Guiding Students Through College Essay Writing

Angela’s Goals:

  • Teach the process of writing a college application essay — the unique genre of creative nonfiction (CNF)
  • Lead students from a Common App essay question to a polished, submission-ready essay.
  • Empower students to apply this process to craft compelling essays for their supplemental essays & scholarships.

 

Why it matters: Your essay is a critical part of your application, giving admissions officers a chance to hear your voice and see who you are beyond grades and test scores. It’s a space where you have full control over how you present your authentic self—make your story stand out.

What the Writing Sessions Include​

  • Four consecutive 120-minute group meetings with focused, step-by-step lessons on college essay writing.
  • Individualized attention and continual feedback with a maximum of 6 students per session.
  • Additional instructor check-ins outside of camp hours, including reading student work and making suggestions.
  • One-on-one meetings for final draft review before submission to colleges.
  • Access to Google Classroom with lessons, exclusive printable brainstorm forms, outline aids, and more.
  • A process students can apply to all future college essay questions.
  • Parents: Encourage your teen to complete supplemental essays on applications as well as scholarship essays while the process is fresh in their minds!

Stand out from the crowd—gain confidence, craft your story, and open doors to college and scholarships. It’s more than an essay—it’s mastering a writing process you can repeat!

How the Writing Sessions Are Broken Down

Meeting 1

  • Review the Top 7 Common App essay questions
  • Personality assessment for clarity of creative nonfiction essay direction
  • Discuss what college admission officers are and aren’t looking for in essays
  • Read sample essays and watch admission feedback videos
  • Focus on one essay prompt and brainstorm possible personal responses

Meeting 2

  • Read and analyze additional student samples
  • Lesson on essay structure options
  • Complete a detailed essay outline
  • Learn how to craft attention-grabbing introductions
  • Begin writing your essay
  • Feedback through each step

Meeting 3

  • Continue essay writing with individual conferencing
  • Learn how to use AI in the editing process
  • Receive guided editing support

Meeting 4

  • Complete essay writing with personalized feedback
  • Begin additional essays applying the process learned
  • Schedule a one-on-one follow-up or submit final draft online for review

Angela’s Approach

I created Write College Prep out of a personal pain point: parenting a senior and feeling behind in the college process. Watching him navigate every step of his applications, I kept thinking—couldn’t we have started this earlier? Senior year didn’t need to be so overwhelming. Then, when he and other former students asked me to review their essays, I realized that even as a professional, I didn’t fully know what colleges were looking for. Other parents were feeling the same way, and with the high student-to-counselor ratio at many schools, students didn’t always get the individualized guidance they needed. That’s when I dove into researching and learning the process for myself.

With two more kids still going through the process, I wanted them to be fully prepared. The more I learned, the more excited I became about helping not only my own teens but also other students. Already working with Pre-K through 8th graders through author visits and writing workshops, I decided to extend my services to 9th–12th graders with Write College Prep. My excitement grows every time I see students reach their full potential through strategic planning in College Consultations and craft essays that truly reflect their own voice through Write College Prep Camps!

What Students Are Saying

Angela's Bio

Angela Henderson Smith is a published author dedicated to lifelong learning and mentoring others. After earning a degree in Secondary English Education, she taught English Language Arts for 13 years in three states, working with students of all writing levels. In 2023, she transitioned to entrepreneurship, honing her skills as an author, speaker, and writing coach.

Angela is passionate about inspiring students through engaging author visits and writing workshops at schools and libraries. As a keynote speaker at educational and literacy events, she empowers educators to teach the writing process effectively. Her College Prep Class: Writing Essays for College Applications & Scholarships—Step-by-Step Instruction from Writing Prompt to Final Essay helps high school students craft compelling essays.

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Making the Most of Summer

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is pleased to announce that Angela Henderson Smith has been accepted onto the 2026-2028 Texas Touring Roster!