2024
Counselor Training Program & Community
 
Uplevel your college counseling. Find your people.
Get access to expert-led professional development, my signature courses for counselors, and a supportive community — for a whole year.
 
 
 
 

Created by Counselors, for Counselors

Every year, we reach out to you, our fellow counselors, to ask how we can help you uplevel your counseling and make an even bigger impact on your students. Here are some things you shared in 2023:

 

  • “I’ve been through a lot of your materials—I’d love to see some new content.”

  • “I’d love more community and connection—I feel siloed a lot of the time”

  • “I wish I could problem-solve with other counselors.”

  • “I want to stay up to date with current trends”

 

Based on these answers and many more, we've been hard at work, planning the ultimate in guidance, community, and resources for counselors.

And the result?

Introducing

What is It?

The Counselor Training Program is a professional development and learning community that equips college counselors with the tools, skills, and resources they need to more confidently guide students through the college admission process.

The program is taught through a combination of 60-min workshops, 4-week courses, practicum sessions with other counselors taking the course, plus collaborative discussion in the learning community.

It is, as far as I know, the most comprehensive professional development program of its kind and unlike anything else that exists for college counselors and educational consultants.
 

Expert-led professional development

Supportive community + accountability groups

Tons of practical tools, skills, and resources

Live sessions with Ethan

Fresh content each week

Dibs on new CEG programs

Brainstorming exercises and templates you can use with your students

Group pricing available

What’s included? What’s new?

1. My Signature College Essay Coaching Courses for Counselors +

You'll join my two signature courses for counselors where I walk counselors through the process, tools, and resources I use to help students dig deep and craft outstanding college applications and essays.

Counselors can join for the course live (recommended!) or catch the recorded lessons and sessions at your own pace.

These courses include:
  • 50+ video lessons to help coach counselors on how to guide students through the writing process
  • Dozens of example personal statements, supplemental essays, and applications to provide guidance for counselors, and inspiration for students
  • Two separate tracks to choose from: Foundations for newer counselors, and Advanced for veteran counselors
  • Everything I've learned over 15+ years of coaching students through writing great college essays

Get a closer look here:

2. Private Moderated Community +

A central element of the program will be our community platform, which we’ll host inside Circle, the new platform where we launched our successful Parent Community last year.

Inside the community, you’ll find:
  • Specific channels to discuss course content, network, collaborate, and learn together
  • A comprehensive resource hub to organize essential links and resources
  • Private messaging between members
  • Opportunities for you to pitch new ideas with colleagues and receive feedback

3. Different Learning Tracks Based on Experience-Level +

(i.e., Brand New Content) for Both our Signature Courses

This year, based on popular demand, we’ll be running two separate tracks for our two most popular 4-week courses (see detailed syllabus here): the Foundational Track will meet from 10-11:30am PT, while the Advanced Track will meet from 4-5:30pm PT.

FOUNDATIONAL
  • Best for counselors who have not taken these courses before or have fewer than 5 years experience
  • More time focusing on essential skills (the details of how to brainstorm, outline, edit)

ADVANCED
  • Best for counselors who have taken these courses before, or have 5+ years experience
  • More practicum time (applying skills to work with students in nuanced ways)
  • Lots of brand new content (see below + detailed syllabus here)

4. Accountability Partners + Mastermind Groups +

Toward the end of the last Counselor Training Program I hosted before the pandemic shut everything down, one counselor said to me, “I love you, Ethan, but honestly the best part of this course was the people I met.”

Isn’t that so often how it goes?

This year we’re offering two brand ways to connect with others inside the community:
  • You’ll be able to find a counselor accountability partner/collaborator/friend inside the community for any project you’re working on (not just CEG course-work), and
  • You can form a mastermind group to focus on any particular area of interest. Example masterminds might range from “How to Get Started As an IEC” to “Creating a College-Going Culture in Your School” to “Veteran College Counselors” Mastermind (open to those with 10+yrs experience).

