This intensive four-day course is designed to help students reduce test anxiety and improve their test scores. Students will leave with an understanding of the types of test questions and a personalized plan to raise their SAT scores. The instructor will cover both the SAT Verbal (reading and writing) and the Math sessions. All students should bring a Chromebook, laptop, or tablet to SAT class so they can see real questions and the provided calculator in the Bluebook app. To successfully complete SAT math questions, students need at least a scientific calculator, though a graphing calculator is built into the app. The instructor will give a paper-and-pencil practice test on the first day and will allow students to use any calculator they want, including the one on their cell phone. Please bring a laptop, Chromebook, or tablet.

This workshop helps college-bound students develop confidence, awareness, and practical self-defense skills for campus and everyday life. The program combines common-sense safety strategies with hands-on training in situational awareness, boundary setting, defensive striking, escape techniques, and defense against common grabs and holds. Students will learn how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations, respond effectively under stress, and build the confidence to protect themselves while prioritizing safety and escape.

Writing personal statements is a daunting challenge: part memoir, part self-marketing. But it is also a meaningful opportunity for self-discovery. In this workshop, we will demystify the myth of the “perfect essay” and excavate some of the powerful stories you already possess. The workshop will explore these topics: The Admissions Lens: the purpose of the personal statement and how admissions officers read essays. The Landscape of Prompts: a guided tour through Common App prompts and a range of supplemental questions. The AI Frontier: navigating the ethical and practical use of AI in the college essay process. Avoiding Pitfalls: steering clear of topics and tones that fall flat. Identity and Inquiry: writing and visual art exercises designed to uncover core values, generate unexpected ideas, and explore what matters most. “Show and Tell” and the Hook: strategies for balancing vivid detail with meaningful reflection while drawing readers into your story. The Feedback Loop: learning how to filter outside opinions while keeping your own voice at the center of the essay. This is a no-tech workshop. Please bring a pencil/pen and notebook.