In writing a college or graduate school application essay (or job application), there can be a temptation to write whatever will “work,” that is “get you in” to a more selective college than would ...

While the University of Chicago says there is no strict word limit on its supplemental essays, other schools prefer brevity.

Writing college essays that stand out is a critical step in the college admissions process. College admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and a compelling essay can make a ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write on the human/political issues surrounding college admissions. The college essay has been a common, central part of ...

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think. By Nell Freudenberger Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either ...

Some students are still mentioning their race or immigrant status as the Trump administration cracks down on diversity efforts. But many are avoiding sensitive aspects of their identity. By Bernard ...