Course Description

In this two-week-long seminar, we will explore the balance between self-expression and effective communication essential to writing the powerful personal narratives that are at the root of successful college admissions essays. Together, we will practice strategies for constructing a personal profile and translating yourself into a specific and engaging essay for your applications.

For two weeks, students will do practice exercises, preparing them to write their admissions essay(s); consider larger questions of reading and writing personal statements and respond to other students in the course using discussion boards; read sample questions and learn how best to respond in their personal statements; read and analyze sample essays to discover what makes them successful; draft their own essays as a response to sample questions; workshop their essays with other students and receive feedback from their instructor; and revise their essays in response to feedback.

(This course is taught entirely online: there will be no face-to-face or synchronous meetings. Rather, all communications between and among students and the instructor will be done in writing - after all, it is a writing course!)

At the end of the course, each student will have drafted, received feedback on, and revised a personal statement suitable for a college application. Students will have a good sense of what makes an effective personal statement for college admissions and should have a draft from which to work.

Prerequisites: None

Course Information

• Course Code: CEEL1009

Program Information

Summer@Brown

Brown’s Pre-College Program in the liberal arts and sciences for students completing grades 9-12 by June 2021.