The College Essay: Tell Your Story

This course is designed to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to write a powerful college application essay. Because many colleges now place less emphasis on standardized test scores, the admissions essay has become an even more important part of the college application process. The Common Application Essay, often called a personal statement, is an opportunity for students to set themselves apart from other applicants by sharing something that admissions readers can’t tell simply from their grades, extracurriculars, or letters of recommendation. The college essay is the ideal place for students to showcase their unique voice and style.

During this course, students will meet virtually for a 2-hour class to learn about the college application process with a focus on the common application essay, including what traits colleges are looking for in applicants and how students can showcase these traits through their own unique stories. Students will also study model examples for both content and structure, and complete a series of brainstorming activities. After the 2-hour session, students will write their first drafts (or revise their current drafts) and then schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting with the instructor for individualized feedback and advice on potential next steps, which could include additional meetings with the instructor. Students may also receive individualized feedback on supplemental essays.

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.