At a recent Fireside Chat, our co-founders Gopi and Vineet tackled one of the most underestimated — yet high-stakes — parts of the college admissions process: the personal statement essay.

We kicked off by sharing why Future Forward places such a strong emphasis on writing — not just as a box to check for admissions, but as a powerful tool for self-discovery, reflection, and growth. Our mission has always been to help students write with purpose, voice, and clarity — not just to impress, but to connect.

We were also thrilled to be joined by our essay expert Allison, a seasoned writing coach with a background in English and education. Allison fielded live questions from students and parents, offering actionable advice on how to approach personal statements with depth and intentionality.

Together, we tackled some of the most common essay questions:

• What makes a personal statement truly memorable?
• How do you balance storytelling with self-advocacy?
• Do you need a life-changing event to write a strong essay? (Spoiler: You don’t.)
• How much editing is too much?

Allison shared her process for helping students find their authentic voice, cut through clichés, and elevate their writing — one sentence at a time. She also offered insight into common pitfalls, like overgeneralizing, over-polishing, or trying to sound “admissions-worthy” instead of being real.

We wrapped with a look at our signature JOURNAL framework — a structured way for students to build a meaningful collection of experiences and reflections that feed directly into standout essays.

🎥 Missed it live? You can watch the full session here:
Whether you’re staring at a blank page or fine-tuning a final draft, this conversation is packed with insight and clarity from experts who truly care.

Fast Forward: Your Essay Can Be the Game-Changer

Your grades tell part of the story. Your extracurriculars tell another. But your essay? That’s where your voice lives.

Whether you’re a confident writer or just getting started, Future Forward helps you craft essays that get read—and remembered.

Choose among our plans for ESSAYS ONLY help. Get started by filling the form below.