July 29, 2026

The best college essays are written at night

Here's the easiest trick to a great college essay:

Write at night.

Late at night.

There's legit research on this. Look up hypnagogia, the default mode network, and theta waves for creativity. Super interesting stuff.

I found this out on my own because in high school, I was a bit of a nerd and didn't have many friends.

I'll ruefully admit that when everyone had plans Friday and Saturday night, I'd be sitting at home working on my own stuff.

Every single creative breakthrough I had, whether it was for college essays or some other project, happened during this time.

For me, the sweet spot is around 10pm to 2am. To this day, I do most of my essay work for private clients during this period.

I'm not saying you have to do this. I'd actually recommend you attend social plans if you have them.

But if you're anything like me, instead of feeling FOMO on a weekend night, use that as prime time fuel to blast ahead of your competition.

There's something about the energy in the air you'll feel, when everyone else is drunk or asleep, that drives creative work like nothing else.

I'm drafting this at 1:05am on a Saturday night, with the hum of a party my neighbors are having next door as background noise.

So I suppose not much has changed.

On August 1, when the Common App opens, you can borrow my creativity without having to stay up late.

I'll show you exactly how to engineer an elite college essay in the masterclass.