Completing the Common App Workshop

You’re not alone. The Activities List and the Additional Information, Challenges/Circumstances, and Changed High Schools questions—they might seem small, but they’re packed with the potential to help you stand out and show your fit to a school or major.

They give you one more opportunity to show what you're going to bring to a college campus. And you absolutely want to take advantage of that.

But honestly? Knowing what to put in these sections can also be confusing and stressful.

This workshop is designed to cut through the noise and give you a clear, calm, and practical plan to make the most out of these sections and strengthen your application — no panic or guesswork required.

Note: This isn't an admission essay workshop and we won't be covering main/Personal Statement or supplemental essay topics. But we will be covering other important parts of your application.

Strategic Guidance: Students will learn exactly what admissions officers want to see (and what they don't) — and how to show it clearly and confidently.

Interactive & Supportive: This isn’t a lecture. It’s a collaborative working session where students brainstorm, draft, and get real-time tips and 1:1 support, walking away with a solid draft that's nearly ready to paste into their application now that the Common App is open.

Built for Busy Families: At just 2 hours (with time afterward for questions and continued independent work), this workshop gives students a deep dive without dragging on, and we build in time to write and get feedback.

Learn how to write compelling Activities List entries that showcase leadership and impact in just 150 characters.

Understand how (and when) to use the Additional Info section to explain important context without oversharing or sounding like excuses.

Learn when and how to answer the Challenges/Circumstances question thoughtfully and honestly.

Understand whether (and how) to explain a change in high schools — without drama.

Start to draft each of these sections, and know how to finish them at home.

Walk away knowing how all these pieces fit together to tell a clear, cohesive story to colleges.

Note: We will not be covering any Personal Statement (main admissions essay) or supplemental essay work in this workshop.

Hi, I’m Julia — a professional writer turned college essay coach who’s been helping students across the Houston area craft standout application essays since 2018.

With a master’s in counseling psychology and 15+ years of experience as a professional writer and editor, I specialize in helping students find meaningful stories, develop their voice, and write essays that actually sound like them — all while reducing stress and boosting confidence.

I regularly host in-person essay workshops in the Houston area to help students prepare to submit their college application. My coaching blends proven strategies (many developed as part of my work with the College Essay Guy) with a supportive, step-by-step approach that makes the writing process feel less overwhelming — and yes, sometimes even fun.

Do you cover the personal statement or supplemental essays in this workshop?
Nope — this workshop is all about the other written sections: Activities, Additional Info, Challenges/Circumstances, and Changed High Schools. If you’re looking for help with the personal statement, stay tuned — I offer support for that too.
Who is this workshop for?
High school students (typically rising seniors) who are working on their Common App. It’s perfect for students who haven’t started yet or who’ve started but feel stuck or unsure about how to approach the written sections beyond the personal statement.
Do I need to have my Common App already started?
Nope! If you have a login, great. If not, we’ll walk through it together. This workshop is designed to work whether you're starting from scratch or refining what you've got.
Will I be writing during the workshop?
Absolutely. This isn’t just a lecture — we’ll have live writing sessions, reflection prompts, and brainstorming time to help you leave with real Common App drafts and stronger applications.
What if I don't have anything to write for the Challenges or Additional Info section?
That’s totally normal — many students don’t. Part of the workshop is helping you figure out what’s worth sharing and what’s best left blank.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

In-person workshops are limited to 6 students, so a cancellation affects the whole group.

Cancellation 48+ hours before the workshop: Receive a full refund, or transfer your spot to a future workshop.
Cancellation within 48 hours: You're welcome to transfer your spot to another student — just email me their info. If the spot can't be filled, it's non-refundable.
No-shows: Non-refundable and non-transferable once the workshop starts.
If I have to cancel (illness, weather, low enrollment): full refund or first pick of a future date, guaranteed.

Of course, please reach out if something comes up.

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Workshop: Completing the Common App$95