You’re the Hero of Your Story

College Essay Workshop

 Course Details:

  • Tutor: Pravin Wilkins, Associate Director of College Counseling
  • Grades: (rising) 12
  • Type: Group* or Individual (with Supplemental Essay Package)

Course Description:

When was the last time that you wrote a story? As you embark on your college journey, you’ll be crafting your story to share with admissions officers far and wide. Perfect your piece with Associate Director of College Counseling and professional writer Pravin Wilkins! In this workshop-style experience, you’ll craft your personal statement from brainstorm to final copy. Learn about the importance of engaging your audience, transitioning between ideas, and overcoming challenges – like grammar, punctuation, and writer’s block. In this course, you’ll learn how to unleash your inner author. Craft a piece that shows off you and your challenges, as you explore an authentic, personal topic. Work on creatively expressing your purpose, voice, and tone. Learn how to use grammar to enhance your writing style with flair. Build writing skills and prepare to polish your final draft. 

Premium Option: Add a one-on-one debrief session with Pravin to identify essay polishing needs and the next steps for your college essay writing journey. 

Skills:

  • Creative writing
  • Collaboration 
  • Grammar, conventions, tone, and style
  • Improving self-expression through writing
  • Building confidence in writing through creativity
  • Time management

Timeline:

  • Prerequisite: I can identify my interests in a pre-workshop survey, including choice of Common App or Coalition App essay.
  • Week 1: “Getting Started”
    • I can develop an understanding of the college essay form, choose my main topic, and begin writing my essay. 
  • Week 2: “Mapping the Journey”
    • I can carefully map out the essay’s body paragraphs and execute the first “transition”. 
  • Week 3: “Filling it in”
    • I can develop a full rough draft applying the concepts from the Workshop. 
  • Week 4: “Revising, Restructuring, Polishing” 
    • I can optimize the organization of the essay at paragraph and sentence level, focusing on concision and clarity.  
  • Week 5: One-on-One Debrief
    • I can execute the suggestions provided to me, including grammar/syntax polishing and supplemental essay completion, in my deep-dive debrief session.

Costs and Session Details:

  • Five sessions per group course: “Bring a Friend” option*
    • Begin week of June 15, July 1, or July 15
    • “Bring a Friend” and each student receives a 10% course discount on the full 5 week package!
    • Please note that Weeks 1-4 are scheduled as a group; Week 5 sessions are individual
  • Five sessions per individual course: Supplemental Essay Package Add-on**
    • Need an individual focus? No problem!
      • Work 1-1 with our Associate Director of College Counseling. Weeks 1-5 are reserved for you and include a customized essay pathway created by our Chief Educational Strategist. You’ll embark on your Supplemental Essay Writing journey with your writing specialist in Week 5 or 6!
  • All Workshop sessions are two hours.
  • The course includes a pre-requisite assignment. Details will be sent prior to course start date.
  • Only the “Bring a Friend” discount applies to this course. Please inquire for details.