The first sentence of a college essay isn’t the “answer” to the question. The “answer” is the entire essay.
A Plea For Politics In The Classroom
Teachers who are honest about their opinions can encourage productive, respectful debates.
College Essay Prompt Pet Peeves
I feel little solicitude for the Common Application prompts, contrivances that they are. I do, however, respect institutions’ right to define their curiosity and probe students accordingly. Here are some, though, that deserve a second thought.
Insight into New University of California Application Essays (Part I)
If these prompts inspire more candid, creative answers, then UC might be on to something.
Some Recommendations About Recommendation Letters
Students often behave as if recommendation letters don’t exist.
The Infantilization of College Admissions
No matter where they’re teaching, no clear-minded teacher enters the classroom every day wanting to make students “college-ready.”
College Rejection Doesn’t Have to Mean Frustration
Students can do a great deal, both before and after applying, to ensure that they maintain their sanity, embrace colleges’ decisions, and actually increase their chances of getting into their favored schools.
HuffPost Blog Series
This is Josh’s series of blogs on college counseling, college essays, and related topics.
Ask, Memory: Interrogation and the College Essay
A college application carries not the slightest fraction of the gravity of a life sentence. Even so, whenever I speak to students about college essays, I implore them to interrogate themselves, not as suspects but as witnesses. Witnesses to their own lives.
How College Applicants Can Go Beyond ‘Show Don’t Tell’
Analysis entails a discussion of reasons, consequences, processes, and connections to meaningful ideas.
An Accounting of Word Counts
The tailor’s great adage is, “measure twice, cut once.” That’s good advice when you’re working in silk, but irrelevant when ink and paper are in abundant supply. If a writer can’t get word counts out of his mind, I recommend one of two strategies…
College Advice from the People Who Matter Most (Pt. I)
I asked a few of my professor friends for advice that they would give incoming college students. I told them that I did not want them to lament the shortcomings of high school education or to grumble about “kids these days.” I wanted them to offer kids real insights into the demands of college, and to help smart, eager kids be as successful as possible.
College Admissions: A ‘Game’ Anyone Can Win
Last week, the first big tranche of high school seniors found out where they’re headed next year, as colleges released their Early Action and Early Decision notifications. Those who got deferred, and those who have …