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DOES THE IDEA OF GETTING YOUR CHILD TO WRITE THEIR COLLEGE ESSAY FEEL LIKE GOING TO THE DENTIST TO GET YOUR TEETH PULLED WITHOUT NOVOCAIN?
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DO YOU HAVE THAT SINKING FEELING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE ONE NAGGING YOUR KID FOR WEEKS TO MAKE THIS MIRACLE HAPPEN?
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AND EVEN WORSE, DO YOU FEAR THAT YOUR HIGH-SCHOOLER WILL BE OVERLOOKED BY ADMISSION DIRECTORS, THAT THEY'LL GET LOST BENEATH A PILE OF PAPER AND NOT SEEN AS THE SPECIAL HUMAN BEING THAT YOU KNOW THEY ARE?
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RELAX
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(WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK)
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EVERYONE HAS A PERSONAL STORY THAT IS ALL THEIR OWN, AND WE KNOW HOW TO HELP TURN THOSE IMPORTANT LIFE MOMENTS INTO SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE ESSAYS.
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THE COURSE
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The Story of You is a powerful workshop (that can be taken over the course of a week or a weekend) to jump-start the college essay process. We help your child craft their unique story- focusing not only on what they've done in the world, but also who they are, and why that matters. Each student might think that nothing interesting has ever happened to them, but believe us, they all have important stories, and we are here to help turn them into powerful college essays.
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Through a series of writing prompts, brainstorming, mind-mapping and exercises designed to open creative channels, we tackle the most difficult part of the process- figuring out what to write about. Your child will walk away with a clear understanding of what makes them remarkable (hint: it's all about their passions and secret obsessions). By the end of our time together, they will have a finished or nearly finished draft for one of their college essays and topic ideas for many others.
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HOW IT WORKS
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We meet with a group of up to 15 students, for 4 afternoons (a total of 12 hours) during the course of a week (MTWTh 4:00-7:00). We also offer weekend intensives (Sat and Sun from 10-4) for those kids that can't take time during the week.
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Students get to brainstorm together, hear each other's story ideas, discover college essays that have knocked top admission director's socks off, and hone in on their own topics.
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By mid-week, we'll have your kids putting these stories on the page and turning them into 500-650 word gems.
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At the end of the week or weekend, we will do a thorough edit of every student's essay. Every participant will walk away with a powerful draft of one essay as well topics for others.
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For those students that need additional help in polishing their essays, we offer editing packages.
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Still have Questions?
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THE DETAILS
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$500 PER WORKSHOP
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WEEKDAY SESSIONS
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4 - 7 pm
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AUGUST
19 - 22
SOLD OUT
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AUGUST
26 - 29
SOLD OUT
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SEPTEMBER
16 - 19
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SEPTEMBER
23 - 26
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OCTOBER
7 - 10
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OCTOBER
14 - 17
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OCTOBER
28 - 31
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NOVEMBER
4 - 7
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NOVEMBER
11 - 14
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WEEKEND SESSIONS
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10 am - 4 pm
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SEPTEMBER
21 + 22
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SEPTEMBER
28 + 29
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NOVEMBER
9 + 10
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NOVEMBER
16 + 17
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SUPPLEMENTAL EDITING SERVICES
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$150/HOUR
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We brainstorm essay ideas, get stories on paper, and help your child create a finished product. We work on essays for the Common App, UC schools, Cal state schools, private universities and public schools. Contact us and we will give you an estimate
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Packages:
3 hours: $400
6 hours: $800
12 hours: $1600
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LOCATION:
27 POWERS COURT
ALAMEDA, CA 94501
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SIGN UP
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Call us
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(510) 703-4030
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OR
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Tell us which dates work for you. We will send you a PAYPAL invoice and pre-registration materials. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
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ABOUT US
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Laurie Wagner is a writing teacher as well the author of Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk about Long Term Love. Her essays have appeared in Glamour, Salon, The San Francisco Chronicle, Parenting, and the Huffington Post. She's been working with students and helping them unearth their voices for the last 15 years. She is the parent of 2 teenage girls, one of whom is headed to college in the fall.
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Ellen Fondiler is a career strategist and a professional story-shaper with a gift for harnessing wild ideas. After years as a death penalty attorney she discovered a passion for school gardens. Over a period of 12 years she raised millions of dollars and founded a sustainability education non-profit for K-12 students. She teaches teens and grown-ups how to use persuasive story-telling so they can powerfully transition into the next chapters of their lives. She has been through the college application process with her two sons, and lived to tell the tale.
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TESTIMONIALS
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“Laurie is simply the best. No one is a better nurturer of writers than she. At the same time she gets right down to what's extraneous or needs improvement. LOVE HER!”
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Nan Becklean
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“Ellen has helped me focus my writing and what matters to me. Her genuine interest in helping others realize their writing potential is contagious, inspiring, and a constant source of encouragement.”
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Willie Franklin
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“Laurie somehow knows how to get us past the sneaky critical voices telling us it has to be perfect or why do it at all... you find yourself writing into this big beautiful open space you forgot existed until Laurie opened the door.”
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Melinda Blackorby
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“Ellen is the perfect guide to help kids unearth who they are and why they're here. She is smart, smart, smart- a deep listener who can synthesize your desires, and respond with great intelligence and sensitivity on how to make your vision and dreams GROW.”
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Heidi Rose Robbins
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“I have been a student of Laurie's for two years, both in her online classes and at a workshop offered at her home. Every second and dollar spent has been well worth the effort. The prompts and exercises are inspiring, Laurie's feedback is honest and kind. Laurie has a knack for opening a writers eyes to new possibilities, and for gently prodding to reveal deeper meanings in what might have otherwise been ordinary pieces. If you have the opportunity to work with Laurie through any medium, I give my highest recommendations.”
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Heidi Rittenhouse
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“Ellen has the ability to uncover strengths in you that they don't recognize in yourself. She is fearless and tenacious, and she won't let you fail. Once she is on your team, she is your cheerleader for life. What else could anyone need?”
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Marian Penn
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