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College essay coaching
College essay coaching
Most students come into the application process believing the goal is to impress colleges. I see it differently: the goal is to be understood.
Strong essays don't need dramatic stories or clever hooks; they grow out of reflection, clarity, and specificity.
As a guide and sounding board, I work alongside students to help them make sense of their experiences and develop writing that feels authentic, grounded, and insightful. The goal is to craft essays that only they could have written.
This approach tends to work best for students who:
want to understand their experiences before trying to “package” them
are curious and open to reflection
are willing to brainstorm, draft, and revise between meetings
care more about fit than prestige
Click the link below to set up a free 15-minute consultation.
How We Work
Live meetings and written feedback work together to support thoughtful writing and effective revision. Meetings focus on ideas, insights, clarity, and decision-making, while written feedback provides focused, detailed guidance students can return to as they revise. This combination allows students to understand what they’re trying to say and why, not just how to make changes on the page. Students get the most out of coaching when they complete reflection or drafting between meetings and meet agreed-upon checkpoints.
Live Meetings
Most students meet with me weekly Rather than using meetings to edit line by line, I use them to help students step back, make sense of feedback, and decide how to move forward.
Depending on the stage of the work, live meetings may include:
talking through ideas or early drafts to clarify what a piece is really about
identifying themes or patterns that could shape an essay
discussing written feedback and prioritizing what to revise next
exploring tradeoffs, such as which stories to tell or what to leave out
making decisions about direction, emphasis, or structure
Live meetings are most effective when students come prepared with drafts, reflections, or questions to discuss.
Written Feedback
Written feedback provides clear, specific guidance students can revisit as they revise.
Depending on the stage of the work, written feedback may include:
Depending on the stage of the work, written feedback may include:
in-line comments about clarity, focus, and development
suggestions for revision, such as reorganizing ideas, sharpening focus, or deciding what to expand or cut
reflection questions about meaning, perspective, or specificity
line-level edits for clarity, flow, and concision (especially in later drafts)
notes on voice and tone, so the writing sounds authentic and student-owned
feedback across multiple essays when relevant, including overlap, balance, or repetition
Early drafts typically receive more big-picture feedback, while later drafts receive more detailed attention to wording and polish.
I work with students through a thoughtful, individualized process grounded in careful listening and sound judgment. Because this kind of work unfolds over time and benefits from steady attention, I limit the number of students I support each year. Pricing reflects this sustained, personalized approach.
2026 Pricing
2026 Pricing
$200 early enrollment credit on packages when booked by June 1st
Packages
Packages
All packages include a structured combination of live meetings and written feedback, one initial parent meeting, and curated resources to support self-reflection and writing craft. Support is designed to encourage steady progress, thoughtful revision, and clear decision-making over time.
Common Application Package (plus three colleges): $2,500
Includes support for the core written components of the Common Application:
Personal statement
Activities and honors sections
Additional information section (if appropriate)
Supplemental essays for up to three colleges
This package is designed to help students develop a clear, authentic personal statement and present their experiences thoughtfully. Essays are shaped through multiple rounds of feedback and revision, with live meetings used strategically to support ideation, insight, and decision-making along the way.
Add-on college supplemental essays: varies (most colleges $350-$450)
Supplemental essay support is priced based on the amount and complexity of writing required. Some colleges require significantly more writing than others, particularly highly selective schools and specialized programs (such as honors, engineering, or BS/MD programs). After reviewing a student’s college list, I confirm the scope of writing for each school and discuss pricing in advance so expectations are clear and there are no surprises.
Add-on UC PIQs: $700
UC applications require students to select and respond to four Personal Insight Questions from a larger prompt set. This add-on supports students as they strategically select PIQ prompts and draft each response, with attention to how the essays work together to tell a clear, cohesive picture aligned with the UC's 13 points of comprehensive review.
Short-Term Coaching Intensives
Short-Term Coaching Intensives
Coaching may include live meetings, written feedback, or a combination of both, depending on the student’s needs.
3 hours: $450
6 hours: $825
Intensives are best for focused, short-term support used for targeted goals rather than ongoing, open-ended editing.
Essay Reviews
Essay Reviews
For a single personal statement or a combination of supplemental essays not exceeding 650 words.
Single review: $150
Includes detailed written feedback, typically provided within two business days.
Single review + one call: $250
Includes detailed written feedback and a
45-minute meeting to discuss feedback and strategies for improvement.
Additional review or discussion can be added through hourly coaching.
Application Strategy Session
Application Strategy Session
1-hour strategy session: $195
The Application Strategy Session is a focused, one-hour consultation designed to provide clarity around a student’s application plan, writing priorities, and next steps. I will share an abbreviated version of the shared document I use with students, which includes self-reflection questions, an essay tracker, and more.
Notes on Scope & Process
Notes on Scope & Process
All packages include structured revision cycles designed to support progress and clarity, rather than unlimited reworking.
Essay prompts and requirements can change from year to year. Final scope is based on the prompts released for the current application cycle. Any meaningful expansion of scope is always discussed in advance.
FAQs
FAQs
How early should my student start working with you?
How early should my student start working with you?
Most students begin in the spring of their junior year or the summer before their senior year. Starting earlier allows time for reflection, drafting, and revision without last-minute stress.
What if we start late in the process?
What if we start late in the process?
I work with some students who begin later in the application cycle (starting in September or later). Depending on my availability and your deadlines, we can determine whether it is better to pursue focused hourly coaching or a comprehensive package.
Should we choose a package or short-term intensive coaching?
Should we choose a package or short-term intensive coaching?
It depends on where your student is in the writing process. For a student just starting, a package will give us more time and freedom to explore potential topics, strategize their storytelling approach, and refine their craft. A student who feels confident about their essay topic or has already written a draft may not need as many meetings and prefer the hourly intensive.
Do you offer a package payment plan?
Do you offer a package payment plan?
Yes, payment plans are available and are typically structured over two or three installments.
What if my student decides to add more colleges later?
What if my student decides to add more colleges later?
Additional colleges can be added as needed, subject to availability. Supplemental support is priced based on the amount of writing required, and scope is discussed before work begins.
Are live meetings required?
Are live meetings required?
Live meetings are a core part of my process, as they support clarity, insight, and decision-making. That said, the balance between meetings and written feedback is flexible and tailored to each student’s needs and timeline.
If your student is unable to meet virtually, I am happy to provide written feedback exclusively through an essay review or short-term essay intensives.
Do you work with international students?
Do you work with international students?
Yes! While I am based in the United States, I work with students virtually and have experience supporting international applicants applying to American colleges. I have worked with students in many countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. My coaching helps students craft essays that reflect their unique backgrounds and experiences, regardless of where they are applying from. Please note that my services focus on application writing and strategy rather than visa guidance or test preparation.
Do you also help students build a college list?
Do you also help students build a college list?
I don't build college lists for you. Instead, I can help you think about what you value in a college so your list reflects what's truly important to you.
Colleges want to admit students who are excited to be there for specific reasons, and this clarity allows students to write “Why Us?” essays that are thoughtful, personal, and well-aligned.
Do you guarantee outcomes or admission results?
Do you guarantee outcomes or admission results?
No. While I bring extensive experience and care to the process, admissions decisions are outside my control. My role is to help students present themselves thoughtfully, authentically, and clearly.
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