An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link One of the hardest parts of college admissions, for some students, is the personal essay. On top of school, standardized tests, and a seemingly ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write on the human/political issues surrounding college admissions. The college essay has been a common, central part of ...

As the college essay program manager for Write the World, a nonprofit writing organization for teens, I oversee a group of advisers who guide students through the essay writing process. I have seen ...

At Bucknell, we can assure you that a real human being (at least two, actually) will review your entire application, including your essay, and that they (not computers) will decide if you get in.

For eight years, I've worked with high-school students to perfect their college-admission essays. I often see students think their ideas are completely original; the ideas have been done before.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brennan Barnard writes about the nuances of college admission. The college essay or “personal statement” gets a lot of airtime in ...