The College Essay Writing course is designed for those who want to use the power of writing to develop their own personal voice and style. Through a combination of class work and workshops, students will learn new writing techniques and develop the skills and confidence to write a powerful college admissions essay. As many colleges place less emphasis on standardized test scores, the admissions essay has taken a larger role in the application process. In this course, students will explore each stage in the essay writing process—brainstorming, drafting, revising—and will receive in-depth feedback from the instructor in the process.

The College Admissions Essay, often called a personal statement, is an opportunity for students to stand out and set themselves apart from other applicants by saying “Here’s something about me that you might not know from my grades; here’s my story; here’s what matters to me.” By the end of the course, students will have written an essay that personalizes their college application, captivates readers, and shows colleges why they should accept them.

Students will meet virtually for an 1.5-hour class to discuss their essay topics and strategies for writing a successful college essay application. Students will also have the chance to review successful essays as well as the opportunity to have their rough drafts workshopped during a one-on-one meeting with the instructor. After the course concludes, students will schedule an individual conference to discuss their draft with the instructor. It is helpful if students come prepared to our first meeting with their essay topics or any additional essays for their specific programs (for example, some fine art programs require additional essays)