, the online college application form used by more than 500 colleges and universities in the US and abroad. Inside, students will find: The 12 tools of the Moments Method Specific guidance for completing the Common Application Charts and checklists to organize essays and supplements Insight from admissions officers on what characterizes a successful college application essay With Write Out Loud, students build confidence to show their best selves in writing and to gain admission into the college or university they desire.
  common app essay guide: A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays Cory M. Franklin, Paul Weingarten, Suzanne Franklin, Linda Black, 2021-04-23 A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays provides practical advice and helpful suggestions for students writing their college admissions essays, primarily the 650-word Common App essay and supplementary essays that many schools require as part of their admission applications.With more students applying to college—and those students applying to more schools than ever before—college admission selection is far more competitive than in the past and the college essay is a key component. A Guide to Writing College Admissions Essays offers suggestions on good topics to write about without getting too specific (and just as importantly, what not to write about) and vital tips on writing approach, grammar, and usage. If used properly, this book will help applicants find their creative voice and craft a readable, interesting, and unique essay that will attract the college admissions reader. It just might make a difference in the final admission process.
  common app essay guide: adMISSION POSSIBLE Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz, 2012-04 Admission Possible doesn't just describe college admissions--it shows exactly what to say and do every step along the way from freshman through senior year of high school, using fully illustrated examples and checklists.
  common app essay guide: The Basics of Essay Writing Nigel Warburton, 2020-10-28 Nigel Warburton, bestselling author and experienced lecturer, provides all the guidance and advice you need to dramatically improve your essay-writing skills. The book opens with a discussion of why it is so important to write a good essay, and proceeds through a step-by-step exploration of exactly what you should consider to improve your essays and marks. You will find help on how to: focus on answering the question asked research and plan your essay build and sustain an argument improve your writing style and tone. The Basics of Essay Writing is packed full of good advice and practical exercises. Students of all ages and in every subject area will find it an easy-to-use and indispensable aid to their studies.
  common app essay guide: Suggestions to Medical Authors and A.M.A. Style Book American Medical Association, 1919
  common app essay guide: The Ultimate Essay Guide Justin Moryto, Sam Loyd, 2018-07-12 The Ultimate Essay Guide is essential reading for first-year undergraduates all the way through final-year to graduation. Want to move from a 2:2 to a 2:1, on to a 1st? Or even take your 1sts to a new level, this book will be able to help you. This is the first essay writing book that focuses on the whole picture. Rather than spending thousands upon thousands of words discussing the nuances of grammar and sentence construction (although we do touch on these) we spend our time highlighting what you can actively do right now to improve your essays. Using the methods and tools in this book you'll be able to research, write, edit and submit better essays in less time. These are the hacks of previous students, not the ramblings of a professor harping on about doing it the traditional way.
  common app essay guide: College Application Hacked Umair Khan, 2017-08-28
  common app essay guide: Complete Guide to College Application Essays The Princeton Review, 2021-01-12 THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY, MADE EASY. This user-friendly guide gives struggling students the step-by-step writing help they need to perfect the writing on their college applications, from the all-important personal essays to the supplemental material like short answer questions and resumes. Applying to college can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to crafting the perfect application. There’s a lot of pressure to submit something unique and cohesive. This book takes you from blank page to submitted application with step-by-step guidance on the most effective ways to complete this daunting process! We’ve packed these pages with practical exercises and annotated samples that model good and bad techniques, and included tips from real admissions officers. This complete guide provides: • A firsthand look into different review processes, plus editing guidelines to help you think like an essay reader • Step-by-step methods for breaking down a prompt • Brainstorming techniques to help you find the right story to share • Tried-and-true advice to get you outlining and drafting your essay with confidence • Annotated essays to demonstrate writing dos and don’ts • Guidance on additional written content (like short answer questions and resumes) for a completely polished application
  common app essay guide: Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions & Financial Aid in the Digital Age Michael Muska, Paulo de Oliveira, Anne Dwane, Steve Cohen, 2011-12-15 From the college admissions experts—where to go, how to get in, and how to pay for it Zinch.com is the largest online social network connecting students with colleges and scholarship opportunities. With 2.5 million student profiles and more than 800 universities—from Yale to Stanford, and American University to community colleges—Zinch offers students an efficient, relevant, and effective way to find the right- fit school, how to get in, and how to pay for it. Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions & Financial Aid in the Digital Age is your college admissions how-to guide, written by experts with insider guidance to the entire college admission process. Leveraging the power of Zinch.com, it covers every aspect of the college application process, from choosing the right (vs.best) schools, visiting campuses, improving your odds with a dynamic application strategy, meeting with a college advisor, working with athletic recruiting, applying for financial aid, knowing what to do if you are on a wait list, and much more. Incredibly well-connected authors Leverages the power of Zinch.com, the largest online social network of its kind Application do's and don'ts If you are one of the 2.2 million high school seniors ready to embark on the next step in your education, Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions & Financial Aid in the Digital Age is your go-to guide for getting into the college of your dreams—without ever breaking a sweat.
