Writing your college essay can be overwhelming…
What if, instead, the experience felt rewarding?
I earned my BA with honors from Harvard University and taught first-year writing at both Wellesley College and Harvard, where I received Harvard’s Certificate of Distinction in Undergraduate Teaching. Now I bring that same dedication to my one-on-one coaching.
“My daughter had a wonderful session with Eileen. They worked very well together and I am very optimistic that Eileen will be invaluable to her college entrance process.”
– Christine
With me as your writing coach, you will:
Find your story through conversation, brainstorming, and quick freewriting exercises.
Make a plan that fits your writing style, with doable steps and deadlines to keep you on track.
Refine your drafts so your authentic voice shines through.
You’ll finish with an essay you can feel proud of—one that captures your values, quirks, challenges, and dreams.
No “big” story required. The admissions committee wants to know you—and you have a story worth telling.
How Essay
Coaching Works
1. Conversation & Brainstorming
In our first session, we’ll start with a conversation so I can get to know you. To access up our ideas and spark creativity, we’ll do a few quick five-minute free-writing exercises. From there, we’ll brainstorm together to discover the story you want to tell in your essay.
2. Planning Your Essay
Every student writes differently. Some prefer a structured outline, while others think best with a visual roadmap. Together, we’ll create a writing plan that works for you. We’ll break the process into manageable steps and set realistic goals, so you can stay on track—without procrastination or last-minute stress.
3. Drafting & Feedback
I’ll give feedback on multiple drafts, helping you refine your essay until your authentic voice shines through. My goal is to ensure that your story comes across clearly, without distractions from grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, or tangential details.
4. The Result
You’ll finish with an essay you can feel proud of—one that truly represents who you are. Along the way, you might even discover new things about yourself: your values, your goals, your humor, your quirks, your frustrations, and your dreams.
And, our work together doesn’t have to end with your personal essay. I can also help you craft your writing for the supplemental questions and other essays you will find on many college applications.
Students I’ve worked with have attended such schools as Babson College, Harvard University, NYU, Northeastern, the University of Chicago, University of Richmond, University of Rhode Island, Wake Forest, and Wellesley College.
Read testimonials from students and parents.
My Promise—You Already Have a Great Story
You don’t need a “big” story to write a great essay. What matters most is not what happens to you, but what you make happen in the world. Often, the magic lies in the way you live your everyday life. That’s what admissions committees wants to know, and what I am here to help you figure out.
A Note on Ethics: I will never write your essay for you. Your words will always be 100% your own. My role is to help you access your ideas, shape your story, and polish your prose so that your essay fully captures who you are.
