Nancy Fries Essay and Application Advising

04/17/2026

"The top priority in admissions decisions should be academic achievement." Could Yale be the first of many colleges to revamp their mission and admission process?

In order to regain public trust in higher education, a long-awaited Yale University report makes 20 recommendations regarding mission, admissions, costs, and grading.

06/04/2025

It has been a record-breaking Spring at SOY! We awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to 55 graduating seniors, most of whom will be first in their families to attend college. SOY’s Annual Celebration raised a record $156,000 towards next year’s scholarships and programming. Palisades Tennis Club chose SOY as the beneficiary of the Roy Emerson Classic, raising $30,000 for our organization. And, I wrapped up my year as mentor to a delightful junior who aspires to become a writer. I play a small yet purposeful role as a SOY board member and volunteer, and I feel inspired by our students’ commitment to their bright futures. I am also grateful to the staff who guide them toward pursuing their dreams, and to the donors who support our mission to change lives.

04/22/2025

If you're not a runner, you've probably never heard of Des Linden, and likely don't know that today's Boston Marathon was her last as a professional runner. But her 2018 victory in Boston is legendary beyond running, beyond sports. Her gritty yet selfless performance inspired me to write a college admissions-related blog post about collaboration and compassion, and it feels fitting to share it again today.

I’ll never, ever forget Desiree Linden’s run at today’s Boston Marathon. Not just because she’s the first American woman to win since 1985. And not just because she proved to be the toughest competitor in a talented field on a miserably chilly, windy, rainy day. Along the way to her win, Des...

02/20/2025

College essay advising keeps me busy six months of the year. Here are some of the writing assignments that keep me busy the other six months.

Despite being active and fit, Evan Knapp suffered a massive heart attack with a 12% survival rate. He defied the odds with three critical decisions that led to his lifesaving treatment at Hoag.

09/06/2024

After six years as a volunteer essay advisor and three years as a Board member, I am honored to have been elected Chair of the Save Our Youth (SOY) Board of Directors. For more than 30 years, SOY has provided after school enrichment and college prep for underserved Newport-Mesa School District 7th-12th grade students. It is a safe haven and welcoming space where lives are transformed.

08/21/2024

Essay advising is just part of what I do. I also have the honor of writing for Hoag Hospital Foundation and recently completed this piece.

The Hoag Family Cancer Institute team wrapped its arms around the Hoag Hospital Foundation’s Deb McCune during her recent experience with breast cancer.

07/01/2024

Just in case you were wondering what I do in the "off season," here's a tidbit. Fun fact: One of my former students just graduated from UCSB and now works for this very magazine!

When I attended Laguna Beach High School more than 40 years ago, nearly every girl carried her books in an African kikuyu bag. I was all but certain of exactly where each girl purchased her bag. Not at Laguna Hills Mall, though we loved to take the OCTA bus there. Not online (no Internet yet). And n...

06/04/2024

My 12th season kicks off on Thursday, June 20 with my annual college essay workshop. Know a rising senior looking to jumpstart their essay writing? Have them reach out to me!

04/17/2024

"Thank you for all your help Nancy. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. You seriously have such a cool impact on young adults’ lives, I am very grateful!"

This text came from one of my first students, who returned 10 years later for help with business school essays. He was admitted to Chicago's Booth School of Business and sent the message just days after I saw that campus for the first time. I also visited my old stomping grounds at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. Although I no longer work in news, I still use my storytelling and copyediting skills every day. Thank you, Medill!

04/01/2024

Spot-on points here about students feeling they need to adopt an identity and shape it throughout high school versus exploring, trying and failing, and discovering who they are. And, I would argue that process should continue through college, and through life. How many of us changed majors, and later careers? But most high school students focus solely on GETTING IN to college, not on growing and finding themselves through courageous exploration.

Teenagers should not have to commoditize themselves for the sake of getting into an elite school.