First day of online learning + how to write a GREAT hook for your college essay

Technical problems with video/audio for Zoom? 

• Audio broken/not connecting?   Dial in via phone (415-762-9988)
• Meeting Id: 930 861 4715
• Passcode: 866413

Starter 3: “I’ve been high before, but never that high”

1. What do you think this college essay will be about?
2. Do you think this could be a good “hook” for a college essay? Why or why not?
3. Come up with as many ways as possible that you could start your college essay.  Having trouble thinking about different ways to start YOUR essay? Give advice to a friend. What are different strategies they might use?  Ex: Begin with a detailed description of a scene of a place you love.  

Discuss starter 

• Starter Question #1: Copy and paste your answer in the chat box (Ashley will then reveal the answer!)
• Starter Question #2: Popcorn style-- verbally discuss your answer: Good hook or bad?
• Starter Question #3: I want to hear at least 4 different ways to start a college essay!

Mini-Lesson: How to (and how NOT to) start your college essay: 9 Strategies
Imagine for a minute that you’re a college admissions counselor.
It’s 6:13 pm on Thursday and you’ve been reading essays for, oh, ever. The coffee has grown cold in your cup, your shoulders are cramping, and your attention span is non-existent.
Which of these opening paragraphs is more likely to make you sit up in your ergonomically correct office chair and take notice?

Example A:
Merriam Webster defines music as “vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion,” but to me it’s always been so much more.

Example B:
Bowing down to the porcelain god, I emptied the contents of my stomach. Foaming at the mouth, I was ready to pass out. My body couldn’t stop shaking as I gasped for air, and the room started spinning.

How to start a college essay and how NOT to
Ashley will start off reading and then randomly call on someone to read the next strategy. 

Class Business and Week’s Deadlines

• Conference schedule for the week (if you haven’t signed up, please do)
• Janae will be here 9/10 for those of you who need LINK help and Jess says check your email for info about virtual college rep visits!
• No required SVEN this week unless you are signed up for a conference with me or Jess on your college essay
• Draft of College Essay for Peer Critique:
  • Due Thursday for the “vets”
  • Due Friday for those of you who just started last week!
  • Quick check-in: 
    • Do you want to be able to do peer critiques OUTSIDE? 
    • If so: Who can PRINT 3 copies of their essay before their assigned critique day?  Who cannot?
• Final College Essay due on Monday, 9/14 by the start of class (turn it into google classroom)
• College Essay Display board due materials due Monday, 9/14 (google classroom!)
• Signed Syllabus: Due Thursday, start of class
• Honors Application (which you can find in google classroom): Due Friday, start of class
• LATE: Letter to your teachers. Turn in to google classroom ASAP.
• Opt Out Policy: I have developed a formalized “opt out” policy that pertains to your College Essay.  This would enable you, in cases, to opt out of the peer editing workshops and/or the exhibition of final work. Please read the “College Essay Opt Out Policy” document on my DP Docs page and follow the instructions if relevant to you.

Breakout room support groups: I’ll put you into breakout rooms of mixed groups- 15 minutes

1. First check-in with each other.  How was everyone’s long weekend? How has the first week back to school been? How are people DOING? Like as human beings in this crazy world we’re living in? 
2. Next, look over the list of one of the helpful 90 second videos listed below and decide who will watch which one.  Assign 1 resource per support group member. Go watch the one you pick and come back ready to share out a brief summary. 
   1. How to make sure your essay isn’t boring. 
   2. Should I Talk About Religion in My College Essay?
   3. Does it Matter Which Common App Prompt I Choose?
   4. What if I’m Worried that My Essay Will Sound Like a Sob Story? (not a video, but has some GOOD examples)
   5. How to add more vulnerability to your essay (not a video, but has some good advice)
3. Lastly, have a 5-10 minute discussion about what you are thinking about writing for your college essay, and what has worked or hasn’t worked well in the essay writing process thus far. If someone is stuck, try helping each other brainstorm ideas!

Watch the Pomodoro Method  (7 minutes)
Who doesn’t struggle with procrastination, focus, productivity and generally feeling like you’ve squandered hours of your  avoiding homework with snapchat, IG, or any other myriad of distractions? Well, we might all just be going about it the wrong way. This video outlines one effective strategy to overcome procrastination.

Write your college essay and try out the Pomodoro Method!
If you are stuck, check out the resources on the “Documents” page of my DP. Consider brainstorming, reading more sample essays, or just free write without any judgement or desire for it to be “perfect”.