top of page
Blog


How to Write “Why This College?” Essays That Actually Feel Personal
Move beyond the brochure and write an essay that connects your story to their campus. Learn how to write a “Why This College?” essay that feels personal—not generic. Kingfisher Prep breaks down research, reflection, and writing techniques that show an authentic fit with your dream school.
-
Nov 193 min read


The Final Checklist: Ensuring that Your Common App is Submission-Ready
Many students rewrite their Common App essays dozens of times, chasing a version that feels flawless. But writing is an art, not a science, and waiting for perfect can keep you stuck forever. Knowing when your personal statement and supplemental essays are ready means accepting that done beats perfect—and running one last spelling and grammar check before reviewing the final PDF. These college application tips will help you finish strong and submit with confidence.
-
Oct 83 min read


College Application Changes: New Supplemental Essays in 2025-2026
Navigating the college application process can be a daunting task, especially with recent changes to the supplemental essays for the...
-
Aug 133 min read


Summer Camp Personal Statements: Beyond the Cliché
Many students fear writing about summer camp experiences in their college admissions personal statement because they fear it will sound...
-
Jul 244 min read


Start Working on Common App Personal Statement
Start your Common App Personal Statement with confidence! Discover tips and strategies to craft a compelling Common App Personal Statement today.
-
May 142 min read


Writing Professional Emails
My students frequently ask me to look over the emails they’re sending to colleges or teachers, and thank God they do because many, MANY...
-
Jan 232 min read


Recap of the College Admissions Year (2024-2025)
Only a few days ago my final college application student for the ‘24-’25 admissions cycle turned in his last essays. I’ll probably sleep...
-
Jan 223 min read


Kingfisher Prep Founder, Head Tutor, and Mentor, Nathaniel Dolquist, Featured in Medium.com
Nathaniel Dolquist: A Transformative Mentor at Kingfisher Prep In an educational landscape that is constantly evolving, supporting...
-
Nov 21, 20242 min read


College Application Mistakes: Not Proofreading
Oh, man. Talk about an easy one to fix. Bless the students who come to me and say, “my essay is done! I’m ready to turn it in!” I read it...
-
Aug 23, 20222 min read


College Application Mistakes: Gambler’s Fallacy
Parents and students make this error all the time. But with a little understanding (and a brief psych lesson!) it can be avoided. — The...
-
Aug 17, 20222 min read


What My Teachers Did for Me
Mr. Hogan taught me that reading wasn’t enough: I needed to internalize and take good notes. Mrs. Mac let me cry on her shoulder in the...
-
Aug 10, 20222 min read


What Do You Know About Rejection?
When I was a sophomore at Yale, my acting professor Toni Dorfman looked at the class over the top of her Hogwarts-level spectacles and...
-
Jun 1, 20223 min read


The Ivy League Sparkle
I recently helped a high school sophomore with his application to Cornell’s Precollege Studies program . As he wrote and I edited, I...
-
Mar 31, 20222 min read


Should I Take the SAT/ACT?
No . During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools reevaluated the utility of including standardized testing in their admissions process....
-
Mar 30, 20221 min read
Give the Gift of Knowledge
Purchase our College Admissions: Start to Finish course for friends and loved ones.
The eGift card never expires and you can send it someone today or time it to arrive on a special day.

Workshops
Interested in having one of our experts talk to your school or organization? We give presentations both in person and online. Contact and let us know how we can serve your community!
bottom of page

