- Initial call or meeting with student and parents. During this free consultation, we’ll discuss expectations (what you can expect from me and what I expect of the student and parents); timeline; and goals.
- Brainstorming. After the student has completed a series of brainstorming exercises, we’ll work together to uncover themes and patterns that will lead to a topic and outline for the personal statement essay. This typically takes 1-2 sessions.
- Drafting. We’ll talk through an outline and the student will begin producing drafts and we’ll get together to talk through what’s working and what’s not. The number of sessions and drafts is uniquely dependent on the student (not, their writing ability per se but, rather, how much time and thought they put into the effort).
- Refining. Once the student is confident in the story they’re telling, we typically move to working online, sending drafts back and forth via Google docs. This tends to be a faster process than drafting, but, again, the amount of time will vary based on the student’s attention to the work.
IDEAL TIMELINE FOR WORKING WITH ME:
WINTER – SPRING JUNIOR YEAR
-Inquire about services
-Zoom for more information
-Reserve a spot
SUMMER BETWEEN JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR
-Brainstorming
-Choose several potential topics
-Outline to determine topic and approach for personal statement
-Multiple drafts
-Develop activities list
-Develop balanced college list
FALL OF SENIOR YEAR – SEPTEMBER
-If not already complete, finalize personal statement
-If not already complete, finalize activities list
-Finalize balanced college list
-Meet to strategize supplemental essay topics
FALL OF SENIOR YEAR – OCTOBER
-Hit mid-October deadlines (see college list)
-Work on early November deadlines
FALL OF SENIOR YEAR – NOVEMBER
-Hit early and mid-November deadlines (see college list)
-Work on early December and January deadlines
FALL OF SENIOR YEAR – DECEMBER
-Some college decisions come out, readjust college list if necessary
-Work on any remaining regular decision deadlines
SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR
-As decisions and financial aid packages roll out, I’m available to strategize on next steps
I typically begin working with students in the summer before their senior year. Many families choose to reserve a spot in the spring of junior year.
I’m happy to take on students throughout the summer until I have reached my capacity.
Increasingly, families have been inquiring about support in September and October of senior year. Each request will be handled individually and will depend on: my capacity; scope of work already done by student; scope of work still to be completed; and college list deadlines. Late fees will apply. Please inquire for more information.
“Lisa provided essay coaching to both of our children through their undergraduate college applications and they were both accepted by their top choices. I really appreciated Lisa’s way of helping them structure the approach to the essays, which helped streamline the process and increased their confidence. I highly recommend Lisa’s services.”
—Ellen