"My son's honors' English teacher had incorporated the college application essay as an assignment, so he handed in his essay that he did with you. She had virtually no comments and told him it was well written! Thanks so much for coaching him!"
-- a Reading, Mass. mom

As college application deadlines loom, parents and students admit that the essay is the number one task students dread, avoid, or wait to tackle last minute. Yet it is a vital tool for providing depth to your application. The essay introduces the person behind the grades, scores, and extracurricular activities. And it sometimes makes the difference between an acceptance or rejection from your desired college.

I am a freelance writer for The Boston Globe and a published author of personal essays, articles, and stories. I hold a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from Boston University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Magazine Journalism from Syracuse University’s SI School of Communications.

I help guide students toward passionate essays that reflect their personalities and unique qualities. While the essay alone cannot help a student get into college, my students have been quite pleased with their acceptances.

This is how I work with a student:

• If you already have drafted an essay, I will review it and work with you on edits--or suggest a different topic if recommended.
• If you have no idea what to write your essay on, do not worry! We will discuss ideas and work together on a first draft.

Hours:  Flexible daytime/after school, evening and weekend hours. Online services available, too. See link for details.

Location:  We will meet at my office (The Place for Words & Workshops, 200 The Great Road, Suite 254A, Bedford, MA 01730) or your home--whatever is most comfortable for you. Or we can meet at Starbucks in Bedford and walk to my office from there. Online services are available, too!

Fee:  Rate based on an hourly fee of $80/hr through September 30. October through March the rate shifts to $95/hr. (Economic hardship discounts available.)

Additional Information: I also work with students with learning disabilities, using a unique process that makes writing the essay much easier for them.

References: BEDFORD: Annie Leslie, University of New England freshman; Jamie Reynolds, UNH sophomore; Jessica Reynolds, UMass senior; Mel Serotkin, American University sophomore; Kevin Johnson, Quinnipiac sophomore; Nicolle Hickox, Seton Hall University sophomore; Kristina Piccirillo, Middlesex Community College sophomore. BURLINGTON: Mike Vardaro, Worcester Polytechnic Institute freshman. NEWTON: Parv Mital, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign freshman. CONCORD: Tim Morse, Wentworth University freshman.

Click to read sample essays:
Sample Essay #1
Sample Essay #2
Sample Essay #3