Scholar Lab: The Main Essay (for Class of '26)

**Exclusively for Access College America scholars.

*For Class of 2026

Crafting a competitive Main Essay (aka: the personal statement) is arguably one of the hardest parts of the college application experience. The stakes are high as this essay will be read by every single college you apply to. Ideas should be mapped out strategically and with intention.

This lab provides insight into what colleges are looking for in a main essay. The presenter will guide all scholars through exercises designed for self-reflection which is vital to the writing experience. A discussion on the four cornerstones to a great college essay will be conducted and attendees are expected to show up with all pre-requisites completed. The scholar should leave this lab with their Topic and an Outline of their Main Essay.

Needed: 

• Completed College Reasonings 

• Revised Scholar Vitae & Resume 

• Completed Exercises from the Main Essay Lab 

• 2 Pens, highlighter(s), notebook for taking notes, 3-to-5 blank sheets of paper. 

Presenter:

Melissa Wood, M.Ed.

College Consulting Associate

Access College America

Melissa Wood, M.Ed. is a licensed school counselor with Bachelor's and Master's of Music Degrees from Sam Houston State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas State University, and a School Counselor Certification from Angelo State University. She has worked her entire career in public education, serving her campus community for 23 years in various roles, and has served as a school counselor for the past 5 years. Melissa has a true calling for assisting scholars in finding their chosen career path while also guiding them through the admission process to highly selective schools in Texas and across the country.

Melissa has served in roles ranging from band director to College & Career Transition Coordinator to Academic Guidance Counselor. She has a broad range of experience assisting everyone from those who are undecided in their major to those applying to some of the most selective colleges in the country with the intention of securing a STEM major. As Transition Coordinator & Guidance Counselor, Melissa has successfully assisted scholars through the course selection process for dual credit, Advanced Placement, the International Baccalaureate programs, along with numerous Career & Technical Education programs.