So where can you find this information? Interview current students; read college newspapers/blogs; find news on programs, professors, and innovation at the school. And more!

Here’s what we’re exploring in this class, “How Early Research Can Power Your List + Supplements”:

• Learn creative research strategies to find unique facts about each college so you can draw connections that are meaningful to YOU. This will not only power your LIST as you uncover what makes each school special (or not!) for YOUR needs, but…this will fuel your supplemental essays big time during the crunch period.
• Where can you find these creative facts?
• What role should AI play in your research, and how can you protect yourself when using this tool?
• How should you write about your connections to schools?
• Hear examples of meaningful connections between student and school to inspire your own writing.
• What’s the best way to ask admissions officers questions you may have to continue to find interesting things to talk about in essays? And…how can you come up with meaningful questions to ASK if you’re not sure?

As a bonus, students will receive my NEW RESEARCH WORKSHEET to collect information. Grab your spot here (space is limited).

The post New Class Announced May 31: How RESEARCH Can POWER Your College Search + Writing! appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Check out my new video on how you can find YOUR standout idea:

My take? The prompts are staying the same year-to-year. That means they work! They generate the kind of authentic teenage writing that colleges want to see. Keep in mind, they’re PROMPTS to PROMPT YOUR best idea! They aren’t an English paper rubric where you have to answer every single part; they’re meant to generate ideas, and the more creative, the better!

That doesn’t happen with AI.

• Should you use AI to WRITE your essay? Definitely not. Here’s more about that. Bottom line = Authenticity wins every time! AI can’t generate that OR your unique voice and best life stories.
• Colleges, however, MAY start using AI to evaluate applications, as reported by the Associated Press. Consistent with what I’ve heard, this review is to get a preliminary read in a world where it’s sometimes impossible to read 100,000+ applications quickly. Virginia Tech told the Associated Press that this may even expedite decisions: “Virginia Tech is debuting an AI-powered essay reader. The college expects it will be able to inform students of admissions decisions a month sooner than usual…because of the tool’s help sorting tens of thousands of applications.”
• What does this mean? AI can scan applications to put them into piles by major or geography, or to see if certain values come through in the writing. I’ll keep you posted as I hear more, but many admissions reps tell me that every application gets a HUMAN read. The Associated Press article noted, “Colleges stress they are not relying on AI to make admissions decisions, (but) using it primarily to review transcripts and eliminate data-entry tasks.”
• I wrote about this idea 2 years ago here, along with a video interview with a UPenn graduate student who studied the possibility.

Some tips as you approach your main essay:

• Start early! That’s the #1 tip students have shared in my survey over the years. Something this important takes time, finesse, and multiple drafts. Creativity doesn’t happen when you’re in a rush.
• Brainstorm & write your #1 headline! What does that mean? Think about the ONE BIG story you NEED to share with colleges to explain why YOU are the one they should accept. Think of your application as a SERIES of puzzle pieces that complete the picture of YOU. Each one tells a unique story – your academic choices & record; a test score (maybe); your activity list showcasing how you spend your time; the main essay (your #1 story); supplements (if required); and what others have to say about you (rec letters).
• You’ll write ONE main essay and use it for all of your schools. Why? Your main essay is super important and should be your BEST story! Have I seen students revise slightly for some schools? Yes, on rare occasions, if there’s a special support point that only applies to that school. But be CAUTIOUS as you change content from school to school.
• Do you have to use all 650 words? No. Tell your best story efficiently. 650 isn’t a huge number, though, so typically, my students use at least 550, usually closer to 640 or so, in case certain characters count as words in the Common App.
• Should you write your essay and stick to 650 words from the start? Heck NO! One of my favorite essays last year started at 2,500 (truth! but also unusual). A chunk of it ended up in the supplements, and yes, it involved a lot of cutting down, but…this student brought forward the BEST POSSIBLE support throughout and then made the tough decisions of what to trim.
• What’s your parents’ role in the main essay process? Here’s my analogy. YOU (student) are the architect. Everyone else you bring into the mix (parents, an essay coach, teacher, friend) is a coach on the sidelines, guiding you to tell your BEST story in your own, beautiful, unique, authentic voice! Getting too many opinions leads to analysis paralysis. Trust your gut; tell your best story; but know that polish is critical!

Here are some past articles loaded with tips that apply this year too:

• Any Idea Can Lead to a Great Essay – What’s Yours? – An idea is just an idea until you craft the stories and learnings surrounding it. Check out some of my ideas to spark YOUR best stories!
• More tips I shared with the Class of 2025 that are still relevant, including how I might approach MY own college essay today.

