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College Application Essay Topics to Avoid – 2025-26 Edition

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 able to say with confidence...

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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. You’ve spent years grinding...

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How to Write the UC Activities List

At all nine UC campuses (Berkeley, Santa Barbara, UCLA, Riverside, Irvine, Davis, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Merced), admissions officers learn more about how you spend your time outside of school via the UC app’s “Activities and awards” section. If this is your first application of the season, you’re...

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How Many AP Courses Should I Take?

The answer to what students should strive for in most areas impacting college admissions is a straightforward, “More/higher is better.” Whether you’re talking about GPA or standardized tests scores, the goal is always going to be to max out your potential. Yet, the problem of selecting an appropriately rigorous...

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101 Food Trivia Questions

Who’s hungry for trivia? Food is the thing that brings us all together, and it’s always fun to learn a little more about the food facts in our world. These 101 food trivia questions will have you wondering what else you know about your favorite cuisines and traditions. Take...

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101 Video Game Trivia Questions

Make no mistake about it: people love playing video games. In fact, there are billions of video game players worldwide. How many, exactly? Well, that’s one of the trivia questions below, so I won’t give away the answer. These 101 video game trivia questions are designed to help players...

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How to (Quickly) Format Your Common App Essay

On August 1st, the Common Application went live for the 2025-26 admissions season. If you’ll be applying to any colleges using this form, it’s a smart idea to start inputting information as soon as possible. Since most of your writing will need to be pasted in text boxes (not...

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Online College Review: Should I Go to Colorado Technical University (CTU)?

Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a private, for-profit institution founded in 1965 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It operates primarily as an online university serving working adults, military-affiliated students, and career changers in business, IT, computer science, criminal justice, healthcare management, and nursing. CTU’s ten-week term...

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