Your WHY is the purpose, cause or belief that inspires you. Knowing your WHY gives you a filter to make choices -– at school, at work,...

After reviewing my students’ offers of admission to the UCs this year, I was particularly interested in analyzing their responses to the...

February is the month for hearts. I heart chocolate. I heart friends. I heart writing personal statements! Say what? It’s crazy-hard to...

As college application season winds down for this year’s high school seniors, I’ve been thinking about the students and families I am...

In a typical year, it takes courage for teenagers and families to ride the roller coaster of emotions leading to college. But these are...

Last fall, I met with Marc, a high school dynamo. You name it, he had it going on. Except for one thing. He couldn’t write. I mean, he...

For high school seniors, writing supplemental college essays is like going on a long road trip–at some point, you stop noticing the...

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. That's not going to be the best way to choose a prompt and topic for the Common App essay. Just sayin'. So how...

Are you a rebel who resists the status quo? If so, there's a good chance the traditional essay format is not for you. Don't despair! ...

Have we met? You’re the kind of person who shows up, does great work, and is there for your friends. You don’t like a lot of attention...

We all have a place – a kind of sacred space – where we just plain feel like ourselves. ~ In the woods ~ On a baseball diamond ~ Around...

High school students: Did you ever experience a serious sense of envy – the kind that turns your eyes three shades of green? It can...

Summer. It’s a season, and a state-of-mind. And it means something different to every high school student. Modern college admissions...

"Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest...

Ever wonder how much pressure the red pencil feels – to be like the blue ones? To think and act like the blue ones. Interesting things...

Curiosity. It’s a trait Engineering students have in common. You’re curious about how things work, and how they can work better. And...

How many times during the school day do you find yourself thinking - That’s not me! That’s not me – I don’t raise my hand during class...

Some students freak out at the mention of the word passion. It’s overused and the fizz is gone. Agreed. But until we find a better word –...

Here’s a typical situation – you’ve got a crazy amount of college application essays to write, on top of all your other commitments. You...

You're under pressure to write stellar college essays that will change lives, save the world, and get you into your dream school. It's...