Did you know...?
MIT's undergraduate course requirements include about 25% humanities classes as well as mandatory first-year writing requirements. In 2012 Caltech sharply increased its number of required writing-intensive courses. In 2016 the University of California increased its number of application essays from 2 to 4 and the total word count increased by almost 50%. Virtually all Ivy League and top-tier universities and colleges have mandatory first-year writing courses as well as extensive humanities requirements. * Applying to law school? There's a required writing sample. * Thinking of med school? The personal statement is crucial. * Taking GMAT for business school? There's AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment). Whether your goals are STEM, law, medicine, business... writing matters! |
Our Approach
Saul developed Summit's writing instruction and curriculum based on over a decade of experience teaching writing at the junior high, high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Working for the Dartmouth College Institute of Writing and Rhetoric, serving as a professional editor, and teaching Ivy League writing courses combined to provide Saul with a clear understanding of how to teach fundamental and advanced writing to students of all ages. Simultaneously, personally reading and editing thousands of application essays has given him extensive experience in helping students to develop a voice and unique approach.
Creative Writing / JournalismLearn to write with clarity, purpose, and vivid detail while developing crucial writing skills that can be applied inside the classroom or anywhere else.
Course focus: * Memorable hooks & leads * Vivid descriptive writing * Effective dialogue * Plot & structure * Powerful conclusions * Submitting writing to competitions / essay contests Suggested for students who: * Are interested in creative writing or journalism * Are preparing for summer writing programs * Are struggling to express their thoughts in writing * Want to learn how to tell powerful stories * Want to avoid boring writing * Are developing a unique narrative voice and style |
Analytical Writing / Critical ReadingDevelop critical reading skills and apply them to academic and research writing. To ensure students are comfortable with any format we use a range of texts including classics, poetry, contemporary literature, and legal and scholarly work.
Course focus: * Strong thesis * Choosing supporting evidence * Proper citations / effective use of quotations * Developing an argument * Opening / concluding essays * Close textual reading * Argument / counterargument Suggested for students who: * Struggle in humanities or writing classes * Want to strengthen critical reading & writing skills * Want to develop college-level writing skills * Want to practice / improve general writing |
College EssaysLearn how to develop a unique voice and practice self-reflection while gaining a clear awareness of what qualities colleges are looking for in students.
Course focus: * General overview of all types of college essays * Developing a personal statement * Crafting 'hooks' and vivid leads * Finding one's unique voice * Choosing the best life experiences for content * Developing UC essays * Crafting college-specific supplement essays * Learning what different prompts are really asking Suggested for students who: * Want to get a head start on college applications * Want to learn more about college essay process * Are preparing essays for summer programs * Are worried about their writing skills * Seek to prepare for application process |