The College Counseling Department is guiding the Senior Class through their application processes by holding workshops for their application essays.

The workshops first began during the last week of junior year and continued through senior year. The first summer session in early June is designated for the Common Application essay, while the second session at the end of August is designated for individual college supplemental essays. Both sessions are guided by lectures and independent work time. For the 2024-25 school year, the College Counseling Department introduced a new Senior Writing Lab to continue the Writing Labs that occurred over the summer.

The Senior Writing Lab is led by Deborah Banner, English Instructor and Dean of Gender Studies and Feminism Deborah Banner and her classroom serves as a space for seniors to receive help on any part of their college essay writing process during the school day. The idea for the Senior Writing Lab was proposed by Banner prior to this year but added to the schedule this year due to the substantially large size of the Class of 2025.

“Dr Banner’s feedback is always constructive and kind while direct,” said Gabi ’25 “Overall I just really enjoy the environment that the workshop provides for me to get work done.”

To allow students to personalize their times, the workshop is divided between open sessions where students can drop in and one-on-one meetings with Banner. The workshop also offers the help of the art and athletics department teachers and coaches who can drop by and give advice to students in subject-specific application processes.

“[The lab] creates a protected time period where seniors who are looking for advice can get that help without feeling like they’re bugging me during a time when I would be teaching,” Banner said.

During various weeks Banner organizes a raffle for students who attend the workshop, with prizes including gift cards from different places on Larchmont such as Jeni’s and Kreation.

In addition to the guidance that this workshop offers, it also provides a productive work space for students to get writing done.

“I go almost every time it is offered during my free period,” Fernie ’25 said. “It’s been extremely helpful and without it I think I would be very behind.”