The Summer Workshop Every College-Bound Family Needs: Strategies to craft standout essays and nail the interviews.
While they might not admit it, the pressure to craft standout essays and nail those make-or-break interviews creates genuine anxiety that can paralyze even the most accomplished students.
You invested years in their education and activities. Now comes the moment when everything rides on their ability to articulate their journey effectively - a skill rarely taught in high school.
We created this workshop with essay and interview coaching designed to highlight your student's unique strengths and personal story for top-tier college admissions success.
It's an interactive 90-minutes with hands-on guidance from two seasoned experts.
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
12:00pm - 1:30pm
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Monday, October 27th, 2025
8:00pm - 9:30pm
Sunday, October 12th, 2025
3:00pm - 4:30pm
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
8:00pm - 9:30pm
Please note that all times shown are Eastern (New York) time zone. You will be shown the time in your local time zone when you register.
Genuine confidence in their ability to showcase their unique strengths
A compelling personal narrative already drafted
Authentic interview skills that make admissions officers remember them
Strategic preparation completed before senior year chaos begins
Interviewing is an opportunity for students to tell their story authentically and without the need to "sell yourself." With expert help and guidance during the workshop, students will:
Craft a compelling answer to "tell me about yourself" that connects with an interviewer and showcases why they're a good fit for the school/program
Master a framework for telling stories that showcases accomplishments and what your child is capable of achieving
In 45 minutes, your teen will take the first (and often hardest) step of the college essay process: figuring out what to write about. We'll uncover personal stories that feel real, meaningful and true to who they are. By the end of our time together, your student will have:
A better understanding of what makes a college essay stand out
Several real-life story ideas they can use in their application essays
Participants will receive a mini-workbook to use during the workshop that contains additional resources, tips & tricks to keep the momentum going after the workshop.
Kelly Thompson-Anthony is the founder of Write Well Academy LLC, where she helps students craft powerful college application essays and build the skills they need for long-term academic success. Through personalized coaching, expressive writing workshops, and retreats, Kelly helps young writers uncover their strengths, build resilience, and find their authentic voices. Her students have been accepted to top colleges in the U.S. and abroad, gaining confidence and discovering how writing can be a tool for growth—in and out of the classroom.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 417.986.1940
Dina has been helping students build confidence and interviewing skills since starting Queen City Etiquette LLC in 2017. She's seen the difference that interview coaching can make as her students have been accepted to top 10 schools, gained entry into highly competitive B.M.D. programs and received prestigous, full-ride scholarships.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 513.294.8188
"Loved everything"
"Simply put, Dina is fabulous at interview prep, among other skills. She gives students confidence, provides careful instruction tailored to their needs, and prepares for every lesson to make efficient use of time. So happy to have discovered this gem of a tutor."
- Elizabeth
"Excellent Guidance"
"My son was a strong student and swimmer, but writing was not easy for him—especially when it came to his college essays. Ms. Kelly helped him organize his thoughts, and write with confidence. Thanks to her guidance, he submitted an essay that truly represented him... and he’s now swimming for Stanford."
- C. Ekk
"Great Interview Coach"
"Dina was instrumental in getting my son admitted into a 7 year medical program. In just a few weeks, she transformed my extremely shy teenager into a confident speaker... Having my son work with Dina was one of the best decisions I made and I could not provide a higher recommendation for her"
- Tanya
FAQs
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is specifically designed for rising high school seniors (high school class of 2026) preparing for the college application process. The strategies are applicable for students applying to a wide range of institutions, from community colleges to highly selective universities.
What technology does my child need to participate?
Your child will need a computer or table with a stable internet connection, a webcam and access to Zoom.
Will the workshop be recorded for later viewing?
The workshop will be recorded and all registered participants will have access to the recording for 7 days after the workshop. To protect student's privacy, only the instructor's faces will be recorded. (Please note that recordings are for personal use only and are not to be shared with others.)
Absolutely. Both instructors have extensive experience helping students gain admission to highly selective institutions. The strategies taught are adaptable to any college admissions process, with particular attention to techniques that help students stand out in competitive applicant pools.
The workshop includes opportunities for select volunteers to receive brief feedback during group exercises. While comprehensive individual feedback isn't possible within the 90-minute format, the strategies and frameworks provided will enable students to effectively self-evaluate and improve their materials. If your student requires additional support, you can reach out to Ms. Kelly and/or Ms. Dina to enquire about individual coaching.
Can you accommodate students with special needs?
Both instructors work with special needs students and are committed to helping them succeed. For this workshop, we are able to provide closed captioning and advance access to workshop materials. Please contact us before registering if your student will need these or other accommodations to make sure that we are able to meet your student's needs.
What if I've registered and can't attend?
Refunds are available until 7 days prior to the start of the workshop, which is when students will receive the workbook via email. Students who are registered but unable to attend will have access to the workshop recording for 7 days after the workshop ends.
Kelly and Dina want to make their services available to as many students as possible. They are expereienced professionals who have helped hundreds of students successfully stand out in the college admissions process, but at a cost of hundreds or thousands of dollars. They recognize that not everyone can afford the cost of one-on-one coaching, so they created this live workshop to provide help and support to a broader audience.