The College Essay Guy Blog

common app

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The Common App: A How-to Guide

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The Common App: A How-to Guide

The Common App can be a confusing platform for families that have never used it. This guide walks you through the Common App portal, including pointing out aspects that often trip people up.

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Cómo Escribir una Lista de Actividades Extracurriculares Exitosa

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Cómo Escribir una Lista de Actividades Extracurriculares Exitosa

Aprende cómo escribir una lista de actividades extracurriculares para Common App usando esta guía paso-a-paso y encuentra profunda inspiración en la descripción de los ejemplos de las listas de actividades. 

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How to Answer the Common App COVID-19 Question: Essential Tips + Examples

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This year, the Common Application announced it is adding an optional 250-word question in the Additional Information section of its application.

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How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List

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How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List

Write an impressive college activities list for your common app using this step-by-step guide and awesome activities list for college applications example, with notes on how to select the right verbs and to decide how many hours per week to list. 

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The 2025-2026 Common App Prompts (and 7 Example Essays & Analysis)

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Learn how to navigate which common app essay prompt to use for writing your personal statement when applying to college. Which common app prompt is best? How do you choose? Learn more here.

How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section: Guide + Examples

Guidelines and tips for how to write your common app additional information section, analysis of a few additional information examples, and answers to whether you should include a resume and if you should write about issues related to low grades or low GPA.

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How to Write a Great Extracurricular Activity Essay: Complete Guide + Examples 2024

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A college asks you to tell them more about one of your extracurricular activities. How do you show them what years of work look like in just a few hundred words? Check out this complete guide for how to write an extracurricular activity essay, plus get inspired by tons of example essays from students like you.

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A How-To Guide for the Short Answer Questions for Highly-Selective Colleges

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If you’re a student applying to one of many highly selective colleges, use my How-To-Guide for some extra help answering the short answer questions in your college application.

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How to Write your Extracurricular Essay without Rockstar Achievements

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Even if you don’t have rockstar achievements, writing your extracurricular essays for the college application process can shine a light on what you are proud of. Follow along with College Essay Guy’s How-To blog on writing extracurricular essays.

The Ten Types of Movie (and Personal Statement) Plots

Movie plots can serve as a great inspiration for writing your personal statement. In this blog, College Essay Guy walks you through the ten types of movie plots that you can use to inspire your personal statement writing.