Guides
College essay guides
Short, practical advice for every essay in your application.
Oct 29, 2026
How to Choose a Common App Prompt (2026–27)
The seven 2026–27 Common App essay prompts explained, with a simple way to pick the right one for your story.
Oct 29, 2026
How to Write the UC Personal Insight Questions
What makes the UC PIQs different from a Common App essay, how to choose 4 of the 8 questions, and how to make every one of your 350 words count.