Writing the College Application Essay That Counts with Dominique Padurano, PhD VIA ZOOM

Writing the College Application Essay That Counts

As 4.0 GPAs have grown more common, the personal statement has become an important way to distinguish oneself in the college application process. That’s never been more important than for the Class of 2021, many of whom will apply to college without having taken an SAT or ACT.  While the stakes of college essays are particularly high this fall, crafting an authentic personal statement can also catalyze an invaluable journey of self-discovery and identity-making for teens on the verge of adulthood.

However, since the personal statement differs profoundly from essays that students write in high school classes, many teens struggle through the process.  In this six-session course, college counselor, published author, and master teacher Dr. Dominique Padurano (Dr. P.) guides students through brainstorming, drafting, and polishing their personal statements in time for the Early Application Deadline of November 1.

Please note: Dr. P. will conduct the entire first class session with all the students present at the same time VIA ZOOM.  Subsequent class sessions will be divided up into 10-15 minute increments, depending on the number of students in the course.  Each student will sign up for one increment during which Dr. P. will conference privately with him/her about his/her essay.  It will be students’ responsibility to share their drafts with Dr. P. via Google Docs prior to each class session, as well as to log onto the Zoom classroom several minutes before their appointment.

Dates: 6 Tuesdays, August 18, 25, and September 1, 15, 22, and 29 (9/8 skipped because it’s the day after Labor Day and likely first day of school for many)

Time: 6-8:30pm

Capped at 10 students. This class must have 5 students to run.