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Personal Statement Webinar
Core Qualities of College Essays
™
The webinar answers your questions:
What should I write about?
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What are colleges looking for?
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Will my personal essay stand out?
I've heard these questions again and again while working one-on-one with more than 600 talented students over the past ten years. Thousands of hours (and countless Google Docs) later, I can say this with confidence: there's no single recipe for a standout college essay.
But there are essential ingredients—six of them, to be exact. When you blend these core qualities with your own experiences and insights, powerful, personal stories come to life.
To make these lessons more accessible, I’m offering a three-hour live webinar packed with the same guidance that helped my students get into the Ivy League, Stanford, and other top-tier schools. Designed to give you real clarity — not just vague advice — this workshop will prepare you to write your personal essay with purpose, confidence, and direction.
The Webinar Agenda
An Overview
How Essays Impact Admissions Decisions
Applicants need to know their audience. This introduction explains what admissions officers want and how personal essays affect their decisions.
Core Quality #1
A Meaningful Message
A clear focus is the foundation of an impactful personal statement, this segment provides insights to finding and defining your theme.
Core Quality #2
Material That Supports Your Message
To "get" you, admissions officers need context. This section explains how to identify the right raw material that will bring you to life.
Core Quality #3
An Engaging Opening
The beginning of an essay is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your world, so we focus on ways to draw readers into your narrative.
Core Quality #4
Choices and Reflections That Reveal Your Values
The personal essay provides insights to what you will bring to a campus, so we share techniques for showing your character.
Core Quality #5
A Satisfying Ending
The final sentences of an essay can leave a lasting impression. This segment provides a framework crafting a memorable culmination.
Core Quality #6
Clear Writing in an Authentic Voice
To help you convey your message, material, and insights, I provide guidance on how to write effectively in the college admissions context.
Next Steps
Crafting Your Narrative
How do six Core Qualities become one epice essay? This final segment focuses on the infinite ways to connect with college admissions officers.
Each Segment Includes
Insights to a Core Quality
One-by-one, we’ll break down the six traits shared by memorable essays so you understand what they are, why they matter, and the nuances of using them in your personal statement.
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Examples from Student Essays
For each core quality, we’ll walk through examples from essays writtien by successful students so you can see each how the quality fits into the big picture and bebin to imagine your own version.
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Steps to Success
Each discussion of a core quality includes mistakes to avoid, questions to ask yourself, and steps to take. You will be ready to applying the lessons on your own so your personal essay can come to life.
You Also Get
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Worksheets to help you apply and organize what you learn
A follow-up live Q&A session
Free access to office hours on college admissions topics
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How is this different from other college essay webinars?Core Qualities of College Essays isn’t just a presentation of general tips. Nor is it a self study video course. Ten years of student meetings have shown me the value of learning in real time, so I’m offering a live, workshop-style experience.
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Is this webinar only for students applying to Ivy League schools?Absolutely not! The core qualities we’ll cover are relevant to any student applying to any college that requires a personal statement.
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Will there be a recording?Everyone who registers will receive access to a full recording of the webinar, so you can rewatch it anytime.
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Will you review my essay once I write it?This webinar is designed to give you the tools, structure, and insight to write a strong first draft on your own. If you're looking for feedback, I do offer a separate essay review service.
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Can I work with you one-on-one?My availability for one-on-one coaching is limited. Joining the webinar doesn’t guarantee access to individual sessions or essay packages.
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Do you offer webinars for supplemental essays?Yes! I’m developing separate workshops focused specifically on supplementals for groups of applications. Information can be found on the website.
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Can parents attend?Parents are welcome to watch. But the content is designed for students, and everything is presented with them in mind.
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When will the follow-up Q&A session happen?The follow-up session will be a week after the webinar. It’s a chance to revisit the material and get answers to any new questions that come up once you start writing.
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Can I have additional meetings?Additional meetings are available for a fee of $300 per hour, paid directly to TheBestU. Payment is due before scheduling additional meetings, which are available until December 15.
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What if Stacy Hernandez reaches capacity and stops taking new clients?Stacy’s partners at TheBestU are both experienced college admissions advisors. Families have the option of working one-on-one with them.
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How do payments work?The initial, non-refundable payment of $750 is made through the payment page for the Counseling Package. Following Meeting #1, families use the button on this page to pay the balance of $1,950. No further offline work is done or resources provided until payment is complete.
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Why is the first payment non-refundable?The benefits of the Counseling Package begin as soon as payment is received. Upon receiving your application materials, Stacy Hernandez begins to assess your admissions profile. She then spends an hour with your family to share her insights and work on your admissions plan. There is no taking back the time or the value provided, so a refund is not possible.
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What if I decide that the Counseling Package is not right for me?If you are unsatisfied after Meeting #1, you do not have to pay the $1,950 balance of fees. However, you will not receive a Preliminary College List, access to additional resources, or the remaining meetings.
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What if I want feedback on my Common Application?Feedback on your Common Application is not included in the Counseling Package. However, TheBestU offers a thorough review of your entire application, including the information sections, the activities list, the personal essay, and the supplement essays for one school. The Common Application review is available until December 15.
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Can I get feedback on more than one application?Following a review of the Common Application for one application, TheBestU offers reviews the supplement essays for additional applications. Reviews are available until December 15.
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How about University of California applications?TheBestU’s review of UC applications includes the information sections, the Activities List, and the Personal Insight Questions.
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