  common app essay guide: C2 Education The Smarter College Essay Writing Guide 2010 Edition , 2013
  common app essay guide: Mighty Writing's College Application Essay Guide Laurie Filipelli, 2017-05-19 This guide will help you tell your Mighty Story.This is an expert, engaging, and truly helpful guide for any student staring down the mouth of hell --the daunting college application essay process.--Katherine Ellison, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Buzz: A Year of Paying Attention.College application essays offer the chance to present who you are, in all of your particular splendor. To own that splendor is no easy task: sometimes the gems right in front of you are buried deep beneath a pile of expectations and commitments and doubt.The truth, however, is simple: you just need to dig them up. In other words, you have a life, and that life is full of stories.When Irena and I chat, and we frequently do, there's a common theme: we love our jobs. Why? Because our students find their way into college, not solely through improving test scores or bolstering their list of activities, but by expressing their truest selves. Students who write for school papers, who struggle with dyslexia, who battle scorpions in Texas, search for mushrooms in Oregon, or jog Central Park religiously each day. We get to know them all, and in knowing them, like them immensely. We cheer them on, offering tips from the sidelines--we love being part of a team. This guide itself is an example of teamwork. I drafted the following exercises as a series of blog posts, and together we clarified a vision, coauthored new sections, scheduled weekly phone calls to work through revisions and edits. We get it that writers need support, especially when the work of writing is that of discovering what matters to you and who you truly want to be. TestimonialsWriting is an art. It is a skill honed with exposure to the best writing, and, more importantly, with guidance on how to tailor your unique expression. Irena and Laurie are wizards with words: they helped me crystallize verbose sentences and infuse them with new meaning and impact. I love most that their guidance is empowering. It enables and equips you to chart out a beautiful piece of writing that tells your story. This confidence and self-reflection is necessary going into an essay-writing process. Above all, their warmth, dedication, and collaborative approach made my application process a very memorable experience, one that I shall cherish forever.--Student, Duke University Irena and Laurie guided me through the process of expressing my own voice and helped me express that voice most clearly and impactfully. Their advice was always clear--not only did they advise what I needed to work on, they also helped me with how to go about it, which is usually where I get stuck. Working with Laurie and Irena was more than writing a college essay--they also really pushed me to really reflect and be honest with myself, which ultimately helped me gain a deeper understanding of who I was and what I wanted to do.--Student, Harvard University I truly believe that Laurie's insightful questions made my son's essays come alive. I don't think he would have achieved the same results without her. Not only was he accepted at his first choice school, but he was given the Rensselaer Leadership Award which is a four-year merit scholarship.-- Parent, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute studentThis book was super helpful! I read through it in one sitting and now have a million things I could write about. Laurie and Irena's compelling and easy-to-follow advice gave me confidence and inspired me to try the exercises not because I had to, but because it was fun. --Student, Austin Waldorf High School
  common app essay guide: Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps, Third Edition Alan Gelb, 2017-06-20 The definitive guide to writing an amazing essay and mastering the college applications process. Writing a memorable personal statement can seem like an overwhelming project for a young college applicant, but college essay coach Alan Gelb's organized and encouraging step-by-step instructions take the intimidation out of the process, enabling applicants to craft a meaningful and polished college admissions essay. Gelb teaches students to identify an engaging topic and use creative writing techniques to compose a vivid statement that will reflect their individuality. A consistent top-seller in the college prep category, Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Easy Steps has been revised to include extra information on supplemental and waitlist essays. This much-needed handbook will help applicants win over the admissions dean, while preparing them to write better papers once they've been accepted. For more, visit the author’s website at www.conquerthecollegeessay.com.
  common app essay guide: Write Yourself In Eric Tipler, 2024-06-11 Write authentic, memorable college essays that will help you get into the right school for you with this guidebook from a veteran college admissions expert. Every spring, over one million high school juniors embark on an annual rite of passage: applying to college. And with college admission rates at an all-time low, getting into a competitive school is now tougher than ever. At the top schools, a strong transcript and great test scores will get your application noticed, but it’s your essays, and the personal story that they highlight, that will get you admitted. But often, students don’t know where to start. Teens fret over topics because they don’t know what college admissions officers are looking for. They bend over backwards to write what they think colleges want to read, instead of telling their authentic story—which is what admissions officers actually want—in a way that will resonate with their readers. They also struggle because college essays, which are narrative, first-person, and introspective require a different set of skills from academic, expository writing they’ve been learning for years in the classroom. Seasoned college admissions expert and educator Eric Tipler has seen this firsthand. Teens and their parents spend countless, anxiety-filled hours crafting and refining essays that are often lackluster. In Write Yourself In, Tipler meets students where