Student workshops
College By Design hosts the following workshops for clients.
Learn more about my packages here.
Three-Part Essay Writing Workshop
Students will leave with valuable knowledge about the essay writing process and what colleges expect. Covered at the workshop:
Do’s and Don’ts of application writing
Introduction to the Common Application prompts
How to deal with dry questions like the dreaded Why This College & Why This Major prompts
Taboo/cliché topics
How to tackle addressing difficult life experiences and turn perceived negatives into positives
How to best showcase one’s voice and story
Brainstorming of topics for 2 Common App prompts, and 1 Why prompt
Explanation of the editing process
Sharing of example essays
Discussion of the optional Additional Information + the COVID-19 sections on the Common App
Writing college application essays can be a daunting task; this three-part workshop helps students build confidence by giving them the tools needed to get writing.
The Ins and Outs of Interviewing
Students will gain insight into the process of interviewing and feel prepared for sit-downs with admissions representatives, professors, current college students, and alumni. Covered in the workshop:
Overview of what to expect when interviewing
Discussion/presentation of common interview questions
Mock-interviews
Introduction to interview techniques and etiquette
Building of succinct and creative answers to commonly asked questions
Outlining of questions to ask the interviewer
Navigating Scholarships and Financial Aid
The WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN of scholarships and aid can be overwhelming. At this workshop students will get a jumpstart researching local, national, and unique scholarships, and leave better understanding the differences between types of aid:
WHERE and HOW to search for scholarships
Merit Aid Directly From Colleges
Hidden Deadlines
Need Based Aid
FAFSA/CSS Profile
Tackling The Common App
Get the busy-work of the Common App done without the stress! At this workshop, College By Design will walk students through each section of the Common App and answer any questions that arise as you fill out the application (you’ll have a lot). Students will leave having:
Filled out non-essay sections of the Common App
Learned strategies for the Activity Section, Honors, Current Year Courses, and Testing
Learned the difference between the Application and Writing Supplements
Compiled essays into a spreadsheet for easy access
Learned how to run the print preview, make payments, and submit applications