The Santa Barbara Public Library System’s Goleta branch library will host a presentation, Writing College Applications, for high school students applying to colleges this fall. The two-part program will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Goleta Library, located at 500 N. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.

This is an opportunity for high school seniors to broaden their college options by learning how to write college essays that will distinguish their applications. Pre-writing and brainstorming techniques can stimulate creative responses to the essay prompts for the University of California application and the “Common Application.” This informative talk by local college counselors Tish O’Connor and Betsy Heafitz will illustrate the components of successful applications, revealing what admission officers want to see, and provide tips on crafting memorable college essays.

The presenters are both graduates of Dartmouth College who have earned certificates in college counseling from UCLA. They will share insight from their prior careers—Tish as an editor and writer, Betsy in marketing and communications—and knowledge of college admissions assessment criteria. They will advise on how to choose an essay topic and integrate each part of the application into a comprehensive portrait of the student.

For more information call the Goleta library, (805) 964-7878. Visit the Santa Barbara Public Library System online at SBPLibrary.org for information about library locations, hours, events and programs. All Library programs are FREE and open to the public.