30 of the Worst Personal Statement Topics We’ve Ever Seen

college student hugging notebook and pencils to chest

Quick answer: The worst personal statement topics are ones that could come from anyone or reveal little about you: minor setbacks framed as adversity, someone else’s story, résumé summaries, privileged hardships, and topics that show poor judgment. A solid topic, even an ordinary one, shows how you think, what you value, and how you have […]

How to Teach Yourself How to Code: 5 Resources for Beginners

laptop with code showing on the screen

Quick answer: To teach yourself how to code, pick one beginner-friendly language such as Python, then work through a structured course like Harvard’s CS50x or interactive lessons on Codecademy. Practice a little every day, build small projects that interest you, and keep your work in one place so you can show colleges what you have […]

How to Network in High School

students gathered around a table with papers on it, working collaboratively

Quick answer: To learn how to network in high school, start with three groups: your peers, your teachers, and your friends’ parents or other adults who work in fields you want to explore. Build relationships through genuine conversations, ask thoughtful questions, send thank-you notes, and stay in touch. These connections can lead to mentorships, internships, […]

4 Reasons Why Keeping a Journal Can Help You With College Applications

man writing in a journal while sitting outside

Quick answer: Keeping a journal in high school helps your college applications in four ways: it records activities and awards you might forget, captures why each one mattered, gives you a bank of essay topics, and reveals patterns in your interests early enough to pursue them further. Even a few lines a week works. 4 […]

The 5 Key Steps for Putting Together a College Art Portfolio

student sorts through pieces of artwork

Quick answer: To build a college art portfolio, research each school’s requirements, choose your best recent and original pieces, show a range of media and a consistent point of view, and photograph every piece carefully. Tailor the selection to each program, and get feedback from teachers and portfolio reviewers before you submit through the platform […]

Funny Personal Statements: Using Humor in Your College Application

student writes in notebook

Quick answer: Funny personal statements work when the humor reflects your natural voice and supports a meaningful point about who you are. Use light, self-aware humor, avoid jokes at others’ expense or forced punchlines, and keep reflection and growth at the center. Ask several trusted readers whether the humor lands before you submit. The Art […]

What Can You Do With an Economics Degree? 9 Interesting Careers

man counts cash in front of laptop in office setting

Quick answer: What can you do with an economics degree? Far more than finance. Economics majors become statisticians, data analysts, economists, forensic accountants, market research analysts, actuaries, and policy analysts, and many continue to law school, business school, or graduate study. The degree builds quantitative, analytical, and communication skills that employers across industries use. What […]

How to Start a Club in High School

group of students sit around a table and work collaboratively

Quick answer: To learn how to start a club in high school, begin with a topic you care about, confirm that classmates share your interest, and find a faculty advisor. Then write a short proposal, follow your school’s approval process, set a regular meeting schedule, and train newer members to lead so the club keeps […]

5 Books You Should Read if You Want to Be a History Major

Quick answer: The best books for history majors show you how historians interpret evidence, not just what happened. Start with a historiography reader, a thesis-driven argument, a family history, a classic primary source, and a regional survey. Read each one asking what the author argues, what evidence they use, and how other historians might disagree. […]

How to Get a Summer Internship: The Ultimate Guide

man working in cluttered cubicle

Quick answer: Learning how to get a summer internship starts in the fall. Polish a one-page resume, use your career services office and platforms like Handshake, search targeted job boards and company career pages, email smaller organizations directly, and network with friends, professors, and alumni. Applying broadly and following up politely makes the biggest difference. […]