Coming Soon!
Summer 2022 College Application and Writing Seminars will be published in February 2022. You can view last year's seminars (below) as an example of past offerings.
Work on College Applications This Summer
Summer plans might have to wait, but college applications don’t. Turn “staying home” into “moving ahead” and jumpstart your essays. Add depth and dimension to your academic and personal profiles with a digital portfolio that showcases what you’ve done and who you are...with visual storytelling. The workshops below will give you the edge you’ll need this fall without the stress of cramming in August.
Today’s social distancing guidelines provide an opportunity for reflection and perspective needed to examine the facets/pieces of a complex educational journey. Not sure what to do to keep moving forward? Having a hard time finding time to work on college applications? Proactively organize your time early this summer to get a head start on college essays and a portfolio that will give you the edge you need for the fall admissions schedules.
Due to the courses being one-week long, these courses will be held virtually.
Today’s social distancing guidelines provide an opportunity for reflection and perspective needed to examine the facets/pieces of a complex educational journey. Not sure what to do to keep moving forward? Having a hard time finding time to work on college applications? Proactively organize your time early this summer to get a head start on college essays and a portfolio that will give you the edge you need for the fall admissions schedules.
Due to the courses being one-week long, these courses will be held virtually.
Finding Your Voice: Writing the College Essay (Virtual)
... for young adults looking to use this summer at home to work on their applications for the fall.
"Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time…” or "Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve...." These are the openings from two of next year’s seven Common Application Essay Prompts. Such vague, broad writing directives can strike fear into the hearts of teens and adults alike!
In this workshop, rising seniors will be guided through the process of tackling and deciphering prompts and writing a compelling personal essay for admission to college, competitive programs, awards and scholarships.
Students will learn how to use writing to develop a comprehensive application that reflects students’ academic and personal strengths.
During the first class, the group will analyze various prompts and explore how to present oneself in writing, learn application terms and strategies, and get a glimpse of what admissions staff and selection committees are looking for in an essay. Writing coach and English teacher, Anne Sharp, will guide students through brainstorming, narrowing, and selecting a meaningful personal experience that each student will develop into a formal essay. Students should bring the list of colleges that they are looking at to this first class with the different essay requirements.
The product of this workshop will be a complete essay from the Common App or Coalition App required prompt that the student can use for their college applications.
This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.
"Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time…” or "Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve...." These are the openings from two of next year’s seven Common Application Essay Prompts. Such vague, broad writing directives can strike fear into the hearts of teens and adults alike!
In this workshop, rising seniors will be guided through the process of tackling and deciphering prompts and writing a compelling personal essay for admission to college, competitive programs, awards and scholarships.
Students will learn how to use writing to develop a comprehensive application that reflects students’ academic and personal strengths.
During the first class, the group will analyze various prompts and explore how to present oneself in writing, learn application terms and strategies, and get a glimpse of what admissions staff and selection committees are looking for in an essay. Writing coach and English teacher, Anne Sharp, will guide students through brainstorming, narrowing, and selecting a meaningful personal experience that each student will develop into a formal essay. Students should bring the list of colleges that they are looking at to this first class with the different essay requirements.
The product of this workshop will be a complete essay from the Common App or Coalition App required prompt that the student can use for their college applications.
This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.
Honing Your Voice: Writing the Supplemental Essay (Registration Closed)
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Method: Virtual (synchronous, live)
Date: June 21 - 25, 2021 Time: 9:30 am - 11:45 am Ages: Rising 12th graders Minimum Class Size: 6 students Maximum Class Size: 12 students Faculty: Anne Sharp Tuition: $225 |
... continuing our series for young adults looking to use this summer at home to work on their applications for the fall, we move to the supplemental essays.
"Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (200-250 words)."
"Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 words)."
"Tell us about your interest in engineering or what you hope to achieve with a degree in engineering. Describe what appeals to you about our school and how it specifically relates to your engineering interest or aspirations."
These are examples of writing supplements of three different schools. In this workshop, rising seniors will be guided through the process of tackling and deciphering prompts and writing a compelling response in these shorter questions.
Students will continue to learn how to use writing to develop a comprehensive application that reflects students’ academic and personal strengths.
During the first class, the group will analyze various prompts and explore how to present oneself in writing, learn application terms and strategies, and get a glimpse of what admissions staff and selection committees are looking for in these shorter supplements. Students will then select two prompts to work on during the week.
The product of this one-week workshop will be two complete supplements.
This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.
"Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (200-250 words)."
"Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 words)."
"Tell us about your interest in engineering or what you hope to achieve with a degree in engineering. Describe what appeals to you about our school and how it specifically relates to your engineering interest or aspirations."
These are examples of writing supplements of three different schools. In this workshop, rising seniors will be guided through the process of tackling and deciphering prompts and writing a compelling response in these shorter questions.
Students will continue to learn how to use writing to develop a comprehensive application that reflects students’ academic and personal strengths.
During the first class, the group will analyze various prompts and explore how to present oneself in writing, learn application terms and strategies, and get a glimpse of what admissions staff and selection committees are looking for in these shorter supplements. Students will then select two prompts to work on during the week.
The product of this one-week workshop will be two complete supplements.
