FAQ for Parents

Our family already hired a full-service college application consultant. Why should we hire you?

Full-service consultants provide myriad services and supports, with essay coaching being one of them. You may be just fine with your consultant’s guidance on the application essay. Or not. There are many factors that make an essay coach successful, including personality fit, expertise, and the amount of time and energy they are able to give each applicant. Many families tell me they were disappointed in their full-service consultant’s support when it came to the essay. It’s up to you to decide if you’re getting what you need or if you want to bring in a specialist like me.

Why don’t you offer a full-service college application consulting service?

I am an expert at connecting with kids and coaxing an outstanding personal essay out of them.  I also believe that the essay is the single best opportunity for a college applicant to distinguish themself, now more than ever. I understand the value families may find in a full-service consultant, and I do have a lot of familiarity with the broader college application landscape, but focusing on the essay is the most efficient way to provide my particular talent and passion to an applicant and to add real value to the application.

Do you offer discounts?

I generally do not offer discounts, because I already provide my essay coaching services for free to my public high school students, including many at-risk, low-income students, in addition to the volunteer work I do at various not-for-profit organizations.. 

That said, it never hurts to contact me and ask. I try to set aside 10% of my client workload for those who have demonstrable financial hardships.

How long are the six Zoom meetings?

The Zoom meetings are just one part of my overall process but they are important.  Meetings typically run 30-60 minutes, depending on where we are in the writing process. The early meetings tend to be longer. As we move deeper into editing, the Zooms tend to be shorter.

How do you support students who may be unmotivated or just overwhelmed with activities and deadlines?

I have a lot of experience in this area, and most of the time I can get the student moving forward in ways a parent can’t. However, if a student misses meetings or deadlines or refuses to put in the effort, the quality of the essay certainly can suffer. I take pride in doing everything I can to keep even the most challenging students on track. This is one of the special skills I bring to this process.

Are you just going to end up just writing my student’s essay?

No! I don’t want to, nor do I need to. My process is designed to have the student write an original, effective essay from the heart. Admissions officers are well practiced at sniffing out inauthentic essays. I calibrate my support to the unique traits and abilities of each student while maximizing their autonomy.  The goal is an essay that is a true reflection of the student and helps get them into a college that is eager (and lucky!) to have them.