At the age of three, I knew exactly what I was going to do with my life. “What are your future plans, Christina?” my mom asked, camera in hand and a knowing smile on her face. I looked up from reading my favorite book (about dinosaurs) and tilted my head to the side, thinking. “First,” I began, enunciating with exaggerated clarity, “I will go to preschool. Next, I will go to kin...der...garten.” Here I paused, extremely proud of...

There was only ever one school I wanted to attend, which is an extremely unhealthy way to approach the college admissions process. Cast a wide net: make sure you explore a...

I didn't, but from what I understand of them they're something of a waste. Have people whose judgment you trust review your...

My college extracurriculars are fairly different from those in which I was involved in high school. I am on the editorial board of the school paper and on the poetry board...

I got letters of recommendation from two of my favorite teachers, both of whom knew me very well. The first was a history teacher who taught...

Harvard doesn't need or want "why us" essays, for the same reason that many of its peer schools don't: it already knows. That being said, the key to "why us" essays for any school is specificity. There are certain qualities that aren't...

From high school through freshman or sophomore year of college, anything that's both interesting and useful is fair game....