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.

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.