Our Services
Great Conversations Lead to Meaningful Essays
We work closely with a limited number of students each year so that we can truly get to know each student. We are coaches (rather than editors) who facilitate one-on-one, inquiry-based conversations that enable our students to better understand and articulate their experiences and goals.
Process
We start with putting some structure around the process. By providing a suggested timeline at the beginning of our work together, we show clients how they can break down the bigger project into smaller, more manageable pieces. We emphasize working well ahead of application deadlines so there’s plenty of time for careful reflection, thorough work and a significant time cushion for any unexpected events that might arise. The idea is to lower the intensity of the experience. This leads to stronger, polished essays and calm families. Believe it or not, clients even tell us they had fun!
This good rapport comes from the fact that we really get to know our clients by meeting with them on a regular basis. Before each meeting they complete homework (brainstorming exercises &/or essay drafts), which we discuss when we meet. During our meetings, the student and coach hash out ideas and discuss content. We offer direct suggestions, but we also ask the student a lot of questions to guide them toward deeper and more insightful writing. Our written feedback includes both substantive notes and line edits where needed, but we don’t do a “heavy edit” of their work (nor should anyone else). A client’s work should be a genuine demonstration of their abilities and unique narrative voice.
Our underlying philosophy rests in guiding the student toward greater self-awareness through the essay process. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to reflect on their lives in ways they usually haven’t before. At the end of each meeting, we agree on a set of realistic next steps.
College Essay Coaching
Our work is based in starting conversations that guide the student toward greater self-awareness and thus, deeper and more meaningful essays.
We offer students a structured process and constructive feedback, so they can craft strong personal statements and supplemental essays as well as honors program and scholarship applications. We work with high school and transfer students so they can:
- Develop a realistic timeline for completing work & minimizing stress
- Brainstorm effective topics
- Identify specific, meaningful experiences while avoiding college essay clichés
- Organize ideas for the strongest structure
- Sharpen wording and grammar
- Edit with a critical eye
- Proofread final work before submission
Even the most diligent students tell us how much they value a bit of external structure and accountability. And even the strongest writers appreciate a fresh, objective perspective. In fact, regardless of their skill level, clients often find that the coaching they receive on their application essays also strengthens their other writing.
Although applying to college can be stressful, our goal is to make it an empowering experience as students gain self-awareness and find their narrative voice. It is thrilling for us to watch our clients grow through this process.
Transfer Students
Transfer application essays require an additional layer of depth and self-awareness. As current college students, transfer applicants are expected to reflect on their college experiences so far. Based on these experiences, they then need to make a case for their academic interests and the best environment in which to pursue them.
The University of California transfer application deadline is November 30. Other colleges’ transfer deadlines are typically in the late winter and early spring.
Aside from these differences in content and timeline, our process for working with transfer students is very similar to how we work with high school seniors.
High School Underclassmen
We also work with high school underclassmen who are applying to summer programs and/or looking to practice their narrative writing skills.
Graduate School and Fellowship/Scholarship Applicants
The graduate school personal statement synthesizes the different types of essays students write for their undergraduate applications. Graduate school essays should demonstrate a refined focus in one’s area of study. We help grad school candidates tap into the skills they honed in their undergraduate applications to reflect a more advanced level of engagement with their studies and the greater world.
Counselor Coaching
Tina also provides workshops and trainings as well as one-on-one customized coaching for counselors who want to improve their essay coaching skills. Just like she does with students, her colleague coaching is a combination of conversations and written notes. Counselor coaching could include:
- Discussing a specific prompt and how to help a student approach it.
- Talking through a student’s working draft and determining the most effective way to guide them to a stronger version.
- Strategizing productive time management — for students and their counselor.
- Determining roles, boundaries and how to keep everyone happy during the process.
- “Diagnosing” essays from previous seasons and discussing how certain challenges could have been addressed.
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