How Career Clarity Leads to Better College Essays and Smarter Major Choices

When teens struggle with college essays, it’s often not a writing issue—it’s a clarity issue. In this webinar replay, career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins and college essay expert Susan Knoppow share a proven strategy for helping students connect their self-awareness, major exploration, and college admissions writing.

Watch the full replay of College Essays + Career Clarity:

✍️ What You’ll Learn:

• How to help your teen write authentic personal statements
• The secrets to strong “Why This School” and “Why This Major” essays
• Why early career exploration opens more college options—especially for direct admit or limited-capacity majors
• How to use self-awareness (values, interests, strengths) to guide essay content and major selection

Helpful Resources Shared in the Webinar:

Must-Have Before Applying: Admission by Major Data Set + Email Template
Before your teen starts writing college essays or finalizing their college list, it’s critical to understand how each school handles admission by major. Some colleges admit by school or major, and some restrict access to competitive programs like business, engineering, nursing, or computer science.

This free resource includes:
✔️ A searchable spreadsheet of major-by-major admission policies
✔️ Notes on restrictions, direct admission programs, and hidden essay requirements
✔️ A customizable email template to contact colleges and clarify how admissions really works

Don’t let your teen write “Why This Major” essays—or apply—without this essential clarity. Click here to download the Admission by Major resource

The Hidden Impact of Major Selection – Featuring Georgia Tech’s Rick Clark
Even at schools that don’t officially admit by major, your teen’s choice of major can still influence their admissions outcome. In this powerful episode, Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech, breaks down the often-overlooked ways major selection affects:

✔️ Application strategy
✔️ Essay writing (especially “Why This Major”)
✔️ Access to competitive or capacity-limited programs

Don’t let your student’s major choice quietly work against them—learn what really goes on behind the scenes. This is a must-listen for any family navigating selective college admissions. Listen here

Other Essential Podcast Episodes from College and Career Clarity:

Boost Your Teen’s Personal Narrative – Dave Peterson Episode:
Listen here

AI and College Essays with Susan Knoppow:
Listen here

Essay-Writing Guides from Susan Knoppow:
How to Write “Why Us” College Essays

How to Write Supplemental Essays

College Essay Prompt Resources:
University of Georgia (UGA) Fall 2026 Essay Questions

UC PIQ (Personal Insight Questions)

Need Scholarship Help?
College and Career Clarity Podcast scholarship episodes.