Over the years I’ve traveled far and wide for work and fun. And I’ve seen how different states, provinces, and countries (along with their school systems) can be vastly different. Yet, there’s one thing I’ve noticed that seems to be the same everywhere: confusion about what it means to get a “liberal arts” education.

The College Essay Journal is intended to help applicants share aspects of their identity, values, and goals by answering guided questions in a positive and mindful way. That sounds great. But… What is mindfulness? And why does it matter?

When it comes to college applications, getting started can be very overwhelming. There are many different types of applications out there, but most of them tend to have the same basic structure or “skeleton.” The Anatomy of a College Application is here to help you think through the different sections and to ultimately put together a strong application that best highlights your individual strengths and skills.

An overarching theme of the College Essay Journal is to draw out your individual voice, strengths, and personal qualities in an authentic way. But does authentic mean alone? Unedited? That you shouldn’t get any help in this process at all?