The insights and information from my college essay workshops now come in a book.
Instead of repeating what you already know about coming up with a college essay, this book brings you face to face with what you don't. Prepare to enter the daunting arena of "personal writing." Cathy Altman Nocquet's engaging manual leads you to explore your creative and critical thinking to elicit an authentic essay no one else could write. Structured like one-on-one workshops with exercises to get ideas flowing, it offers tips, insights and editing techniques to keep you on track. Uncover a fresh topic and develop a distinct voice as you craft a compelling, strategic essay that's 100% your own. |
Reviews of "Write a Bad College Essay, Then Write The One That Gets You In"
"Brilliant! Cathy Altman Nocquet's cadence is perfectly in step with today's students. Her sassy, wise, warm-hearted book is packed with writing advice that fuels great college essays."
- George Anders, Author, "You Can Do Anything: The Surprising Power of a Useless Liberal Arts Education"
"Written with humor and keen intelligence, this is a must-read for every college-bound senior eager to craft an outstanding essay, as well as anyone who wants to become a better writer."
- Allison Baer, Ph.D., Educational Consultant
- Allison Baer, Ph.D., Educational Consultant
"It's invaluable to have a college essay writing workshop in book form to help students unlock terrific topics while honing their language arts skills."
- Deborah Heller, Director of College and Guidance Counseling, The Beacon School, NY
- Deborah Heller, Director of College and Guidance Counseling, The Beacon School, NY
"This step-by-step guide brims with lively writing exercises that enable students to build outstanding essays in their unique voices. It is a wonderful resource for students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors."
- Charles Vanover, Ph.D., Professor of Education University of South Florida
- Charles Vanover, Ph.D., Professor of Education University of South Florida
"I have seen Cathy Altman Nocquet's inspiring, entertaining, contrarian method in action as it motivates and guides students to create captivating essays. Her wisdom now fills a book. In an industry saturated by college admissions 'experts', she is the gold standard."
- Caroline Bouffard, Educational Consultant, Founder, A+ College Coaching
- Caroline Bouffard, Educational Consultant, Founder, A+ College Coaching
K Wolfe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly helpful and thoughtful guidance
July 18, 2018
"Our son worked with Cathy and her guidance and insights were invaluable. Her suggestions and ability to help my son find his voice and turn his experiences and thoughts into a beautifully written essay that felt honest and true to him was wonderful, and he really enjoyed working with her. Cathy doesn’t judge and she makes the whole process feel organic and natural. If you can’t work with Cathy live and in person, using her book for guidance and help will surely be the next best thing!"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly helpful and thoughtful guidance
July 18, 2018
"Our son worked with Cathy and her guidance and insights were invaluable. Her suggestions and ability to help my son find his voice and turn his experiences and thoughts into a beautifully written essay that felt honest and true to him was wonderful, and he really enjoyed working with her. Cathy doesn’t judge and she makes the whole process feel organic and natural. If you can’t work with Cathy live and in person, using her book for guidance and help will surely be the next best thing!"
Jake Spear
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cathy is one of the best writers I know
July 19, 2018
"Cathy is one of the best writers I know, and she is one of the best teachers I know. It's not surprising then, that she is one of the best writing teachers on the planet, and this book is the proof of that. It will help you get into college, but it will keep helping you write better and think more clearly even after you graduate. Imagine that! A writing guide with no expiration date."
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cathy is one of the best writers I know
July 19, 2018
"Cathy is one of the best writers I know, and she is one of the best teachers I know. It's not surprising then, that she is one of the best writing teachers on the planet, and this book is the proof of that. It will help you get into college, but it will keep helping you write better and think more clearly even after you graduate. Imagine that! A writing guide with no expiration date."
Rose B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing and amusing
July 26, 2018
"I’m one-third into Cathy’s amazing and amusing book about writing a college essay. But a word of warning, it’s much more than that! The lucky teen who takes the book to heart will not only write a bad college essay and then a good one, but will have discovered what it means to really write. To write one’s own opinion and not what the teacher wants, the parent wants—or anybody else. This ability will serve the future student and society well. I say this as a writing professional and trainer. And as a big fan of Cathy: My daughter took her creative writing class and benefited from her feedback on her college essay."
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing and amusing
July 26, 2018
"I’m one-third into Cathy’s amazing and amusing book about writing a college essay. But a word of warning, it’s much more than that! The lucky teen who takes the book to heart will not only write a bad college essay and then a good one, but will have discovered what it means to really write. To write one’s own opinion and not what the teacher wants, the parent wants—or anybody else. This ability will serve the future student and society well. I say this as a writing professional and trainer. And as a big fan of Cathy: My daughter took her creative writing class and benefited from her feedback on her college essay."
Robert H. Herrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book reflects Cathy Altman Nocquet's years of experience as ...
July 25, 2018
"This book reflects Cathy Altman Nocquet's years of experience as a writing tutor and instructor. Simple, clear and to the point, its has everything you need to know about writing a winning essay. A must for those applying to graduate and MBA programs."
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book reflects Cathy Altman Nocquet's years of experience as ...
July 25, 2018
"This book reflects Cathy Altman Nocquet's years of experience as a writing tutor and instructor. Simple, clear and to the point, its has everything you need to know about writing a winning essay. A must for those applying to graduate and MBA programs."
Mme Ipaktchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tapping into what makes 'em tick.
July 29, 2018
"The author's technique and advice helped my son (and his friends) write pain-free, winning college essays by tapping into what makes them tick as individuals."
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tapping into what makes 'em tick.
July 29, 2018
"The author's technique and advice helped my son (and his friends) write pain-free, winning college essays by tapping into what makes them tick as individuals."
"Cathy is uniquely skilled. She worked with my daughter on her college essay and I love how she works. I have also known her for a while and her creativity and confidence-building are remarkable. She is funny and smart and has enormous perspective on the stresses of the process, the many different types of people who all are deserving and qualified to get into college, and she navigates the child/parent dynamic incredibly skillfully... If her book is half as good as she is in person, it's well worth the money!"
- Washington D.C. Parent
- Washington D.C. Parent
"It's so refreshing to read a book about writing that winks back."
- Paris parent
- Paris parent