they are, and provides comprehensive actionable advice in a warm and conversational tone. He demonstrates how to craft a winning essay, one that is authentic, vulnerable, and demonstrative of qualities like personal growth and emotional maturity. Instead of formulas, Write Yourself In gives students step-by-step processes for brainstorming, outlining, writing, and revising essays. It encourages them to seek out feedback at key points in the process, something Tipler has found to be vital to helping students produce their best writing. Further, the book includes sidebars that teach essential components of good storytelling, a “secret weapon” in the admissions process. In addition to the admissions essay, Write Yourself In also covers the most common supplemental essays on topics like community, diversity, openness to others’ viewpoints, and why their school is a good fit for the student scholarship essays, as well as scholarship essays. Tipler includes sections that address current topics like the widespread use of ChatGPT and the discussion of race in the admissions essay, a facet of the student’s application that will have newfound importance given the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Written with both the parent and teen in mind, Write Yourself In is the go-to handbook for writing a great college essay.
  common app essay guide: Medical Technicians Kezia Endsley, 2022-03-15 Welcome to the medical technician field! If you are interested in a career as a medical technician, you’ve come to the right book. What exactly do these people do on the job every day? What kind of skills and educational background do you need to succeed in this field? How much can you expect to make, and what are the pros and cons of these various professions? Is this the right career path for you? How do you avoid burnout and deal with stress? This book can help you answer these questions and more. Medical Technicians: A Practical Career Guide, which includes interviews with professionals in this field book covers the following medical technician careers. Cardiovascular Technologists (ECG or EKG Technicians) Nuclear Medicine Technologists Phlebotomy Technicians Laboratory Technicians Surgical Technologists Radiologic Technologists (x-ray, MRI, and CT Technicians)
  common app essay guide: The College Solution Lynn O'Shaughnessy, 2008-06-06 “The College Solution helps readers look beyond over-hyped admission rankings to discover schools that offer a quality education at affordable prices. Taking the guesswork out of saving and finding money for college, this is a practical and insightful must-have guide for every parent!” —Jaye J. Fenderson, Seventeen’s College Columnist and Author, Seventeen’s Guide to Getting into College “This book is a must read in an era of rising tuition and falling admission rates. O’Shaughnessy offers good advice with blessed clarity and brevity.” —Jay Mathews, Washington Post Education Writer and Columnist “I would recommend any parent of a college-bound student read The College Solution.” —Kal Chany, Author, The Princeton Review’s Paying for College Without Going Broke “The College Solution goes beyond other guidebooks in providing an abundance of information about how to afford college, in addition to how to approach the selection process by putting the student first.” —Martha “Marty” O’Connell, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives “Lynn O’Shaughnessy always focuses on what’s in the consumer’s best interest, telling families how to save money and avoid making costly mistakes.” —Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher, FinAid.org and Author, FastWeb College Gold “An antidote to the hype and hysteria about getting in and paying for college! O’Shaughnessy has produced an excellent overview that demystifies the college planning process for students and families.” —Barmak Nassirian, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers For millions of families, the college planning experience has become extremely stressful. And, unless your child is an elite student in the academic top 1%, most books on the subject won’t help you. Now, however, there’s a college guide for everyone. In The College Solution, top personal finance journalist Lynn O’Shaughnessy presents an easy-to-use roadmap to finding the right college program (not just the most hyped) and dramatically reducing the cost of college, too. Forget the rankings! Discover what really matters: the quality and value of the programs your child wants and deserves. O’Shaughnessy uncovers “industry secrets” on how colleges actually parcel out financial aid—and how even “average” students can maximize their share. Learn how to send your kids to expensive private schools for virtually the cost of an in-state public college...and how promising students can pay significantly less than the “sticker price” even at the best state universities. No other book offers this much practical guidance on choosing a college...and no other book will save you as much money! • Secrets your school’s guidance counselor doesn’t know yet The surprising ways colleges have changed how they do business • Get every dime of financial aid that’s out there for you Be a “fly on the wall” inside the college financial aid office • U.S. News & World Report: clueless about your child Beyond one-size-fits-all rankings: finding the right program for your teenager • The best bargains in higher education Overlooked academic choices that just might be perfect for you
  common app essay guide: Mathematicians and Statisticians Kezia Endsley, 2021-03-28 Welcome to the mathematics and statistics field! If you are interested in a career in mathematics or statistics, you’ve come to the right book. So what exactly do these people do on the job, day in and day out? What kind of skills and educational background do you need to succeed in this field? How much can you expect to make, and what are the pros and cons of these various professions? Is this even the right career path for you? How do you avoid burnout and deal with stress? This book can help you answer these questions and more. Mathematicians and Statisticians: A Practical Career Guide, which includes interviews with professionals in the field, covers the following areas of this field that have proven to be stable, lucrative, and growing professions. Statisticians College Math Professors Actuaries Research Analysts Economists
Common (rapper) - Wikipedia
Lonnie Rashid Lynn[7][8][9] (born March 13, 1972), known professionally as Common (formerly known as Common Sense), is an American rapper and actor. The recipient of three Grammy …

