Working Together

A thoughtful, structured partner in a stressful process

When I work with a new student, we start with a real conversation so I can get to know them. For me, that’s one of the most important steps. I’m approachable and curious, so that the student feels comfortable talking about what matters to them: their interests, goals, and worries about the process.

My role is to bring structure, perspective, and a clear plan to something that can otherwise feel chaotic. I break the work into clear steps so they always know what comes next.

Supportive, honest, and with high expectations

Students who work with me feel heard, supported, and challenged.I ask questions that push them to be more specific and to think more deeply about their ideas. My aim is that they leave each session feeling more capable and hopeful, with concrete actions to take, whether we are mapping a multi‑year plan, shaping a college list, or revising an essay.

Essays that sound like them and show who they are

Strong college essays are concrete and deeply personal. They use telling details that let a reader see the student in a moment, instead of just listing traits. They sound like a real student with enthusiasm, interests, and a point of view, not a brochure or a second activity list.

Colleges use the essay to get beyond the stats and to see what a student is genuinely curious about, how they approach hard things, and what kind of student and community member they are likely to be. The best essays do not try to cover everything; they focus on a few well‑chosen moments that show what a student cares about, how they think, and who they are.

Drawing on years of one‑on‑one work with student writers and my own background as a writer, I help them find their stories, shape the overall arc, and revise at the line level so the essay is polished and accomplished while still sounding like them.

Clear structure and real boundaries

I provide timelines, deadlines, and detailed feedback, and I expect students to engage with the work. That structure—kind but firm—is part of how students grow, not just as applicants but as writers and young adults. It is the same whether we are working together for several years or for a single application season.

Calm support for parents

I work in partnership with parents as well as students.I keep families informed, help take some of the day‑to‑day pressure off, and offer clear guidance, while expecting parents to hold basic boundaries and deadlines at home.

A deliberately small caseload

I work with a small number of students each season so I can give close attention to their writing and applications.That lets me track details, think carefully about the overall narrative, and show up consistently as an adult who both cares about them and tells them the truth.

When this is a good fit

I typically work with students who are curious, enthusiastic, serious about their work, and aiming at highly selective colleges, whether or not they ultimately apply to the Ivy League.

Some families begin early so we can build a clear plan over time; others come to me later in the process when they have a college list and need focused support on essays and applications.

The fit is best when a student is willing to think hard, revise, and take kind and honest feedback, and when parents are looking for steady guidance and structure.

Ready to get started?