Remember, it’s a process…get started early, and you’ll shine like a star!

The post Class of 2027 Common App Main Essay Prompts Announced! What’s your story? appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

Happy “November 1st is in the rearview mirror”! It isn’t a holiday but should be! We don’t have data on this year yet, but sources estimate that more than 4 million applications were submitted by November 1! It’s always a huge relief when most of the EA/ED deadlines have passed. Today’s topic: what’s next? What do you do AFTER you apply to college to increase your chances that all of your hard work will be rewarded? First, I highly recommend you take a DEEP breath and consider a relaxing, fun activity to refuel! One idea:

Beyond a homemade spa experience :), here are some tips:

• Applying to more schools – Make a plan to get to the finish line! With “lane congestion,” the Common App sometimes glitches. Plus, if you wait until the last minute to apply and realize you need something from school, it’s tough to get it quickly. AND, students are realizing that as they fill out the Common App, some selections (major, test-optional, etc.) trigger additional questions. And YES – you CAN update anything in your Common App before applying to another school, so if you add an activity or have an idea for a change to your main essay, go for it!
• Most important: Make sure your application is 100% complete ON TIME – Log into the portal provided by EACH college you applied to, and make sure your APPLICATION IS COMPLETE by the deadlines provided. Requirements vary, but unless your app is complete on time, you will not be considered. Again, the checklist varies by school, but typical items include transcript, rec letters, and test scores (if required/applicable). Some schools show green checks & red Xs by required items; others vary. But log into those portals, and be aware of deadlines! A few years ago, I heard about a student who applied ED; her school didn’t send her transcript on time; and the student was moved to the regular decision round. That’s avoidable – double-check that everything is where it needs to be!
• Demonstrate Interest – Some colleges say they care if you demonstrate interest; others say it isn’t considered. So HOW can you demonstrate interest? Email admissions with something unique (a question or something new since you applied); take a virtual tour; talk to a professor in your desired major and reference that conversation in an email to admissions. And those marketing emails you get? Click around a bit. They have technology in place to KNOW how you’re engaging with their marketing. Again, not all schools care, but…some do! YOU are the reporter of your story, so take charge & tell it how you want it to be told!
• Alumni or Admissions Interviews – Some are offered directly to applicants; others, you need to request. If you plan to do interviews, draft a resume to give your interviewer in advance or at your meeting to provide a quick overview of your background, and prepare so you’re confident, comfortable, and ready!
• Merit Aid & Scholarships – Some schools automatically consider you if you apply by a certain deadline; others require additional applications/essays. Research & ask for it if required.
• FAFSA – To apply for financial aid, see info on how to prepare here and more details here.

That’s all for now! Best of luck to ALL students!!!

The post I applied! Now what? 2025 Edition appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

• Write, edit, revise, PREVIEW – Most know about the first 3 steps and forget the last. Hit PREVIEW in the Common App so you see your application AS COLLEGES WILL VIEW IT. That’s where you catch any final formatting or spacing issues. Save to PDF; proof; adjust; PREVIEW again.
• Which prompt should you answer? I get this question a LOT, and you’ll be relieved to hear that it doesn’t matter which you choose for the main essay. Of course, you want to pick the prompt that fits your essay BEST, but this isn’t an English paper rubric where you have to cover every single word. Rather, make sure your story FITS the prompt you choose. Personally, I don’t love the last free-choice option. I’ve never seen an essay that couldn’t somehow fit into one of the prompts. For reference, I’ve listed them here, along with more tips on tackling the main essay.
• Do you need a title for your main essay? No. It’s totally optional, and it DOES count toward your 650 words in the Common App. My advice: if it adds something unique/extra, GO FOR IT! If it’s bland or simply summarizing, leave it out.
• Deadlines – You must manage ALL deadlines. Each school varies in terms of when all pieces are due. Beyond your application, you may also be submitting test scores, teacher recs, additional materials, Honors applications, etc. Once you apply, you’ll typically get a portal where you can log in to check your application progress. Make sure any pieces arriving from somewhere else arrive on time to be considered with your application.
• Resume or no? Some schools do require a resume. Others allow you to upload a resume. Of course, if it’s mandatory, you must include it. If it’s optional, here’s my advice: ONLY upload a resume if it ADDS significantly to the activities you’ve already reported. If you have just a little more to share, and it’s important, you can certainly use the Additional Information section instead. Keep in mind, adding more stuff doesn’t mean they’ll take longer to read your application. It means that everything will be reviewed more quickly. So think of your application like it’s a series of puzzle pieces telling the story of YOU. Make each one count, and don’t simply repeat information because you think it will impress.
• Honors/Scholars/Merit Aid – Some schools offer this automatically to all applicants; other schools offer it only if you indicate interest or if you apply by a certain date. And others require additional writing or information. Since this is a school-by-school thing, you need to research to be sure you’re completing the steps on time to receive this potentially wonderful stuff!

