How to Start Writing Your College Application Essay / Personal Statement
Get a head start on the college application writing process by learning about what makes a stellar personal statement! Students will begin a guided brainstorming process and leave the class with notes from which to build their essays.
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 11 - 12
Students applying to college are often asked to write a personal statement as part of their application package. This class provides a head start on the process so students can hit the ground running when the upcoming application season is underway. Taught by a distinguished college writing professor, this class will help high school students get a head start on the application writing process by learning about the purpose of a personal statement, what makes an effective statement stand out, and--most importantly--HOW to figure out what to say and how to say it. Students will be guided through several introductory in-class brainstorming activities to gather their ideas, and will leave the class with meaningful notes in hand from which to outline and draft their essays in the future. The college application process can feel daunting to many students, but it doesn’t need to be. A key to success is understanding what college admissions offices are looking for and being confident with a clear plan of how to communicate your strengths in each part of the application package. Let’s check off these boxes when it comes to writing the personal statement! Students will encounter a knowledgeable and supportive instructor who is eager to help set students' minds at ease and provide powerful tools to launch them into this exciting stage of their educational journeys. The class will be both informative and engaging!
Learning Goals
- Understand the purpose of a personal statement
- Become familiar with the qualities of a stand-out statement
Other Details
Supply List
Students should come prepared with some kind of material with which to write, such as a paper and pen/pencil or a blank word doc or google doc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree in English from The George Washington University
I have a Ph.D. in English and have been a professor of communication and education for two decades, during which time I have directed writing and speaking programs at some of the most prestigious colleges in the US. I have published two international award-winning academic books on writing education and have been recognized with several university-wide and national teaching and leadership awards. Most importantly, I LOVE to teach. I bring to this class extensive knowledge of college life, robust experience teaching writing, and a love of helping young people build confidence to embark on the next stage of their educational journeys.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$40
per classMeets once
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 16-18
2-6 learners per class