VIDEO LESSONS
Through a series of guided lessons and videos, I'll teach you simple, practical tools for writing your UC Personal Insight Questions.
SAMPLE PIQs
Get inspired by what other students have done well in their Personal Insight Questions.
GOAL
Brainstorm, outline, and up-level an outstanding application.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
Can't afford the suggested price? Request a PWYC spot below. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Really.
UC SCHOOLS
Knock out the applications for all 9 UC campuses..
GUARANTEED
If you're not satisfied, get a no-questions-asked refund.
Course Description
The University of California schools have some pretty specific things they’re looking for in their application.
This course provides a step-by-step guide to understanding what those things are, and how you can answer each of the eight possible UC Personal Insight Questions in a way that helps you stand out, show what you care about, and how you’ll contribute to your future UC campus.
This course includes all the resources and exercises you need to tackle the UC Personal Insight Questions, the Activities List, and Additional Comments sections.
You'll get access to every single lesson and resource as soon as you register.
As soon as you register, you’ll have a series of lessons and videos to go through, plus some assignments to complete.
I’ve provided recordings of live sessions that walk you through specific parts of the process, where I review real students’ works-in-progress, and answer tons of questions.
You’ll learn how to outline, draft, and revise until your Personal Insight Questions, Activities List, and Additional Comments section is awesome.
“From tearing apart my essays multiple times over the summer workshops, to helping me find value in the UC essay everyone told me not to submit (the spongebob memes and tacos one if you recall), to truly transforming my personal statement into something that is ME, I’m immensely grateful.”
Course Lessons & Overview
Module 0: Application ESSENTIALS + Pre-work
In Module 0, I cover:
7 Essential Tips for Applying to the UC Schools
What are the 14 elements of comprehensive review?
Creating Your Preliminary UC Activities List and Additional Comments Section
Module 1: Brainstorming + Choosing Your UC PIQ topics
In Module 1, I cover:
How to Pick Your 4 UC Personal Insight Question Topics
Why You Should Outline Your PIQs Before Writing
Getting Feedback on Your PIQ Topics (Optional)
Module 2: Writing Your First Drafts
In Module 2, I cover:
How to Structure Any PIQ
A step-by-step guide for standing out on each of the 8 topics, including:
Prompt 1 - Leadership
Prompt 2 - Creativity
Prompt 3 -. Greatest Talent or Skill
Prompt 4 - Educational Opportunity or Barrier
Prompt 5 - Significant Challenge
Prompt 6 - Favorite Subject
Prompt 7 - Community Service
Prompt 8 - What sets you apart? AKA Topic Of Your Choice
Writing Your First Drafts
Module 3: Revising the First Draft
In Module 3, I cover:
Getting Feedback on Your PIQ Topics (Optional)
Revising a Narrative PIQ (Writing about a Challenge)
Revising a Montage PIQ (Not Writing about a Challenge)
How to Start Your PIQs
Writing Your Second Draft (Optional)
Module 4: TAKING THINGS TO THE NEXT LEVEL (THE GREAT PIQ TEST)
In Module 4, I cover:
Getting Feedback on Your Second Drafts
How to Make Your PIQs More Insightful
Editing for "Flow"
Writing Your Next Drafts
Module 5: Refining
In Module 5, I cover:
The Great Personal Insight Question Test (AKA Making Sure Your Essay is Doing Its Job)
Polishing and Grammar
What to Do When You’re Done
"Before this course, I had one extracurricular activity that overlapped in all four of my personal insight question. Afterwards I was amazed how the BEABIES, Feelings and Needs exercise, and example essays helped me discover aspects of myself that I never thought I'd feel comfortable talking about. Now all four of my essays focus on different aspects of me which I'm proud of."
-Shazaib S, Student
The COURSE INCLUDES:
10+ Video LESSONS
Lessons + Q&A sessions guided by Ethan Sawyer, featuring real students, example essays, and step-by-step guides
30+ EXAMPLES + WRITING WORKBOOK
I’ll analyze past students’ PIQs, and share a downloadable Google Doc workbook so you can get started right away
ANSWERS YOU NEED
How to choose your four topics • How to outline
How to revise • How to stand out
100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
Don’t love it? Just request a refund up to 30 days after you registered
“I’d like to thank you for letting me join the UC Application course you gave in the beginning of this year for free. There’s no way I could have afforded it but you made it possible. Finally, I’ve committed to go to Stanford and I’m feeling very thankful for the opportunity you gave me. Thank you and keep it up!”
“This course gave me a fresh approach for how to structure student sessions. The tools and resources are invaluable! It’s exciting to be able to put these new techniques in action in order to help my students write the best personal statements possible. Thank you so much for a fabulous course! ”
“My daughter had a bit of a struggle starting her college essays. Ethan’s resources, enthusiasm, and experience actually got her moving! I really appreciate the low price of this course. For us, Ethan’s support feels priceless. Highly recommended!”
Who is College Essay Guy?
Ethan Sawyer is a nationally recognized college essay expert and sought-after speaker. Each year he helps thousands of students and counselors through his online courses, workshops, articles, products, and books, and works privately with a small number of students. A graduate of Northwestern University, Ethan holds an MFA from UC Irvine and two counseling certificates. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife, Veronica, and their amazing daughter, Zola.
Learn how to choose your four prompts and how to make your answers stand out.
Find out what UC admissions officers are really looking for.
Watch the videos whenever and wherever you want.
Students finish the course with compelling and memorable responses to the UC personal insight questions.
Parents and counselors get all the tools they need to help their students through the writing process.
Watch and work from anywhere. You’ll have access to the lessons for a full year.
"This workshop gave me better insight into how to help students with their personal insight questions. Ethan provided me with valuable techniques and skills that I was never taught in my graduate education. These will be absolutely essential when helping my students with writing their personal insight questions during application season!"
-Danielle, High School Counselor
+How do I log in?
If you have purchased any of our online video courses or live webinars, you can login by going to the website menu bar > Log In > Online Courses. You can view that page here. From there you can access all of your products in your library.
+Are live sessions recorded?
Yes! Live sessions will be recorded and hosted inside your course account inside the relevant session module.
+What’s the homework?
You can find the homework in your course syllabus (linked above). Each week, we’ll ask you to complete optional brainstorming exercises or work on your essays in preparation for the upcoming live session.
+How long do I have access to the course?
Students have access to the course for one year from the date of purchase.
+Are essay reviews included with the course?
Unfortunately we have a small team and are not currently able to guarantee essay reviews as a part of this course.
However, sometimes Ethan may ask for students to submit a few essay drafts to review during the live sessions as an example for the group. In this case, we will let you know during the course where to send essays for a potential review.
+What if I can't afford it? What is “Pay-What-You-Can”?
Access is really important to all of us at College Essay Guy. It’s at the heart of most everything we do and is why so many resources on the site are free and pay-what-you-can. We offer pay-what-you-can spots for students from low-income homes. You can submit a request on this page at the links above. As this is something we are passionate about, we have an option to submit a pay-what-you-can request on each of our course pages.
+What if I have another question?
My FAQ page has you covered. Or, if you can't find the answer there, shoot an email to my team: help@collegeessayguy.com.