5. Troubleshooting Sessions with Me (Ethan) and the CEG Team +

Multiple Troubleshooting Sessions with Me (Ethan) and the CEG Team During the Summer and Fall to Work through Your Particular Student Issues

In our previous course feedback round, several participants asked if we’d be willing to add more mid-season check-ins like this to talk through student issues. I liked the idea.

The challenge: How can I (Ethan) give individual feedback on many student issues at once?

The solution: I now have an incredible team that I’ve trained over the past few years who is just as effective—and sometimes more effective—than I am at working through essay issues.

I’m inviting them to join us on these sessions.

Having trouble helping a student find a great topic? Something not working about an essay, but not sure what? Bring them to our working sessions! We’ll work in small groups together to help you push through areas where you’re feeling stuck.

We’ll schedule at least two, and if there’s a strong call for more from the community, we’ll make it happen.

6. Monthly Workshops + Year-Round Opportunities for Collaboration +

(i.e., More Brand New Content)

One thing we’ve received requests for is opportunities to check in throughout the year to apply course learning, check in with one another, and problem-solve. We listened.

Throughout the year, we’ll offer 1-hr sessions in the community on specific topics relevant to our work. We’ll also be polling you, our community members, to learn what you’d like to see (and, in a few cases, maybe even lead) sessions on.

Yes... It Includes my Signature Courses for Counselors

Join live or take the courses on-demand.

How to Write a Personal Statement

A Four-Week Course
Live course begins February 8th.

This year, I’m leading separate tracks: Foundational (for counselors just starting out) and Advanced (for veterans or those who’ve taken this course before).

In either cohort, you’ll learn to help your students find their deepest story, structure their essay, and craft a personal statement they’re proud of. Get 25+ video lessons, dozens of sample essays, and live or OnDemand workshop sessions to help your students stand out. See detailed course overview of both tracks here.

Live Session Dates:

  • February 8th

  • February 15th

  • February 22nd

  • February 29th

All sessions held on Thursdays at 10:00 am PST (Foundational) or 4:00 pm PST (Advanced)

How to Write the College Apps & Supplemental Essays

A Four-Week Course
Live course begins March 7th.

This year, I’m leading separate tracks: Foundational (for counselors just starting out) and Advanced (for veterans or those who’ve taken this course before).

In either cohort, you’ll learn to help your students create an outstanding application, develop an overall application strategy, and write supplemental essays that stand out. You’ll get access to 30+ video lessons, sample essays galore, and learn my favorite ways to help students save time and stress in the essay writing process. See detailed overview of both tracks here.

Live Session Dates:

  • March 7th

  • March 14th

  • March 21st

  • March 28th

All sessions held on Thursdays at 10:00 am PST (Foundational) or 4:00 pm PST (Advanced)

Sign up with a friend. Get 20% off.

Get a sweet discount when you sign up with someone else. Just email this page to a colleague or friend with the subject:

“Wanna sign up for this with me?”

Here are the WORKSHOPS we have planned in the community for 2024 (so far*):
*We’d like to reserve the right to add new sessions or change out sessions based on community member input (that’s you, btw, if you sign up).

  • Setting Goals and Intentions for the Year

  • How to Bring More Ease, Purpose, and Joy to Your Work As a Counselor

  • Tips for Making the Transition to Private College Counseling

  • A Crash Course in Working with Student Athletes

  • 9 Productivity + Google Docs Hacks to Bring More Ease and Efficiency to Your Work with Students

  • The Art of No: Setting Boundaries

  • Tips for Working with Average Student Writers

  • Essay Review Sessions w/ Ethan + CEG Team

  • And more

Note: We’ll lead these workshops monthly inside the community.
What can I expect to LEARN in this program?
Inside the courses, you’ll learn:

  • The Exact Brainstorming Process I Use With My One-on-one Students (Including the Google Doc I Send Them)

