A personalized tutoring course for the college admission essay and beyond
Everyone has a story to tell. Learn how to write and shape a compelling first-person narrative, and step into the next chapter of your academic life with ease and confidence.
Meet the Editors
Kate Branch
Writer, Editor and Brand Strategist
Will Yakowicz
Writer and Investigative Reporter
Four Sessions, One Final Draft
Over the course of this four-part study (six hours total), you will identify, enhance and build one cohesive story that best exemplifies who you are, where you came from and where you hope to go, and why you stand out from the rest.
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The editor and course leader conducts an interview and brainstorm session with the student to help excavate experiences and tales that are captivating and worthy of an essay topic. You will talk about your life, passions and experiences and together we will land on a narrative that reveals something deep and meaningful about you and your character. Prior to class, you will be given examples of well-written essays to help you understand what makes an essay an arresting read.
Duration: 60 minutes
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Now that you have your topic, it’s time to dive into the art of structure and start outlining your essay. You will learn about what makes a good lede (the introduction to your essay), a profound nut graf (your thesis, or in other words, the specific lesson or point you want to convey) and a satisfying kicker (the last paragraph).
Duration: 60 minutes
Expectation: You will start writing during this session, and your homework will be to finish writing the first draft.
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We will go over the teacher’s edit in real time, and the proposed changes that will make your essay stronger. Inevitably, more details about your life will become crystalized during this session.
Duration: 60 minutes
Expectation: The homework for this session will be to complete and file the second draft.
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We will go over your second draft in real time and make it stronger and ready to submit. The hope is to look ahead, at school and beyond, to try and relate skills and character traits revealed in class to potential majors, minors and job internships.
Duration: 60 minutes
Expectation: Your homework will be to submit your essay along with your application.
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Pricing: $1,895
Duration: Six weeks
Schedule: Private lessons over the fall/winter session will be scheduled based on students’ needs and availability.
Teacher availability: Your course instructor will be available via email and phone for any questions that may arise during the course at no extra cost.
Our Writing
Philosophy
The college admissions essay is an important aspect of applying and getting into the best school for you. The essay is an opportunity to showcase how you think, how you deal with and overcome challenges, and who you are and where you come from. But it is also an opportunity for you to learn how to think critically about your experiences and learn the craft of writing well—a skill that cannot only help you write yourself into a college or university, but also write your way into the professional world.
This four-class course (four hours total) is led by professional journalists and writers who will teach you how to write an admissions essay and by the end of the course, have a polished essay that you wrote. This is not a course that writes an essay for you. It’s an intensive experience that helps you become a better thinker and writer.
Testimonials
Griffin, 16, sophomore at Randolph High School in Randolph, NJ
“I didn’t think I had much to say at 16, let alone write. After my first lesson with Will, I realized just how important my voice is and can be in shaping my future.”
Russell, parent