College Essay Resources – HECA

We work well with counselors and consultants because we all care about the same thing: helping students get into the schools of their dreams. We focus exclusively on the essay – you’re already an expert on the rest of the admission process. We’re writers, teachers and problem-solvers; we’ll work with you to find the right solutions for you and your students. Tell us what you need. We’ll figure out how to get there.

Slides – HECA 2022

Last Update: May 26, 2022

Presentation slides for the session, "The 3 R’s of Essay Coaching: Requirements, Requests and Recommendations" presented by Susan Knoppow, Nancy Wigley and Ellen Gaddie

The 3 R’s of Essay Coaching

Last Update: May 26, 2022

A guide to deciding what to require, request and recommend as you guide students through the essay-writing process.

The Wow Method

Last Update: January 10, 2023

Wow's 10 step college essay writing process, displayed in a color-coded graphic.

Morning Writing

Last Update: March 30, 2022

Instructions for our signature writing exercise, which we use to help students recognize their writing voice before they start writing college application essays.

Student-Centered Brainstorm Process

Last Update: May 10, 2022

An outline of the steps we take before, during and after a brainstorm discussion. Covers the first three steps of Wow's ten-step process.

Student Schedule

Last Update: March 30, 2022

A sample schedule to illustrate how we work with students on the Common App personal statement.

Parents: How to Help Without Taking Over

Last Update: March 31, 2022

Our suggestions for parents, to help well-meaning adults support their children without overstepping.

Parent Essay Info Email

Last Update: May 26, 2022

Email template to send to parents before the essay coaching process begins.

Free Pro Chats

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We’ve written the only college essay book you’ll need – short, practical and full of proven strategies, so you can help students write the types of essays college admissions officers want to read. 

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“At first, essays were the thing I worried about the most. It wasn’t until the Wow training that it all clicked. I feel like a burden has been lifted.”

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College Essay Community

Year-Round: Share Ideas, Solve Problems and Dig Into Best Practices

If you like our free Pro Chats, you’ll love the College Essay Community. The first week of each month, we announce a timely topic and share reflection questions and resources. At the end of the month, we gather on Zoom for a lively meeting, facilitated by Wow’s founders, to talk, reflect and challenge ourselves. All materials are available for a full year, and all meetings are recorded.

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