College Essay Assistance
Personal statement support to unlock the stories within students for their college applications.
We’re excited to announce that student registration is OPEN for Virtual College Essay Boot Camps on Saturdays, October 30, November 20, and December 11, 2021!
Space is limited, so sign up now to be paired 1-on-1 with a trained writing tutor to work on your college essay.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t started writing, have a first draft, or a polished essay—all students at all stages of the writing process are welcome.
Dates: Saturdays, October 30, November 20, and December 11, 2021.
Times: Morning session (10:00 AM–12:00 PM) or afternoon session (1:00 PM–3:00 PM)
Where: Zoom (sign up here).
If you have any questions, please contact will@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, 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 involved, please contact our volunteer team.
