Case studies

The support you seek for your student and associated costs will reflect your student's unique goals, college list, and abilities, as well as many other factors. The following case studies from past years illustrate how particular clients have used my services. Names have been changed.

I provide this information in an effort to help families decide how they wish to use my services. It is not intended to provide an estimate for any particular situation. To discuss your situation, please contact me.

If you would like more information about what tasks went into these hourly totals, I can provide greater detail.

Zoe
Moderately selective to highly selective application profile, 11 schools (UC counts as 1)

44 hours, including:

Activity list (read only, no edits): 0.5 hours

Common App personal statement, several drafts (includes freewriting/brainstorming): 14.25 hours

4 UCs essays: 6.5 hours

8 supplemental essays at ~3 hours’ support each: 23.25 hours
Time/project management: included above

Bridgit
Low to highly selective application profile, UCs, with most schools in the moderately selective zone

21 hours, including:

Activity lists: 3 hours

Common App personal statement, several drafts (includes freewriting/brainstorming): 4.5 hours

4 UC essays: 8.5 hours

1–2 supplemental essays: 3 hours
Time/project management: 2 hours

Mark
Highly selective application profile, 2 schools (UC plus Stanford; he used the materials I helped him develop to apply to 10–12 Ivy and Ivy-plus schools)

38.5 hours, including:

UC activity list ONLY (no Common App list): 2 hours

Common App personal statement, several drafts (includes freewriting/brainstorming): 8–10 hours

4 UC essays: 7–8 hours

8 supplemental Stanford essays: 18.25 hours
Guidance on approaching 4 other Ivy League schools' supplemental essays (no edits): 2.25 hours

Anand

Highly selective application profile, 9 schools (including 2 Ivies; UC counts as 1 school)

80 hours, including:

Activity lists: 6 hours

Common App personal statement, several drafts (includes freewriting/brainstorming): 20 hours

4 UC essays: 16 hours

20 supplemental essays: 20–25 hours

Additional application materials (summer program, supplemental letter): 13 hours

Zack
Low to moderately selective application profile, 10–12 schools (no UC)

29.5 hours, including:
Activity list (read only, no edits): 0.5 hours

Common App personal statement, several drafts (includes freewriting/brainstorming): 14 hours

UC initial drafts (decided not to apply): 2 hours

5 substantial supplemental essays: 12.5 hours

Project management: 2 hours

Chris
Moderately selective application profile, no UC

8.75 hours, including: 

Common App activity list: 1.5 hours

Common App personal statement (he supplied a full draft that was already a good topic for his application profile, so further brainstorming was not needed): 2 hours

One 500-word supplemental essay (historical research needed): 4 hours
General application counseling: 1.25 hours