Registration is open for for September College Essay in a Day workshops – both in person and via Zoom – designed to teach students how to approach their Common App Personal Statement and write a first draft of the essay — all in a few hours.
College Essay in a Day is geared toward students who are unsure where to start or what to write about and want help figuring out what their story is and how to shape that story into a strong college essay.
During the workshop, veteran essay tutor, writer, and author Michele Turk will provide step-by-step instruction on the key elements of an effective college essay, how to choose a topic for the Common App personal statement (a 650-word narrative essay required by more than U.S. 1,000 colleges), hook a reader with a catchy introduction, and effectively organize and focus essays to make an effective impression about the student.
Students will also learn how to avoid common mistakes when writing essays, get expert feedback on their ideas, perform in-class brainstorming and writing exercises, and review successful college admissions essays. In addition, students will use The Write Start’s signature 20-page interactive guide, a tool they can continue to use after the class ends. They will leave the class with a first draft of their College Essay Common App personal statement.
With only two months to go before the Early Decision and Early Action deadlines, students may be tempted to rely on AI, but they should understand that there are pitfalls, according to Turk, who launched The Write Start after owning a college essay tutoring business called A Bloc of Writers since 2014.
“There’s still plenty of time to write an authentic Common App personal statement,” said Turk. “Students will finish the workshop feeling less stressed about their college applications —and they’ll leave with a first draft of their essay.”
College Essay In A Day Workshop Registration:
In-Person Workshop:
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm
At The Reading Room, 5 Suburban Avenue, Cos Cob, CT
Register HERE