Orono Community Education

The college application process is complex and many colleges ask students to write personal statements and supplemental essays. How do you write an effective essay? Virtual Session 1: 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. There will be pre-work for this session. Between session 1 and 2, students will be expected to complete a first draft of their personal statement to receive written feedback. Virtual 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. Students will have an option to have an essay review meeting with a College Connectors counselor by August 9th. A Zoom link and pre-work will be sent to those registered one week prior to class.

Following this workshop, families will have a sense of confidence about the next steps for their student after their admissions decision. Families will learn how to support their child through the transition from high school to college, practice self care (families and students) and navigate the language of college. This is a great opportunity to build a support network with fellow families of future first-year college students.