As they embark on the admissions process, one of the most significant components that students will tackle is the oft-dreaded Common App personal essay.

In order to do so, institutions seem poised to place greater emphasis on the personal essay in the review process, as a component of the application in which students may choose to disclose their ...

Can personal essays help diversify universities? Details, stories, and other examples drawn from applicants’ academic and personal experiences have always mattered.

And every year since 1976, the Common App, as it’s known, has asked teenagers to write an essay where they reflect on who they are and what they want to be.

Students have a perfect opportunity, through the Common App Essay, to share any “story” of their life. Other than the Activities section, which is tightly limited by word count, the essay is ...

This is what admissions officers really want to read in college essays The important thing is not to overthink it.

Six hundred and fifty words. It doesn’t sound like much. Yet, the simple length of a common app college essay can be overwhelming for so many students.

For example, some schools don’t mandate the Common App personal essay, but others require college-specific essays and letters of recommendation. The guide also indicates whether particular colleges ...

After the recommendations have been requested, after the testing has been completed, after one has purchased a blue and ...

Experts say a good college essay features a student's voice and personality.

The essay component of American college applications has a long history, but its purpose has changed over time.