Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions quickly and easily.

• Why can't I just use AI to write my essay? It seems pretty smart.

  We get it. AI is tempting and will generate an essay in an instant. But that's not your voice and your story, which deserves to be told. Writing a strong personal statement takes time and, yes, it can feel like an emotional roller coaster. In the end, it's worth it though.

• When should I start writing my Common App personal statement?

  If you're in your junior year or earlier, start looking at Common App and select supplemental essay prompts for this year to get a sense of them. Start journaling and sketching out ideas. Maybe it's about volunteering at a basketball clinic for children or hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail. As long as it's about you, it's an important story. And together, we will tell your story in a compelling and engaging way.

• I'm way over 650 words. I don't know what to cut.

  Write your story and don't stress about the word count. We'll work together to refine your essay and tell a succinct and compelling story. After a few rounds of revisions (which can happen very quickly if necessary), we will get you to 650 words.

• My apps are due in a week and I'm way behind! Can you help, please?

  We get it. You planned ahead and, inevitably, life happens. Absolutely we can help. It will be an intense week and final push, but we will get it done together.

• How often would we meet?

  At a minimum, once per week when you're actively writing essays and usually more often. We want to build on momentum and quickly provide feedback on a draft.

• What's your approach?

  To develop a strong admission portfolio, we work with students to develop four pillars: academic rigor, extracurricular, community service, and global citizenship. For specific essays, we brainstorm first. And then we brainstorm some more. We help students tell (and eventually write) a compelling story and narrative.

• Do you work with international students? English is not my first language.

  Definitely! In fact, lots of the students we work with are international.