personal statement 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."

The College App Essay & Joan Didion’s Rejection from Stanford

May 8, 2022 Elizabeth Benedict 0

I bet Joan Didion’s college app essay to Stanford was pretty darn good. But it wasn’t enough to get her admitted to the Farm, as […]

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 […]

College App Essays, Interviews, Common App — Decisions are Days Away

December 9, 2021 Elizabeth Benedict 0

Ready or not, the next few days will bring news to tens of thousands of students who applied Early Decision or Restricted Early Action to […]

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 […]

AI – Artificial Intelligence & Your College Applications & Essays

April 16, 2019 Elizabeth Benedict 0

I never imagined that when I started helping students with their college applications in 2009 that I would encounter so many aspiring engineers and computer […]

New Testimonials – Class of 2023

January 30, 2019 Elizabeth Benedict 0

It is an immense privilege for me to work with students applying to college, high schools, summer programs, and graduate schools. These new testimonials are […]

Best Ever University of Chicago Application Essay Prompts 2021-22

July 17, 2018 Elizabeth Benedict 0

UPDATE! The 2021-22 U Chicago prompts are out! Click right here to read about them. The following post is from two years ago, but the […]

U Chicago – Home of Quirkiest College App Essays – Makes Big News

June 14, 2018 Elizabeth Benedict 0

I’ve been checking the University of Chicago’s website for weeks, hoping they’ve posted this coming fall’s new supplemental essay prompts – because UC’s are always […]

Who Says You Can’t Write An Essay (maybe even for College Applications) About Math?

April 17, 2017 Elizabeth Benedict 0

Do you love math? Read this wonderful essay in The New York Times by Richard A. Friedman, who explains his own love of math. Consider the possibilities […]

Welcome to the New Don’t Sweat the Essay Site!

July 12, 2016 Elizabeth Benedict 0

If you’re a regular on my blog or my website, scanning the Internet for the latest information on college application essays, personal statements, and the […]