Hi there.

Although I have years of experience advising students on the entire college application process, I’ve chosen to specialize in essay consulting. Why? The truth is, it’s what I enjoy most. I want to spend my time doing what I love, and helping people express themselves thoughtfully through the written word is what I love.

Specifically, I love working with teenagers, who are full of insight, humor and intelligence. It is a privilege to help them articulate their thoughts and experiences into a cohesive, eloquent and ultimately excellent written piece that will make them stand out amongst their peers. I have always had great rapport with my teenage students, and the trust and confidence we build together help me to even more effectively guide them in their goals.

In today’s world of advanced technology, texting shorthand and short attention spans, I believe the written word is still beautiful and powerful. More importantly, specific to college applications, it’s important! Amidst all the impersonal scores and grades, the college essay is often the only opportunity applicants have to express themselves in their own voice and to share their unique story with the admissions officers. With most colleges and universities still being test-optional or test-blind, the personal essay can be the crucial deciding factor that gains you admission into your school of choice. 

A Note on Generative AI

I get asked about my thoughts on AI and how it’ll affect college admissions. I think the colleges themselves are currently trying to figure that out as AI is constantly, rapidly changing. The Common App clearly states that using generative AI to create substantive content for your essay is a form of fraud, but each college has its own guidelines and policies; some are ok with you using it for outlining, while others prohibit it completely and have you sign off verifying that you did not use it at all. 

Regardless, the truth is, admissions officers who’ve been doing their job for years can tell when an essay is written with the use of AI. It simply lacks the human touch and the authentic voice of a 17-year-old teen. It may sound extremely polished (um, robotic) but will lack the emotional depth, specific examples and lived experience of the student, all of which are what the schools want to see. In the end, counterproductively, it will not help your essay stand out, as it’ll sound prescribed and generic and boring.  

Yes, we have to be realists about the fact that AI isn’t going anywhere. Nor is it inherently bad if we learn how to use it as a tool and not as replacement for creative, original thought. But as Karen Richardson, Dean of Admission at Princeton, said, “Remember, [colleges are] trying to build a community of learners who will contribute to the academic and social fabric here, so we count on authenticity in the application.” How tragic would it be to get into college questionably and then struggle to do the (tons more) challenging thinking and writing that’ll be waiting there for you. Rather, hone those skills now.