As you're surely aware, the Common Application announced new revisions and essay prompts on the 2017-2018 application. And one of them... is super fun and exciting!

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

In the digital age, we are plagued by "fake news", hypersensitivity, and the anti-science movement. Skepticism is more important than ever.​

As a life coach, I help students develop curiosity, purpose, skills and interests that no one else has. After all, the road to success isn't paved with numbers (GPA, SAT, APs, etc.) -- it's paved with verbs! 

Stanford is a dream school. With its huge endowment, symbiotic relationship to the Silicon Valley, and endless opportunities (you'll be taking introductory-level classes with bestselling authors and former world leaders), it's no wonder the 2016-2017 application season yielded record-low acceptance rates. 

2017-2018 will probably only be more competitive. 

Which is why it's more important than ever that your Common App and supplemental essays are authentic and unforgettable.

Let me start by saying, high school students, that I don't envy you. In fact, in my line of work, I find myself saying, "Wow! I'm so glad I went to high school when I did, and not today"... probably at least once per day.

Whether you're interested in business, engineering, or something completely different, the University of Michigan is an excellent place to begin the next step of your education. 

However, because UMich attracts so many qualified candidates, they don't make it easy to apply! In addition to your Common Application essay, you need to write three supplemental essays. 

I've worked with dozens of students on their U-M applications, so I know what mistakes and cliches to avoid. Use the tips in this post to write unforgettable supplementals that are uniquely you.

You've worked hard for four years -- and now you've got a shot at a UC education! 

Yet on top of your AP classes, SATs, ACTs, and other commitments, the UCs are asking for four essays this year! Many students have little experience writing about themselves, and have no idea how to start.

Want to apply to HLS, but not sure where to start?

​How about with these free online info sessions, scheduled throughout October, November and December?

Dear Frustrated Applicant, 

As you probably know, the UC application got two times harder this year than it was in previous years. Instead of asking for two essays, they're asking for four. Yes, they're shorter -- but, really, that makes it even harder to craft a beautiful essay.

The good news is, whether you're applying to Berkeley, UCLA, Santa Barbara, UCSD, Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC Merced, or any combination thereof, you only need to fill out one application. 

To help you get started, I'm sharing an excerpt from my upcoming book about college admissions about how I would answer the third essay prompt.  If you need additional advice or feedback, contact me or check out my Services and Prices page.

The University of California system is one of the best in the country. As such, admission to any of the nine UC schools (Berkeley, UCLA, Santa Barbara, UCSD, Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced) is competitive. 

This year, the UCs launched a new application -- instead of asking students to answer two, 500-ish word essays, they're asking for four 350-word ones. Which is at least twice as much work! Twice as many hook sentences. Twice as many conclusions. Twice as many carefully-crafted stories. 

To help you get started on this application, I have included a free chapter of my upcoming book on college admissions -- it should help you get started on your application. If you need additional advice or feedback, contact me or check out my Services and Prices page.