Testimonials - Elizabeth England Elizabeth England

Many Thanks to The Wonderful Families Who Have Entrusted Me With Their Students For The College Counseling & Application Essay Journey

Elizabeth’s students have gone on to attend top schools around the U.S. and internationally, including:

Amherst College
Bard College
Barnard College
Belmont University
Binghamton University
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brandeis University
Brooklyn College Coordinated BA-MD Program/Macaulay Honors College
Brown University
Carleton College
Chapman University
Colgate University
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Connecticut College
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Drexel University
Duquesne University

Emory University
FIT: Fashion Institute of Technology
Georgetown University
Ithaca College
Johns Hopkins University
Loyola Marymount UniversityManhattan School of Music
McGill University (Canada)
New York University
The New School
NYU Clive Davis School of Recorded Music
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Northeastern University
Oberlin College
Penn State University
Pomona College
Pratt Institute
Princeton University
Reed College
Rutgers – New Brunswick
Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts – BFA Filmmaking

Santa Clara University
SCAD: Savannah College of Art and Design
Stanford University
Smith College
Syracuse University
Trinity College
Trinity College Dublin (Ireland)
Tufts University
Tulane University
Union College
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Edinburgh (UK)
University of Maryland
University of Miami
University of Michigan

University of North Carolina Asheville
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of Southern California
University of Texas
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
University of Washington Foster School of Business
University of Wisconsin
Vassar College
Wake Forest University
Washington University
Wesleyan University
Yale University

A parent of a student from The John Cooper School, The Woodlands, TX who matriculated to Rice University:

Thank you for your support and coaching of our son. We are super excited that he was accepted into Rice. It’s a great school and he’s only 1:15 hours away from home.

Parents of students from Rhinebeck High School who matriculated to Colgate University and Wesleyan University:

In August of 2023, we hired Elizabeth to guide our twin daughters through the undergraduate admissions process. My experience of her work with our family was really impressive. She’s organized, consistent, in touch, and reliable. It is notable that while both of my daughters are excellent students, they are very different in terms of interests and personality. Elizabeth immediately recognized this, not knowing them well beforehand, and handled each with incredible sensitivity to their particular character.

My daughters learned as much about themselves in the process of working with Elizabeth, in terms of personal growth, self-reflection, and rigorous writing and re-writing, as they have in any educational experience. She held them accountable to deadlines while jostling them with humor and friendly banter. My wife and I were cc’d on all their interactions, mainly texts, and we often found ourselves laughing at their back and forth where she was at once warm and friendly but was also cracking the whip! She clearly wanted the best for them, and gently yet firmly pushed them to strive for their dreams while keeping the facts and data in mind for reality check. We learned much from Elizabeth about dealing with teens in general and what motivates them. (Incidentally, they both were accepted at excellent colleges.)

A parent of a student from Asheville High School who matriculated to Davidson College:

Thank you, Elizabeth, for your wonderful work with Maddie. You really “got” her and helped her write a wonderful essay. We are lucky we found you!

A parent of a student from Ithaca High School who matriculated to the The New School’s Lang/Parsons Dual Degree Pathway Program (“BAFA” program):

Kim and I both want to thank you for your stalwart support and expertise in the application process. We couldn’t have done it without you. I’m afraid Dove didn’t take every advantage of your help, but they don’t take advantage of ours either. Dove is ambitious and very independent which will serve well in the future. Eventually I hope they learn to accept good advice. I’ve never known them to be as excited about anything as they are about going off to NYC and Parsons! This will be fulfilling and challenging and a great launching pad!

A parent of a student from Grosse Point South High School who matriculated to Drexel University::

We never would have had Drexel on our radar if it hadn’t been for you. We are so excited for him. He spent a few days in Philly for a soccer event right near Drexel campus and loved it (again). It’s a great sign!

