by j9robinson | Mar 23, 2016
When I give writing workshops to students on college application essays and what makes them effective, I love to show this short video on YouTube. It’s just over two minutes long, but in that brief time, I believe many students quickly get a sense of what they...
by j9robinson | Mar 14, 2016
This is the time of year when my former students drop me emails letting me know where they have been accepted for the fall. I love hearing from them, and am emboldened by how many land in their dream schools. And I usually ask if I can share their essays with...
by j9robinson | Feb 19, 2016
After working with thousands of students from all over the world on writing the dreaded college application essay for the last eight years, I’ve finally been able to boil down the process to three simple steps. Yes, just three steps. If you follow these...
by j9robinson | Feb 15, 2016
College Application Essays: One Piece Of the Admissions Puzzle This is the time of year many high school juniors start to get serious about their college admissions strategy–including their college application essays. Some have been all over the...
by j9robinson | Feb 13, 2016
IMPORTANT: The UT has NEW prompts for 2017-18, so much of the information in this post is now outdated. Here’s the link to the update-to-date information on UT prompts: New Essay Requirements for UT. Former Admissions Counselor at University of Texas-Austin...
by j9robinson | Dec 28, 2015
URGENT! ApplyTexas changed their essay prompts in 2016-17. Click HERE for the current essay prompts! (THIS POST IS OUTDATED!) All public universities, and some private and 2-year colleges, in Texas do not use the Common Application. Instead, they have their own...
by j9robinson | Nov 24, 2015
UPDATE: as of March 23, 2016 The University of California announced NEW essay prompts for 2016-17. Read about how to answer them HERE. It’s Not Too Late to Write Your College App Essays Before the Nov. 30 Deadline Yes, you have waited until...
by j9robinson | Oct 17, 2015
Advice for Students Who Are Underrepresented for Whatever Reason: Tell Your Personal Story In my previous post, I shared my experience working with teachers and students from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, where I’m giving a series of workshops on how to...
by j9robinson | Oct 16, 2015
First-Gen Students Learn to Write College Application Essays Last month, I had the privilege to work with a group of teachers and students on their writing and college application essays from the Rio Grande Valley in the southernmost tip of Texas. Almost all...
by j9robinson | Sep 22, 2015
You Don’t Need Tragedy to Write a Standout College Admissions Essay! This is the time of year that the frenzy surrounding college admissions starts to grow. Early decision deadlines are just weeks away. Students who put off writing their college...
