The College Essay Advisors Podcast
Join College Essay Advisors' Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, and Director of Advising, Becca Myers, for the inside scoop on all things college essay-related – from brainstorming tips to real time essay reviews. This is your chance to go behind the scenes at CEA and discover what admissions is really looking for!
Episodes
47: The 3 Common Ways Students Undermine Their College Essays
Join Stacey and Becca as they outline three subtle mistakes that can weaken an otherwise strong personal statement. From repeating the activities list to forcing a lesson or skipping reflection, they explain how students can avoid common pitfalls and write essays with more depth, purpose, and personality.Order your copy of Stacey's new book:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/the-uncommon-co
46: Supplemental Essays About Conflict and Disagreement: What to Know Before You Write
Join Stacey and Becca as they unpack how students can approach supplemental essay prompts about disagreement and differing points of view. They’ll discuss what colleges may be looking for in these responses, and how to write about conflict with maturity, nuance, and purpose.Order your copy of Stacey's new book:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/the-uncommon-college-essay-book/Work with an A
45: The Purpose of the Why Essay (and How to Make Sure Yours Is Distinct!)
Join Stacey and Becca as they break down the purpose of the “Why This School” supplemental essay prompt and offer context as to what admissions officers are really looking for. They share practical strategies for researching colleges, making your responses specific and personal, and how to connect your past interests to school offerings. Listen now to learn how to demonstrate genuine fit while cra
44: Supplemental Essays 101: What Colleges Ask—and Why!
Join Stacey and Becca as they break down the most common types of supplemental essays students will encounter during the college application process. From “Why Us?” and "Tell us about a community" essays to short answers and creative oddball prompts, they explain what colleges are really hoping to learn from each one, and how students can approach them with a narrative strategy in mind.
43: How to Write an Uncommon Community Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they explore how applicants can think outside the box when choosing topics for their community essays. They share strategies for identifying authentic, meaningful communities and explain how a fresh perspective can help students present a fuller, more compelling picture of themselves to admissions.Order your copy of Stacey's new book:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.c
42: Are Any College Essay Topics Off Limits?
Students often hear that topics like mental health, loss, service trips, injuries, or family challenges are “too risky” for college essays—but is that actually true? Join Stacey and Becca as they unpack what makes a topic risky, what makes it work, and how to tell the difference before you start writing.Order your copy of Stacey's new book:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/the-uncommon-col
41: Using AI to Draft College Essays: Yay or Nay?
Join Stacey and Becca as they dive into the nuances of AI in higher education, particularly its role in the college admissions process. They discuss evolving AI tools for students, share insights on university policies, and reflect on their own experiences (and those of their students) with AI.AI policies from the Top 30 Colleges and Universities:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/ai-use-in-coll
40: The Uncommon College Essay (Stacey's New Book!)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss The Uncommon College Essay: An Approachable Guide to an Intimidating Process, Stacey’s new book that walks students and parents through CEA’s step-by-step approach to drafting compelling, successful admissions essays. Stacey offers listeners insight into what they can expect from the book and how they can apply what they’ve learned to their own application ess
39: How to Write College Essays as a STEM Applicant
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss how STEM applicants can enhance their own natural writing abilities, differentiate themselves from other applicants with similar relevant experiences in this hypercompetitive field, and reimagine what it means to be creative in the context of college application essays.The Benefits, Cost, and Process of Working with a College Essay Advisor:https://www.collegee
38: Questions to Ask When Choosing a College Essay Advisor
Join Stacey and Becca as they offer advice to parents and students searching for college essay assistance and share the questions you should ask to ensure you hire the right college essay coach for your family.The Benefits, Cost, and Process of Working with a College Essay Advisor:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/college-essay-advisors-the-benefits-cost-and-process-of-working-with-a-college-es
37: How to Write a Strong Impact Essay (About Community Service)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the purpose of the Impact Essay, review Impact Essay prompts from schools like Princeton and Northwestern, and offer guidance on how to write supplemental essays about community service that avoid common clichés while making an impact on admissions.More about the Impact Essay:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/the-impact-essay/Watch some of our YouTube video
36: Medical School Secondaries: What to Know and How to Prepare
Join Stacey and Becca as they break down the medical school secondary essay process and provide helpful information regarding the timeline, the most common secondary essay questions that you can expect to see, and how to set yourself up for success before you become inundated with essay requests. (Hint: it helps to stay organized!) Work one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegee
35: Writing the AMCAS Personal Comments Essay for Medical School Applications
Join Stacey and Becca as they offer insight on how medical school applicants can craft compelling personal statements for the AAMC application. They address the timeline of med school admissions and how to think strategically about the stories you tell, given common secondary application essay questions (which we’ll dive into more in our upcoming episode!).Work one-on-one with an Advisor from our
34: How to Write a Distinctive Waitlist Letter to Your Top-Choice School
Join Stacey and Becca as they explain the difference between being deferred and being waitlisted, what being waitlisted really means, and what you can do to increase your odds of securing an acceptance (hint: write a unique waitlist letter!). Work one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/Follow us on social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
32: How to Approach the College Transfer Objective Statement
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Transfer Objective Statement. They cover the most frequent mistakes transfer applicants make while writing their admissions essays, as well as advice for drafting transfer essays that stand out.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team
30: What to Do if You Are Rejected in the Early Action/Early Decision Round
Join Stacey and Becca as they offer applicants tips for processing the disappointment of rejection, insight into the admissions decision process, and recommendations for how applicants can optimize their admissions essays ahead of Regular Decision deadlines.Sign up for your Rejection Review: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/the-rejection-deferral-review/Access CEA's Ex
29: Early Action and Early Decision Deferrals: What They Mean and What You Can Do About It!
