The colgrad blog
Guides for your application
Clear, practical advice on essays and applications. Your words. Our feedback.
October 31, 2026 · 7 min read
College Essay Topic Ideas: How to Find a Story Only You Can Tell
Brainstorming exercises to find strong college essay topics, examples of everyday subjects that work, and how to test whether a topic is right for you.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Revise a College Essay: A Step-by-Step Editing Checklist
A practical process for revising your college essay draft, from big-picture structure to sentence-level editing, plus how to use feedback without losing your voice.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 5 min read
The Common App Additional Information Section: When and How to Use It
What belongs in the Common App Additional Information section, what doesn't, and how to write a clear, factual entry that helps readers understand your context.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 8 min read
Applying to US Colleges as an International Student: A Practical Guide
Key steps for international students applying to US colleges: understanding holistic admissions, essays, activities, testing, financial aid questions, and giving readers context.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 6 min read
10 Common College Essay Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
The most common college essay mistakes students make — from generic topics to missing reflection — with practical fixes for each one.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Start a College Essay: A Practical Guide to Your First Lines
Practical ways to begin your college essay, common opening mistakes to avoid, and questions to help you find a start that sounds like you.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 5 min read
How Long Is a College Essay? Word Limits Explained
Typical college essay lengths, how the Common App personal essay limit works, how to handle supplemental limits, and how to cut a draft that runs long.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 6 min read
The Common App Activities List: How to Make Every Character Count
How the Common App activities section works, the character limits for each field, how to order activities, and how to describe impact clearly in your own words.
Read guideOctober 31, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Approach the "Why This College" Essay
What colleges look for in a "Why us" supplemental essay, how to research a school meaningfully, and common mistakes that make these essays feel generic.
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