Weekly College Application Tips


2020 University of Notre Dame Supplements The University of Notre Dame released its new supplemental essays. We love one in particular: “Defend an unpopular opinion you hold.” I hope colleges do more to help students listen to each other and build strong connections across groups.

2020 University of Notre Dame Supplements


2020 Yale Supplemental Essays Released Yale released its Fall 2020 essays. It has one new short answer: “Yale’s residential colleges regularly host conversations with guests representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What question would you ask?” We would […]

2020 Yale Supplemental Essays Released




2020 Villanova Writing Supplement Two of Villanova’s three writing supplement options are new. We love both and believe students will have great essays to share. Here is Option 3: (Gen Z kids will love this prompt). “Please describe a choice for change that you have made in your life that […]

2020 Villanova Writing Supplement


Dartmouth College’s Fall 2020 Essays Dartmouth kept its short prompt and three of its five longer prompts. The two new prompts reflect the strengths of Gen Z students. Here’s one of the new prompts: F. Labor leader Dolores Huerta is a civil rights activist who co-founded the organization now known […]

Dartmouth College’s Fall 2020 Essays


Fall 2020 University of Colorado Boulder Writing Supplement (required, 250–650 words): In addition to the Common Application essay, you are required to submit a CU Boulder writing supplement. At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students […]

2020 CU Boulder Releases New Prompt



2020 University of Washington New Essay Prompt The University of Washingon, one of the four Coalition exclusive public colleges, is no longer using the Coalition essay prompts. This week the university released its fall 2020 prompt: “Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character […]

2020 University of Washington New Essay Prompt


Class of 2024 Tufts Writing Supplement Tufts released its supplement for next year. It now has three options for the second essay, and added two new prompts for this year. We can easily answer one new prompt ourselves: “A) From recognizing break dancing as a new Olympic sport, to representation […]

Class 2024 Tufts Writing Supplement


2020 Emory Writing Supplement Emory has broken its 2020 prompts into two categories: “Reflections” and “Tell us about you,” and applicants must respond to one from each in 150 words max per response. We provide the “Reflections” prompts. Check out our site for the “Tell us about you” ones. “Reflections” […]

2020 Emory Writing Supplement



2020 University of Chicago Supplemental Prompts The University of Chicago released its 2019-2020 supplemental essay prompts. Great options as always. We love number 4. Essay Option 4 “Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” – Jessamyn West —Inspired by Elizabeth Mansfield, Class of 2020 To see all their prompts, check out […]

2020 University of Chicago Supplemental Essay Prompts