I created Don’t Sweat the Essay 18 years ago because college application essays were so daunting to so many students.
I’ve worked on Common App essays, MIT essays, and the California PIQ essays with about 800 students around the world. They learn to write about their interests, ambitions, and accomplishments, presenting their best selves to the best universities, from Cambridge, Mass. to Cambridge, England, from UCLA to MIT, and from Cal Tech to Cooper Union. Here’s what some of them have to say about working with me.
Today, the admissions landscape is changing as fast as everything else in our culture. The essay is more important than ever—but so is every other aspect of your application.
Before COVID upended college admissions in 2020, change happened slowly when it came to universities altering policies. These days, the ground seems to shift every week. I keep up with changes in the essays and every other aspect of your applications.
Whether you’re applying to Harvard or Harvey Mudd, and whether you need help with the Common App Essay or the Yale question, “What inspires you?”, here is some of what you need to know today, in early June 2026:
Applications to the most selective colleges are UP—way up.
College lists are longer than ever & many lists are “reach-heavy.”
As applications rise, admit rates go down.
Your essays must be more personal & detailed than ever–because of AI suspicion.
Supplemental essays are out at a handful, including Tulane & UVa.
The SAT/ACT is back at many top colleges, after the COVID pause.
Depth & commitment in ECs are more important than ever.
Waiting lists are up because students apply to so many colleges.
The costs of college are up, up, up.
More colleges offer financial aid even to higher-income families.
AI is reviewing applications in the first pass, making GPA & test scores matter more.
Colleges fill larger percentages of entering classes in Early Decision because students apply to so many colleges.
Stress is up—but it doesn’t have to be.
Strategic thinking is more important than ever.
I work with students at every stage of the process, from helping choose colleges to editing and proofreading final essays, from brainstorming to describing important activities in 150 characters on the Common Application.
Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns and want to figure out next steps.