  • How I Help a Student Choose a Topic — Including a Specific Case Study Example

  • How to Tackle the Topic of Mental Health Issues

  • How to Handle Writing About Religion, Politics, and Other Stigmatized Issues

  • What to Do When a Student Feels They Have “Nothing to Write About”

  • How to Help Students Create an Inspired Application and Supplemental Essays in Half the Time

  • The Difference Between a Very Good Activities List and an Amazing One

  • How a Student Who “Hasn’t Done That Much” Can Up-level Their Activities List

  • What Students Should and Shouldn't Include in the Additional Information Section (& How this Section Could Make the Difference in Their Application)

  • How to Help Students Write All the Major Supplemental Essays Required of Selective Colleges

Here is the complete syllabus for our signature courses.
What RESOURCES are available?
Here’s what you’ll get access to via the 4-week courses:

  • Brainstorming exercises and templates you can use with your students right away

  • College Applications and Admission Timelines you can share with students

  • A timeline for counselors for helping students on personal statements, supplemental essays for Early Action and Early Decision, Univ of CA apps, and Regular Decision

  • Email templates so you can know what to have your students working on when

Who is this program and community for?


New high school counselors

A common theme I hear from new counselors is overwhelm. Our hope is that this program can help provide you:

  • Practical resources you can use with students right away

  • Systems that can help you become more efficient

  • The chance to connect with veteran counselors who’ve been there/done that and can remind you that you aren’t alone

  • Access to the latest information and trends from colleagues and college admission reps themselves



New independent educational consultants

For IECs just starting out, many are looking to up-level their skills or figure out how much to charge for services. For you, we hope the program provides:

  • A safe place to ask questions

  • Practical resources you can use with students right away

  • The opportunity to form accountability partnerships and mastermind groups

  • Access to the latest information and trends from colleagues and college admission reps themselves



Veteran high school counselors

If you’ve been doing this a while and know what you’re doing, you’re probably less interested in the basics. For you, we hope the program provides:

  • Information sharing on early admissions decision data and trends

  • Discussions on changes in our field (e.g., the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on essay writing, or how the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision will impact how colleges make admissions decisions)

  • Small working groups to exchange ideas and problem-solve with other veterans

  • Leadership and mentorship opportunities


Veteran independent educational consultants

If you’re a veteran IEC, you probably have your systems in place and know the deal. For you, we hope the community provides:

  • Access to advanced content and discussions on your particular student issues

  • Mastermind groups with other veteran IECs

  • Discussions on changes in our field (e.g., the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on essay writing, or how the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision will impact how colleges make admissions decisions)

  • Leadership and mentorship opportunities


New & Veteran CBO Counselors

If you work at a Community Based Organization—whether you’re just starting out or have been doing this for years—this program is for you. For you, we hope the program provides:

  • A great place to connect with other CBO counselors and learn new best practices

  • Practical resources you can use with students right away

  • The opportunity to form accountability partnerships and mastermind groups

  • Access to the latest information and trends from colleagues and college admission reps themselves

2,600+

Counselors have taken their work to the next level through CEG courses.

“In the morass of college admissions, the College Essay Guy explains it all in a way that's amazingly attainable!”

Barbara Paterson

“I've been a dean or director of admissions for more than 20 years and enthusiastically recommend Ethan's essay writing courses and materials for students and counselors!”

Michael Trevino

 

Christine Holladay

Jessica Chermak

 

What else does this program include?

(Wait, what? There's MORE?)
10% off Additional Select Mini- and Full-Length Courses Coming in 2024
Throughout the year, we’ll be leading additional mini (1-2 session) and full-length (4-week) courses led by other college admission experts.

Counselor Training Program members will receive 10% off separate, select courses.

Here are some of the other courses we’re planning for 2024 (note: these are not included in the Counselor Training Program):

Helping Students Apply to Highly Selective Colleges and Universities

How to Build a Balanced College List

How to Make College Affordable Mini-Course

What makes this community different from other communities?

