I’ll help you write unforgettable college essays that matter
***No longer accepting students for the c/o 2025***
I am a seasoned writing coach and college admissions essay specialist with a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA from UC Irvine. With over eight years of dedicated experience and thousands of hours spent coaching students through the intricacies of admissions essay writing, I have helped hundreds of students craft compelling narratives that have secured admissions to top-tier universities, including Stanford, Duke, Dartmouth, Cornell, The UCs, and many more.
My passion lies in empowering students to develop confidence in their writing abilities and become strong self-advocates for their unique learning journeys. I take particular pride in mentoring bright, ambitious students with learning differences, guiding them to unlock their full potential and tell their stories authentically. My approach integrates personalized coaching and a deep understanding of the college admissions landscape to help students stand out and thrive in their applications and beyond.
College Essay Coaching
Personal Statement Coaching
Partner with me in personalized, weekly one-on-one Zoom sessions (90 minutes each) designed to help your student uncover their unique skills, qualities, talents, and interests, transforming them into compelling essays and standout college applications. My comprehensive services include:
Dedicated Weekly Sessions: Engaging, structured one-on-one meetings focused on brainstorming, writing, and refining essays while shaping a cohesive and authentic applicant narrative.
Expert Strategy Development: Thoughtful guidance on essay topics and overall applicant profile to ensure alignment with the student’s strengths, goals, and the expectations of target schools.
In-Depth Essay Feedback: Detailed, asynchronous commentary and edits between sessions to refine content, structure, and style, ensuring essays are polished and impactful.
Actionable Weekly Goals: Clear, actionable next steps after each session to maintain momentum and stay on track throughout the application process.
Comprehensive Communication: Regular updates and collaboration with both the student and parents, ensuring transparency and alignment at every stage.
The time required to complete the personal statement and supplemental essays for 3+ schools varies depending on the student’s writing experience, typically ranging from 15–20 sessions. My goal is to make the college application process both effective and empowering, giving your student the tools and confidence they need to present their best self to admissions committees.
Application Review—$400
Receive a comprehensive, asynchronous review of your entire application for one school, ensuring every component is polished and aligned with your unique narrative. This review includes:
Personal Statement: A detailed evaluation of your main essay for authenticity, vulnerability, values, and insights, along with actionable feedback to enhance its impact.
Supplemental Essays: In-depth analysis of each supplemental response, focusing on how effectively it reflects your voice, aligns with the school’s expectations, and complements your overall application.
Activities List: Strategic advice to maximize the presentation of your achievements and extracurriculars, ensuring clarity, relevance, and depth in showcasing your impact and leadership.
Additional Information Section: Guidance on how to effectively use this optional section to address gaps, special circumstances, or unique aspects of your candidacy.
I will provide detailed, actionable comments, in-line edits, and strategic insights on topic selection, organization, and flow. My goal is to help you refine your application into a cohesive and compelling presentation of your strengths, values, and aspirations, ensuring you stand out to admissions committees.
Student Acceptances
My students have been accepted to:
Stanford, Duke, Dartmouth, Cornell, USC, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, Boston University, UCLA, UC Berkley, UC Irvine, UCSD, UCSB, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Northeastern, Williams and many other great institutions not listed here with full and partial merit scholarships.
My Process
Getting Started: Organization
Together, we’ll organize all essay prompts and deadlines into a clear, actionable plan. By getting a head start, we’ll stay ahead of the curve, giving you the time and space to craft thoughtful, high-quality essays that truly stand out. Let’s set the foundation for a smooth and strategic application journey.
Brainstorming Essay Topics
It’s time to dive into what makes you truly unique. Through engaging conversations and brainstorming exercises, we’ll identify the topics that not only excite you but also reveal your authentic self to admissions committees. This is your opportunity to tell a story that’s unmistakably yours—a story that leaves a lasting impression and sets you apart. We’ll dig deep and bring your voice to life.
Structuring the Essay
By analyzing examples of successful personal statements, you’ll gain valuable insights into different storytelling techniques and strategies that resonate with admissions committees. Together, we’ll apply these lessons to outline your story in a way that highlights your strengths, values, and unique perspective. With a strong structure as our foundation, your essay will captivate readers and leave them wanting to know more about the amazing individual behind the application.
First Draft
Writing a strong first draft is about getting your ideas on paper—it doesn’t have to be perfect. I’ll guide you through the process, helping you brainstorm, refine your ideas, and craft an engaging introduction that sets the tone for your essay. When you hit roadblocks, I’ll be there with thoughtful questions and feedback to keep you moving forward. Together, we’ll build a solid foundation that you can revise and polish into a standout essay.
Editing
Refinement is key and I specialize in editing . Through a detailed editing process, I’ll help you sharpen the organization, focus, clarity, and style of your writing. We’ll ensure your themes and message are not only clear but also leave a lasting impression on the reader. Every word will serve a purpose, and every idea will contribute to telling your story in the most compelling way possible.
Finalizing Your Draft
This is where your essay reaches its polished, final form. Together, we’ll meticulously proofread your work multiple times to catch even the smallest errors and ensure every detail is flawless. From grammar and punctuation to tone and flow, we’ll leave no stone unturned.
Parent of Student accepted to Stanford University
“Ali has a unique ability to bring out the very best in every student with grace. She is hardworking, reliable, talented, organized, caring, and an extraordinary listener. I highly recommend her as a tutor and college essay consultant!”
Student accepted to Georgia Tech