About Me

What Working With Me Looks Like

All my individual coaching is done one-on-one via Zoom and Google Docs, which allow students and me to collaborate in real time while also giving us space to independently reflect, edit, and refine between sessions.

Our work on the personal statement starts with topic discovery. I have students complete thoughtful brainstorming exercises that help them identify meaningful experiences, recognize patterns in their interests and values, and begin seeing connections they may not have noticed before. Then together, we dive deeper into the things that make them, them.

Every student's journey is unique. Many students leave our first session surprised by how much they actually have to say; other students might want multiple brainstorming sessions before they feel they can confidently select a topic. In both cases, this brainstorming helps students generate ideas for supplemental essays and other application writing, making the overall process feel more connected, cohesive, and manageable.

From there, we move into drafting and revision. I encourage messy, too-long drafts in the early versions, focusing on idea generation and quantity over quality. My feedback is direct but supportive. In between and during our meetings, I ask questions, highlight opportunities for deeper reflection, and help students strengthen structure and clarity. But one thing I won't do is rewrite a student's work in a voice that isn't their own. Students remain the authors of their essays and maintain creative control at every stage.

I encourage my students to complete their personal statement and Common App materials the summer after their junior year. An August finish helps students feel better prepared to complete any newly released supplemental essays and focus on senior year.

Throughout the process, I’m available to answer questions and provide guidance. Writing can feel vulnerable and stressful, especially when the stakes feel high. My role is to provide structure, strategy, and steady support so students can do their best thinking and writing.

A Writer's Eye. A Counselor's Perspective

The work I do combines my professional storytelling experience with my training in counseling psychology. That combination matters. Because great college essays aren't just about grammar or structure; they're also about building trusting relationships and helping students express ideas, experiences, and values in a way that feels clear, meaningful, and authentic.

Before becoming a college essay coach, I spent more than 20 years working as a professional writer, helping organizations and businesses tell their stories through websites, publications, blogs, and marketing communications. That experience taught me how to help people communicate complex ideas with authenticity, clarity, and purpose.

My graduate training in counseling psychology adds another layer to my coaching approach. I pay attention not only to what students are writing, but also to how they think about their experiences; how they may feel about sharing them; and how to help them move past comparison with other students, uncertainty, or hesitation. Being able to notice what lights a student up and where their passion lies helps us find the real story and not just the ones students think they should tell.

I also continue professional development by learning from other coaches and industry professionals, participating in workshops, working as part of the College Essay Guy team, and studying writing strategies from other writers and the broader college essay coaching community.

Who I Work Best With

I work best with students who are motivated to engage in the writing process and are willing to think carefully and partner collaboratively about their ideas.

Students don't need to arrive with a finished topic or even a clear starting point. Some students come in with many ideas; others feel completely stuck. Some know exactly where they're applying; others are still unsure of their potential major, much less their college list. All are normal starting places.

Experience has shown me that the students who tend to do especially well with my coaching approach are those who are open to exploration, willing to challenge topics they initially believed were the “right” ones, and comfortable collaborating as we refine their story together.

While I keep parents informed about progress, I work directly with students throughout the coaching process and let students decide when and if to share their writing with parents. I welcome parent questions and feedback; however, I find that the process is most successful when feedback comes through a focused, one-on-one collaboration rather than being filtered through multiple reviewers.

Results and Student Outcomes

My goal is to help students write essays that strengthen their applications by presenting thoughtful, authentic, and well-structured writing.

Past students have received acceptances from a range of strong colleges and universities, and these outcomes reflect students’ work, academic preparation, overall application strength, and individual schools' institutional priorities.

A few of the schools/programs where my students have been accepted include: Auburn, Baylor University, Boston College, Boston University, Caltech, Chapman University, Colorado School of Mines, Columbia, Florida State University, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Penn State, Pepperdine, Rutgers University, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M (College Station), Texas Tech, the University of Arkansas, the University of Florida, the University of Miami, the University of Michigan (including the Evans Scholarship), the University of South Carolina, the University of Tennessee, the University of Texas - Austin (including the Dedman Distinguished Scholar Program), the University of Virginia, Xavier, and Yale.

Local Expertise in Texas Applications and Writing Strategy

While I help students apply to a range of universities across the country, I bring specialized experience helping students navigate applications to highly selective Texas universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.

I'm a skilled resume writer, which is especially helpful for students working on “fit to major” narratives and activity summaries that require clarity, precision, and strategic presentation.

Since 2023, I've also worked with the Texas A&M Youth Adventure Program, leading workshops as part of their “Attending Texas A&M University” session and helping students understand how to prepare strong, thoughtful applications for A&M admissions.

In addition, local school districts trust me to deliver group workshops focused on brainstorming, essay development, and personal narrative writing. These group sessions help students learn how to approach college writing with confidence while developing ideas that can later be used across application materials.

My goal in both individual coaching and group instruction is to help students present their experiences, skills, and goals clearly and authentically while aligning their writing with the expectations of competitive college applications.

Getting Started

If you’re looking for thoughtful, structured, one-on-one guidance to help your student write a college essay that reflects their voice and ideas, I'd love to learn more.

The best way to begin is by completing my inquiry form and telling me a little about your student, their interests, and what you hope they’ll gain from the coaching process. After reviewing your submission, I’ll reach out to share my electronic brochure, through which you can schedule a conversation to see if coaching would be a good fit.

I look forward to connecting.