College Essay Bootcamp
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College Essay Bootcamp 〰️
Secrets of Successful Admissions Essays
Wednesday June 18th, 2025 | 5pm EST
A comprehensive overview of the admissions essay: why it’s different from anything you’ve written in English class, how to avoid writer’s block, and what admissions officers are looking for in the personal statement. Plus, submit any questions you have for an ask-me-anything Q&A. The 1-hour live workshop class includes:
15-minute Q&A session for customized advice
45-minute presentation class covering:
5 most common personal essay mistakes and how to avoid them
4 techniques to beat writer’s block
Limited to 15 students for personalized support
Find Your Common App Personal Statement Topic
Thursday July 17th, 2025 | 5pm EST
Unsure of your personal essay topic or where to even begin? We’ll discuss strategies for choosing your Common App prompt, ideas to get you started, and journaling questions to help you find your story. Plus, students will be able to submit essay ideas anonymously for a rapid live edit on-screen to find your topic and determine the best storytelling approach. The 1-hour live workshop class includes:
60-minute interactive class discussing student-submitted essay topics
Live edit of essay topics on-screen followed by group discussion
5+ brainstorming ideas to help you find your story
Why certain topics work and others don’t — and how to know the difference
Limited to 10 students for personalized support
Create Your Admissions Essay Outline
Thursday July 31st, 2025 | 5pm EST
After finding your topic, the next stage is uncovering how to tell your story. Here, we will explore multiple outline ideas inspired by creative writing techniques — including opening anecdotes that create compelling first impressions. Plus, students will be able to submit their outlines for a rapid live edit on-screen. The 1-hour live workshop class includes:
60-minute interactive class discussing student-submitted outlines
Live edit of outline on-screen followed by group discussion
Opening line ideas to hook admissions officers
Outline suggestions to ensure a coherent flow
Limited to 10 students for personalized support
Edit Your Admissions Essay Draft
Thursday August 7th, 2025 | 5pm EST
Every Common App essay needs multiple rounds of edits before it’s ready for submission. You’ll learn the techniques of self-editing including common mistakes to avoid and what to consider when cutting for word count. Plus, students will be able to submit their drafts for an anonymous live edit on-screen. The 1-hour live workshop class includes:
60-minute interactive class discussing student-submitted essay drafts
Live edit of Common App draft on-screen followed by group discussion
Individualized suggestions for improvement
Line-by-line edits and big-picture strategy ideas
Limited to 6 students for personalized support
WHY AFFORDABLE COLLEGE ESSAY CLASSES?
I hope to make admissions essay support more equitable. I was an immigrant kid myself whose parents couldn’t afford private college prep services. That’s why I’m introducing affordable online workshops that recreate my 4-step writing system in a small class setting.
Live virtual edits offer personalized help with everything from finding your essay topic to editing your rough draft — all from the comfort of your screen anywhere in the world. Every workshop is catered to the students who sign up, so lesson plans will be modified and customized to meet students where they are.
Choose what you need à la carte or attend all four and leave with the tools you need for a finished draft. Can’t make the dates below? No problem — every student will receive feedback on their submission and a recording of the presentation.
Space is limited to ensure personalized support. Workshops may be cancelled or rescheduled if enough students don’t register for each class.
ADMISSIONS ESSAY WORKSHOP SUCCESS STORIES
“Helped me avoid common mistakes.”
“Yelena’s presentation clarified what I need to do for my college essay. She also helped me realize how I should prepare and my thought process for picking a topic, an opening sentence, and how to avoid common mistakes. She gave really helpful tips and strategies to come up with a topic and even introduced the Common App to me. I will definitely contact her when preparing my college essay.” -Stacey Wong, student at La Guardia High School of Performing Arts
“Now I know exactly what I will write about.”
“Yelena's presentation introduced me to the essential essence of a personal college essay. Her insights helped me pinpoint an important experience that played a huge role in shaping my identity, and now I know exactly what I will write about.” -Nikolas Chupkin, student at SF JFCS YouthFirst presentation
“Eased all of my students’ concerns.”
“Yelena was so engaging and insightful! She eased my students' concerns about what to include and what not to include in their personal statements. My seniors were so grateful! She provided them with so much useful, valuable advice as to how to individualize their college essays. She answered all of their questions clearly, as they vigorously jotted down notes and ideas while Yelena spoke. Many of those very same students have been accepted to so many great colleges and universities. Thanks so much, Yelena, we look forward to having our students work with you again next year!” -Erika Brooks, Social Studies Teacher, The High School for Environmental Studies
“Provided clarity and confidence.”
"My students entered Yelena's workshop completely confused and intimidated by the college essay, but by the end, they had much more clarity and confidence. Yelena was able to offer them examples of what makes a good college essay and the tips they needed to begin. Many students are so obsessed with word count and hearing from Yelena to completely ignore that in the beginning of the writing process liberated them. We are looking forward to Yelena coming back to speak with more students this spring!" -Kate McKeon, College Counselor, High School of Fashion Industries
“A wealth of knowledge and expertise.”
“Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. You are a wealth of knowledge. You enlightened us on how our students must write what's personal to them so it is honest and not only meaningful to them but also to the reader. One of the most important points that you made was your advice on their opening sentence. You gave us wonderful examples of how the first sentence sets the tone for the entire essay and the need to grab the reader's attention from the onset. We so appreciated examples of this. Thank you again for sharing your expertise with our PTA and students. We hope to see you again next year.” -Gayle Scott Hajian, Co-President, PTA of Quest To Learn High School
“Inspired new topics I’m more passionate about.”
“Yelena's presentation was so helpful! I now have a much better idea of how to modify my current essay. She even inspired me to consider a variety of new topics I could talk about instead that I am more passionate about. Thanks to her presentation my essay will definitely be improved! -Skylar Bernstein, Rising senior, La Guardia High School of Performing Arts
“Helped students search for deeper ‘whys.’”
“Thank you for such amazing insight. Believe me, the students took notes, and will be remembering you as they go through this process. After the presentation, I feel very comfortable recommending you to my students and peers. The parents were very impressed. Thanks to your tips, I will be able to help my students search for the deeper ‘whys.’” -Arlene Martinez, Counselor School for Advanced Studies, Miami-Dade County Public Schools