Thursday, 9/1: Welcome to College Essay Bootcamp!

College Essay Bootcamp 
Preface:  Independence!
One of the themes of this year for me, for you, is increasing independence.  As such, I’m putting you in the driver’s seat for much of this process.  In college, it’s unlikely that your professors will have interim deadlines for papers and projects.  You will have to plan your time, hold yourself accountable, and seek the help you need.  So let’s practice that with this project—there’s some symbolic resonance, no?
 
​Starter 3

• Go to the "Documents" tab and then scroll down to the College Essay Bootcamp resources.  Under "Class Forms" find "College Essay Bootcamp Project Overview".  Open it. Read it. Then answer the following questions:
• What does success look like for you in this project?  How will you measure if you’ve achieved it? 
• What is a potential obstacle to success, and how do you intend to overcome it? 
• Look through the "tips of dos and don’ts" document on same DP page.  Which of these will be most helpful to you? Why?  Which of these might you have difficulty with?  Why?

 
Sample Essay Read-aloud.     (Handout-- "Sample Essays"- docs page)
In groups of 2-4, go find your own corner of the room.  Then, choose one of the sample essays to read out loud.  Non-readers should follow along with the document on your computer in front of you.  As you read look for the following.  When the read aloud is done, discuss:

1. Personality- where does it come from (use of story, written word, other?)
2. Favorite sentences/essay moments
3. What are the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the essay? 
4. Would you want this person in your college?  Why/why not?

 
Where Are You?
The corners of the classroom have been labeled with numbers 1-4.  Go to the corner that best represents your current status in regards to college essays.  Use the following criterion:
 
Which phrase best describes your current situation in regards to college essay writing?

1. I haven't started yet, and don't have a clue what the outcome might look like. 
2. I have a prompt and have started writing, but I'm nowhere near done. 
3. I have finished at least one essay, but it would benefit from some more refinement
4. I have mostly finished my college essays, but still have a few more and/or supplementary writing I can work on and refine.

 
Support Groups
Pick a group of 3 students from your corner and form a support group.  You will be working in/with your support group for many of the remaining College Essay Boot Camp tasks.  After your group is formed, see me for a scheduling sheet (Handout: “Support Group Scheduling” - Docs Page) and a packet of helpful resources.  You'll run through the following tasks:

• As a group, you'll need to designate a slavedriver, timekeeper, and snitch.   This is how your group will keep on track and on schedule. 
• Also as a group, you'll create a schedule using the handout and resources on the handout.  
• Now, consult together to design a schedule that will suit your needs.  You'll need to consider:
• Brainstorming: How much brainstorming time will you need to develop quality ideas?  How will you know when you should move into the writing process? 
• Idea troubleshooting: Don't get started with the actual writing process until you KNOW you have an idea/angle/story worth writing about.  Lets allow time for this! 
• Independent Writing: How much writing time will you need to each achieve your objectives?
• Mid-write meeting: Make sure you don't spend too much time writing on a crappy idea.  Run your idea by your support group half-way through the writing process to make sure you're not pursuing something you shouldn't be. 
• Self-editing and refinement: How much time will you allow for this? 
• Peer edit workshops: In groups of 4, you will take 2 hours to look at/refine everyone's paper.  I will supply you with the editing protocol.  You will not be in support groups for this process; I will provide the groups.

Turn your schedule into me. I'll make copies for your group.  Now get started on your schedule! 

HOMEWORK:

• Finish your seminar reflection
•  ​Whatever you assign yourself based on your Support Group Schedule.

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