The entire process is online for convenience. Your child uploads their draft to Google Docs, where I provide detailed comments and markups. After each round of feedback, they’ll revise and resubmit. Typically, two rounds of edits are enough, though I may suggest additional rounds if beneficial.

Choosing the right topic is critical. I work with your child to brainstorm multiple ideas per prompt and select the one with the most potential. This can be done via email, Google Docs, or Zoom. Students often make the mistake of choosing a cliché topic, like “winning the big game” or “why this teacher is my mentor.” Originality is key for standing out in a sea of essays, and while Common App prompts are provided, students can write about whatever matters most to them.

My focus is on helping students express their authentic thoughts, feelings, and voice without concern for initial perfection. Rather than working with pre-drafted outlines, I encourage them to get their ideas down, then we’ll refine and organize. I provide guidance but won’t directly edit or rewrite their work; this ensures the essay maintains their own voice, which admissions officers expect and aligns with ethical standards.

I also offer examples to illustrate concepts (see a sample first-paragraph document here). However, I won’t consider the essay finished until it’s completely free of typos and grammar mistakes. You can view an example of an edited essay here.