College Essay Guy @ NACAC 2024
Conference HANDOUTS + Key Takeaways from the CEG Team:
You'll Receive:
A Chance to Win a Free Virtual Workshop with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy)
Slides for Leading a Powerful Essay Workshop post-SCOTUS and ChatGPT
FGLI Resource Center:
College Admission Resources Following the SCOTUS Decision to End Race-Conscious Admission
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)
You’ll also get CEG's Top 10 Essential* Resources for College Counselors
*Essential = most recommended, most beloved, or just generally most awesome
70+ Supplemental Essay Guides
Family Handbook (that counselors can edit)
Professional Development Opportunities
Resource Hub
Counselor Email Templates
One Resource Every Few Days
Heads up: Book Giveaway
We are giving away TONS of free copies of College Essay Essentials and College Admissions Essentials at the CEG Booth in the exhibit hall at NACAC 2024.
Please come by and grab a copy for yourself (and a few for your team, too).
Where to find us at the conference
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th (PRE-CONFERENCE)
Personal Statement Writing Mini-Retreat for Counselors (Pre-Conference Session)
When: 7-10am PT
Where: LACC (Level 20 — 403A)
Who: Ethan Sawyer
Description: During this in-person, three-hour pre-conference session, we’ll work through practical exercises to broaden and deepen our own stories, plus gain tools to use with students right away. Sign up when you register for the conference.
Access College Fair — Matchlighters Scholars Program
When: 3-4:15pm PT
Where: Matchlighters Booth at Access College Fair
Description: Meet Erika Coplon, Director of our Matchlighters Scholars Program and sign up to volunteer as a counselor here.
Meet the CEG Team @ NACAC Welcome Reception
When: 4:30-6pm PT
Where: Sourcebooks Booth #213 in Exhibitor Hall
Description: Come say hi to me (Ethan) and the College Essay Guy team.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th
Don’t Just Dream Big — Dream Brave: Helping FGLI Students Identify Broader, Best-Fit College Options
When: 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Where: Rm 150
Who: Tom Campbell (Community Manager, College Essay Guy), Nitzya Cuevas-Macias (Assistant Director of College Counseling, The Galloway School) and Logan Shearer (College Counselor, Noble Network of Charter Schools)
Description: Leveraging insights from schools and CBOs, this session will share case studies, resources, and reports to help counselors and admission professionals better understand why under-matching happens and how we can collectively encourage FGLI students to consider a broader range of college options that prioritize secure outcomes, affordability, and belonging.
How (and Why) to Uplevel Your School Profile Post-SCOTUS
When: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Where: Rm 502A
Who: Tom Campbell (Community Manager, College Essay Guy), Ayesha King (Director of College Counseling, International School of Los Angeles), Pamela Romito and Lily Negash (Educational Associates, Paul Dunbar High School, Baltimore, MD)
Description: Post-SCOTUS, school profiles — the main way that colleges learn about individual high schools — can (and should) evolve to meet the needs of today’s applicants. This session will include best practices, model profiles, and compelling before-and-after profile facelifts to help ensure your school’s students — particularly those from marginalized backgrounds — get a fairer shake in a college’s review process.
Putting our Masks on First: Self-Care for College Admission Counseling Professionals
When: 2:15 - 3:15 PM
Where: Rm 152
Who: Angel Pérez, Chris Loo, Ethan Sawyer
Description: In this session, we’ll share tools for addressing burnout, creating daily rituals, embarking on personal retreats, supporting your colleagues, and more. We’ll also share readings, podcasts and other resources that have shaped our experiences.
Meet the College Essay Guy + Book Signing & Giveaway
When: 4-5pm PT
Where: Sourcebooks Booth #213 in Exhibitor Hall
Who: Ethan Sawyer
Description: Swing by the Sourcebooks Booth in the Exhibit Hall and say hi; I’d love to meet you. We're giving away copies of my book, too.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
Mental Health and the College Essay
When: 9:30 - 10:30 am PT
Where: Rm 151
Who: Ethan Sawyer and Chris Loo
Session Description: In this session, we'll share a set of specific questions students can use to determine whether or not to disclose mental health challenges, including advice from college admission officers, as well as real student examples written post-pandemic. Practical handouts provided.
How (and Why) to Uplevel Your College Essay Workshop Post-SCOTUS & ChatGPT
When: 11am - 12pm PT
Where: Rm 152
Who: Ethan Sawyer and Hanah Lim
Session Description: In this session, for high school counselors and admission officers alike, we'll share: (updated!) brainstorming exercises that go beyond the essence objects, tips on talking to students about ChatGPT, and admission-officer-informed advice on the “diversity” and “community” essays. Leave with both practical strategies and — get this — a set of Google slides you can edit and use right away.
Opportunities to connect
Can you support one low-income student this year with 10 hours of mentoring through our Matchlighters program?
Check out our 2024-2025 Matchlighters profile.
Learn more and sign up here: https://collegeessayguy.com/matchlighters
Qs? Reach out to Erika at erika@collegeessayguy.com
Interested in collaborating on new FGLI-centered resources?
College Essay Guy reaches millions of students each year through our blog and webinars, and a large number of our students identify as first-gen and low-income. If you’re interested in co-writing a blog post or presenting on topics specific to FGLI students, click here to tell us a little about your background, experience and super powers.
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
