Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the group workshop are below. Please feel free to reach out if you have others.
Where does the class take place?
All classes are on Zoom. You can be anywhere but I ask that students find a quiet place, free from disturbances, and free of their phones.
I read the brief description, but how does the whole thing actually work?
There are two parts to this workshop: the group class and individualized support. Students can sign up for just the group class, or they can sign up for the entire workshop which is the group class + individualized support.
The group class is my enthusiastic answer to a recurring problem I’ve noticed: overwhelmed teenagers are faced with writing a captivating, meaningful piece of personal writing with little to no experience in the form. While many high school students have experience with different types of writing (e.g., academic papers, five-paragraph-essays, literary analysis, lab reports, maybe short stories or poetry) few are churning out 650-word memoir-type writing on the regular.
It’s not an easy thing to ask a 17-year-old to do!
This class is designed to help students see clearly what the goal of the personal essay is, what it is not, and to understand (through focused exploration of samples) some options or “forms” for structuring these things. We then dive into brainstorming exercises together. I answer questions and also model ways to take initial ideas to a deeper level. The group class is, in sum, a lively, engaging way to get students primed to work on their own essays.
While the group workshop provides a firm grounding in the form, most students benefit from the support, questions, dialogue, and constructive feedback that can only happen through individualized meetings. The one-on-one support I offer in conjunction with this workshop begins with one meeting before the workshop, during which I ask the student approximately 72 thousand questions to get to know them better so that I am well-equipped to be of help. This is followed by three meetings within one week after the group class. These sessions are the beating heart of the process, during which I guide students through the steps of topic selection, outlining, drafting, revising and reflecting, and finally editing.
Is there anything a student needs to do before the workshop?
If you are signing up for just the group class, nope! Sleep the night before and give your cell phone a long nap on a kitchen counter far away.
If you are signing up for the full workshop, you will need to schedule our initial individual meeting within 30 days before the group class. Once you register, I will reach out with details about how to do so.
What are the hours of the course?
There is a group class scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 8 from 1 pm to 4 pm EST. (If this date doesn’t work for you, but you are interested in the class, feel free to reach out to me. I only need 2 students to run the group class so it is highly likely that we can schedule another date!)
Students enrolling in the full week-long workshop will schedule the four individual meetings that are included in the workshop based on their needs and availability. The only requirements are that one session occurs before the group class and the three sessions after the group class occur within the week. These are key ingredients for making sure the workshop is focused and productive!
What will be accomplished by the end?
Students get as much as they give to this workshop which is designed to promote single-tasking focus with accountability and support. Ideally students embrace this chance to work on one thing, and do it to the best of their ability, within the parameters of the workshop. I provide clear instructions for the essential steps in the process and give personalized suggestions to help students keep up the momentum. That said, I cannot in good faith offer any fixed guarantees: in my experience, it is difficult to predict exactly how long it takes to go from nothing to a complete essay. Some students write fast, but then need to re-route multiple times, and others who get off to a slow start, land on gold, understand what they are trying to say and how, and finish quickly.
How many students are in each group class?
I need 2 students to run this class and never enroll more than 5 students.
When should a student enroll?
I welcome rising seniors. Finishing the personal essay before the supplements are released on Aug. 1 is an admirable, smart, beautiful, wise, fierce, peacock … (ok, I just made that up, but who doesn’t want to be a little like a peacock?) goal.
How much does the workshop cost?
The three-hour group class is $150. The price for the entire workshop, including a 55-minute individual session prior to the first day, the three-hour group class, and three 55-minute sessions for individualized feedback, is $795.
Do you offer support after the workshop?
Yes, my hourly rates are reduced for students who have enrolled in this workshop. Please reach out for more info.
Where have your students been accepted?
While I’m in this because I love witnessing the insight that comes from the writing process, most students are here because they want to get into college, which is understandable! Getting admitted into a college of your choice is exciting. The schools my students have been accepted to include:
Any other questions?
Please reach out to me directly.