Write a College Essay That Matters to You
1:1 Support with your Essay
Sarah supports students at every stage of the college essay writing process. Having a writing teacher who talks through your ideas with you and helps you craft them into an organized and cohesive essay can save you time, deepen your content, and help clarify revisions and editing. The cost is $60 an hour or $300 for 4 hours and 2 read-throughs with written suggestions and comments.
Why seek support with your college essay?
Sarah will guide you to discover your authentic self and strengths. She listens for your natural voice and helps you capture your unique stories on the page, so that writing your essay becomes more than another hoop you need to jump through. It becomes an opportunity to know yourself better. She helps her students dig deeper so that they are able to integrate their experiences and come to a fuller understanding of how they have changed or grown. Not only is this valuable on a personal level, it is also what colleges are looking for in the essays they accept.
Writing the college essay is a potent time for students to distill their life experiences into a piece that reflects who they are and what matters to them. Students will learn about themselves as they identify the experiences that have shaped them into who they are, helped them grow, and contributed to their future dreams, giving the essay writing process real meaning.
About Sarah:
Sarah is passionate about writing. She is a former classroom teacher with a masters degree in education and over 25 years of teaching experience. She has taught writing and speaking to international university students through PSU for over 20 years. Sarah has inspired the writing of hundreds of students across Portland in after-school classes, writing groups, summer camps, university classes, and 1:1 tutoring. She founded Write Now! in 2013.
Further College Application Resources:
For your well-being: This link leads to resources to support student’s well-being as they plan for life after high school.
Common App
The Common Application is accepted by over 1000 colleges and universities. A complete list of colleges accepting the Common Application can be found HERE. All students started working on the Common App last spring in their English classes. Check out our instructions to completing the Common App. Click HERE to check out Common App’s video on how to approach the Activities Section.
In addition to the Common Application, there are a variety of other applications students might choose or be required to submit depending on their college list.
- Coalition Application – Similar to the Common App, students can apply to multiple colleges; however, fewer colleges use this application.
- Common Black College Application – Apply to any of the 66 participating HBCUs for $20.
- System-wide applications – University of California, California State University – this is the only application accepted by these institutions.
- UCAS – The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the primary method for applying to higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.
Visiting A College Campus
The fall of senior year is often a good time to visit college campuses while they are in session. Visiting campus is one of the most important steps for students to decide what type of college or specific institution is right for them. Because of this, most colleges offer campus tours, information sessions, or open house events to showcase academic and social life. Whether these events are in-person or online, they should help students visualize themselves thriving on campus. Click HERE for resources on making the most of your campus visit.
College Fairs
NACAC National College Fair -Portland
Virtual College Fairs
Can’t make it to the college fair in Portland? The virtual college fairs feature hundreds of different colleges and universities from the US and worldwide. Don’t miss these free, one-day events for high school students, transfer students, and families. Click below to register for each program and to see the list of participating colleges.
September 15 from 10 am to 3 pm PT
October 13 from 10 am to 3 pm PT
November 3 from 10 am to 3 pm PT
College Admissions Testing
Should you take the SAT or ACT?
A number of institutions no longer require students to submit ACT/SAT scores to be considered for admission or scholarships including public universities in Oregon, Washington and California. Test Optional can still be a valid choice; however, below are other things to consider…
How does your SAT/ACT score compare to other admitted students?
Check out “SAT and ACT Policies and core Ranges for Popular College & Universities” or visit the individual institution’s website. If you’re in the middle 50% range or higher, it might be in your best interest to submit score. According to Compass Executive Director Bruce Reed “Slowly, the prevailing best practice seems to be trending toward sending scores, when in doubt. In fact, this strategy might be most fitting at schools with exceedingly low acceptance rates.” Read more in Bruce’s Blog “A Testing Revival” especially if you are applying to highly selective institutions.
What about test scores for merit-based scholarships?
If a college offers merit scholarships and is test optional, they are likely not requiring a test score for scholarships; however, they might require something else. Check out the requirements for each college on your list, so there are no surprises.
If I submit scores, how do I know if I need to submit official test scores? If you submit test scores, they can often be self-reported on your college application. You might still need to send official scores directly from the testing agency. Be sure to check the policy for each college.
Upcoming ACT Test Dates
October 26 – Register by September 20
December 14 – Register by November 8
Register HERE
Free ACT Prep HERE
Upcoming SAT Test Dates
October 5 – Register by September 20
November 2 – Register by October 18
December 7 – Register by November 22
REGISTER HERE – Most seniors should already have a College Board account. DO NOT create a new one — use the one you have!
FREE SAT Prep HERE
Scholarships
SEPTEMBER
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship – This is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students recognizing their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Due September 30 by 2 pm PT
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) – TGS is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Due September 15.
OCTOBER
AES Engineering Scholarship – The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of character, as determined by an evaluation of the essays that are submitted for it. Scholarships are intended for our future leaders across a wide spectrum of fields of study. You are not required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible. Due October 8
National YoungArts Foundation Scholarship – Up to $50,000 for young artists in grades 10-12 or ages 15-18 with talent in cinematic arts, dance, design arts, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing. Due October 17 at 5 pm PT
NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship – $1,000 scholarships for underrepresented students with a 3.0 GPA or higher who plan to study a STEM field. Due October 13.