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss what being deferred means and what you can do to improve your odds of admission in the Regular Decision application round—both for your top-choice school and the remaining schools on your list. Sign up for your Deferral Review: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/the-rejection-deferral-review/Access our Ivy League Deferral Guides:https://w
28: The College Essay Advisors Assessment Service Option (Bonus episode!)
Join Stacey and Becca as they offer listeners insight as to what applicants can expect upon signing up for an expert assessment of their college essay draft(s) and discuss their methods for constructively delivering feedback to young writers.Sign up for your college essay assessment:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/assessment-and-revision-services/Watch some of our YouTube
27: College Essay Brainstorming Exercises (Part 3: Objects)
Join Stacey and Becca as they walk you through one of their favorite ways of brainstorming for the personal statement: the object exercise! Take a look around your room and identify a few objects that are near and dear to you, then reflect on what they represent to you or remind you of. You may just identify a conduit to an impactful college essay topic!Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www
26: How to Write About Hardship and Trauma in Your College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss strategies for writing essays about hardship that emphasize positive qualities that will empower you to succeed in higher education, rather than relying on common platitudes. They also touch on the pressure many marginalized students feel to “sell their pain” by sharing traumatic stories in their college essays and offer advice on how to avoid writing about ch
25: The Dos and Don’ts of the Activity Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they review common Activity Essay prompts, discuss the purpose of the essay within the scope of the larger application, offer guidance on which of your activities to expand upon, and flag common pitfalls to sidestep. Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from ou
24: How to Write About Religion, Faith, & Politics in Your College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they weigh the risks and benefits of writing about religion, faith, and politics in your college essay. Can applicants address potentially controversial topics without polarizing admissions? How should their school lists factor into the decision? Listen to get some expert advice from the people behind College Essay Advisors.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.yout
23: The Dangers of Reading College Essay Examples
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the risks that accompany reading too many college essay examples and ways students and parents alike can best set themselves up for success before starting the college essay writing process.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https:/
22: How to Write Your College Essay About Someone Else (While Still Centering Your Story)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the dangers of writing about someone else in your college essay and what you can do to make sure the spotlight shines on you (your strengths, your character, your candidacy)! Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeess
21: How to Write About Summer Camp Successfully in Your College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the challenges of writing about one of the most common college essay topics: summer camp. Is it possible to write about camp while still differentiating yourself from other applicants with similar stories? Learn how this common experience can be a featured player in your story without taking center stage.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com
20: What is the Additional Information Essay?
