826NYC kicked off November with our first ever Personal Statement Weekend. During the weekend at the Brooklyn Public Library, high school juniors and seniors from across the city worked one-on-one with trained tutors to complete their college application essays and ask all of their college questions to experienced and dedicated volunteers. Students arrived at all stages of the writing process, from a rough sketch to a full draft, but each of them worked with their tutors on establishing a strong voice, maintaining clarity throughout the narrative, and representing themselves honestly and uniquely. An excited buzz could be heard throughout the room as students and tutors got to know one another while typing up essays and munching on pizza and snacks.

This Personal Statement Weekend has been a long time in the making and could not have been accomplished without the generous support of Capital One, Jansport, Kikkerland Design, and S’well Bottle.