And stop telling Black students they must write about trauma in their college admissions essays. Aya M. Waller-Bey studies race and identity in college admissions essays and higher education.

Many college applications require a personal essay, which can be daunting for students to write. But a few simple tips, some introspection and insight into what admissions officers are looking for ...

Many high school seniors find essay writing the most challenging step on the road to college, more stressful even than their final exams. Pressure to excel in the college application process has ...