College Essay Coaching
When Should I Reach Out?
If you are not already working with me on college counseling, you can contact me at any point to discuss. If I work with someone from the beginning, we start with a character trait inventory, which helps guide the process and ensures that the applicant’s strongest and best attributes come through the essays.
For personal statements, the topics typically center around an event or series of events that connect through a theme. The essay format can take many shapes: from traditional narration to an original song lyric, or a screenplay. No matter the topic or the shape the essay takes, both must be authentic to who the applicant is.
First Session
By the end of the first session, students typically have selected a topic to address in their essay, along with a rough outline so that they can begin writing before the sessions continue.
Second Session
In the second session, we explore the topic more deeply, working toward an editable first draft. Once the first draft is completed, I recommend the student share the essay with two people to get outside feedback - generally a parent and someone from school, often a teacher or a guidance counselor.
Subsequent Sessions
Once the personal statement is well underway, we begin to organize and compose required supplemental essays. These vary quite a bit, but often applicants are asked to talk about the school and its programs. The devil is in the details here, so make sure that if the student has visited the school, you have notes. If a visit is not possible, researching the school’s website is crucial.