College Essay Workshop, Grades 9-11
Learn what colleges want, learn more about yourself, and maximize the process of prepping for college apps!
8 class sessions over 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per class (12 hours of instruction)
July 8 - July 31
Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10:45 - 12:15 p.m. PST
Course Description:
Although you are a year or more away from compiling your college applications, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with the process so that you can ace it with confidence when the time comes. Writing “the college essay” can be daunting for many students and families, but understanding the process and what colleges are looking for will help limit the stress and put you in the driver’s seat to become the strongest applicant possible. In this summer workshop students will engage in fun activities designed to enhance their self-awareness and plan next steps for enhancing their own activities lists. They will also write (a lot!) in order to excavate the compelling lived experiences that college admissions readers will be excited to see. By the end of the workshop, students will have multiple working drafts and several tools to help them shine on their college applications.
Instructor Biography:
Michelle Reigstad has taught at Glendora High School in the San Gabriel Valley for 25 years. She teaches AP Research, AP English Language, and ELD, and loves working with students to enjoy and maximize their writing process. Michelle holds a BA in English from UCLA and a Master of Education in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Concordia, Portland. She became a UCI Writing Project fellow in 2023, and is the founder of College Essay Sidekick, an essay coaching service.
Although you are a year or more away from compiling your college applications, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with the process so that you can ace it with confidence when the time comes. Writing “the college essay” can be daunting for many students and families, but understanding the process and what colleges are looking for will help limit the stress and put you in the driver’s seat to become the strongest applicant possible. In this summer workshop students will engage in fun activities designed to enhance their self-awareness and plan next steps for enhancing their own activities lists. They will also write (a lot!) in order to excavate the compelling lived experiences that college admissions readers will be excited to see. By the end of the workshop, students will have multiple working drafts and several tools to help them shine on their college applications.
Instructor Biography:
Michelle Reigstad has taught at Glendora High School in the San Gabriel Valley for 25 years. She teaches AP Research, AP English Language, and ELD, and loves working with students to enjoy and maximize their writing process. Michelle holds a BA in English from UCLA and a Master of Education in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Concordia, Portland. She became a UCI Writing Project fellow in 2023, and is the founder of College Essay Sidekick, an essay coaching service.