Find your story.

The biggest obstacle student writers have is figuring out what to write about. Writing a great essay means that you first need to understand the process of writing a personal essay and the basics of how to write. Writing is a creative act. To do it well, you need to draw on three personal attributes that rarely come up in the essay guides: attitude, feelings and imagination. We excavate your history to find a story that best illustrates your identity. You write a very rough first draft. We help shape that draft into a story with structure. We work on your beginning and ending. We work on your style. We work on revising your story until it is perfect.

I am a coach like no other.

Great stories emerge from great conversation and connection. I work with you to understand your identity and the stories that best express who you are. I not only teach writing, but build confidence and self-expression at this pivotal moment in your life.

I was a prize-winning writer at the Stanford writing program. (BA, class of 1979). My work as a start-up CEO made me understand how to tell a story that had investors, customers, and employees follow me on faith. I am an expert in strategy, branding and positioning. I use these skills in helping match students with schools and then align the essay and supplementals to support this strategy.

I have spent over 10 years coaching students all over the world. I worked extensively with students in China who won prizes in the New York Times Teen Writing Contest. My students in London, Sydney, Moscow and the US were admitted to top 20 schools like Stanford, University of Chicago, NYU, Northeastern and USC.

I am affordable.

I work on a sliding scale based on your location, scholarship needs and other factors. My top rate is $150 an hour. My bottom rate is $25 an hour. I take on a couple of pro bono students each year.