I hope this helps!

The post Deadline Crunch & Last-Minute Tips appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

Side note…one of my first PR campaigns many years ago was 7-Eleven’s “So many changes, it isn’t even funny!” That line stuck with me, and I think it applies to college admissions, too! Why? So much information and so many requirements are college-specific, and things CHANGE! Prompts, deadlines, requirements, etc. Even comparing college websites to the Common App, you may see discrepancies. Try to stay on top of all of the moving details, even if it feels like you’re trying to catch wet spaghetti! Research is an amazing and powerful tool when navigating college admissions.

Now let’s talk Common App!

1. Account Rollover – If you started your Common App prior to 8/1, SOME info will roll over; some won’t. Verify anything you already entered. Check out my article explaining that, plus intel on what’s NEW in this year’s Common App. There are definitely some changes this year, but nothing too major. I’ve outlined most of the big ones in my article linked here.
2. Preview – That’s your best friend in the Common App. Preview + proof what you enter with the PREVIEW button before submitting. If you’ve seen me talk at schools, I share the comment from one admissions officer who told me a student uploaded breakup texts from a boyfriend by accident. Preview + proof! Trust me, it’s worth it!
3. AI-Generated Essays – No. Please, no! So many reasons why. This is definitely NOT the writing colleges are looking for, and it can really backfire on you. Present your best, authentic work – THAT is a winner!
4. For the WRITING SECTIONS – Write & edit somewhere else before copying & pasting into the Common App. Then PROOF again. Many times, spacing & formatting get wonky and need to be adjusted. Also, note that the dash (-) sometimes counts as a word.
5. Activity List – Did you edit first offline? Change/add anything? UPDATE! Also, note the activity section allows you to MOVE activities UP & DOWN after entering. Again PREVIEW! Position + Organization appear in BOLD and are automatically separated by a comma for you.
6. Respect the Word Counts 🙂 – One year, a student called me to say that the Common App was allowing him to enter MORE than the word count. Should he? No. Follow the directions provided 🙂
7. Formatting – Again, sometimes this has to be redone after entering content and is really limited (italics, bold, underline). This is a REAL bummer to me. I’ve had many students who wanted to insert emojis or international languages, and I’ve suggested this upgrade every year to the Common App. Maybe one year…

I’ll be adding a video to this post to SHOW you how to navigate the 2025-26 Common App below.

Good luck, and let me know if I can help you!

The post Common App Launch Day! Class of 2026 Tips appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

Let’s start with news on the writing requirements and meaningful CHANGES to the Common App. Here are the writing requirements that will stay the SAME:

• Main Essay prompts – no change – see them and my tips here.
• Activity Section – no change to how you report your activities (up to 10), but they’ve added a mandatory checklist response that I’ll explain below.
• Because I’m frequently asked who answers which prompt, I’ll share stats from this past cycle as an FYI. But…remember it truly doesn’t matter WHICH prompt you select as long as your answer fits generally into what they’re asking. In this past cycle, prompts in order of popularity were as follows: Free Choice (28%); Facing Adversity (22%); Personal Growth (20%); Background, identity, interest of talent (18%); Intellectual Curiosity (5%); and tied at last were the Gratitude (3%) and Challenging an Idea (3%) prompts.

Here are the CHANGES announced for the 2025-26 cycle:

• The Additional Information (optional) question is the same, but the maximum word count is only 300 this year (vs 650 before). They found that the average responses were much shorter, and this syncs with my advice – keep it simple & brief! More here.
• They DELETED the Community Disruption question & renamed it “Challenges & Circumstances” (up to 250 words max). Interesting that 100,000 applicants answered the pandemic-triggered Community Disruption in 2024-25 (vs 300,000 in 2020-21). The average number of words applicants used for this response was less than 200. More on this here.
• NEW for all applicants this cycle is the required “Responsibilities & Circumstances” checklist (no writing, just a checklist) where students can indicate if they spend 4 hours or more a week on family responsibilities or general circumstances. This is something the Common App tested in pilot form for three cycles and decided to implement this year system-wide. Note – there is STILL an option in the MAIN ACTIVITY LIST SECTION to select “Family Responsibility” if that applies (caregiving, babysitting, etc.). On this new CHECKLIST, while it’s required, you CAN check “none of the above.” I grabbed a screenshot to show you.

