The College Essay: Staying Human in the Process
From self-discovery to standout essays
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Know Yourself
You were designed to bring goodness into the world. Most of us have no idea what our gifts are or what we are meant to do. Dawn works with students, helping them gather the self-wisdom and essential clarity needed to navigate their decision points with confidence and vision.
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Your Guide
With a background in English Literature, Dawn has spent years teaching the craft of writing; however, she is also a counselor. In light of this unique combination, Dawn offers multiple packages to help with the college essay writing process. The goal is to bring one’s unique voice to the essay and avoid cliché topics. This requires sitting with questions, noticing your life, and finding the words to communicate your wiring.
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Self-Discovery as the Starting Point
Dawn has helped seniors write essays for 15 years. She is convinced it’s about far more than the college application process; it is about self-wisdom. Ultimately, self-awareness and the skill of personal reflection are qualities Dawn seeks to develop. Essay writing is the platform for discovery. Invite Dawn to guide you into personal insights, to notice your particular bent, and to help you put together a human essay.
The College Essay: Writing Your Way into Maturity and Growth.
Essays don’t have to be stressful. Think of them as an opportunity to explore your life, to find milestone markers hidden in your timeline, and to engage the powerful experience of self-discovery. You have been shaped over many miles and seasons of your life. Dawn would love to help you name the ordinary and extraordinary parts of your story and craft them into a beautiful read. College admissions read banal and tired essays all day long. Your goal is to awaken them with words that are thoughtful and honest. As a writer, teacher, and counselor, Dawn asks tailored questions to help you bring your story to life. And, of course, polish into a final essay 🤓. No one should write your essay but you—there is much more to be gained than a document to upload. Let’s face it, getting into college is not the goal; maturity is.
Let’s Start the Process!
If you are entering the college essay process and you want to hear more about Dawn’s writing support, set up a free consultation by clicking below…
Essay Packages
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Brainstorm and Plan
Let’s brainstorm: A 60-minute conversation to evaluate prompts, generate ideas, come up with a personal angle, and create an outline. Fee: $125
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Start to Finish
Let’s tackle the whole process together: Brainstorm, generate ideas, craft an outline, rough draft, content organization, 2 edits, and a polished final draft. Fee: $325
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Already have a Rough Draft?
Let’s work with what you have. From your draft to the final essay, we will review your draft to improve structure and language. Likewise, we will cultivate the personal pieces, ensuring your essay uniquely reflects who you are. This will include 2 edits and one polished final draft. Fee: $175
The first few months in college can be exciting and disorienting. Who do you want to be? What are your fears? What do you do when you feel lonely? How do you make good friends? What are the keys to personal growth and resilience? How do I navigate dating? 😵💫
Sign up for two coaching sessions with Dawn. She has walked with hundreds of seniors into the post-high school phase. As a counselor, she asks essential questions, listens, and shares practical tools for those in the throes of change!
Braving the change: A healthy set-up for the post-high school transition.
Big Ideas, Real Impact.
Every event we host is designed with intention, from the atmosphere we create to the way each session flows.
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Intentional
Structure
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Collaborative
Energy
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Expert
Facilitation
Vocationality
Overwhelmed about choosing a major? You are not alone. Will Gray has spent decades designing a pathway to help guide those launching into adulthood. Choosing a major is challenging! In 2019 I joined the team of guides with Vocationality. We work with students in the process of self-discovery to understand their design, what they are made to do, and how to use the clarity they have discovered for every decision point in their lives. This pathway is personalize with 6 sessions: Story, Making Sense of Your Story, Listening for Your Calling, Getting Specific about Your Gifts, Zeroing in on Your Zone, and Driving with Your Clarity ON. Learn more about the pathway and the work I do with Vocationality.
Coaching with Dawn:
Helping you cut through the Overwhelm a step at a time.
Dawn has worked with students anticipating college for her entire adult life. Though it is common to feel overwhelmed, there are healthy ways to face it, keeping perspective and taking each part a step at a time. Dawn wants to help you embrace the truth that your future is not all up to you, that the transition will be strengthening and empowering, and that loneliness will be a gateway to rich friendships. Through a few one-on-one sessions, you will experience freedom from fear and growth in confidence.
