Everyone, including me, seems to be surprised and disgusted by the recent college admissions scandal reported in the New York Times and elsewhere. Why would caring parents hand out thousands… read more →
I, Debbie Merion, wrote this post on a slim twin bed in an adobe building at the Upaya Zen Center, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A full moon was peaking… read more →
Most application essays have a maximum word count. It’s easy to fixate on this word limit, as though the essay is a 1-mile race, and once you’ve gotten to the… read more →
Essay Coaching’s free, fun quizzes for high school students help them improve their college application essays. Complete the quiz to read a document that details the best answers and the… read more →
The first sentence is the most valuable real estate in your entire college application essay. The first sentence is like a Park Ave. penthouse address in Manhattan—it’s impressive and memorable.… read more →
What do you think of this new Essay Coaching cartoon? The idea came from seeing so many parents (and being one of those parents) who try their hardest to launch… read more →
July 25, 2014. High School Senior: “When should I start writing my college application essay?” Debbie Merion, College Essay Coach: “Now.” High School Senior: “How?” 1. Forget writing. Take a… read more →
May 12, 2014 Here is a frequently asked question: How can I honestly reveal an imperfection in a college application essay but also write an essay that prompts a college… read more →
March 23, 2014. “Which essay prompt should I pick from the Common Application?” is one of the most frequent questions I hear as an Essay Coach. Here is my answer. … read more →
March 14, 2012. The Common Application for Undergraduate College Admission is accepted by 456 colleges from Adelphi to Yale, including the University of Michigan. Some colleges also require one of… read more →
