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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October 11, 2022

Joe Kane

Don’t Revise College Essays When You’re Nervous!

When your college essay is done, reviewed, proofed - leave it alone. Don't revise your college essays when you are nervous - or about to click send on your Common Application!

September 20, 2022

Kim Lifton

How to Shorten Your College Application Essay Without Ruining It

Tip to shorten college essay: Use "active voice" and swap out "to be" verbs.

September 12, 2022

Joe Kane

The Personal Statement Needs No Hook

Focusing on hooks places too much emphasis on the beginning, not the whole story. Students don't need a hook to get attention in the admissions office.

August 12, 2022

Kim Lifton

Frequently Asked College Essay Questions

It's hard to tell the difference between what’s worth listening to and what’s not when it comes to the college essay. Wow gives the real scoop in these FAQs!

July 13, 2022

Kim Lifton

What are The University of Michigan’s Essay Prompts?

Here are the prompts for the 2021-22 MIT college essay supplement, and some insight and prep questions to help you get started.

July 13, 2022

Kim Lifton

What are MIT’s Essay Prompts?

Here are the prompts for the 2021-22 MIT college essay supplement, and some insight and prep questions to help you get started.

July 12, 2022

Sammy Saperstein

The Easiest Way To Write Your College Application Personal Statement (2022-23)

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

May 13, 2022

Kim Lifton

How to Write Great Supplemental College Essays

Many colleges require supplemental essays. Top of the list: The Why Us? college essay. Why should any college pick you?

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

How to Write the Common App Essay (2022-23)

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!