College Essay Writing Bootcamps
Is your teenager ready to begin their college application personal statement, but isn’t sure where to start? The College Essay Writing Bootcamp is a 2-day, small-group, intensive workshop to help students write their 650-word Common App personal statement.
2026 Bootcamps were offered in May and June. Check back in early 2027 for bootcamps for the Class of 2028!
On Day 1, students will:
Review the common structures for writing a personal statement
Brainstorm a variety of potential essay topics
Determine their key values to convey within the essay
Begin outlining potential essay topics
On Day 2, students will:
Critique and analyze example essays
Finalize their essay topic
Structure the essay into subheadings
Add detail with concrete examples
Learn how to write strong opening and closing paragraphs
“The college essay is unlike any writing most high schoolers have done before. It requires them to reflect on their own experiences and share a level of vulnerability. It doesn’t matter WHAT they write about, but HOW they share their story. It is their opportunity to give the admissions counselor a reason to cheer for them beyond just their transcript and test scores.”