College Admissions Workshops

Make progress through the college search, application and financial aid process with support from experienced tutors in free, virtual, small-group workshops.

These workshops are hosted on the Schoolhouse.world platform, which provides free peer-to-peer tutoring on a range of topics. Schoolhouse was founded by Sal Khan of Khan Academy.

Get free help on topics like:

  • How to Create Your College List

    Get personalized support in building your list of target, reach, and likely schools. Developed by BigFuture.

    🕘 4 weeks, 2x per week, 75 minutes/session

  • The Application

    Understand what admissions officers are looking for in each section of a college application and how to use it to tell your story.

    🕘 2 weeks, 2x per week, 60 minutes/session

  • The Essay

    Take a deep dive into your personal statement, with time for brainstorming, drafting and revision, as well as work on supplemental essays.

    🕘 4 weeks, 2x per week, 75 minutes/session

  • Financial Aid Decoded

    Gain a clearer picture of the financial aid process, including the forms you'll submit, and how to make affordable choices.

    🕘 2 weeks, 2x per week, 60 minutes/session

Sign up through Schoolhouse

What students say about the workshops:

  • "I really appreciate the writing time. It’s a great way to deal with procrastination."

  • "Highly recommend to all those who are overwhelmed, it was friendly and informative."

  • "The information was helpful. Being able to hear about the essay from an admissions standpoint was useful."

  • "It was amazingly informative and energetic!"

  • "The whole series were super helpful and beneficial. I truly learned a lot."

  • "This session greatly reduced my stress. I feel more prepared to write a personal statement for my college application."

  • "It demystified the essay for me considerably reducing stress over the essay writing process."

  • "My tutor was very kind and patient, making me feel comfortable sharing what I had written."

  • "The activity of brainstorming writing prompts was really helpful. I came up with stories and examples I didn't think of that I know I can use."

  • "The brainstorms forced me to write which made me feel very accomplished."

  • "Appreciate the time taken to help us high schoolers have a smoother experience with the whole application process. Very informative session!"

  • "Information was insightful, learned new things I never knew before. I feel a little less scared about college application than I did before."

FAQs

  • College Admissions workshops are designed to support U.S. high school students at all stages of learning about, preparing for and applying to college.

  • Tutors have been accepted to a four-year U.S. college or university and have completed training to support their development as College Admissions Workshop tutors.

  • Tutors will guide learners through a curriculum, developed with admissions and financial aid counselors, that includes high-quality information and impactful activities.

  • Each session takes place on Zoom. The frequency and length depends on the workshop topic.

  • Each session will include one tutor supporting up to 15 learners.

  • If you’ve been accepted at a four-year U.S. college or university, yes! You can sign up to volunteer as a tutor through Schoolhouse.

Have a question not answered here?
Email us: info@coalitionforcollege.org

A closer look at the curriculum


Wondering what content is covered in these sessions, or how tutors are prepared to help students through the admissions and financial aid process?

Tutors, who are trained in effective tutoring techniques, work from pre-planned slide decks and scripts that guide learners through topics and activities. Rather than serving as content experts, tutors are set up to be guides who provide structured work time and accountability and help learners ask the right questions. Videos and content from admissions counselors are used throughout the sessions to provide an expert voice.

See examples of content from two of the workshops

    • Session 1: Demystifying the College Essay

    • Session 2: Exploring the Prompts and Telling Your Story

    • Session 3: Developing Your Ideas

    • Session 4: Writing Your First Draft

    • Session 5: Reviewing & Revising

    • Session 6: Polishing & Proofreading

    • Session 7: Supplements: Common Questions & How to Research Them

    • Session 8: Supplements: Drafting Your Responses

    • Brainstorm: List 5 of your character trails or values.

    • Brainstorm: List stories or “proof points” related to each of those traits/values

    • Revision: Read your first draft and summarize in one sentence what your essay communicates about you.

    • Revision: Share your draft with a group member and ask for their answers to these questions:

      • What does my essay say about me?

      • Where you confused at any point?

      • Did any part feel uncecessary or repetitive?

      • What would you like to know more about?

    • Session 1: College Affordability 101

    • Session 2: Applying for Financial Aid

    • Session 3: Comparing Financial Aid Offers

    • Session 4: Managing Your Money in College

    • In-session work: Using MyinTuition, complete the calculator for two families (information provided) at a single institution. Compare and contrast the results.

    • Homework: Together with your parents/guardians, complete the net price calculator for one school on your college list and have a discussion about the results and affordability for your family.

    • Group Brainstorm: When considering what you’ll spend your money on in college: what are needs? what are wants?

If you’re an educator who would like to learn more about sharing these opportunities with your students, please be in touch!
Email us: info@coalitionforcollege.org