July 13-17, 2026
9:00AM – 12:00PM online
This five-day workshop welcomes soon-to-be twelfth graders—who are thinking about that personal statement colleges are looking forward to reading. In this workshop, students will try their hand at a variety of application topics, explore the role of style (not just what you say but how you say it), and analyze sample personal statements. They’ll draft, share, revise, edit. By the end of the workshop, students will have several “starts” as well as a revised draft of a personal statement.
Fee: $425
Sabrina Villagran is a veteran educator, with almost 20 years experience in the secondary English classroom, including teaching all levels of 9th-12th grade literature and AP English Language and Composition. She holds a B.A. in English from UCLA, and a Master’s degree in Education, also from UCLA. After starting her career in L.A. Unified, Sabrina moved to San Diego to join the faculty at a small, private school. There, she trained specifically in the writing of the college application essay, and since 2013 has helped over 1300 students with their personal statements for the U.C. and Common Application schools. Sabrina believes that all students are writers, capable of success given the proper support and encouragement.