A parent of a student from Ethical Culture Fieldston School who matriculated to Brown University:

What can I say — two very happy kids and they’ve both been guided by you and learned a ton from you. College apps are a painful process, but the kids learn a lot about themselves doing it and definitely improved their writing. Seth’s writing between the beginning of the summer and when he heard from Brown has been night and day — and that’s your skill and influence, my dear.

A parent of a student from Brooklyn Latin School who matriculated to Middlebury College:

Hi Elizabeth – The essay must have been something because at the info session Ross asked about the film studies program and the admissions director brought someone from admissions to talk to him. She had been a film major at Middlebury. She asked what school he attended and when he said Latin she said “Ross, I was one of those who read your application. I remember your essay on DnD.” That pretty much did it for him, considering they had read over 1300 applications.

A parent of a student from Professional Performing Arts School who matriculated Belmont University:

Thank you so much Elizabeth! You were such a huge help!! If any mom wants to call me for a testimonial, please let me know.

A parent of a student from High School of Art & Design who matriculated to Mason Gross Rutgers BFA Filmmaking:

Thank you a million times over for all your help getting Jack through the college application process. Our situation worried me: Jack’s challenges with getting things done, my exhausting work on location, Jerome flying solo at home. Knowing you were there, helping us all through that big process, was a life saver. We’re very proud of Jack that he made the 8% AR cut at Rutgers Filmmaking.

A parent of a student from Stuyvesant High School who matriculated to Brandeis University:

Thank you so much for your support of Noah throughout and especially for helping navigate this weekend’s decision-making! He’s a happy person.

A parent of a student from Fiorella H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts who matriculated to University of Vermont:

I would like to thank you for helping us all through this intense College application process. We all learned so much from this! Aubrey became more and more independent and confident while writing all the essays with your guidance. And felt that your input was super helpful, keeping the essence of her essays in tact. The parents learned very quickly that Aubrey could handle this on her own. And more so, felt very comfortable with your excellent guidance that she was getting. So good to be able to step away and let Aubrey own this. So, thank you so much for all your amazing work!!! We are so glad that we had the opportunity to work together and you made this process so much easier for all of us. We will keep you updated on the next acceptances. UVM is looking very good to us. Aubrey good some great scholarship too!

A parent of a student from The Winchendon School who matriculated to Connecticut College:

We want to thank you for the abundance of choices Ben has. And, of course, we want to thank you for all of your help and work with Ben. We are also pleased about the financial component as you know. It’s great for him to have all of these great schools, and at such good value.

A student from Eleanor Roosevelt High School who matriculated to University of Maryland, and her parent:

Student: Congrats! We did it! It is incredible to be officially done with my applications. Looking back, it was a consuming yet rewarding process. Working with you brought my pieces to a level I was unsure I could ever reach and reshaped my approach to writing altogether. The skills and lessons from our brainstorming and edits have truly made me a more confident and inspired writer, which will stick with me as I go into my next stage of life. Your dedication and enthusiasm were monumental in keeping me motivated to push myself and elevate my work, and I am so grateful to have gone through this experience with you! Thank you for being an amazing supporter and mentor.

Parent: Let me add my two cents here… I saw the extraordinary impact you brought will enter in this process. Not only in terms of content and coaching but really engagement and inspiration. We could not be happier with our experience! Please let us know where we can leave a nice recommendation. Thanks!

A student from West Valley High School, Fairbanks, AK who matriculated to University of California Santa Barbara:

Hi! I’m super excited to not have to experience another winter for 4 years. Thanks so much for helping me write!

A parent of a student from Stuyvesant High School who matriculated to Johns Hopkins University:

Hi Elizabeth,

Hope all is well. I wanted to let you know that Jared was accepted to Johns Hopkins last week. Not sure if he told you. We were all really happy about that one! I should have thanked you. You were a big part of his success.

Parents of a Lander Valley High School student who matriculated to Bowdoin College:

Dad: Thank you so much for the support and guidance you gave Magda. Her college search and application process went really well and I was impressed by how much growth occurred along the college admission journey.

