Learn how to start on personal statement writing for the Common App with a clear strategy, stronger topics, and less stress.

Written by Dr. Vo, Founder of JV Admissions It's May. Summer is about six weeks away, and if you're the parent of a high schooler, there's a decent chance you've already started spiraling a little. Should they be doing a program? Is it too late to plan something meaningful? Are other kids already ten steps ahead? Take a deep breath. I've got you. A few weeks ago, I sat down for conversation over coffee with a close friend of mine, a current admissions officer at Yale Universi

Written by Dr. Jacob Vo, Founder of JV Admissions I’m going to let you in on a secret from the other side of the desk. There is a specific feeling admissions officers get when they open an application that is technically perfect—4.0 GPA, president of six clubs, varsity sports—but lacks a soul. It’s robotic. To be honest, it’s a little boring. And then, there are the applications that make me stop and smile. The ones where a student admits they aren't perfect, but they show me