The Worst College Essay Topics
We would never unequivocally tell an applicant that any proposed college essay topic is off limits. Great writers can take the most mundane, banal, and generic topic and transform it into a captivating composition. However, in our experience reading thousands of college essays, we are…
Common App Changes for 2019-20
As the higher education community waits with bated breath for the annual Common App launch party on August 1st, the rumors are flying about what revolutionary changes to the popular application platform might shock the world in the coming days. It’s being reported that some…
How to Complete the College Application Activities List
For all of the first-class treatment applicants give to their Common App essay, the activities list is all too often relegated to steerage. If antiquated steamship analogies do little for you, a more apropos comparison might present the essay as the mean, attention-hogging prom queen…
2019-2020 Common App Essay Prompts
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This well-worn idiom captures the mindset of the decision-makers at the Common Application who announced this January that the essay prompts for the upcoming 2019-20 admissions cycle will be the same as they were in 2018-19. In the…
Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
Many battle-worn applicants, weary from the slog of completing a dozen or so applications, encounter optional essays and requests for other non-compulsory application components such as a resume, interview, or writing sample(s) and simply wave the white flag. On one level, this response is understandable….
Common App Essay Prompts for 2018-19
It is an occurrence almost as rare as a total solar eclipse, a silent day on the President’s twitter account, and a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl appearance all rolled into one—this year, the Common App essay prompts will not be undergoing a single change. Common…
Mastering the “Why this College?” Essay
After pouring their heart and soul into the Common App essay, students often run out of gas by the time they encounter any remaining supplemental essays. While supplemental essays may ask you anything from “What makes you happy?” (Tufts) to analyzing a Kermit the Frog…
Changes to Common App Essay Prompts for 2017-18
This week, The Common Application essay prompts underwent their most substantive changes since 2013. While two prompts remained unchanged, three were revised, one was introduced, and one oldie-but-goodie was resurrected. The team at College Transitions will walk you through the changes and tell you what…
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Downloadable Resources for your College Transition
