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College Essay Writing Workshops and Coaching
"Thank you so much for all the support you gave me!! I learned a ton about myself—about what’s important to me—and loved hanging out with you to boot."
-- Kyra T, attending Stanford
"I just wanted to say thank you for all the help that you've given me in the college process. With your help, I have been able to get into UC LA, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Davis, San Diego, Santa Cruz; and Yale. This is all thanks to the countless hours you've helped me with my college essays. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."
-- H. L., attending Yale
"We really benefitted from your knowledge and support throughout this important and challenging process."
-- J. H., parent; student attending U Michigan
"Ms. Davis was patient and understanding throughout the entire process, which allowed me to openly express my ideas and thus reach my full writing potential—and gain admission into eight top colleges and universities. I know that my newly strengthened writing skills will enable me to achieve success in future writing endeavors."
-- J.E., attending Pomona College
"I could not help [my daughter] in the way she needed, and you pulled that off. Could we have done it without your help? Probably not in the time frame and without the stresses it might have caused. Many thanks."
-- Parent
"We really benefitted from your knowledge and support throughout this important and challenging process."
-- Parent
Why work with a coach?
Working with me, college applicants will—
- choose interesting, appropriate topics
- receive constructive feedback for revising
- learn to write essays that are focused, succinct, and engaging
- gain writing skills and confidence, not only for writing application essays, but also for use throughout college and beyond
Individual Essay Coaching
How the coaching process works:
Our work together begins with a one-hour meeting to build confidence and generate essay ideas based on the student's interests, taking into account the requisite college essay prompts. We'll cover the key elements of a strong college essay, including the importance of an attention-grabbing opening line; the use of specific, concrete details; how to show, not tell; how to start "small" and end "big"; and how to be self-revealing in a constructive, personable, engaging way. (Students who have taken Deborah’s college essay writing workshop will already know much of this.) We'll also look at application deadlines, strategize how to write multiple essays for many schools, and create a schedule for completing all the required essays. Your student leaves the meeting with essay topic ideas, a writing assignment, and a first draft deadline.
After the first meeting, the student and I meet regularly for an hour (or more or less as needed), each time reviewing the student’s new essay draft(s) and setting a writing goal for the next week. Weekly meetings work best to build momentum and establish a sane level of pacing to meet all application deadlines on the early side—and well before the winter break. We can arrange other meeting schedules, with more or less frequent meetings, depending on the student’s and family’s needs.
Our work together is fluid: I’m accustomed to helping students write through periods of procrastination, writer’s block, heavy schoolwork loads, abject fear or hatred of writing, and other obstacles by offering support and prompting as needed.
Where and how we meet:
Until Covid-19 restrictions ease, all meetings take place via Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or phone. Once in-person meetings are safe again, students who live near my home office in Berkeley are welcome to meet here with me.
Fees:
My fee is $140 per hour. For students starting on or after September 1st, my fee is $150 per hour. A non-refundable retainer of $420/$450 is due two weeks prior to the first meeting and covers our first three hours of coaching and related time (reading essays, phone consultations, etc.)
I work with a limited number of students. You may reserve a spot for individual essay coaching by clicking on the Register button below. Payments may be made by Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal. If we use more than three hours, I will send monthly invoices that are due on receipt.
On average, students spend 10-15 hours working with me, but I’ve worked as little as one hour with a student and as much as 45 for a student who applied to a large number of highly competitive colleges and universities.
I am happy to work with limited budgets. If you let me know, for instance, that you can spend only $500 total, I will advise you and your student about how to get the most out of that amount.
College Application Essay Workshop
Take the mystery and stress out of writing college application essays! Over five consecutive evenings or afternoons, learn to write outstanding essays. You’ll learn the elements of a strong college application essay, generate topic ideas, and draft and revise answers to the four UC Insight Questions and the Common Application Personal Statement (or other essays of your choice). Limited to 6 students, you’ll receive daily individualized attention and constructive essay feedback.
Workshop participants are guaranteed space in Deborah’s one-on-one essay coaching practice—although many workshop participants leave the workshop with the confidence and skills to finish their essays without the need for additional guidance.
Workshop Bonus: Follow-up feedback on your UC answers and Common App personal statement.
Workshop size: Maximum 6 students per workshop
Cost: $795
Location: Online (In-person workshops may become available, depending on area health regulations and vaccination progress.)
2021 Workshop Dates:
- Session 1: College Essay Workshop, June 21-25, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $795.00 USD
- Session 2: College Essay Workshop, June 28-July 2, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $795.00 USD
- Session 3: College Essay Workshop, July 12-16, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $795.00 USD
- Session 4: College Essay Workshop, July 12-16, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $795.00 USD
- Session 5: College Essay Workshop, August 2-6, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm $795.00 USD
- Session 6: College Essay Workshop, August 2-6, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $795.00 USD
The workshops include:
- Individualized Instruction: Throughout the workshop Deborah is available during writing time to answer questions, help students overcome writer’s block, offer on-the-spot feedback, and otherwise offer prompt individual attention.
- Prompt feedback: Students receive on-the-spot feedback as they develop ideas and write their first drafts.
- Workshop Follow-up: Workshop participants are guaranteed space in Deborah's individual essay coaching throughout the application season.
- Workshop Bonus: Students receive follow-up feedback on one personal statement and four UC insight questions written in the workshop.
Essay Coaching and Workshop Cancellation Policy
Essay coaching retainer and workshop fees are 100% refundable minus a $50 registration fee up to five weeks prior to start of essay coaching or workshop, 75% minus registration fee up to four weeks prior, 50% minus registration fee up to three weeks prior, and 25% minus registration fee up to two weeks prior. No refunds given within 14 days of start of essay coaching or workshop.
For more information please call (510) 541-2199 or contact Deborah online.
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