Liberal arts schools typically focus on providing a well-rounded education that includes a broad range of subjects in addition to a student’s chosen major. While computer science programs at liberal arts colleges may not be as specialized or extensive as those at larger universities, they can still provide a strong foundation in computer science for […]
Mastering Graduate School Interviews for STEM Programs: Dos and Don’ts
Navigating graduate school interviews is a crucial step in your journey toward securing a spot in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduate program and deciding on the best program for your graduate studies. These interviews provide you with a golden opportunity to showcase your potential as a future researcher and budding expert in […]
Deferred: Now What Do I Do?
Most students apply Early Action or Early Decision to at least 1 or 2 schools. One possible outcome is that you’re deferred. This isn’t a rejection. Instead, the admissions committee is saying that right now, given the current applicant pool, admissions criteria, and available spots, they can’t accept you, but they’ll revisit your application later […]
Additional Information Section of the Common Application
On the Common application, tucked back in the Writing section (the same section where you upload your personal statement), you’ll see a tab titled “Additional Information” with the following instructions: You may use the space below to provide any additional information you wish to share The most challenging part about this is its lack of […]
Community-Based College Essay Prompts
While community-based essay prompts may not be as popular as “Why you major” or “Why do you wish to attend our college” prompts, they still show up for a variety of schools and it’s likely you’ll encounter at least one of them. Here are a few examples: Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body […]
Creative College Essay Prompts
Some schools, in addition to the standard run-of-the-mill Why Major and Why College essays, will ask you to think a bit outside of the box. Here are two examples: What advice would a wisdom tooth have? (University of Chicago) Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that […]
Why Your Major College Essays
Of course, we all know that most college applications will ask us to declare a major or, at the very least, select academic areas that we’re currently interested in. If that were the only information colleges had, they’d of course be missing out on a lot of potentially really helpful information: how our interest in […]
College Activity Essays
Many colleges are going to ask you to elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities. These are typically in the 100 to 300 word range. Here’s an example: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (Harvard University) Why do colleges care about our activities? Our activities, so long as they […]
“Why Attend Our College” Essays
Why College essays are one of the more popular types of essay prompts you’ll encounter. Here’s an example from the University of Chicago: How does the University of Chicago, as you know it now, satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future? Please address with some specificity your own wishes and […]
Engineering Schools
This blog post highlights two amazing engineering schools that often don’t receive the attention they deserve. Of course, this isn’t to say that they’re right for everyone. But if you’re an aspiring engineer, I encourage you to take a look at each of these schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Private research university in Troy, New York […]