great college application essay Archives ~ Ivy writing professor & bestselling author guides applicants to Harvard, Yale, MIT & other top colleges with a unique, innovative & personalized approach "The best decision we made during the college process." "She taught me how to write and think." Students work with me, not a random staffer.

Ideal Common App Essay Timetable

April 9, 2022 Elizabeth Benedict 0

As an essay coach, I’m often asked, “What’s the Common App essay timetable? When should my kid start writing The Essay?” I’m so glad you […]

2021-22 UCLA Essay Prompts, Other U CAL prompts, plus U Michigan & U Texas Prompts

April 27, 2021 Elizabeth Benedict 0

This past year’s college application and admissions cycle has been unprecedented. With 1000 colleges, including the most selective, making SATs and ACTs optional, applicant pools […]

Plan B: If You’re Rejected from Your 1st Choice College….

December 8, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

I was recently asked what a mother should tell her very sensitive son if he’s rejected at his first choice college when decisions come out […]

A College Essay Consultant on 7 Expert Tips for 2022-23

October 8, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

As a seasoned college essay consultant, I was recently asked to contribute to “7 Expert Tips for the Common App Essay,” published by BestColleges.com. It’s […]

Those University of Chicago Essay Prompts

July 9, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

“Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt didn’t really say that, at least in public, but one of this year’s […]

2021-22 Columbia Supplemental Essay Prompts are Here!

June 30, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

UPDATE: The Columbia supplements for 2021-22 applicants are modified slightly from previous years. See below. How to approach these unusual supplements? First, supplemental essays are […]

New/Old Testimonials: How I Coach Personal Statements for College & Medical School Applications

May 25, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

Reading a new testimonial and one sent to me five years ago that I somehow forgot to post (how did that happen?!), I have been […]

You Can’t Write College Application Essays Unless You Know Where You’re Applying: Here’s Help

April 5, 2020 Elizabeth Benedict 0

I don’t need to tell anyone reading this post that this is a spring for high school juniors unlike any other. Instead of being in […]

Racist Rants Reverse Harvard Acceptance: Your College App Essays & Work Up in Smoke

June 17, 2019 Elizabeth Benedict 0

For a student whose recent life has been rocked by tragedy and high drama, a little more drama has just come his way. From The […]

Our Favorite College Application Essay Prompts: University of Chicago 2019-20

June 4, 2019 Elizabeth Benedict 0

Last year, the University of Chicago made a lot of news when it made requiring standardized test scores optional. YES, optional. Keep that in mind […]