This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.
Portfolio Development & Management Workshop (Registration Closed)
Photos by J. Heitz
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Method: Virtual (synchronous & live)
Date: June 28 - July 2, 2021 Time: 9:30 am - 11:45 am Ages: Rising 11th and 12th graders Minimum Class Size: 6 students Maximum Class Size: 12 students Faculty: Anne Sharp Tuition: $225 |
... for students looking to organize and highlight their creative endeavors for college, internship, or scholarship applications.
Every professional needs a portfolio and, in today’s competitive landscape for college admissions, internships, scholarships, and jobs…so do students. Portfolios provide an advantage and a critical annotation and reinforcement of a resumé or school transcript. They give depth by “showing the work”, not just telling about it. Portfolios also put the creator in the role of “curator”, forcing critical analysis…assessing what works to include and how best to present them. And portfolios also provide talking points for interviews.
Students will conceptualize and build a digital portfolio that provides both formative and summative assessment of their art (with possible expansion into other areas if they would like to use it for college applications).
Beginning with the creation of a homepage, students will reflect on who they are as an artist/student, introducing themselves, their work and their goals. They will create a design and palette for their portfolio that sets a tone and reinforces messaging. Writing and graphics will be integrated in the opening section and throughout the portfolio. In short, they will become digital storytellers.
Determining what media, subjects, activities, interests they wish to include, students will create categories that translate into menu items and sections. They will combine photos, video, graphics and annotative text to tell the “story” of who they are and what they’ve done. Students will create sections with overview pages showcasing original art/photos to create clickable icons that lead their audience to a deeper view of their work. Works will be titled, captioned and will be cited with form, media, date, place, etc. to provide a museum-style approach to curation. At a glance, a visitor will see what the student has created and will be able to dip into the creator’s world by choice of medium, topic, color, design, etc. In short, the visitor will have an experience that includes both a determined structure (curation by the student) and personal choice (what the visitor wants to see).
Students may opt to show both process (chronicling the creation of a work, writing, or project) and finished product. Sometimes the journey is important to show in the creativity, innovation, and learning.
Additionally, students may create a business card that “matches” their portfolio, furthering their professional persona and providing a marketing edge and a chance to impress and communicate clearly and efficiently.
Materials: Computer and internet connection, portfolio templates are available using free websites such as Weebly (upgrades are optional at a cost), cell phone or digital camera to take photos of works.
Every professional needs a portfolio and, in today’s competitive landscape for college admissions, internships, scholarships, and jobs…so do students. Portfolios provide an advantage and a critical annotation and reinforcement of a resumé or school transcript. They give depth by “showing the work”, not just telling about it. Portfolios also put the creator in the role of “curator”, forcing critical analysis…assessing what works to include and how best to present them. And portfolios also provide talking points for interviews.
Students will conceptualize and build a digital portfolio that provides both formative and summative assessment of their art (with possible expansion into other areas if they would like to use it for college applications).
Beginning with the creation of a homepage, students will reflect on who they are as an artist/student, introducing themselves, their work and their goals. They will create a design and palette for their portfolio that sets a tone and reinforces messaging. Writing and graphics will be integrated in the opening section and throughout the portfolio. In short, they will become digital storytellers.
Determining what media, subjects, activities, interests they wish to include, students will create categories that translate into menu items and sections. They will combine photos, video, graphics and annotative text to tell the “story” of who they are and what they’ve done. Students will create sections with overview pages showcasing original art/photos to create clickable icons that lead their audience to a deeper view of their work. Works will be titled, captioned and will be cited with form, media, date, place, etc. to provide a museum-style approach to curation. At a glance, a visitor will see what the student has created and will be able to dip into the creator’s world by choice of medium, topic, color, design, etc. In short, the visitor will have an experience that includes both a determined structure (curation by the student) and personal choice (what the visitor wants to see).
Students may opt to show both process (chronicling the creation of a work, writing, or project) and finished product. Sometimes the journey is important to show in the creativity, innovation, and learning.
Additionally, students may create a business card that “matches” their portfolio, furthering their professional persona and providing a marketing edge and a chance to impress and communicate clearly and efficiently.
Materials: Computer and internet connection, portfolio templates are available using free websites such as Weebly (upgrades are optional at a cost), cell phone or digital camera to take photos of works.
Teacher Background: Anne Sharp is a former FCPS English, journalism and creative writing teacher, with an expertise in student publishing and college essay writing. She is teacher/consultant with the Northern Virginia Writing Project at George Mason University (since 1986). Currently, she teaches high school English at Ideaventions Academy for Mathematics and Science in Reston and at Compass Homeschool Campus in Oakton. Anne is a trustee emeritus of William and Mary (BA, 1982), an advisory board member of Mason Community Arts Academy, and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and P.E.O. International.
Withdrawals and Refunds:
Withdrawals and Refunds:
- If you need to withdraw from a course, please send an email to info@ideaventions.com requesting the withdrawal. We will not process withdrawals from voicemails.
- We can't process refunds less than 3 weeks before the start of the course. The refund amount will be the amount paid minus a 5% fee to cover what we are charged for credit card payments and the cost to try to fill the spot.