  • Fresh content each week

  • Connect with Ethan + the College Essay Guy Team throughout the year

  • Workshops with time-saving productivity tips, advice on becoming an entrepreneur, and more (check out our list of workshops below)

  • First-looks + access to new CEG programs and offerings

  • Facebook and other companies sell your data (we won’t and never will)

  • Adaptable to your needs and interests (request new workshops + working sessions; if we can make it happen, we will)

Just to recap . . .

Registration for the Counselor Training Program & Community gets you:

Access to the member community through the end of 2024
Value: $564
Access to 12 workshops led inside the community
Value: $100 each x 12 = $1,200
Enrollment in our 4-Week How to Write a Personal Statement Course (Foundational or Advanced Track)
A la carte cost: $697
Enrollment in our 4-Week How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays (Foundational or Advanced Track)
A la carte cost: $697
Accountability Partners and Mastermind Groups
Value: Hard to quantify
At Least 4 Essay Troubleshooting Sessions with Me (Ethan) and the CEG Team
Value: $200 x 2 = $400
10% off Select Mini- and Full-Length 2024 Courses
Value: Up to $300

Sign up with a friend. Get 20% off.

Get a sweet discount when you sign up with someone else. Just email this page to a colleague or friend with the subject:

“Wanna sign up for this with me?”

Total Approx Value:

It’s hard to quantify, but when you add all this up it’s something like:
$3,800

Actual Cost of the Program:

$2,497


Access is pretty important to us at CEG, so we do have pay-what-you-can spots for high school counselors (see below).


Single-
Payment
Option

Counselor Training Program + Community

$2,497

Value: ~$3,800

Pay-what-you-can spots available for college counselors in high schools, nonprofits and CBOs

Register for the Program


3-
Payment
Option

Counselor Training Program + Community

$832.33
X 3 payments

Value: ~$3,800

Pay-what-you-can spots available for college counselors in high schools, nonprofits and CBOs

Register for the Program


Scholarships, Group Rates, or Sign up with a Friend

We offer individual scholarship spots for high school counselors and CBOs
Inquire - Scholarship Spots
We also offer group rates for schools, CBOs, and IEC practices who enroll multiple counselors
Apply for a Group Rate
Or get 20% off if you sign up with a friend
Register with a Friend
 
Watch this 1-min video to learn more about scholarships, group rates, and signing up with a friend.
 
 
 


100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Money Back Promise

We want the investment in the Counselor Training Program to be an absolute no-brainer for you.

So if you join the community, engage in the sessions, and still don’t find them useful, email us and we'll refund your money within 60 days of the date you signed up.

This money-back guarantee only applies if you actually engage with the course sessions and complete the assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions

 
   Will CEG still offer individual live courses a la carte in 2024?

Yes. We’ll be launching our full, individual courses as we’ve done in past years at $697 each. The benefits of signing up for the Counselor Training Program include year-long access to the member community, the 12 workshops, the in-person connection opportunities and the 10% discount.

   Do I need to attend all the live sessions?

No need. All the live sessions are recorded and will be uploaded for viewing inside your course library once you register.

   When are the live sessions?

You’ll find the course dates and times listed on the detailed syllabus here and the workshop dates will be released soon.

   Is there Pay-What-You-Can for this offer? Do you offer payment plans?

Yes to both! PWYC offers are available to counselors working in high schools, non-profits, or community based organizations, we have payment plan options, and we offer group rates (see above to apply). Email us if you have any questions: help@collegeessayguy.com

   Will you record all the live sessions?

Yes, we’ll record all the live sessions for the first two courses.

   How long do I have access to the courses and workshops?

You’ll have lifetime access to the courses and access to the workshops until the end of 2024.

   How long does access to the community last?

This program runs through the end of 2024.

   What happens at the end of 2024?

We’ll survey you, our community, near the end of the year to decide what happens with the community. Will we continue in 2025 in the current form, or another form? You’ll help us decide.