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Webinar

Common App vs. UCs: A Deep Dive into Successful College Application Examples

Join us as we walk through successful Common App and UC applications. See how students make smart choices that help admissions officers quickly understand who they are and what they will bring to a campus.

  Monday, October 12

 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET 

   Zoom

See Real College Applications. Learn What Really Works… and What Doesn't.

The basic components of a college application seem straightforward on paper: a transcript, a list of activities, recommendations, essays, and perhaps a test score. But once students actually begin to fill it out, the reality hits — how does all of this add up to a "yes"?

Most families know what goes into an application. Far fewer understand how admissions officers evaluate each piece, or how those pieces work together to create a compelling, memorable story. With only one chance to make their case, students can't afford to just fill in the sections and hope it’s enough. Every part of the application is an opportunity to shine—and a missed opportunity is impossible to get back once the submit button is pressed.

In this webinar, we’re cutting through the confusion. We will walk you through successful Common App and UC applications submitted by real students.

During this event, you will learn:

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What strong applications actually look like

See real examples of successful Common App and UC applications, and understand what makes them effective from an admissions perspective.
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How Common App and UC applications are evaluated differently

Understand the key differences between the two application systems, including what each one asks students to emphasize.

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How to present activities, awards, and commitments with impact

Learn how students can describe what they have done in a way that highlights initiative, growth, contribution, and substance.

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How to choose essay topics that feel authentic and strategic

Get expert guidance on identifying topics that reveal something meaningful without sounding generic or cliche.

Attend live to receive the recording! 
The webinar recording will be shared exclusively with those who attend the event.

Register now

Fill out the form below and secure your spot in our event.

Meet the Speakers

Tien Menor
Tien Menor
College Counselor and Department Chair at Archbishop Mitty High School

For 17 years, Tien has guided students through every step of the college admissions journey. She currently serves as a college counselor and department chair at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, where she has spent the last 14 years helping students gain admission to a wide range of colleges from all the UC and Cal State campuses to highly selective schools like Stanford, MIT, Yale, and Columbia. Tien is known for her steady guidance, deep knowledge, and the genuine care she brings to every student and family she supports. She holds a BA and PPS credential from San Jose State University and a certificate in college admissions and career planning from UC Santa Cruz.

Lee Ann Cornell
Lee Ann Cornell
UCLA Alumna & Former Director of Admission

Lee Ann Cornell has spent more than a decade studying how admissions offices make decisions and helping students use that insight to their advantage. She has served as Director of Admission for three different graduate schools and led admission-related initiatives at universities across the country, giving her a clear, behind-the-scenes view of how applications are reviewed. Her students have been admitted to hundreds of colleges, including Ivy League universities, selective public flagships, and top liberal arts colleges. She is known for making a complex process feel organized and human and for helping students uncover authentic, compelling essay ideas.

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