• ACT/SAT Test Reporting – They’ve added an option to report with or without science and writing (both optional for the online test). And to avoid confusion, they’re updating the grid of colleges so students are clearer on WHO requires test scores, INCLUDING these sometimes optional sections (science + writing).

Important Reminders:

• The Common App officially launches AUGUST 1 for the Class of 2026. You CAN (but don’t need to) start your account earlier. I heard that scholarship matching can start BEFORE you apply, so that might be a reason to go ahead and set up your account now. IF you do that (optional), please keep the following in mind:
  • Account rollover continues, meaning IF you start your account prior to 8/1, only SOME of the information will roll over into your actual application. See below for specifics.
  • Remember to download any information you entered prior to July 28 because the system will go offline before launching.

More Common App Updates:

• Direct Admissions will continue in 2025-26. That means that partnering member institutions will grant proactive admissions offers to select first-generation & low/middle-income students. More info to be posted in Fall 2025.
• As mentioned above, the Common App expanded its Scholarship Matching capabilities, so definitely check that out! Students can now match to opportunities BEFORE applying. See the slide below for more information.

That’s all for now! I hope this helps you anticipate application season! As the number of applicants AND applications continues to increase, it’s important to stand out and present a polished application package. As of TODAY, there are 66 days until LAUNCH DAY (August 1), so you have plenty of time to take the first steps I recommend: research college list, draft Activity List, and draft your Main Essay. Then, focus on supplements that will be confirmed between now and August 1.

The post What’s New with the Common App – Class of 2026 Updates appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION question – previously 650 words, you now have 300 words max. For transfer students, the limit is now 1,500 characters max (previously 3,500 characters). Again, this is additional information – one grade you earned that doesn’t represent your potential; an activity where the limited space provided doesn’t allow you to fully explain; special learning programs you’ve completed, like Dual Enrollment or IB; etc.

COMMUNITY DISRUPTION QUESTION RENAMED “CHALLENGES & CIRCUMSTANCES” (still 250 words max or 1,250 characters for transfer apps) – During the pandemic, they added a “COVID-19 Question” – basically, the pandemic happened, were you significantly affected? That morphed into the “Community Disruption Question,” expanding to natural disasters, etc. This year, they’re calling it “Challenges and Circumstances” and listed a bunch of things that may apply. Personally, I wish they’d left this open-ended OR just combined it with the Additional Information question for a number of reasons. First, when students see a list, they take it literally and wonder if their reason is good enough or serious enough. Also, these optional questions FOLLOW your main essay in the Common App, so why not just make it ONE optional space to explain anything additional you need to share? My advice: If there’s something significant that challenged you and affected you academically or otherwise, talk about it!

That’s all for now. Join me at an upcoming FREE Intro or group class to set your writing into motion! Click here to grab your spot!

The post Class of 2026 – Common App Announces CHANGES to Additional Info & Community Disruption Questions appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Every year, I like to share a few tips (see below) to inspire students to tackle this important part of their application. First, a video inspiring you to get started:

Some tips for you:

• Start early! That’s the #1 tip students have shared in my survey over the years. Something this important takes time, finesse, and multiple drafts.
• Brainstorm & write your #1 headline! What does that mean? Think about the ONE BIG story you NEED to share with colleges to explain why YOU are the one they should accept. Think about your application as a SERIES of data points about you. Each one tells a unique story – your academic choices & record; a test score (maybe); your activity list showcasing how you spend your time; the main essay (your #1 story); supplements (if required); and what others have to say about you (rec letters). The writing pieces that YOU control…connect your dots in AMAZING ways!
• AI? Definitely not. I’ve written about this quite a bit here and here.

Here are links to some past articles I wrote on this topic that may help as well:

• Class of 2025 Main Essay Tips – Same exact prompts as this year! Check out last year’s tips, along with how I might approach MY own college essay today!
• Class of 2024 Main Essay Prompts & Ideas – Same prompts as this year; more tips here
• Any Idea Can Lead to a Great Essay – What’s Yours? – An idea is just an idea, until…Check out some of my ideas to spark YOUR best ideas!

