In writing a college or graduate school application essay (or job application), there can be a temptation to write whatever will “work,” that is “get you in” to a more selective college than would ...

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 ...

Every year more than a million students use the Common Application, a standardized electronic form accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, to apply to college. And every year since 1976, the Common App, ...

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 ...

Some students are still mentioning their race or immigrant status as the Trump administration cracks down on diversity efforts. But many are avoiding sensitive aspects of their identity. By Bernard ...