Mom: The relationship that Elizabeth created with my daughter was one of the most productive aspects of the college search process. Whenever they were talking, I could hear laughter and lighthearted banter fall down the staircase—a great influence over a fairly stressful process. My daughter is more organized and proactive as she advocates for herself. Elizabeth played a big role in that outcome.

The final decision came down to three colleges. Elizabeth’s work gave my daughter a way to look at college from a more mature and grounded perspective. She identified subtle differences that were meaningful to her. When the decision was finally made, it just felt right.

Bowdoin College is the perfect fit for so many reasons—not just academic. And, I know my daughter will meet interesting students from all around the world and be intellectually challenged in new ways. From Bowdoin she will be connected to the world. She’s off and flying—which makes this mama one happy person!

My gratitude to Elizabeth and her work runs deep.

A parent of a Professional Performing Arts School student who matriculated to NYU Tisch Clive Davis Institute:

Sumaya and I kept saying to each other that we wanted to set up a quick call so we could thank you for your guidance and support through the college application process. You really helped Sumaya highlight her strengths in the best way possible. You also made the process stress free for me! We are thrilled about her acceptance to NYU as an honors scholar and of course about the significant scholarship she received.

I already gave your contact information to a former colleague who has a nephew who could benefit from your services. I hope he contacts you. Either way, I will continue to promote you and your services whenever I get the chance.

A parent of a Beacon High School student who matriculated to Oberlin College:

We so appreciate all of your help with narrowing down the list of colleges, supporting our daughter through the entire process and helping her identify what aspects of each school were important to her. And thanks for all the feedback you gave our daughter on her Common App essay, which I thought, beautifully written, moving and poignant. Yes, I am the proud mom 🙂

A parent of a Newport High School student who matriculated to University of Washington Foster School of Business:

Thank you for your support! She may not have gotten into UW without your guidance. I have recommended your name to a couple of my friends who are looking for counsellors. they may reach out to you.

A parent of a Bard College student who transferred to Ithaca College:

Just a note of thanks to YOU for always being in our son’s corner, for talking us (especially me) off the ledge on more than one occasion, and for being our ROCK during this entire journey.

Thanks again for all you do. You are so appreciated!

A student from Saint Ann’s School who matriculated to Cornell University:

Working with Elizabeth was a true highlight of my college process. She helped me from start to finish. Curating a list, helping with my personal statement and editing my (many) supplements, Elizabeth was there every step of the way. It was always a pleasure meeting for a zoom and receiving the magical “final” comment on a piece of writing. Thank you, Elizabeth!

A parent of a Saint Ann’s School student who matriculated to Cornell University:

The girl is happy, thanks so much for your valuable help. Tough year all around. Seemed to me that if you weren’t a legacy applying early, this was a really competitive year. Cornell admitted 1000 fewer kids and had way more applicants. Thanks again, E!

A student from University of Michigan, Dearborn who transferred to University of Michigan, Ann Arbor:

Hello Ms. England, I just wanted to say thank you for helping me – I’m sorry I didn’t text you earlier – I got a new job! And I got into University of Michigan Ann Arbor School of Kinesiology. You helped me so much.

A student from Stuyvesant High School who matriculated to University of California, Irvine:

Elizabeth was an invaluable asset to have during the college application process. Her help on my personal statement and short responses was succinct and insightful, allowing me to see them from another perspective. The college spreadsheet she compiled contained everything I needed to organize the process and was something I checked and updated daily. When all was said and done, I got into one of the top colleges on my list and I don’t think I could have done it without her.

A student from Lander Valley High School who matriculated to Bowdoin College:

I’m a student from small-town Wyoming who only looked at colleges on the East Coast. Elizabeth was instrumental in every part of this process. She generated an amazing list of over 40 schools for me to research and then helped me narrow it down to a balanced 14 schools. Through many, many, many supplements and interviews, Elizabeth never lost her spark of positivity. A zoom meeting with her always made me feel better about life. Elizabeth knows what she is doing! I got into 10 schools, was waitlisted at 3, and in the end, I had too many amazing options! I am so excited to head off to Bowdoin in the fall. I couldn’t have gotten here without Elizabeth!

