What result do you offer?

I help high-school seniors submit college app essays that win merit aid. While there are no guarantees in the college admissions process, our work together is designed to maximize your chances for success—for admissions and aid at schools you'll love attending.

At each step along the way, I want you to feel that you are making better, more well-informed decisions than if you were to go this path alone. Your essays are an opportunity for you to get laser clear on who you are and what you care about, and communicate that effectively.

How did you get into this line of work?

It found me and was a natural evolution from my years as a expository writing teacher. I've worked with hundreds of 18 year-olds in the classroom, in tutorials, and in office hours on how to discover, develop, and showcase their best ideas into an argument that compels. I learned from working with so many kinds of students, first at UC Berkeley and then at a private art college in San Francisco: students who love words, those who favor visual expression, students with learning accommodations. A close friend referred my first private client to me, and then asked me to work with her own daughter the following year.

I respect 17 and 18 year-olds as young adults and thoughtful human beings. It's exciting to work with someone who's dreaming up their future, and finding the best words and way to become the person they've imagined. And I've participated in the application journey as a parent too, so I've got empathy for all involved.

Why do students and parents seek out an essay coach?

For many, varied reasons. Much of what I've gleaned about "why" comes from asking prospective clients another question: "what's most important to you about the person you hire?" Here's what I learned folks are seeking, for their son, daughter, and/or family.

- optimum college acceptances and choices come spring
- a trusted, experienced guide to make an unfamiliar, high-impact process less uncertain
- someone to motivate the student-applicant, bringing out his or her full potential
- answers to questions and things that you can't google
- feedback, accountability, and support for meaningful exploration and work
- peace of mind that comes from insuring against avoidable mistakes
- to "take the temperature down,” promoting family harmony

What makes the best topic?

You (the writer) have to be at the center, and the topic needs to invite reflection—yours and your reader's. The topic itself can be unexpected or ordinary. When an essay is distinctively yours, that means it couldn't have been written by anyone else. And it's this element that helps it stand out in a pile of applications. 

Remember, a school (and its agent, the admissions office) seeks to create a community of unique human beings. You want your reader to be an impassioned advocate on your behalf—both for admission and for merit and financial aid.

Do you have a touchstone image you share with clients?

I like Goethe's image of the "red thread."

"The ropes of the royal fleet...are braided so that a red thread runs through them from end to end which cannot be extracted without undoing the whole. Even the smallest fragment may be recognized as belonging to the crown."

It's all about the "mark" of the red thread, visible in even the smallest fragment of rope. That's an apt image for the way your personal statement needs to be distinctively yours throughout. It's about ease—allowing the reader to recognize you with ease in your personal statement.

How do you get started with a client?

I do college essay coaching by referral only, either from past clients or my own network. I have an initial complimentary phone conversation with a parent. I note parent impressions, and then bring an open mind to the work. I begin with an in-person meeting with the student, usually 80 minutes, and like it to be a relaxed yet focused conversation.  I ask you beforehand to bring anything you'd like to share (something you've made, a photograph you've taken, a project you've worked on, or a plan you're hatching.)

I'm out to accomplish several related items in our time together: establish a connection so you're open to sharing writing-in-progress, get a sense of what makes you tick, give you a framework for our process, and determine scope of work (what kinds of statements and essays you need to write) and timeline. I'll also share a few thoughts to help you understand your audience, the role of the essays in the application process, and unexpected places to start looking for topics. I want you to leave our first meeting feeling oriented with the lay of the land, open to surprising yourself, and inspired to start.

What happens next?

From there, the work process is incredibly individualized, using technology (google docs, text, email) to keep things moving and well-documented. For one student, it was all electronic communication. Other clients ask for regular in-person meetings. I have an eye to momentum, prioritization, and work with each client on an individual basis (specific deliverables, schedule, planned turn-around).

How soon can I get started?

A parent typically reaches out to me spring of their student's junior year, or early summer following it. When student, parent, and I have decided it's a good fit, I'll take a deposit to hold a spot on my calendar. In terms of the actual essay production, I enjoy getting a head start with students the summer before their senior year, but am also able to start in September once school is underway.

What type of student benefits the most from your work?

A motivated public high-school student applying to private colleges, along with select public universities. While I'm happy to work with private high-school students, I have found from experience that public-school students have fewer dedicated resources to them available at school for the college admissions process.

How do you know when your clients have been successful?

When I hear back from students (or their parents) that they are happy and thriving in college. This is about getting a right fit—and it can only happen when students write authentically. I recently saw a fantastic photograph of a former client in her element at work at the potter's wheel at her college's ceramic studio. Her interest in visual art was something that crystallized and deepened in our time of working together. It was neither an inevitable part of her application at the beginning, nor is it her college major. When I think that this essay process (and all of her hard work) brought her to this joy, I feel incredibly satisfied. And then to find out that the photograph was taken by a friend she made at college made it all the better.

I take great pride in the fact that none of my clients has transferred from their first school. It's great evidence that the fit was right. 

Why do you offer a program? Can I hire you by the hour?

I designed a program for the applicant to achieve his or her desired result: a set of fabulous, distinctive essays--including the critical school-specific supplements. I have found it's most effective for all parties to commit to the goal and allow the student's creative process to happen, without counting minutes. The quality of the essays is essential, especially the way that they work in concert to capture the student fully, and distinguish him or her for admission and merit scholarships. Knowing the costs up-front allows families to plan ahead.

With a flat fee for your essay tutoring services, is it better for me to apply to as many schools as possible?

No, I wouldn't encourage it, and that is for your benefit.  Your time and energy are ultimately limited resources that need to be used as effectively as possible. It's simply not possible to put the same energy into each of 20 applications as it is 10-12. Clients on average apply to 8 to 10 schools, +/- a couple schools, although I've had clients apply to as few as two schools, and end up at their top choice.  I work with you to prioritize your applications. I have not had a student miss a deadline, though clients have decided to drop a school/application from their list as they clarify their preferences.

What is the scope of services you offer to students?

Flat-Fee Essay Program includes:
- college essay tutoring for personal statements, including common application essay, UC application, school-specific supplements, and artist statements
- advice for corresponding with admissions, faculty, and financial aid offices
- advice on your activities list
- advice on how to meaningfully research a school
- advice on refining your college list* (see below)

Add-On Services include:
- interview training for admissions, alumni, and scholarship interviews
- cover letter advising + planning for summer jobs, internships, and programs (former clients only)

Can you give me input on my college list?*

I am able to give you input and school suggestions for developing and refining your list, both from first-hand experience and from working with my clients and their families. I include this free with my essay + supplements program. Each year, my knowledge grows and deepens regarding specific schools, programs, departments, opportunities, and application requirements. I do not currently create a comprehensive custom list for my clients as part of my offerings.

Can you do a final proofread?

I specialize in developmental editing, focusing on arc, tone, hook, theme, and ideas. I believe it's better if the final proofread is done with fresh eyes.

Where have your clients been accepted?

MIT, Juilliard, Parsons, Oberlin, Macalester, Carleton, Boston University, University of Southern California (USC), Case Western, Brandeis, Washington University, Bates, Skidmore, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of British Columbia, Tulane, Colorado College, CalArts, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Willamette, Emerson, Lewis and Clark, Goucher, Drew, Occidental, Cal Poly, Cornish College of the Arts, London College of Fashion and Design, Temple, St. Olaf, University of Minnesota, University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Beloit, Purdue.

Where did you go to school?

Folks are curious...so to save you a trip to LinkedIn.
B.A., summa cum laude, University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D, University of California at Berkeley