Free 3-Day Email Course & Webinar Recording

Free 3-Day Email Course & Webinar Recording

    College Essays that Worked and Why:
    How to Find the Remarkable Story in Any Ordinary Teenage Life

    A student’s winning essay is never what parents expect.

    Watch the recording and learn:

    ✔ The clichés even strong writers fall for
    ✔ What colleges actually look for in an essay
    ✔ How to find your kid’s standout story

    Because ChatGPT, English teachers, or the aunt who’s a writer can’t figure this out for you — we’re giving you a look inside our unique process:

    See the Difference Between “Good Enough” and “Gets You In.”

    Application deadlines are weeks away. Crunch time has begun.

    Whether your kid is just starting their essay over Thanksgiving break, has a draft you’re not sure will cut it, or is a junior hoping to avoid this stress next year — this class is for you.

    Because here’s the truth: your teen has never written anything like this before.

    And the hardest part isn’t even the writing — it’s figuring out what to say, and how to sound like themselves while saying it. Guidance counselors and English teachers may care deeply, but they rarely have the time or expertise to help each student develop that kind of authentic voice.

    In this class, you’ll see what colleges are really responding to — and how to help your teen craft a story that stands out for all the right reasons.

    We’ll cover:

    ✔A behind-the-scenes look at real essays that worked and the journeys behind them
    ✔ Why so many students start from the wrong idea — and what actually makes a topic worth writing about
    ✔ How to help a teen who swears “I have nothing interesting to say” find their voice
    ✔ Should your kid write about adversity, triumph, or virtue? When it works — and when it flops
    ✔ What effective coaching looks like in this process — and how the right support can turn an intimidating task into a defining experience

    WHO’S ON THE PANEL?

    Sheila Akbar, President & CEO of Signet Education
    Sheila has guided hundreds of students and families through this process, helping them figure out their story in a way that cannot be faked, and therefore organically stands out. In this class, she’ll answer the biggest questions she gets from parents and give you a look inside her process.

    Joanna G., Top Admissions Consultant & Expert Coach
    Joanna has decades of experience in the college admissions and standardized testing space, having worked as an admissions interviewer and application reader at Georgetown University and then as an independent admissions consultant in the DC area. She is also a current member of the Board of Governors at Georgetown.

    Holly S., Admissions Consultant & College Essay Expert
    Holly has helped over 100 students create standout application essays in alignment with their overall college strategy. In the last two years alone, her students gained admission to: Harvard, Colby, MIT, Emory, Tulane, Dartmouth, Boston College, Northwestern, Brown, Columbia, Duke, Amherst, Williams, John Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and more!


    Get Unstuck and Feel Confident
    You’re Putting Your Best Story Forward.

    If your teen is spinning their wheels, second-guessing every idea, or avoiding the essay altogether, this class will help you both exhale.

    Every kid has a remarkable story in them — they just need the right guidance to bring it out.

    Join us and get clarity on what actually works, what to let go of, and how to move forward with confidence.

    SEND ME THE COURSE!

    Sheila Akbar, PhD is President & CEO of Signet Education, a full service education consulting company offering holistic support to teens and their families as they navigate high school and the college admissions process.

    Sheila joined the Signet team in the summer of 2010, bringing with her a wealth of experience teaching SAT, ACT, GRE, literature, and composition in both one-on-one and classroom settings. Sheila loves both teaching and learning, and finds nothing more rewarding than working closely with students to overcome the challenges they face. Sheila holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Harvard University and two doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

    Sheila's bright and uplifting perspective on college prep is changing the face of what it means to parent through the high-school-to-college years. With a deep belief in the successful partnership of parents and teens, her influence is affecting student after student and family after family to reach beyond their dreams to new levels of success. She and her team at Signet Education have seen more than 10K students' lives changed through meaningful academic mentorship.