For years, friends asked me if I’d critique their kids’ college admissions essays, I and always declined. This wasn’t because I didn’t want to help. As a college writing instructor of many years, I knew that the college admissions essay was a completely different animal than a normal composition. It’s as much about topic choice and originality as it is about technical execution.
Finally, I decided to get the training I needed in order to feel I could really give good advice in that area. In the summer of 2024, I completed four weeks of training with the UCLA Extension School that was focused JUST on the college admissions essay.
Wow, did I learn a lot. Folks, the essay is probably not what you think it is. It’s certainly not what I thought it was. I now have a much better understanding of what a student’s priorities and process should be when taking on this (let’s face it) dreaded task. And I also know how to make it a lot less dreadful.
I also know that consultants can be really expensive and often inflexible in their requirements for clients. While it’s ideal to work with a person like me from the very beginning of the process, I’m also available to step in and give you the amount of feedback you’re prepared to accept, no matter your stage in the process.
If you’d like help from beginning to end, here is how a standard process might work:
Brainstorming and Topic Consultation (1 hr Face-to-Face online)
Two Content-Focused Drafts (20 min of inline edits and 40 min Face-to-Face online each time)
One Round of Offline Polishing Edits (half hour)
Final Offline Proofing (half hour)
Total Fee: $400
Additional sessions as-needed at $120 per hour
To discuss working with me virtually in any capacity on your upcoming college essay, get in touch and we can talk specifics. No commitment is required – we’ll just chat.
