“Ace the App Essay” Classes

Does the idea of having to write a college application essay strike terror into the heart of your student? Or perhaps into your heart?

Never fear!

While different from the regular essays that your student writes, this unique essay serves a particular goal: admission to the college of their choice.

This class aims to meet that goal head on.

In this four-week mini-course, we will focus on classical writing principles and the three canons of rhetoric to craft a killer college essay.

Students will receive feedback at every stage of the process and will finish the course with a complete, polished, college application essay ready to submit to a school of their choice.

Week One: Invention 

• What Makes You Unique?: Communicating Your Skills and Interests

Week Two: Arrangement

• Telling Your Story: Finding the Right Structure

Week Three: Elocution I

• Making Your Writing Sing

Week Four: Elocution II

• Proofreading, Polishing, and Perfection

Students will read great essays, understand the principles of what makes a winning college application essay (and understand what to avoid!), and apply those principles to their own essays.

Lessons will focus on knowing proper essay structure, developing a compelling narrative, using crisp writing, and finding a fitting voice. We will give detailed attention to grammar, mechanics, syntax, and style. 

Past students have been accepted to the following schools, among others:

• Beloit College

• Bushnell University

• Franciscan University

• Grove City College

• Hillsdale College

• Knox College

• Mercer University

• New College Franklin

• North Carolina State University

• Saint Constantine College

• Thomas More College

• Thomas Aquinas College

• Wyoming Catholic College

Prerequisites

• Must be a high school junior or senior

• Homeschool, public school, private school, or charter school students welcome

Materials

• Reading materials will be provided.

• Access to Canvas, Zoom, and Google docs (invitation to Canvas will be provided).

Day and time

Students may attend live or asynchronously. Classes are recorded and password-protected for later viewing. 2024 sessions are listed below.

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Mondays, January 8, 15, 22, 29. (registration closed)

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Mondays, February 5, 12, 19, 26. (registration closed)

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Mondays, July 1, 8, 15, 22.

• 4–5:30 p.m. (EST) Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31.

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Mondays, August 5, 12, 19, 26.

• 4–5:30 p.m. (EST) Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28.

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Mondays, September 9, 16, 23, 30.

• 7–8:30 p.m. (EST) Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29.

Nothing fit your schedule or prefer one-on-one tutoring for this essay? Click here to book private sessions with me.

Cost

• $395.