Writing
WRITING EDUCATION Girls Write Now takes a 360 degree approach to writing, offering courses across genres, media, disciplines, and industries, including college and career readiness. Writing courses can be taken as part of a Journey or ad hoc. Find courses that fit your goals, passions, skill level, and schedule, with both live and asychronous offerings. Learn & Write
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Mentors & Mentees Girls Write Now mentors and mentees across the U.S. are all backgrounds, ages, genders, and skill levels. Our mentor and mentee writers come from and enter into all fields, disciplines, and professions. If you can write, you can do anything. Find a mentoring type that fits your passions, goals, and schedule. Become a Mentor or Mentee
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COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES Girls Write Now offers a wide variety of interactive live community experiences, designed for you to explore, learn, connect, and grow. Tailored to the meet your needs and interests, events feature expert teaching artists, guest speakers, and facilitators dedicated to enhancing your writing and media skills, expanding your personal and professional development, and fostering collaborative creation. Experience Community
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WRITING Learn and build skills though select synchronous and asynchronous courses on a range of genres, media, and topics, including college, career, and leadership development. Learn More

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Mission & Vision We are a powerhouse of voices that have been ignored or silenced for too long. We are a pipeline of talent into schools and industries in need of different perspectives. Learn More

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Calendar

Summer 2026: College Ready: Personal Statement & College Prep

Hello! Welcome to College Ready: Drafting Your Narrative!

This is your Personal Statement & College Prep course. In this course you will explore personal narrative and strategic planning while building practical tools to support your next academic step. Designed to reinforce your live Journey sessions, the coursework provides guided lessons, reflective exercises, and structured planning resources to help you clarify your experiences, refine your voice, and navigate key decisions with confidence. Through ongoing drafting, research, and feedback, you will strengthen both your storytelling and your strategy as you move toward a polished, purposeful application process.

Learning Objectives

- Narrative Development: Learn to identify and articulate your unique experiences and values through a compelling and authentic personal statement.

- Strategic Planning: Build a balanced college list and develop a clear understanding of the financial aid and scholarship landscape.

- Collaborative Insight: Gain a firsthand perspective on campus life and the selection process through direct exchange with admissions officers and peers.

- Application Refinement: Finalize a polished, professional narrative by incorporating expert feedback and rigorous revision techniques.

Requirements

- 2 pair sessions per month

- Attend all live Journey Workshops (see the Engagement Dates section below)

- Attend 1 College Chat event for the cycle

- Attend 1 Mentor on Demand session per month

- Complete all lessons and assignments provided in this course

- Develop and submit a polished personal statement (see the Submissions section below)

Asynchronous Coursework

Complete each lesson in the following course. As you progress through each lesson, make sure to press “complete” before moving on to the next.

- Personal Statement & College Prep (Summer 2026)
  Designed to reinforce your live Journey sessions, this course provides guided lessons, reflective exercises, and structured planning resources to help you clarify your experiences, refine your voice, and navigate key decisions with confidence.

Engagement Dates

Participants will attend one live workshop each month, and one College Chat event per cycle. Participants should also schedule one Mentor on Demand session via their Portal each month.

Summer Cycle Live Workshops:

- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 7–9 PM ET

- Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 7–9 PM ET

- Tuesday, September 23, 2026, 4–5:30 PM ET

Summer Cycle College Chat:

- Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 4:45 – 6 PM ET

If you’re unable to attend a Journey workshop, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it. Recommended options for this journey include Community Studios and Career Chats.

Submissions

Instructions for submitting your Personal Statement via the Portal can be found within the course.

Curriculum

4 Sections
21 Lessons
Lifetime

Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections

Introduction
2 Items
- 1.1
  Course Description
- 1.2
  Meet Your Staff Lead & Journey Lead
The Statement: Revealing the Person Behind the Application
6 Items
College Planning: Finding the Right Fit & Funding It
6 Items
The Statement: Reading and Refining Your Essay
7 Items

Instructor

Christine Obiamalu

71 Students

2 Courses

Summer 2026: College Ready: Personal Statement & College Prep

Curriculum

Instructor

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