WHO: College-bound juniors who want to conceive, generate, and complete the first 100 words of their Personal Statement
WHY: The rest of the essay will flow from a clear, organized beginning. Get an early start — and alleviate the stress — so that you can enjoy the confidence that comes from a clear, organized draft of your beginning. (And you’ll be ready to join BEAT THE DOLDRUMS and TIE IT UP, the next two masterclasses about the middle and end of your essay.)
HOW: Follow the timeline of our hour together. Listen carefully to the tips before trying your hand at writing an opening. Focus and write hard for three quick bursts of 5 - 10 minutes each. Walk away with an opening of up to 100 words that makes you feel fantastic.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Fill out the 3 questions that will help narrow down what you want to write about and where the key to your personal statement might be hiding (these will be emailed to you after enrolling)
- Arrive on time to the workshop, with your video on.
- Use your directed writing time in the best way you can.
WHO WE LOVE WORKING WITH: Students who are totally freaked out. Ones who follow grammar rules. Others who know how to break them. Those who already have seven ideas. Those who don’t want to write this essay or anything else. Students who have no idea what makes them unique, are embarrassed about their grades, have faced grief, lead beautiful lives. Those who believe in themselves. Anyone who has doubts.
YOUR FACILITATOR: Melissa Vincel is an editor, ghost writer, and story doula for NYT bestselling authors, college-bound high school students, and anyone striving to tell their story. She won numerous regional and national writing scholarships on her way to Skidmore College (‘02), and has spent the last 20 years writing and creating safe writing spaces, particularly for those who have experienced loss. She adores humans of all ages, especially teenagers.
