Registration is now open.
Join live June 18th - July 9th, or watch on demand.
In this live step-by-step video course, I (Ethan) walk students through everything they need to write an outstanding personal statement for their college applications.
Whether you're using the Common Application, Coalition Application, or applying to one of the hundreds of public or private colleges or universities, this course will give you the tools to write an essay that demonstrates your core values and how you'll make meaningful contributions to your future college campus.
With over a dozen video lessons, live sessions with me, great sample essays, a comprehensive step-by-step workbook, and tons of advanced techniques, this is the most comprehensive course of its kind.
How the course works:
Each week, you’ll watch pre-recorded video lessons in my Choose Your Own Adventure essay writing tool.
You’ll complete a few writing exercises (AKA homework) in between sessions.
Then, we’ll meet live where I’ll deliver a short lesson, and also review sample essays and answer lots of questions.
You’ll learn how to:
BRAINSTORM
Discover what matters to you and decide on at least 2-3 potential essay topics.
OUTLINE
Before you begin drafting, I’ll help you create outlines to test which topic may be strongest.
BRING IDEAS TO LIFE
I’ll help you get inspired and tell your most meaningful story.
STAND OUT
I’ll help you avoid common topics. In fact, I’ll share a list of them I’ve discovered after reading 10,000 essays.
HIT THE TARGET
Learn what colleges are actually looking for in a personal statement (hint: It’s not a list your extracurricular activities).
SAVE TIME + STRESS
Write your essay in less time and with less stress.
Join Me Live This Summer
(or watch on demand)
You’ll watch a few on demand video lessons before each live session, which you’ll have access to from the moment you register.
Then you’ll complete a few assignments, like writing your first draft.
We meet live each week where I workshop real students’ essays & answer all of your college essay and application questions.
live session schedule:
Week 1: Brainstorming
Tuesday, June 18th
Week 2: Outlining & Writing the First Draft
Tuesday, June 25th
Week 3: Revising
Tuesday, July 2nd
Week 4: refining
Tuesday, July 9th
Live sessions are held at 10-11:30am PT (1-2:30pm ET) & 4-5:30pm PT (7-8:30pm Eastern Time)
Check out the course syllabus for a detailed overview.
Start writing today.
As soon as you register, you'll get access to the full step-by-step course, plus my comprehensive Choose Your Own Adventure essay revising tool.
Here’s what a few of our attendees had to say:
Take my full 2-part college essay course:
PART TWO:
How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays
Live sessions run on
Tuesdays in July-August
Bonus offer for those reading the fine print: Register for this course and get 50% off part 2 of the series, How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays.
How? Register below and you’ll be taken to the discounted offer.
Week 1: Brainstorming
What’s the Purpose of the Personal Statement?
What are the Four Qualities of an Outstanding Personal Statement?
7 Mini Brainstorming Exercises
How These Exercises Can Lead to an Essay Topic
Montage vs. Narrative Structure
7 Types of Montage Essay
What Is Narrative Structure & How Does it Work?
Next Steps + Q&A
week 2: Outlining & writing
Why Other People Write Bad First Drafts (And How to Not Be Like Them)
Why You Should Create a Solid Outline Before You Start
How to Outline Using the 7 Montage Paths
How to Outline Using the Narrative Path
How to Write Your First Draft
How to Get Feedback (If You Want it) on Your First Draft
Personal Feedback from Me on Some of Your Topic Ideas
Next Steps + Q&A
week 3: revising
How to Raise the Stakes and Draw Your Reader in
11 Ideas for Improving the Middle of a Challenges-Based Essay
How to Uplevel Each Paragraph in a Montage Essay
3 Ideas for Starting a Challenges-Based Essay
7 More Ideas for Starting a Montage Essay
19 Ways to Make Your Essay More Insightful
How to Make Sure Your Personal Statement “Flows”
Personal Feedback from Me on a Variety of Your Essays-in-Progress
Next Steps + Q&A
week 4: Refining
10 Ways to End a Personal Statement
The Great College Essay Test (i.e., How to Know If Your Personal Statement Is Doing its Job)
Tips for Polishing (When You’re Ready)
Personal Feedback from Me on (Basically) As Many Essays As I Can Get to
Who is College Essay Guy?
Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and sought-after speaker. Each year he helps thousands of students and counselors through his online courses, workshops, articles, products, and books, and works privately with a small number of students. A graduate of Northwestern University, Ethan holds an MFA from UC Irvine, two counseling certificates, is certified in Myers-Briggs and hypnotherapy. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife, Veronica, and their amazing daughter, Zola.
Here's what a few students have said about my courses:
-Tesa, Student
-Ava, Student
-Amenna R, Student
-Angela G, student
VIDEO LESSONS
Watch the lessons wherever and whenever you want. You have access for a full year.
Sample essays
Read inspiring sample essays and learn why they work so well.
colleges
...use the Common App and the personal statement you write in this course will work for them all.
