FGLI Resource center

Go here to see our new resource center for first-generation, low-income students:
www.collegeessayguy.com/fgli-resource-center

conference handouts & presentations:

Slide Decks:

• Talking About Race in College Essays: Practical Guidance for 2025

  • Ralph Figueroa, Baron Vanderburg, Ethan Sawyer

• Leading Through Chaos: The 6 Superpowers Every Leader Needs Now

  • Angel Perez, Ethan Sawyer

• How to Uplevel Personal Statements for FGLI Students

  • Hanah Lim, Ethan Sawyer

Resources

• Is It “Okay” to Talk About Race in Your College Application and Essays—And If So, How Should You Do It? And read a sample student application analyzed here.

• Upleveling Narrative Essays Workbook

• College Essay Exercise Workbook

• Roles and Identities Exercise

• Social Identities Exercise

• How to Write a “Diversity / Community” Essay

  CEG’s Guide (and Template Slides) for Admission Officers Leading Essay Workshops

  • Do you regularly present to students on essays? We have a slide template we created for a college admission colleague and are happy to share more widely. They’re free to download and editable. Just let us know at the link below. Inside you’ll find:

    • Fun essay brainstorming exercises

    • What colleges look for (editable for your institution)

    • How to handle supplemental essays on “diversity” and “community”

    • Tips and best practices for the presenter

    Kindly let us know if you’re interested here.
    

• Navigating Mental Health Disclosures in the College Application Process

  • Blog: Should I Discuss Mental Health in My Personal Statement or College Application? (And If So, How)?

  • A 3-part podcast (with counselor, admission officer, and student perspective)

Opportunities to connect 

Can you support one low-income student this year with 10 hours of mentoring through our Matchlighters program? 

• Check out our 2025-2026 Matchlighters profile.

• Learn more and sign up here: https://collegeessayguy.com/matchlighters 

• Qs? Reach out to Erika at erika@collegeessayguy.com
  

Are you an admission officer who wants to reach our community with FGLI-centered content? 

• College Essay Guy reaches millions of students each year through our blog and webinars, and many of our students identify as first-gen or low-income. Want to share your knowledge and info about your institution? Click here to tell us a little about your background, experience and superpowers.
  

Want College Essay Guy to present at your upcoming fly-in session?

• Reach out to Erika + Ethan at erika@collegeessayguy.com and let’s talk.
  

Interested in sharing more about your institution with our Matchlighters Scholars? 

• Reach out to Erika at erika@collegeessayguy.com