Supplemental Essays Workshop

In this one-hour, virtual workshop for rising 12th graders, students will learn how to approach supplemental essays, which are college application essays for specific colleges and universities. Unlike the Common Application Personal Essay, which is relatively open-ended, narrative in style, and meant to be about the applicant as a person, supplemental essays are shorter, more direct, and (in general) meant to be about the applicant's interest in and ability to contribute to the schools they are applying to. 

Guided by Dr. Jenny Deren, participants will explore common supplemental essay prompts, including "why this school" and "why this major" prompts, as well as the ever popular "community" essay and more. Participants will learn strategies for answering these prompts in a clear, concise, and compelling way. Using the worksheet provided, they will identify a supplemental essay prompt for a school on their list, generate ideas for addressing the prompt, research as necessary, and leave prepared and empowered to begin drafting an essay! The session includes instruction, expert tips, time for individual essay work, and Q&A.

Registered participants will receive an email with the Google Meet link and recommended pre-work, including links to material from the AXS Companion to Common App and worksheet(s) for generating essay ideas and outlining next steps in the writing process. To maximize participation in the workshop, students should try to complete pre-work before the session, but this is not required or necessary for attending. Students may use pre-work after the session to complete or expand on session goals.

Session goals:

• Explore the objective and role of supplemental essays in the Common Application
• Learn about common supplemental essay prompts and strategies for writing effective responses
• Generate supplemental essay ideas
• Identify clear next steps for producing a first (or next) draft

This is a "pay what you can" workshop, and there is no required fee for attending. Contributions to support workshop development are welcome and appreciated via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/hilltopcc. Thank you!

About the College Application Summer Workshop Series:

This five-session series provides instruction, structure, and accountability for rising 12th graders who are applying to college. Each of the first four sessions focuses on important components of the Common Application, which is used by over 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities for first-year admission:

1. Introduction to the Common Application
2. Common App Activities
3. Personal Essay
4. Supplemental Essays 

The fifth and final Ask Anything session is a "catch all" for lingering application questions and topics not yet addressed, which may include letters of recommendation, admission interviews, application submission, and more, depending on participants' needs and interests.

Registration is required for each session. Attendance at multiple sessions is encouraged but not necessary.

Questions? Email Jenny at HilltopCollegeConsulting@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!