At its core, Irena Smith’s job as an independent college counselor means being a writing coach. With a PhD in comparative literature, the former Stanford admissions officer helps her teenage clients ...

Amid a sea of applications, college hopefuls have just a few opportunities to stand out: grade-point average and test scores; extracurricular activities; and, of arguably increasing importance, the ...

An essay is one of the common assignments given to students. This task is a great instrument for assessing the student’s knowledge of the topic, as well as evaluating their writing skills. When ...

This Q&A first appeared in Write at the Edge, a newsletter from Mallary Tenore Tarpley featuring tips and best practices for seasoned and amateur writers who want to hone their craft. Subscribe to ...

If you talk to your friends — or worse, your parents talk to their friends — you might feel like you need to write a heroic narrative about overcoming monumental challenges while accumulating an ...

When it comes to writing a college essay, most people tend to ignore their importance for an awkward reason. They feel like it’s not enough to get higher grades for them. However, as a matter of fact, ...

Writing the personal essay for your college application can be tough, but we’re here to help. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, but the sooner you begin, the more time and thought ...

In January, I raised my hourly rate to $300 before wondering if I could get away with charging anything at all. I teach high-schoolers how to write college essays, helping students claw their way out ...

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. At certain moments of the year, high school students who are applying to ...