Orono Community Education

The college application process is complex and many colleges ask students to write personal statements and supplemental essays. In this two-session virtual class, students will learn how to write an effective essay and personal statement through guided exercises. They will have an opportunity to create a draft of the Common Application personal statement, evaluate supplemental essays and discuss how to answer common supplemental questions. Students will receive written feedback and will have an option to have an essay review meeting with a College Connector counselor. During Session 1 of this 2-session virtual workshop, College Connectors counselors will educate students about the purpose of the Common Application personal statement, evaluate and discuss effective essays, and guide students through exercises to create a draft of their personal statement. During Session 2, we will evaluate sample supplemental essays and discuss how to answer common supplemental questions that demonstrate to colleges there is a strong mission, academic, or cultural fit between the student and the college. Expectations: Students will be expected to complete pre-work for Session 1. Between Session 1 and 2, students will be expected to complete a first draft of their personal statement to receive written feedback. After students address the first round of feedback, students will have an option to have an essay review meeting with a College Connectors counselor by August 12th. Students will be expected to have cameras on as this is an interactive workshop. Registration deadline: July 21, 2025

Advantage Educational Programs gives students the option of preparing for the ACT exam in two different ways: in-person or online. Both courses are designed for students who want to maximize their ACT exam score, as well as those who feel uneasy about their test-taking skills, or those who have taken the exam and aren’t satisfied with their results. The course includes diagnostic testing, instruction in time management, overcoming test anxiety, science reasoning, English strategies and review, essay writing, reading comprehension, math strategies, and review. Please bring notebook paper, pencils, calculator and a small 3-ring binder or folder to class. Students enrolled in these classes not only benefit from personal instruction provided by our experienced instructors, but also have free access to our online course. For more information, call Advantage Education Programs at 612-222-5108. Any students who are registering as repeat students who have previously paid should register for the self-paced virtual class at no charge.

This course is an excellent alternative for any student unable to attend an in-person class, but still prefers the interaction with an instructor. The live virtual ACT prep course is the same as the in-person ACT course, but from the comfort of your own home. Our instructors teach live via Zoom and are available to answer questions if needed. You will need an internet connection and a computer/tablet/smart phone. Instruction for all areas tested will be provided with focal points on diagnostic testing, science reasoning, math review and strategies, reading comprehension improvement, English strategies, writing essays, overcoming test anxiety and time management. Please have notebook paper, pencils and a calculator available. Once enrolled, students are sent a link via email for their class. For a complete list of ACT prep class locations, go to www.AdvantagePrep.net or call 612-222-5108.

Register for the self-paced online course and have access and complete preparation for the ACT at your own pace. Register for this section through August 31, 2025. Instruction for all areas tested will be provided with focal points on diagnostic testing, science reasoning, math review and strategies, reading comprehension improvement, English strategies, writing essays, overcoming test anxiety and time management. Please have notebook paper, pencils and a calculator available for class. Students may repeat the course as often as they desire for no additional cost. Once enrolled, students are sent an access code for their class via email and can begin preparing right away. For a complete list of ACT prep class locations, go to www.AdvantagePrep.net or call 612-222-5108. VERY IMPORTANT - you must have a Google account with a @gmail.com email address in order to access the Online ACT Prep Course through Google Classroom. Remember, the Gmail account that you use to join the online course is the ONLY email address that you will be allowed to use during the online course. Please Note - If you have a school-issued email address, even if it is a Gmail address, it is blocked for access to Google Classroom.