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Overview

College Essays 101

What do you know about college essays? What do admissions officers want to read? What should you accomplish with your essay? What kind of approach should you take? Bottom line: do you know—really, really know—what makes a good college essay? Odds are, you don’t. Don’t take it personally, though. We’ve asked thousands of students and parents these questions, and most of them have no idea, either. (Same with a lot of excellent English teachers, by the way.) If you don’t know what a college essay is, you’ll have a hard time writing a good one.

This is where Elijah comes in.

Elijah started working with an EssayQuest mentor about a month before his college applications were due. He had already written two versions of the same essay: one on his own, one in English class with support from his teacher.

We’ll guide you through three versions of Elijah’s essay:

  • the one he wrote on his own in August
  • the one he wrote in English class in September
  • the one he wrote with his mentor in October

We’ll give you some things to think about and point out key concepts we don’t you to miss.

And when you’re done, you’ll know what college essays are all about!

To get the most out of this, please don’t rush, and please don’t skim!

Pro Support Popup (Concept)

Think of this as the Storyteller version of this material. The language is rough and the design clunky. Please share your thoughts at the bottom of the page.

Where You Are in the Process

Students heading to the Story Starter milestone. Instructions on how to change milestones based on your program are below...

This works in conjunction with Write a TON of Raw Content activities.

May go back and forth a bit on the way to getting to the milestones.

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What Lists Look Like

Most students come with a reasonably straightforward list. They may need support finding more story starters, but at least it's organized and easy to work with.

If you're working closely with a student you can take a minute to clean up their list before they go any further. It can make it easier for them, and you.

There's some quick fixes under each of the examples.

 

Straightforward list
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Disorganized mess
  • lorem
  • ipsum
Over-organized mess
  • lorem
  • ipsum
Overachieving mess
  • lorem
  • ipsum

What to look for

This will focus on the content of the Story Starters 

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Mix of stuff

different parts of life, ages, etc

Something for intellectual interest/community prompts

How to Guide Students

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Probably accordions

Notice. Get Curious. Play.

Ask for specifics/events

Have them waboc, see if there's new ones in there

OK not to have a lot at first

Don't get into big conversations!!!

How to Set Milestones

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Full program

Quick 'n dirty

Have an existing focus

Downloads

Will include a short description for each

  • Guidebook
  • Guide Sheets
  • Questions to Ask Over and Over Guide Sheet
  • Feedback Form for students to share with other people
  • Feedback Form for professionals to give written feedback to students
  • Read College Essays Like a Pro handout 

Videos

Understanding the Thinker Phase
3 minutes

Guiding a student
50 minutes

*This is the Storyteller video

Working with Story Starters
9 minutes

Discussion/Q&A

Have a question? Need some ideas? Have a success story to share?

Use this space to connect with other professionals using EssayQuest.

We get notified of every comment and will always reply.