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Many US-based colleges and universities use the Common App, which requires a personal statement of 650 words (or fewer) to introduce yourself to college-application reviewers. The good news is that this same essay can be used to apply to any school that accepts the Common App. So, if you work hard on that personal statement, you can trust it to work hard for you at a wide range of schools.

I help students identify the experiences that are most meaningful to them for their personal statement. Through rigorous revision, we work together to refine their ideas and initial drafts into a thoughtful, compelling, well-written, memorable, and true personal story that will help them stand out in competitive admissions processes. Setting high standards, with deep respect and encouragement for each student's process and progress, I help mentees develop essays they can proudly stand behind. 

In today's college admissions, the only ingredients that applicants have 100% control over are their own effort and their mindset. I help students channel these in their writing, putting their best foot forward and gaining skills that will serve them in everything they do. 

When students apply using the Common App, they often must write supplementary short essays, in addition to their 650-word personal statement. These supplementary essays, which are specific to each school, are designed to address why the student wants to attend that particular school and how they seek to contribute to that specific school's community. (Common supplementary essay topics: Why do you want to attend XYZ University? How has your unique background prepared you to contribute to XYZ University's campus community?)

Writing these supplementary essays requires researching schools, beyond a cursory glance at their websites. Supporting students as they pursue this investigation, I help them identify the unique aspects of particular schools that appeal to them and support their goals. 

Supplementary essays should present strengths that complement the student's personal statement. They should persuade the application reader that the student has a genuine, credible rationale for applying to that particular school, and that the student will make a unique contribution to that campus community. 

The University of California does not use the Common App and does not have a 650-word personal statement. Neither does it have supplementary questions specific to any particular UC campus. Students use one application to apply to as many UC campuses as they choose. That application presents 7 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), from which applicants must choose 4 to answer in a maximum of 350 words per question.

I help students identify which 4 PIQs they will answer. Reviewing their high school activities and interests (which I recommend students begin compiling as early as possible), I help them brainstorm, revise, and polish their PIQs. 

Visit Results to see a list of UCs where my students have gained admission. 

I have helped students prepare their essays for successful applications to medical and business schools, advanced learning institutes, and master's and Ph.D. programs. Visit Results to see some of the graduate schools where my mentees have gained admission.