Remember, it’s a process…get started early, and you’ll shine like a star! JUST ANNOUNCED – 2025 Class Dates: FREE INTRO on Sunday 3/16 @ 6 pm EST, Research Class (3/30 @ 6 pm EST), and Activity List Class (4/6 @ 6pm EST) – grab your spot here!

Note – I mentioned some changes in the headline of this post…I covered this year’s changes to the Additional Info & Community Disruption questions in a separate post to provide some more tips.

The post Class of 2026 – Common App Just Announced Main Essay Prompts! And some changes… appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

• You were deferred and want to update them to increase your chances of a YES.
• You haven’t heard yet and want them to know you REALLY want to attend and why.
• You have meaningful updates to share that the admissions committee needs to know to evaluate your application.

College applications are a lot like dating. You need to be a good match, and it’s important to communicate WHY in the right way. If the school offers you a way to provide updates, use their form/approach. If they don’t, you can email your specific admissions rep if you know who it is, and you can call admissions to find out the preferred approach to sending a LOCI. From a content perspective, here are some things you can include:

• Meaningful updates since you applied. Started a new activity, had an exciting win in one of your activities, were recognized academically for something special, increased your GPA substantially.
• Share or reiterate in a unique way why you’re a perfect match for each other. Remember, it’s all about the YIELD – colleges want to say YES to students who will say YES.
• A resume if you feel you got cut short in reporting activities in the 10 spots provided.

Here’s what you do NOT want to do:

• Reiterate your application – they have it!
• Send a letter with typos.
• Spam the college with too much (too many emails/letters/rec letters). More isn’t always better. Remember – they have limited time, and it’s up to YOU to curate the information thoughtfully.

These are some basic tips…let me know if I can help you draft a compelling LOCI!

The post What’s a LOCI, and how should you write it? appeared first on Power Hour Editing.

Supplements aren’t always as obvious to find in the Common App. Some appear under WRITING or QUESTIONS; others pop up as you select a certain major. So consider it a fishing expedition…you do need to look around a bit to find them all. Rest assured, the Common App won’t let you hit SUBMIT until your application is complete.

Is optional always optional? Truly depends! The COVID-19, now Community Disruption question IS. Only 16% of applicants answered that last year. My advice: if you have something compelling to say that colleges MUST know, that’s a great place for it! If your story is similar to all teenagers in the COVID-verse, then don’t worry about it! But supplements asking you WHY you want to attend? NOT OPTIONAL! That = opportunity to SELL YOUR FIT! Think of your application as a series of puzzle pieces, and make sure you present your best possible pieces throughout. No need to repeat, but keep moving FORWARD with every word!

Additional Information section. Well-named, that’s for additional information you need to share. Anything related to academics or your personal life that colleges NEED to know, share it! If you’ve done an activity since kindergarten, the TIGHT activity list space is probably not enough to do it justice. You can use this for a spillover of your activity section, but don’t overdo it! Colleges don’t need to know every single thing you did. They want to know the highlights. MIT only lets students enter FOUR activities in their application! Share your highlights in the most impressive way! Yes, that’s a WOW FACTOR!

I recently published some of my favorite tips for crafting spectacular supplements in my newsletter and wanted to expand a bit here.

• The “terrifying” Why Essay. This is actually my FAVORITE prompt. Why? It’s a FABULOUS opportunity to SHOW your reader that you’ve done your research and WHY you’re a great fit – both ways! It’s also a combination of journalism (storytelling/reporting) and PR (sales & positioning), two things that defined my career pre-Power Hour. Draft your longest Why Essay FIRST, and then tweak it thoughtfully and strategically. Keep deadlines in mind, of course. Don’t just plug & play; update in a way that makes sense for EACH school. And triple-check any updates so you aren’t mentioning the wrong school in an updated essay 🙂 I interviewed admissions officers and posted videos linked here at UF, Tulane, and BU – all with great tips for YOU!
• Planning leads to perfection. I’m a HUGE planner, and now’s the time to list your schools BY deadline and attack accordingly. There are so many ways to plan, so pick what works best for you. At a minimum, list key deadlines and schools under each one (ROLLING FIRST!). I offer a FREE Essay Planner here – check it out!
• Read the prompt. Twice! Many times, I see responses that have gone so far off-road that I’m not sure which road we’re on. Read the prompt; respond to it thoughtfully; and then read it again to verify.
• Don’t repeat the prompt verbatim in your response. You’re limited in terms of words or characters. Jump right in, get creative, and engage your reader from the start.

The post How to Craft Spectacular Supplements! appeared first on Power Hour Editing.