College Essay Writing Workshop

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

The Common App* Personal Statement - those mere 650 words that are meant to shine a light on all the hidden talents and charms of the applicant - is generally the most dreaded part of the application and is often avoided until close to the deadline. My goal is to remove the dread and procrastination and turn the exercise into something that will provoke self-awareness, fulfillment and might even be fun!

What does my Essay Writing Workshop look like?

We work at my home ‘office’ (aka the back patio). First sessions are always one-on-one so I can personalize the brainstorming and writing exercises and allow time for discussion and development (and often, very useful tangents!). Following the first two sessions, we continue to work together online, exchanging drafts over Google Docs.

Session 1: Getting to know you: finding a theme or topic. Individualized brainstorming exercises, written and oral. (1.5 hours)

Session 2: Content draft day: finding your story and refining your topic. This first draft focuses on content, not style or structure. (1hr)

Session 3 (and ongoing): Refining draft OR spinning what you have into a new essay. Making each word count (staying within the word limit). Revising, editing, and focusing on structure. This work is done online and involves multiple draft exchanges.

At the conclusion of the five-week work session, students will have a completed essay, however my workshops are flexible and adaptive to meet the needs of each individual. If students need additional in-person sessions, or more time in general, the work session can be extended for an additional fee. 

*The Essay Workshop can be adapted for the Coalition App, as well as international applications including UCAS.