College Essay Writing Workshop: Your Personal Story, Your Future
This interactive session will guide students through writing exercises to uncover unique ideas, revise their current drafts, and craft a stand-out essay that showcases their individuality.
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
1-2 hours per week. Learners will receive recommendations for writing or rewriting their current essay or personal narrative draftsClass Experience
US Grade 11
Beginner Level
Your personal narrative portion is the part of your college application where you have the most control. You deserve to shine - your story is yours! In this personalized session, I will guide high school students and transfer students at whatever stage of their essay writing they are currently at in order to help them get to their next phase. Whether you need help with brainstorming ideas, refining your writing, or polishing (and submitting!) your final draft, work with me in this interactive and activity-based one-time class. My coaching is structured in three interconnected phases: 1. Context Clues - learn more about each student's unique journey and experiences, as well as where they're going (types of programs, colleges, universities), essays and timelines 2. Curiosity - dig deeper into their writing, or if brainstorming, spark their imagination through reflection questions on key moments and experiences that showcase who they are 3. Cycle through - move into a writing and rewriting phase, with feedback as requested along the way in order to get the draft to each next version The flow of a typical session will be: - Icebreaker and Brief Freewrite Exercise: get into the mindset of writing and revising - State Your Goals: what types of essays are you writing and when are they due? What progress have you made so far? What are you stuck on? - Guided Writing Time: personalized based on the needs of the group, the instructor will also offer 2-3 prompts based on the Common App or Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) for those currently still writing their essays - (Optional) Share Out Drafts: learners can opt in to sharing their essay drafts out loud, and receive individualized feedback while hearing others' drafts to inspire them and come away with learnings for themselves, even if they don't share out loud
Learning Goals
Write a college essay that conveys your best self
Revise and refine your essay with confidence and ease
Other Details
Pre-Requisites
It would be ideal if learners already have a list of schools, universities, or programs they are applying to but is not required.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a professional actor, director, and playwright for the theatre who attended a liberal arts college in the Boston area. My college work study and Wintersession internships were at my school's Undergraduate Admission Office, experiences which I leveraged to then work at a larger university's Undergraduate Admission Office in Fenway Park. For the past two years, I have been working as a nonprofit organization's Program Manager supporting leaders of color in the arts and culture field. I have been teaching in-school and in after-school programs for almost 10 years for youth ages 4-18, providing me with the opportunity to coach students on their writing and self-expression. These classes have included introduction to acting, introduction to musical theater, introduction to playwriting, and introduction to improvisation.
THEATRE (Acting Highlights)
Book It Repertory Theatre, ArtsWest, Centerstage Theatre, Cafe Nordo/Nebula Seattle, Wellesley Repertory Theatre, upstart crow collective
TEACHING ARTIST (Highlights)
Center Theatre Group, About...Productions, Campbell Hall Creative Arts Academy, Unusual Suspects Productions, Seattle Theatre Group
Training:
Innovative Voice Studio, Jenna Pastuszek and Tim Russell
Mighty Tripod Acting Studio, Angela DiMarco and David Hogan
Education:
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Studies, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Classical Acting (Short Course Diploma), London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), London, United Kingdom
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 16-18
2-15 learners per class