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the role of the Additional Information Essay in the college application. They cover the purpose of this text box and the kinds of circumstances that warrant an essay, as well as the dangers of submitting a superfluous essay.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcAccess our Suppleme
19: Writing About Mental Illness in Your College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as discuss whether to (and how to) write about mental illness in your college admissions essay. Read our Common App Prompt Guide:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/portfolio-items/2024-25-common-application-essay-prompts-guide/Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Adviso
18: Writing about Neurodiversity and Learning Differences in Your College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the pros and cons of writing about neurodiversity in your college admissions essays. Whether you’re considering writing about your Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, learning differences, or ADHD, Stacey and Becca are here to offer some advice on how to write about your lived experience.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1
17: How to Approach the College Essay Writing Process as Twins
Join Stacey and Becca as they talk all things twins! Distinguishing yourself from similarly qualified applicants is hard enough as it is, let alone someone who shares your DNA; luckily, Stacey and Becca have tips for twins (and triplets) writing college admissions essays that shine.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeq
16: Everything You Need to Know About The Diversity Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the infamous Diversity Essay. They cover creative approaches to writing about identity and whether there are any risks involved with writing about race, sexuality, gender, etc. in a post-affirmative action admissions landscape. Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one
15: How to Write the 2023-24 Yale University Essays (Part 2)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the 2023-24 Yale University supplemental essay prompts. Part 2 of 2!Access our 2023-24 Yale University Supplemental Essay Guide:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/supplemental-essay/yale-university-2023-24-supplemental-essay-prompt-guide/Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWor
14: How to Write the 2023-24 Yale University Essays (Part 1)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the 2023-24 Yale University supplemental essay prompts. Part 1 of 2!Access our 2023-24 Yale University Supplemental Essay Guide:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/supplemental-essay/yale-university-2023-24-supplemental-essay-prompt-guide/Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWor
13: The Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action & The College Essay
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss this summer's SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action, the ramifications for students of color (and the education system as a whole), and provide guidance to applicants wondering how to (or whether to) use the written components of the application to offer admissions additional context regarding their background and lived experiences.Read Stacey's take o
12: How to Write the 2023-24 Harvard University Essays (Part 2)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the final two 2023-24 Harvard University supplemental essay prompts that applicants must respond to in 200 words or fewer.Access our 2023-24 Harvard University Supplemental Essay Guide:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/supplemental-essay/harvard-university-2023-24-supplemental-essay-prompt-guide/Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch
11: How to Write the 2023-24 Harvard University Essays (Part 1)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the first three (out of five) 2023-24 Harvard University supplemental essay prompts that applicants must respond to in 200 words or fewer.Access our 2023-24 Harvard University Supplemental Essay Guide:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/supplemental-essay/harvard-university-2023-24-supplemental-essay-prompt-guide/Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.y
10: College Essay Brainstorming Exercises (Part 2: Things We Hate)
Join Stacey and Becca as they share some of their favorite brainstorming exercises to get the ideas flowing. Part 2 of 2!Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/Follow us on social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Co
9: College Essay Brainstorming Exercises (Part 1: Things We Love)
Join Stacey and Becca as they share some of their favorite brainstorming exercises to get the ideas flowing. Part 1 of 2!Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/Follow us on social:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Co
8: The Common App's Prompt #7 (Topic of Your Choice)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s seventh and final prompt option, which asks applicants to share an essay on any topic of their choice.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/one-on-one-advising/Follow us on social:F
7: The Common App's Prompt #6 (The Passion Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s sixth prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to describe a topic, idea, or concept they find so engaging that it makes them lose all track of time.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegee
6: The Common App's Prompt #5 (The Accomplishment Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s fifth prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https://www.collegeessayadvis
5: The Common App's Prompt #4 (The Gratitude Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s fourth prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to reflect on something that someone has done for them that has made them happy or thankful in a surprising way. Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from our team:https:/
4: The Common App's Prompt #3 (The Challenge Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s third prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to reflect on a time when they questioned or challenged a belief or idea. They'll discuss the pitfalls of this prompt (and how to avoid them), as well as the opportunities it presents for self-discovery.Watch some of our YouTube videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhtt
3: The Common App's Prompt #2 (The Setback Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they discuss the Common App’s second prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to recount a time when they faced a challenge, setback, or failure, and share examples of topics that have been successful in the past. Watch some of our videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VxiKDeqQcWork one-on-one with an Advisor from ou
2: The Common App's Prompt #1 (The Background Essay)
Join Stacey and Becca as they walk you through the Common App’s first prompt option (out of seven), which asks applicants to discuss a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.Watch some of our videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD2f0LPT-jshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MaLsIu1vdEWork with us:-Get more info
1. What is the College Essay?
Join CEA's Founder and Chief Advisor, Stacey Brook, and Director of Advising, Becca Myers, as they answer the most frequently asked question raised by rising seniors: what is the college essay, anyway? They’ll explain the purpose of the assignment and offer insight as to what a successful college essay needs to accomplish.Watch some of our videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD2f0LPT-jshtt
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