Queens, NY: High school seniors across Queens are gaining a powerful advantage in the college admissions process thanks to a new initiative between Unleash the Inner U, founded by college essay writing mentor Rachna K, and the Queens High School Presidents’ Council (QHSPC), led by President Walters.
The Queens High School Presidents’ Council represents the parent associations of 88 public high schools across the borough, a network that touches the lives of about 76,000 students, including nearly 17,000 high school seniors. Recognizing the challenges that many students face when competing with peers from communities with greater access to private coaching and college counseling, this program was designed to help level the playing field.
At the heart of the project is a two-part online workshop series crafted by Rachna. With years of experience guiding students through the college essay process, she designed the program to go beyond writing tips and to focus on self-discovery and authentic expression.
Throughout the series, Unleash the Inner U continues to review and provide specific feedback on essays. The process is designed not as a one-time seminar, but as a three-month journey with multiple rounds of reflection and guidance. “Students can usually reach a level one or two of depth on their own,” Rachna says, “but to get to level three or four—the place where essays truly stand out—they often need someone to help them dig deeper.”
The first session, open to all rising seniors, introduces students to brainstorming strategies, what makes a compelling personal statement, and the elements of a strong “Why this college?” essay. Students then have the opportunity to submit their drafts and receive feedback from Unleash the Inner U.
The second session is reserved for students who have taken advantage of this opportunity and submitted essays. These stages are highly interactive, with students learning how to edit their own work and receiving one-to-one mentorship. “Once a student understands themselves better, their authentic voice emerges,” Rachna explains. “It’s amazing how quickly the students are able to grasp the concept of self-discovery and really share their feelings in a relevant way once they understand how to do so. Every student is very capable. We only have to help them ask the right questions of themselves.”
While Rachna provides the content and the hands-on mentorship, President Walters has been instrumental in spearheading the initiative. After hearing Rachna’s proposal, she quickly brought the idea to the QHSPC membership for approval and encouraged schools across Queens to take part. “President Walters was very receptive to the idea and saw immediately the impact it could make,” Rachna recalls.
The partnership is notable not only for its scale but for its focus on equity. By offering philanthropic mentorship for now and several upcoming years, Unleash the Inner U ensures that students from diverse backgrounds, including those who may not otherwise have access to this type of support, can compete more confidently in the college admissions process.
“This is not just about writing essays,” Rachna emphasizes. “It’s about helping students discover who they are, and giving them the courage and clarity to tell their story.” President Walters, support for rising Queens High School seniors, was clear in her comments, as she put it “Queens High School students deserve the opportunity to showcase their full potential. With partnership and access to Unleash the Inner U it will allow them equal footing to compete not only for local colleges but beyond New York Colleges and Universities.”
As applications deadlines approach, many of Queens seniors will now have the chance to submit essays that reflect not only their accomplishments, but also their individuality, resilience, and dreams. And with the support of the Queens High School President’s Council and Unleash the Inner U, those voices will be stronger than ever.
Contact: Queens HS Presidents’ Council: [email protected]; Unleash the Inner U: [email protected]