GUARANTEED
If you're not completely satisfied with the course, get a full refund within 30 days.
GOAL
Craft an amazing personal statement.
In the Tool I answer:
What’s the purpose of the personal statement?
How is it different from an English essay?
What are the keys to a great personal statement?
Yes, but how do I actually do this in my personal statement?
What are some of the most effective exercises for brainstorming a topic?
Picking a Topic:
What if I can’t decide if my topic will make a “good” essay?
Are there any situations where I may not want to write about life struggles?
Should I write about mental health challenges?
Are there any "don'ts" or things I should be wary of when choosing a topic?
Tips for Writing about COVID-19.
Outlining Your Essay:
Montage Structure (Not Challenges-Based)
I Love/I Know
Essence Objects/Stuff in My Room
Skill/Superpower
Career
Identity
Home
Uncommon
Extracurricular Activity
Narrative Structure (Challenges-Based)
Part 1: Challenges & Effects
Part 2: What I Did About it
Part 3: What I Learned (aka Insights)
Revising Your Essay:
What if my challenges aren’t clear or the impacts of those challenges on my life aren’t clear?
What if the challenges aren’t all that compelling—how can I make my challenge more interesting? How can I draw the reader in more?
How can I more effectively communicate how I overcame my challenge(s)?
How can I more effectively communicate what I learned or how I grew from my challenge(s)?
How can I bring more insight into my essay?
What are some ways that I can write a great hook/intro?
As well as:
3 Ideas for Starting Your Challenges-Based Essay
7 More Ideas for Starting Your Montage Essay
What resources might help me improve word choice and sentence flow?
How do I make sure the essay is doing its job? And what is its job, anyway?
Where can I find great example essays?
Where can I find resources for other parts of the college application process?
Here's what a few more students
have said about my courses:
-Ana
-Jordan
-Ava
Jonathan
-Emily
-Max K
Pay in Full
Video Course Access
$297
Live Q&A Sessions w/ Ethan
Learn to Brainstorm, Write, and Revise
Your Main College Personal Statement
30+ Video Modules
1 Year Access to the
Choose Your Own Adventure Tool
Payment Plan
4 Monthly Payments of
$74/month
Live Q&A Sessions w/ Ethan
Learn to Brainstorm, Write, and Revise
Your Main College Personal Statement
30+ Video Modules
1 Year Access to the
Choose Your Own Adventure Tool
Personalized
1-on-1 Support
Dig deep and uncover your unique story
1:1 coaching for brainstorming, drafting, & writing
Craft outstanding college essays & applications alongside your coach
Optional: Get college counseling & admissions planning support
Check out the full course syllabus for dates, times, homework and more information.
Register for this course and get 50% off part 2 of my course, How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays.
How? Register for this course and you’ll be taken to the discounted offer.
Can’t afford the course?
I offer pay-what-you-can spots for students from low-income households.
Reach out below to request a spot. It only takes a minute or two.
Want to finish your entire Common Application?
Take Part 2: How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays
Learn how to write outstanding supplemental essays, craft an awesome activities list, and create a compelling application. Read sample essays, activities lists, and successful college applications, then learn how they were developed.
Module 1: Creating an Inspired Application in Half the Time
Module 2: the Activities List, Additional Information Section, & the "Why Us" Essay
Module 3: the Extracurricular Essay
Module 4: the Supplemental Essays
Module 5: Short Answers & More Supplemental Essays
Module 6: How to Make Sure Your Application Is Doing Its Job
Are you a College Counselor?
YOU MAY BE WONDERING (FAQ)
+How do I log in?
If you have purchased any of our online video courses or live webinars, you can login by going to the website menu bar > Log In > Online Courses. You can view that page here. From there you can access all of your products in your library.
If you already have access to our Choose Your Own Adventure Tool, go to the menu bar, click “Log In,” and click “Choose Your Own Adventure Tool.”
+Are live sessions recorded?
Yes! Live sessions will be recorded and hosted inside your course account inside the relevant session module.
+What’s the homework?
You can find the homework in your course syllabus! Each week, we’ll ask you to complete optional brainstorming exercises or work on your essays in preparation for the upcoming live session.
+How long do I have access to the course?
Students have access to the course for one year from the date of purchase.
+Are essay reviews included with the course?
Unfortunately we have a small team and are not currently able to guarantee essay reviews as a part of this course.
However, sometimes Ethan may ask for students to submit a few essay drafts to review during the live sessions as an example for the group. In this case, we will let you know during the course where to send essays for a potential review.
+Can I get a discount?
Access is really important to all of us at College Essay Guy. It’s at the heart of most everything Ethan does and is why so many resources on the site are free. As this is something we are passionate about, we have an option to submit a pay-what-you-can request on each of our course pages.
+WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD IT?
As with all my courses and resources, I have pay-what-you-can spots available for students from low-income households. Just click the orange button above.
+What if I have another question?
My FAQ page has you covered. Or, if you can't find the answer there, shoot an email to my team: help@collegeessayguy.com.