Write From the Heart | Write a Common Application Essay That Stands Out
In this 4-week class, students will COMPLETE their essay for the Common Application, and it will be reviewed by a college professor. The student will brainstorm, plan, and write with guidance every step of the way.
New on Outschool
What's included
5 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
Feedback is given Monday for any work completed the previous week, excluding weekends.Letter Grade
Given upon request as percentageClass Experience
US Grade 10 - 12
One of the most dreaded part of the college application process is the essay. This class gives you a COMPLETE essay that is reviewed every step of the way by a college professor. EVERY student who has taken this course has successfully met their goals. While the essay is not all that is required for acceptance into college, it is the part that often causes the student the most stress. We take the stress away. Students even find themselves excited about what they get to share through their essays. The class is self-paced with at least one assignment per week. The teacher provides a video, written lesson material, interactive assignments, and personalized weekly feedback on every activity. Our feedback is encouraging with suggestions for growth framed to help build the student's skills and self-confidence. Overview of the class: > Brainstorming > Planning & Outlining > Essay Writing > Revisions At Write from the Heart, your voice comes first. We are all better writers when we have something to say. We teach how structure, organization, and grammar help us effectively communicate who we are and what we believe through the written word. Remember, it’s not about learning the rules. It’s about discovering how we can use the tools of writing to most clearly express ourselves.
Learning Goals
Students will understand the best practices for college essay writing.Students will organize experiences into potential topics.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum5 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Brainstorming & Best Practices Introduction
This lesson will help students really consider what makes them unique, and what they have to say in a college admissions essay. It will also introduce students to best practices for writing. 2 assignments
13 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
The Common Application Prompts
In this lesson, students will get a detailed breakdown of each and every Common Application prompt, with an explanation of what the question is asking for and best ways to answer it. 1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Outlining
In this lesson students will select two prompts and work on outlines for both of them 1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Essay Writing
In this lesson students will learn how to stand out when writing their essays. They will apply professional feedback they received on their outlines when writing. 1 assignment
Other Details
Learning Needs
Please communicate with the instructor if accommodations or modifications are needed. Write from the Heart teachers are trained and educated on how to meet unique learning needs and classes can be adjusted as needed.
Parental Guidance
The materials in this class were created by Write from the Heart and utilize the prompts on the Common Application.
Pre-Requisites
Students should know how to write a 5-paragraph essay with a thesis statement and have a basic understanding of grammar.
Supply List
All materials for the class will be supplied
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined November, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
1 teacher has a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from University of Pittsburgh
2 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Grove City College
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Grove City College
Veldorah Rice is the director of Write from the Heart and has also worked as an adjunct professor for twenty years.
At Write from the Heart, our goal is to help students find their voices and grow in writing and critical thinking skills. Above all, we believe that education is a personal journey of discovery. It is shaped by the personality of the child, the beliefs and values of the child’s family, and the experiences that the child encounters. It should never be undervalued. We desire to come alongside parents in helping each child through that personal journey.
Write from the Heart was established in 2005 with the vision of providing students a place to work through the writing process in collaboration with peers and professional guidance. It has grown to include year-long classes, semester studies, and workshops in special topics. All of our teachers have at least a bachelor's degree in English, education, or a related field and have been teaching and writing for several decades. Our instructors include:
Veldorah Rice, who is the director of Write from the Heart, as a BA in English, History, and Communication and a MA in English and Film Studies. She oversees the classes and enjoys creating new curriculum and tools for student writers. She has worked at both the high school and collegiate level. Additionally, Veldorah enjoys speaking at homeschool and teacher conferences about writing and helping students find their voices. In her free time, she loves knitting, watching bad movies with her husband and three children, and blogging for the Write from the Heart community.
Jodi Tahsler has worked as an editor for more than twenty years, including a publishing company and as a content writer in the healthcare industry. She has a BA in English and has ghostwritten several books. She and her husband enjoy traveling and taking walks with their dogs.
Brenna Hamming has always been an avid reader and editor. She has a BA in English Literature and Language, and a MA in Gerontoligic Social Work. She has worked with a series of newsletters on grief and loss, and has also provided editing for several role-playing game publications. Brenna enjoys spending time with her son, husband, two crazy dogs, and amazing friends. She also loves to sing and act!Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$38
weekly5 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 16-18
