Q. What makes you different from other college-essay counselors?
A. My deep professional experience as a multimedia storyteller (filmmaker, cartoonist, musician, journalist, marketer) gives me an intuition for details and moments in an essay that readers will remember. I empower students to notice these moments in their lives that reflect their unique character, and to capture that in writing. In addition, my decades of experience as a professional editor mean that I can spot writing errors and ambiguities that many others—even strong writers—may be unable to see or resolve. Such errors can diminish the student in admissions officers' eyes, while error-free writing keeps the focus on the student's story, accomplishments, and voice. In short, I have a firm command of the whole writing arc, from strong vision to flawless mechanics. I use this comprehensive skill set to help students at each stage, whether they are generating ideas or cutting for word count.
Q. Can't I just use ChatGPT to write my essay?
A. You could, but you probably shouldn't. Here are a few reasons why:
As a representation of your unique mind and path, a ChatGPT essay is at best misleading. Your college essays should reflect who you are, how you think, and how you write. ChatGPT compiles countless other writers' material (often without their permission or compensation).
A ChatGPT essay is unlikely to give you a competitive edge. Would you want to read hundreds of essays "written" by ChatGPT? If your answer is no, you probably don't want to write your essay with ChatGPT. It is certainly not the way to stand out in a college admissions process that seems to get more competitive each year.
Poet and creative-writing teacher Meghan O'Rourke writes: "I’ve spent decades writing and editing; I know the feeling—of reward and hard-won clarity—that writing produces for me. But if you never build those muscles, will you grasp what’s missing when an L.L.M. delivers a chirpy but shallow reply?"
I encourage students to develop those muscles. Writing is not just a means to an end (a good grade, a college admission), though it can unlock things like that. It's a strength that empowers you to think clearly and, ultimately, discover who you are and can become.
Q. Can you help me/my child get into [XYZ University]?
A. I work to help students brainstorm, revise, and finalize their best work, so they can claim as much ownership as possible in a process that may otherwise feel capricious. I have helped hundreds of students gain admission to top US colleges and universities, and I will work with you/your child to pursue their goals to the best of their ability. See Results and Testimonials.
I do not advise on which schools are appropriate for your child to apply to; for that guidance, please consult your child's school college counselor, or ask me for a referral to a professional who specializes in this area.
Q. Do you guarantee college admission, or admission to particular schools?
A. No. College admissions depend on many factors. Admissions decisions are beyond the control of anyone except the school committees themselves.
Q. There is a college counselor at my/my child's school. Why should I/we work with a professional essay mentor?
A. Most school counselors are experienced, caring, and skilled professionals who will play a vital role in students' college application journeys, especially in helping select schools that best reflect individual qualifications, goals, and personal preferences. I do not provide professional advice on selecting schools, and I encourage students and families to work with their school counselor and other trusted advisors for this.
But the fact is that most school counselors have too many students in their care to work rigorously with each applicant on the multiple essays that most applications require: 1:1 brainstorming, organizing, and revising, line by line, over several drafts. I complement the school counselor's work, providing this time-intensive, personal, and vital service, helping each student make their application essays the very best they can be.
Q. I'm a parent who applied to college successfully myself. Why should I consider hiring someone else to help my child?
A. Parents may not realize how the college-application process has changed since the time when they applied. I can help families understand the role that essays play in today's applications and how to approach them to maximize the chances of success.
College applications can be stressful for families. Many students find it helpful to brainstorm ideas and work on drafts for their essays with someone who is not their parent. For parents, too, it's often a relief to hand off this task to a professional. I care about each student I work with and help them to do their best work.
Q. Can you help me/my child select colleges to apply to?
A. I do not provide this service professionally. If you would like additional support with the college-application process, beyond the help I provide in creating strong essays, please contact me for a referral.
Q. Do you provide services for a package fee, or do you charge by the hour?
A. I charge by the hour, which allows for the fact that different students bring different skill sets and therefore require different levels of support to complete their essays. I do not charge a package fee for each school because schools vary widely in the supporting essays they require. Therefore, the time commitment varies depending on a student's list. Hourly pricing also encourages students to use their session(s) with me efficiently, doing as much preparation on their own time as possible. I offer discounted rates during the off season (February 1 through June 30). For current pricing, please contact me.
Q. Do you meet in person with students or online?
A. I typically meet with students via Zoom. If a student/family prefers in-person meeting(s), we can discuss that. I am located in the San Francisco Bay Area, near Berkeley.