As college application season approaches, many parents ask me: Is online college essay coaching as effective as meeting in person? With increasingly competitive admissions and students facing their fair share of Zoom burnout, it's a legitimate question!
Having coached hundreds of students both virtually and in person, I can tell you there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer — but there are some important factors to consider when interviewing essay coaches and deciding which approach will help your student craft their strongest application.
My coaching happens almost exclusively virtually these days, even with students in my own town. Here's why remote essay coaching has become the preferred method for so many families:
From my coaching desk: Some of my most successful students — those accepted to Columbia, Yale, the University of Miami, UT-Austin, and other top schools — worked with me entirely online, often from states away. Geographic distance has zero correlation with coaching effectiveness!
Despite the convenience of virtual coaching, there are legitimate reasons some families prefer face-to-face sessions:
Reality check: While these benefits are valid, they rarely outweigh the practical advantages of virtual coaching for most families. The quality of the coach and their approach matter far more than whether they're in the same room.
Rather than assuming one format is inherently better, consider these questions:
Some of my students benefit from a mixed approach:
This combination provides personal connection while maximizing the convenience of virtual coaching.
After years of coaching students through both methods, I've found these factors matter far more than whether we're meeting virtually or in person:
My results speak volumes: I’ve worked with students around the world who have been admitted to a range of competitive universities. The mode of coaching has never limited their success — in fact, the flexibility of virtual coaching often enhances it by allowing for more frequent, timely feedback.
Will my student get enough attention in virtual sessions? Absolutely! In fact, many students report feeling more focused during virtual sessions without the distractions of a new environment.
How do you build rapport without meeting in person? Great question! I use ice-breakers, casual conversation, detailed brainstorming, and focused listening to connect with students virtually. Many report feeling comfortable sharing their stories after just one session.
What if technology fails during an important session? I had Zoom fail on me just yesterday. Instead of panicking, we quickly switched to Google Meet, and the session moved forward. I always have backups ready — we can switch to phone calls/Facetime or reschedule if needed, ensuring no momentum is lost.
College admission essay coaching is ultimately about your student finding their voice and telling their unique story. Whether that happens across a physical table or a virtual one matters far less than you might think.
Instead, what truly matters is that they have a guide who can help them reflect deeply, write authentically, and present their best self to colleges — a process that can work beautifully in both virtual and physical spaces.
So before assuming in-person is automatically better, consider what will truly serve your student best during this busy season. The right coaching relationship can make all the difference, regardless of the medium.
My approach: While I'm happy to meet students in person when it makes sense, I've found that my virtual coaching practice allows me to provide more responsive, frequent, and adaptable support throughout the entire essay process. That's why even local students often choose to work with me online — the results speak for themselves!
Ready to explore whether virtual or in-person coaching would better serve your student? Let's chat! Complete my inquiry form, and I’ll reach out to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. In it, we’ll discuss your student's needs and how my coaching approach might help them shine in their college applications.