FAQs

Absolutely not! Even if a student plans to stay close to home or apply to schools that don’t require an essay, I still encourage every senior to write (and submit) one. Students learn so much about themselves through the process, from what they value to how they want to present themselves to others. The personal statement can also act as a strong foundation for scholarship essays + honors applications.

By the end of our time together, students not only have a compelling essay, but more confidence in their writing + communication skills. Yay!

I help students uncover what makes them unique while keeping their own authentic voice at the center of the essay process. My feedback comes in the form of questions, suggestions, brainstorming, and examples that help students clarify + strengthen their ideas without replacing their words with mine. Does it take time? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

At the end of the process, I like to ask parents: If your child’s essay were hanging anonymously on a wall in the school hallway among hundreds of others, would you be able to pick it out?

If the answer is yes, we’ve done our job.

AI can be useful for brainstorming, proofreading, and researching colleges, but it should never be used to write a college essay (or any essay, for that matter)!

Admissions officers are looking for reflection, insight, and personality, three essay requirements that only a real student can provide. And trust me, they know within seconds when an essay doesn’t sound like it was written by a teenager.

As AI becomes more common in the admissions process, authentic student voice matters even more. I show students how to use AI responsibly while making sure their writing is 100% their own work. The end result is an essay that genuinely sounds like them when read aloud and one they are proud to call their own.

Sessions usually start with conversation, brainstorming, and freewriting exercises designed to explore different topics, stories, and ideas. We think of the application as one cohesive story, with the personal statement serving as the biggest + most meaningful chapter.

Early in the process, we spend time with this question: What do you want an admissions officer to remember about you in one sentence? This core message, “our takeaway,” helps guide the essay + the rest of the application. 

From there, we organize ideas, work on sections one step at a time, and review revisions together.

Every session is tailored to the student’s pace + ability. I always provide time for reflection, questions, and feedback. My goal is for students to leave each session feeling confident about how to improve their next draft.

That's completely normal. Most students don't walk into our first meeting with a fully formed essay topic, and those who do often change direction once we dig deeper. More often than not, the strongest essay topics are the ones students never considered at the beginning.

Never!  A coach or parent should never do the writing. My role is to guide, support, and strategize, but every essay is written by the student. This is the only way to ensure a student's authentic voice + unique perspective is captured.

An English essay is a great starting point, but college essays play by a different set of rules. Academic writing + personal statements serve very different purposes. One is designed to analyze and inform. The other falls more into the world of creative nonfiction: a values-based, character-driven personal narrative. 99% of students have never written like this before.

However, I can help students take a paper they’re proud of + shape it into something that shows who they really are, behind those words. Can we use the topic they wrote about? Sure! But often, once students better understand the goals of the personal statement, we dig deeper + realize there’s a stronger story to tell...even if it starts from a sentence in that English paper!

This depends on the number of essays + where a student is starting from, but most complete the Common App essay over several weeks. It truly depends on the student.

Once the Common App opens in August, school-specific supplemental essays also require time. Some schools have only one prompt; highly selective colleges may require 5–8 additional essays. Each one takes brainstorming, drafting, and revising. 

Starting the application process in the summer helps students produce thoughtful essays without the stress of last-minute deadlines.

Yes, essays absolutely matter!

Ask almost any admissions officer and they can recall a student they admitted because of an essay. Grades + test scores show academic achievement, but essays are what make a student memorable. They offer insight into a student’s personality, values, perspective, and voice, all the things that numbers can’t show.

Even at schools where essays are considered “optional,” submitting a strong personal statement is always worth it. While no essay can guarantee admission (because nothing in this process is guaranteed), the Common App essay remains one of the most powerful opportunities to show who a student is + what they will bring to campus.

A strong personal statement takes time, and students should understand this is not a one-and-done project.

Most of my students go through 5–7 drafts before the essay really clicks. From the start, I make sure students know this is part of the process: each draft clarifies ideas, tightens writing, and strengthens their voice.

Knowing multiple drafts are normal takes the pressure off + helps students work confidently. By the end, they don’t just have a polished essay, they’ve also learned to organize ideas, reflect on experiences, and communicate clearly. Important skills that stick with them far beyond college applications!

Parents play an important role: asking questions, helping students reflect, and nudging them to stay on track. I’m always happy to guide parents on how to provide feedback in ways that support without taking over. One of my biggest tips for those starting this process? Ask your child early on: How do you want me to support you? 

Support might mean helping your student stay organized, offering perspective on prospective colleges, or simply being available when you are “needed.” The key is remembering this process belongs to your student. Setting boundaries around college conversations + maintaining balance helps ensure that this process doesn’t take over everyday life. 

Unsure how to start the college convo? Reach out for a list of conversation-starting questions you can use with your teenager!

As early as possible! Ideally, juniors begin reflecting on Common App prompts when they’re released in late February or early March, and begin drafting during the summer before senior year. But trust me, this “best-case scenario” doesn’t always happen. My phone really starts ringing in October!

Starting early allows time to brainstorm, write multiple drafts, and polish essays without the stress of fall deadlines. For Early Action or Early Decision applicants, deadlines arrive as early as October, so developing an admissions strategy is important

Ask any current senior what they wish they’d done differently, and most will say: “I wish I had started sooner.”

I like to recommend beginning the process in 10th or 11th grade to allow time for college planning and research, standardized testing, summer experiences, and meaningful extracurricular involvement.

However, every student’s situation is unique. For students with specific goals or more selective admissions targets, beginning as early as freshman year can provide valuable time for intentional academic planning + positioning.

Yes! I work with all types of students, including those with ADHD + dyslexia.

Because I work one-on-one with students and don’t limit session time, I’m able to tailor my approach to each student’s individual strengths and challenges. My goal is to help every student find a writing process that works for them, and there are many different techniques that I like to use.

Every student has a story + each one deserves to be told.