College Essay Assistance
Personal statement support to unlock the stories within students for their college applications.
Thank you to everyone who participated in 826 Boston’s virtual College Essay Boot Camp 2020!
If you have any questions about upcoming College Essay Boot Camp dates, please contact jess@826boston.org.
About College Essay Boot Camp
The college essay is arguably one of the most important pieces of writing our students will ever produce in their lives, but many students are trying to chart a course to college on their own. College Essay Boot Camp can be the critical support students need.
Some stats about past College Essay Boot Camp participants:
“Thank you, 826 Boston, for your amazing work with our college-bound students. Your programs truly make a difference.” – Josette Teneus, mother and guidance counselor, Charlestown High School
“To be honest, I came here with no ideas, no topic, nothing. I am so grateful to be a participant in this program. I overcame a lot.” – Former student participant
No matter where you are in the writing process, our On Demand College Essay Support videos are available now to help you tell your story. Whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, or are ready to begin revising, join 826 Boston’s Will Marshall on an exploration of those all-important 650 words, all on your own time!
Lesson 1: Intro to the College Essay
To learn more about the “genre” of the personal statement, start here! This introductory lesson explores what colleges are really looking for when they read your essay, debunks some common myths and misconceptions, and breaks down some stellar sample essays that have been successful in the past.
Lesson 2: The Prompts
So, what do I write about? Choosing the right topic can be one of the most important—and challenging!—parts of the college essay writing process. In this lesson, Will takes a deep dive into each of the 7 Common Application prompts and provides tools for making the most of the word limit and telling your story most effectively.
Lesson 3: Outlining and Drafting
Once you’ve chosen a topic and decided on a Common App prompt, it’s time to start drafting! In the final lesson of our virtual college essay series, Will explains key organizational tools such as the Kernel Essay outlining model, closely examines a final sample essay, and shares drafting tips to strengthen your story.
Corresponding slide decks, sample essays, and fillable PDF worksheets are available here.
826 Boston’s College Essay Academies introduce students to the ins and outs of the Common App and the components of a strong college essay, all with the support of a trained tutor. At the end of the day, students leave with a complete first draft of their personal statement.
If you’d like to volunteer at an event this summer, contact our volunteer team. College Essay Academy sessions will be held inside at 826 Boston’s center and Boston Public Schools in late August/early September.
In 2017, 826 Boston piloted College Essay Boot Camp on the road, a new way for college seniors to work with tutors on what could be their most important piece of writing to date.
We hosted mini-events at Babson College, Hubspot, Morgan Stanley, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Combined, we helped students write 196 college essays.
If you would like to get your company on the 2017 road trip, please contact our volunteer team by email to get started.
