Crazy story: a few years ago, there was this weird bug in the Common App website that caused the last paragraph of essays to get deleted. 

​That means that countless applicants spent hours brainstorming, writing, and revising their essays... Only to submit an incomplete essay with no conclusion.

Some of the most common college essay advice... is also the most terrible. 

I've been an education consultant and college counselor for eight years — at this point, I've heard it all... And it almost feels like a moral obligation to tell you that the advice people have been giving you is probably wrong.

If you want to go to Yale, you have to work for it.

Both by being an amazing student with incredible teacher recommendations...

And by writing seven supplemental essays. 

I already discussed the first Short Take, "What inspires you?" Today, let's explore the next question:

This is a post for all the aspiring Bulldogs who are feeling stumped by Yale's "Short Takes" on the Common Application.

The first thing you need to do is understand why the Yale admissions team is asking these zany questions.

This blog is full of ideas and advice about writing successful college essays — yet one concept I always emphasize is that your recommendations matter at least as much as your essays.

​You can say anything you want about yourself... So colleges are very interested in what your teachers have to say about you. 

Overall, the essay prompts on the Common Application don't change much from year to year — but 2020 brings a notable exception. 

In response to the maelstrom that is 2020, the Common App has added a new, optional essay in the Additional Information section:

Out of the thousands of universities and colleges, Chapman might be the most beautiful.

But that's only one of many reasons to consider making this your home for the next four years.

"Welcome to paradise!" the Stanford band blasted across the quad my first night of freshman orientation. 

They were right: Stanford is​ a paradise. But the Stanford application... can feel like hell. 

Let us start with a moment of silence for the Class of 2020 and everything they've lost because of the shutdown: graduation, their last season of high school sports, leadership opportunities, prom, shenanigans with friends, many of whom they might never see again.

It's tragic. When I think back on how much my friends meant to me and how hard it was to say goodbye at graduation, my heart sincerely breaks for the seniors. 

But all high school students have lost some kind of opportunity because of this pandemic, whether it's your shot at making varsity or a summer internship or a teen travel opportunity.

​If you have lost an opportunity due to the corona virus, HERE IS WHAT YOU MUST DO NEXT:

Exciting news! The Common Application has officially released the 2019-2020 undergraduate applications, including prompts for the writing supplements. 

If you're reading this, you've probably had the chance to check out the University of Southern California (USC) application -- and realized that it is one of the longest, most comprehensive applications you'll be writing this year. 

But it's also the most fun!