COMMON Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of COMMON is of or relating to a community at large : public. How to use common in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Common.

COMMON Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
Common definition: belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in question.. See examples of COMMON used in a sentence.

COMMON | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
COMMON meaning: 1. the same in a lot of places or for a lot of people: 2. the basic level of politeness that you…. Learn more.

COMMON definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
Common is used to indicate that someone or something is of the ordinary kind and not special in any way. Common salt is made up of 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Common decency or …

Common - definition of common by The Free Dictionary
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public: for the common good. 2. Widespread; prevalent: Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew. 3. a. Occurring frequently or …

What does Common mean? - Definitions.net
The common, that which is common or usual; The common good, the interest of the community at large: the corporate property of a burgh in Scotland; The common people, the people in …

common - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
May 26, 2025 · common (comparative more common or commoner, superlative most common or commonest) Mutual; shared by more than one. The two competitors have the common aim of …

common adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage …
Definition of common adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

common, adj. & adv. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford …
There are 35 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word common. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the word common? How is the …

Common (rapper) - Wikipedia
Lonnie Rashid Lynn[7][8][9] (born March 13, 1972), known professionally as Common (formerly known as Common Sense), is an American …

COMMON Definition & Meaning - Merriam-…
The meaning of COMMON is of or relating to a community at large : public. How to use common in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of …

COMMON Definition & Meaning - Dictionary…
Common definition: belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in …

COMMON | definition in the Cambridge En…
COMMON meaning: 1. the same in a lot of places or for a lot of people: 2. the basic …

COMMON definition and meaning | Collin…
Common is used to indicate that someone or something is of the ordinary kind and not special in any way. Common salt is made up of 40% …