College Admissions Consultants Learn Essay Coaching
A group of nine college admissions consultants from the San Diego area helped me kick off my College Application Essay Writing Bootcamp this week.
After participating in my two-hour workshop at the beautiful home of one of the counselors in Rancho Santa Fe, the nine women are now official “Essay Jumpstart Experts,” and can sport this digital “badge” (above) on their own professional web sites.
Now, students and parents who are looking for expert guidance through the often-confusing process of applying to college will be able to find counselors who also can help students ace the dreaded college application essay.
During the workshop, the counselors learned what I believe makes an effective college application essay.
Then I shared my trademarked step-by-step writing method so they could help their own students find and tell their real-life stories to power their college application essays.
As part of the workshop, they received copies of my trademarked handouts, worksheets and popular writing guides, which they can use to work with their students either individually or in small groups.
Even though these counselors already knew a great deal about these essays, and have keen radar on how to spot good ones, they wanted more ideas and strategies on helping students make them better.
They had excellent questions, such as these:
- What do you do when a student believes they have written an excellent essay (which might even have earned an A+ from their English teacher), but you know it’s actually not that good?
- How do you help students who are reluctant to open up about their feelings and thoughts for their essays?
- What can you do to help students who are privileged and haven’t had any personal crises or traumas in their lives, but want to write personal, impactful and meaningful essays?
I loved how these women, most of whom are members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), get together regularly to learn more about all facets of the college admissions process, and support and inspire each other in the process.
Technically, they are potential competitors, but they put aside that label in order to pool their knowledge and resources in order to better serve their college-bound students and their families. To me, those are true professionals.
Graduates of the Essay Writing Bootcamp also received an official certificate, signed by Essay Hell founder and writing coach, Janine Robinson (me).
Here are the first official Jumpstart Essay Experts (l-r): Mira Simon of Coach Mira Pathway to College, Jackie Wooley of Summit College Counseling, Allison Molenar of Molenaar College Consulting, Regina Gerrato-Greenhaus of Greenhaus Educational Consulting, Catherine McCarthy of College Smart Advising, Janine Robinson, Laurel Reidy of LWR Admissions Support, Susen Herold of Susen Herold Educational Consulting, Jennifer McClure of My Pathway to College, and Jeanette Wright of Wright College Counseling. (not pictured).
Congratulations!
If you are a student or parent in the San Diego area looking for someone to help you navigate the application process, I can personally recommend any of these women. They were all knowledgable and professional, and above all, cared greatly about students and helping them find the right fit.
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Jumpstart Essay Expert, read about my private and group workshops.
