FAQs

Most students already have the experiences and voice needed to write meaningful college essays. The challenge is rarely a lack of material — it’s learning how to reflect, shape ideas, and tell a cohesive story under pressure. My role is to guide students through that process with structure, thoughtful feedback, and steady support.

  • My work with students centers around three main phases:

    Reflection & Story Development
    We begin by slowing down and exploring experiences, values, and ideas to identify the stories that feel most meaningful and authentic to the student.

    Structure & Writing
    Once a direction becomes clear, we focus on shaping the essay — developing structure, clarity, and voice so the writing feels intentional and genuinely theirs.

    Revision & Cohesion
    Revision is where essays grow stronger. Through thoughtful feedback, we refine ideas and language while keeping the larger application narrative in mind, so each piece contributes to a cohesive whole.

    Throughout the process, my role is to guide and support students while ensuring the writing remains fully their own. Students who thrive in this process are often thoughtful, engaged learners who are willing to reflect and revise over time.

  • The ethics of the college application process are important to me. Although I am prepared to help a student find a voice and structure that authentically represents his or her best efforts, I will not write or revise any part of an essay for a student. I ask lots of questions, encourage writing in a variety of formats, and welcome all stages of writing.

  • I work with a few students each year on a discounted fee or pro bono basis; if your family qualifies for free and reduced lunch or SAT/ACT waivers, don't hesitate to contact me directly.

  • All students write differently and come to college essay writing with varying abilities. Our goal is to bring out your student’s personal best, which is a few levels up from what you've seen on an average assignment. Admissions officers expect and understand that an essay will sound like a 17-year-old versus a graduate student or a parent, and writing should match their academic profile. I can’t promise a specific outcome or a “perfect” essay — and I don’t believe meaningful writing works that way. What I can promise is a thoughtful, structured process that helps students reflect deeply, clarify their ideas, and write with honesty and intention. My role is to guide students toward an essay that feels authentic to them, communicates their story clearly, and fits cohesively within the larger application.

  • I love this question. Parents play an important supportive role in the writing process — often as a sounding board for ideas, a gentle source of accountability, and a steady encouragement when deadlines approach. Helping students set aside consistent time for writing is one of the most valuable things you can do; thoughtful work almost always reflects thoughtful effort.

    It’s also helpful to support a balanced and realistic college list. Strong writing can help students tell their story clearly and authentically, but it works best when paired with thoughtful college choices that reflect a student’s overall profile and goals.

  • No — and I encourage families to be cautious of anyone who suggests they can. Admissions decisions are made entirely by colleges and are influenced by many factors beyond the essay. Strong writing can help a student communicate their story clearly and authentically, but it cannot replace the role of academics, course rigor, and overall fit within a college’s admissions process.

    What I can offer is thoughtful guidance, an experienced perspective, and a process designed to help students present themselves honestly and cohesively. As an Associate Member of IECA, a licensed teacher, and someone trained in college counseling, I stay engaged with current admissions trends while keeping the focus where it belongs — on helping students do meaningful, authentic work.

  • AI is becoming a normal part of both writing and the broader admissions landscape, and schools are still deciding how they want to approach it. Some colleges are experimenting with AI tools in the admissions process, while others discourage or prohibit AI-generated writing from applicants, and many have no formal policy yet. Because expectations vary from school to school, authenticity and student ownership matter more than ever.

    My work focuses on helping students develop their own ideas, voice, and narrative — something AI cannot replace. AI is not part of the writing process we use together; our work centers on reflection, conversation, and the student’s own thinking. If a student chooses to use AI independently, I help them think critically about how it’s being used so their writing remains authentic and truly their own. College essays are ultimately about self-reflection and honest storytelling, and as the technical aspects of writing become easier to access, the human aspects matter more than ever.

  • While I hold a certificate in college counseling and am an Associate Member of IECA, my primary focus is writing and narrative development. I’m happy to offer perspective when questions arise, but my work is centered on helping students shape and communicate their story through writing.

    For families seeking more in-depth college list guidance or broader college counseling support, I often recommend Linda Lounsbury, an IEC with whom I have a trusted working relationship. I also strongly recommend Who Gets In and Why by Jeffrey Selingo, which offers thoughtful insight into how different colleges and universities approach admissions decisions.