College Essay Writing Bootcamp

Overview

Start Your College Essays Early — With a Plan

The College Essay Writing Bootcamp helps rising seniors launch their application essays before the fall rush. In a focused small group (up to 3 students), students learn how the Common App and supplemental essays work, uncover their best personal stories, and leave with a clear timeline, an outline, and a first draft underway. Optional 1-on-1 coaching adds personalized feedback tailored to each student's school list and writing level.

Who it's for

Rising seniors applying to U.S. colleges
Students who haven't started their Common App essay
Students with ideas who need help organizing them
Students who want to start early and skip the September crunch

What you'll walk away with

A clear college-essay timeline
A personal brainstorm list of essay material
A defined Common App topic and direction
An outline and structure plan
A first draft underway
Revision guidance and clear next steps

Curriculum

The 4-Session Curriculum

Each session builds on the last — from understanding the essay, to finding your story, to a first draft.

1 Foundations

How college essays work

Essay overview, application timeline, and what colleges are really looking for. Map out your August–September plan.

2 Your Story

Brainstorming & material

Personal-story brainstorming and material discovery — finding the moments and angles that make a strong, authentic essay.

3 Topic & Structure

Choose your topic & outline

Select your Common App topic, set your direction, and build an outline and structure — while avoiding overused, cliché topics.

4 Draft & Beyond

Launch your draft

Start your first draft, learn a first-round revision strategy, and plan your supplemental essays.

Your Instructor

Meet Dr. Hardin

Dr. Hardin, PhD

College Essay Coach · Verbal Specialist — SAT · ACT · GRE · SSAT

Dr. Hardin has extensive experience helping high school students write strong college application essays. She guides students through every step of the writing process — from choosing meaningful topics to revising polished personal statements and supplemental essays. With years of experience teaching college-level Humanities and Social Science courses and tutoring the verbal sections of the SAT, ACT, GRE, and SSAT, she helps students become more confident and effective writers.

Dr. Hardin has helped many students gain admission to highly selective colleges, including Top 20 universities. She works closely with each student to develop authentic, compelling essays that highlight their unique experiences, strengths, and goals.

Schedule

Choose Saturday or Sunday

Two parallel cohorts run the same 4-session curriculum. Pick the one that fits your schedule — students attend either the Saturday or the Sunday class, not both. All sessions 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.

Saturday Cohort

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session 1 · Foundations	Sat, Aug 1
Session 2 · Your Story	Sat, Aug 8
Session 3 · Topic & Structure	Sat, Aug 15
Session 4 · Draft & Beyond	Sat, Aug 22

Sunday Cohort

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session 1 · Foundations	Sun, Aug 2
Session 2 · Your Story	Sun, Aug 9
Session 3 · Topic & Structure	Sun, Aug 16
Session 4 · Draft & Beyond	Sun, Aug 23

Plan A

Bootcamp

Structure, direction, and a strong start.

$800

4 sessions × 2 hrs (8 hrs total)

4 small-group sessions (Sat or Sun, 10–12)
Up to 3 students per class
Essay timeline & planning
Common App topic selection
Outline & draft launch
1-on-1 coaching hours

Enroll Now

⭐ BEST VALUE

Plan B

Bootcamp + 3 Hours

Bootcamp plus personalized 1-on-1 feedback.

$1,250

= $800 + 3 × $150/hr

Everything in Plan A
3 one-on-one hours ($150 each)
Common App draft feedback
Activities, Awards & Add'l Info — line-by-line review
Supplemental essay planning
Weekday evening scheduling
Add more hours anytime · $150 each

Enroll Now

Private Coach

1-on-1 Coaching

Already have a draft? Book hours as needed.

$150 / hour

No bootcamp · book any number

Fully personalized coaching
Book any number of hours
Draft feedback & revision
Activities, Awards & Add'l Info — line-by-line review
School-specific & supplemental essays
Flexible weekday evening scheduling
Small-group sessions

Book Now

Tuition shown is the base price. Secure checkout via Stripe — card payments include a ~3% processing fee.

Compare Plans

Pick the right fit for where your student is in the essay process.

Feature	Plan ABootcamp	Plan BBootcamp + 3 Hrs	Private1-on-1 Only
Price	$800	$1,250	$150 / hour
4 small-group sessions (8 hrs)	✓	✓	–
Up to 3 students / class	✓	✓	–
1-on-1 hours ($150/hr)	–	3 included	$150 each
Common App essay feedback	In group	✓	✓
Supplemental essay planning	Overview	✓	✓
Activities / Awards / Add'l Info — line by line	–	✓	✓
Add more hours anytime	–	$150 each	$150 each
Best for	Getting started	Most students	Have a draft / can't attend

Please note: Score Up SAT Studio's College Essay Bootcamp focuses on essay planning, writing, feedback, and personalized support. We do not write essays for students and do not guarantee admission outcomes. The bootcamp runs 4 weekly sessions — choose the Saturday cohort (Aug 1, Aug 8, Aug 15, Aug 22) or the Sunday cohort (Aug 2, Aug 9, Aug 16, Aug 23), 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (8 hours total). 1-on-1 hours are scheduled by appointment on weekday evenings and are valid through the end of September.

Enrollment

Register for the Essay Bootcamp

Choose a plan and we'll email you to confirm your spot and arrange secure payment. Add 1-on-1 hours anytime at $150 each.

✓

Registration received!

Thanks — we'll email you shortly to confirm your spot & payment. Questions? Scoreup.sat@gmail.com