Write Start Prep

01/07/2026

Congratulations to the high school seniors I've worked with this year, all of whom have received some very impressive college acceptance letters so far: Kelly (Boston University), Evan (Cornell), Eric (NYU), Michelle (NYU), and Brian (Northeastern). It was a pleasure getting to know you through the writing process!

08/27/2024

The Common App Essay is on the horizon for high school seniors. This blog post has tips for getting started and strategies for the Common App vs. the supplemental essays. Best of luck on the college search!

As August ushers in the new school year, and excitement builds for the first day of classes, it’s a reminder to incoming high school seniors that it’s time to begin writing and revising their college essay in earnest. Whether you have finished a first draft or are still deciding what to write ab...

08/23/2024

This was a fun 5-minute interview introducing Write Start Prep and our services. Thank you, Professional Podcast Network. https://ppn-worldwide.simplecast.com/episodes/9279-dr-kevin-cooney-08-19-24-tutor-enrico-VsfINDDy.

Where Brilliance Meets Business

04/17/2024

This spring, a number of colleges that had been test-optional have made the switch back to the SAT and ACT. This LA Times opinion piece summarizes the trend and points out (correctly, I think) why it's a step in the right direction:

Making the SAT optional hurt college admissions. Universities such as MIT, Brown and Dartmouth are returning to tests. That's a good trend for students.

08/23/2023

August is the perfect time for your child to be working on their Common App essay. Once school starts, they’ll be under increasing pressure to keep grades up in challenging courses while getting those college applications submitted on time, sometimes by swiftly approaching early decision/early action deadlines or with supplemental essays.

If your child is staring at a blank screen, overwhelmed with the possibilities, and not knowing where to start, don’t let this golden opportunity slip away. Write Start Prep can help jump-start and guide the essay writing process. Our essay planning service helps students tell their unique stories in their authentic voices.

writestartprep.com/essay-planning

08/16/2023

For high school students looking to add academic rigor to their transcripts, dual-enrollment courses have become an increasingly popular choice in recent years. In California, the number of high school students taking dual-enrollment courses increased 56% between 2015–2016 and 2019–2020.

What are the advantages to students? They receive college credit, generally for a cost less than an equivalent college course, while burnishing their academic credentials for college admissions. A dual-enrollment course in their area of interest can also provide a strong foundation for a college essay built on that experience.

Potential disadvantages? Contrary to popular claims, those credits may not significantly shorten a student’s time to get a degree. Dual-enrollment coursework may also impact their ability to take typical introductory courses that enrich their college experience.

Learn more about how college coursework during high school can enhance your child’s academic experience as well as strengthen their college essay in our recent blog post.

writestartprep.com/uncategorized/student-guide-college-courses-for-high-school-students

08/09/2023

The Common App opened on August 1, and with it comes one of the most important elements of the college application process—the Common App essay. This essay is an opportunity for your child to showcase their identity and experiences to colleges, adding dimension and personality to the numbers on their transcript. The choice of topic should be strategic and the writing memorable to produce the best possible impression.

If that sounds like a tall order for 650 words, then it should be no surprise that high school students commonly stall at various points in the essay-writing process. Some struggle to find the right topic to express themselves or the right way to focus on a key interest. Others have an idea but don’t know how to form it into a cohesive essay with a good narrative flow. Still, others make it to a final draft but could use a fresh eye to flag mistakes and suggest final revisions.

Write Start Prep can help your child plan and polish their college essays. Now is the time to get started so they can submit their applications in full confidence that their essays express exactly who they are. Contact us today to learn more about our essay writing services.

📞917-244-9055

writestartprep.com/college-essay

07/26/2023

If you’ve never heard of pre-college programs, that could be a matter of terminology. Institutions may refer to these types of programs for high school students as “Summer Immersion,” “Precollege Studies,” or a “Summer Institute,” and each school offering such a program tends to have multiple pre-college program options. These programs can be found at elite institutions such as Cornell, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, giving high school students a taste of college coursework and campus life as they explore their academic interests.

Unfortunately, marketing can make exaggerated claims about the benefits of such programs. Students usually receive little to no college credit, admissions committees generally don’t see the programs as rigorous or challenging, and they can be more costly than a college course. They also don’t provide a special admissions boost to their hosting institution.

Is that a reason to avoid them? Not necessarily. Such a program can be an opportunity for your child to discover what kind of college might be right for them or to take a course that isn’t available at their high school. It can also help them create a compelling essay for their first-choice school based on their experience there.

To learn more about pre-college programs, dual-enrollment programs, and how they fit into college admissions planning, read our blog article.

writestartprep.com/uncategorized/student-guide-college-courses-for-high-school-students

07/19/2023

🎓 Life After Graduation: A Parent's Guide 🌟

Parents, now that your child has crossed the stage and entered the post-graduation phase, it's essential to support them as they navigate the next steps. 🎉 Our latest blog post on WriteStart Prep offers valuable insights to help you guide your child through this exciting transition and set them up for success. 💪

✅ Discover essential tips on:
🔹 Exploring career paths and options
🔹 Navigating the job market and internships
🔹 Mastering financial independence
🔹 Continuing education or advanced degrees
🔹 And much more!

Equip yourself with the knowledge to assist your child in building a fulfilling and prosperous future. 🌟

https://writestartprep.com/college-admission/parent-guide-thinking-graduation/

As you reflect on your son or daughter's accomplishment of high school graduation, consider the benefits of an SAT/ACT tutor and college essay coach.

07/12/2023

Academics are a key part of creating a strong impression in college applications, but it can be easy to overlook an option that goes beyond GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and AP classes. Increasingly, high school students are opting to pursue college coursework before they’ve graduated in the form of pre-college or dual enrollment programs. What’s the difference?

Pre-college programs: Held during the summer at a college or university (or online), these can be as short as 1 to 3 weeks for an online program or 3 to 6 weeks for on-campus courses. Offerings can vary between introductory courses for little to no college credit or intensive or advanced coursework.

Dual-enrollment programs: These get their name from the fact that students are concurrently enrolled at two schools: their high school and a university or community college. Courses last for a full semester (16 weeks), and students receive college credit for their work.

Which one might be right for your child? Each comes with pros and cons, and the right choice depends on what they’re hoping to gain from the experience. For more details on what to consider, check out our blog article.

writestartprep.com/uncategorized/student-guide-college-courses-for-high-school-students