Support for College Applicants
A maximum of two Exploration Sessions may be booked with a coach. No preparation is required, so meetings can happen promptly after sign-up.
If you seek a session time that is not appearing as open on Cara’s calendar, inquire at inquire@hillsidewriting.com.
Scheduling Guidelines:
Students aiming for a November 1 deadline must enroll by the third week of September. Students aiming for a January 1 deadline must enroll by the first week of November.
1. The Uncommon Essay Course requires 4 scheduled sessions, but support begins before the first session, with Discovery steps. Please be sure to allow at least two weeks before the initial session so that the orientation and Discovery steps can be completed thoroughly. A thoughtful, patient approach to preparations is essential.
Important Scheduling Tip: When building the session plan, choose “Select and add another time” from the drop-down menu until you have all sessions listed. Then click “Continue.”
2. An ideal session schedule allows seven to ten days between sessions and no longer than two weeks. Longer stretches of time in a student’s plan should be after Session 2, when the student is engaged in drafting and revising. Adjustments to session dates and times can usually be made through consultation with your coach. If you can schedule three of the four sessions and need to consult with your coach to determine the final date and time, reserve the three sessions and send us a message at inquire@hillsidewriting.com. Please do not reserve more than 4 sessions. If a student requests or requires extra support once the course is underway, the coach will provide scheduling options.
3. We will review the Uncommon Essay schedule you create and, if all looks good, we will reach out with a deposit request and details about process and policies for your review.
Note: Registration and scheduling for college-specific supplement essays opens in July.
PLEASE NOTE: When scheduling The Draft Intensive, be sure to allow at least a week for pre-session preparations.
Feedback Sessions are for students already at work with Cara.
Important Scheduling Tip: If scheduling more than one session, choose “Select and add another time” from the drop-down menu until you have all sessions listed. Then click “Continue.”
PLEASE NOTE: When scheduling The Supplements Launch, be sure to allow time for preparations. Supplement prompts must be submitted to the coach at least 48 hours before the the first session. Reserve three sessions, leaving at least one week in between each one.
In E-Feedback, coaches provide writers with asynchronous feedback online and through audio or video recordings.
Support for Other Applicants
For applicants to private high schools and to graduate programs, the first step is a conversation. We’d like to learn specifics about your goals and the scope of your writing project.
Creative Mentoring
Our contact form will prompt you to share details about your project and/or your questions about Creative Mentoring. We look forward to being in touch!