Tips and Resources for Students & Parents

Expert college essay advice for students and parents. Tips and resources to help families navigate the college admission essay.

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April 28, 2022

Kim Lifton

How to Parse the UC Personal Insight Questions

Wow shows you how to parse The University of California 4 supplemental admissions essays questions, chosen from 8 prompts.

April 23, 2022

Sammy Saperstein

Joe Kane Shares Tips to Get Started on the Common App Essay

Wow President Kim Lifton hosts College Essay 101, a free class Wow President Kim Lifton hosts College Essay 101, a free class for students and families...

January 29, 2022

Kim Lifton

Best Tips to Break Apart the Common App Essay Prompts

What should I write about?" is one of the most common questions we get from students about the common app essay prompts.

November 18, 2021

Kim Lifton

Top 5 College Essay Myths & Facts

We polled about two dozen admission representatives to find out if they really read the essays. The collective answer was yes!

November 16, 2021

Sammy Saperstein

“Answer the Prompt,” Lifton Tells CollegeXpress

Wow's President walks through some of the top college essay Q&A's for writing effective college essays.

November 16, 2021

Sammy Saperstein

Wow’s Best College Essay Writing Tips

Consider watching this whole video to gain even more insights into Wow's signature college essay-writing process.

November 16, 2021

Sammy Saperstein

What’s the Biggest Mistake Students Make in their College Essays?

How does telling your story add to your application? What do colleges already know? What do you want them to know? Why does this story matter?

November 16, 2021

Sammy Saperstein

How To Write Your Personal Statement in Ten Simple Steps

Beware of the gimmicks and promises surrounding the college essay writing process. We hope you’ll ignore them because there really are no shortcuts.

November 16, 2021

Sammy Saperstein

“Don’t Try to Be Unique,” Cornell’s Felton Says in College Essay 101

In this recording, available to watch for free, Kim breaks down what writing a unique essay actually means with Cornell's admission director.

February 23, 2021

David Bersell

Joan Didion Essay About Being Rejected by Her Top College

Originally published in 1968, this essay by acclaimed author, Joan Didion, describes the rejection from her first-choice college.

February 23, 2021

Kim Lifton

Mundane Moments Make Great College Essays

Frequently, we learn our enduring life lessons during ordinary moments.That's why some of the best college essays we read focus on the most mundane moments.

February 23, 2021

Susan Knoppow

What Do You Want Colleges To Know About You?

Something personal, simple but detailed. These are the keys to standing out with your college essay.