A student from Irvington High School who matriculated to Chapman University:

My time spent working on the whole college process with Elizabeth certainly made it much more manageable and helped me tell my story to admissions effectively. She helped me form a great list of colleges I was very excited about and helped me get into one of my top choices.

A parent of a student from Irvington High School who matriculated to Chapman University:

Elizabeth is a lifesaver. She brought clarity and a strategy to the confusing college application process – for both parents and kids. She kept our son Lucas motivated and on track. Kudos to her … that’s no easy task. She also talked me off the ledge with his essay – guiding our son to tell his story in a beautiful and unexpected way. Lucas got accepted to his chosen college and is beyond excited. Elizabeth now just kicked off the process with our junior, Isaac. Thank you, Elizabeth!

A student from Stuyvesant High School who matriculated to Binghamton University:

I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for all your help these past months. You put so much time and effort in assisting me through the college application process, and I appreciate that so much. I learned a lot from you, and for that I am very thankful!

A parent of a student from The Dalton School who matriculated to University of Chicago:

Hey Elizabeth, I know Stella told you that she was admitted to Chicago. She’s really excited and very relieved. Out of all those schools, she says there were few that she really wanted to go and that she believed would feel like all her hard work was worth it. I’m genuinely happy and excited for her. Thank you for all your patience and support – to us both. Your help really was invaluable to us – took the stress of the situation out of our relationship so I could just be the mom. It was really a great experience working with you.

A parent of a student from Lawrence Academy who matriculated to Tulane University:

Hi Elizabeth – hope you are doing well! I have to say it has been so nice having Julia’s decision settled back in November – really avoids so much stress and drama! Thank you again for your help making it happen! We’ll be back early next time with it’s time for Julia’s sister in a few years (she’s a freshman now).

A parent of a Rye High School student who matriculated to Yale University:

My son really enjoyed working with you and it was just what he needed. God knows how he got into Yale without a single connection. But I think he got in because he was “locked and ready to go” to apply to 22 other schools. I really loved his essays, they seemed to get deeper and truer as he went along. He was actually disappointed that he wasn’t going to submit the rest of them. I am going to keep them so that he has a glimpse of what he was thinking when he was 18.

My son tells me that his takeaway from the process was that 1) when you start to write what you want instead of what you think they want, it starts to work out and 2) it is amazing that you can actually get in to Yale writing about dragons and superheroes.

A parent of a Trevor Day School student who matriculated to New York University Tisch School of the Arts:

We first hired Elizabeth to work with our 8th grade daughter four years ago when she applied to private New York City high schools, and the experience was so wonderful we enlisted her to help our high school senior with her various college admission essays. Our daughter loved working with her, found her warm, patient, encouraging and always enthusiastic, and she was a pleasure for us parents to work with as well. With the Common App essay in particular, she helped her hone and tell a personal, poignant and quite moving story, very much in her own authentic voice. We feel so lucky to have had Elizabeth guide her and us through the college process. Our daughter was admitted to NYU Tisch, which was her first choice, and we are so grateful to Elizabeth for all of her help.

A parent of a TWHS (The Woodlands High School, Texas) student who matriculated to Boston College:

Thanks for your kind words about Beth, so lovely to hear! As you know she really enjoyed working with you and learnt so much as she progressed. We both appreciated your hard work, energy and passion for writing. Thank you 😊

A parent of an Eleanor Roosevelt High School student who matriculated to Washington University:

Thank you for your heartwarming email. It has been a beautiful journey watching Rayna blossom into a self- assured pre-college woman and we were ecsatic that you were at the helm. You guided Rayna from the beginning and allowed her to believe in herself. Your gentle suggestions prompted her creative juices which ultimately allowed her to write her heart out. Jeff and I are very grateful for all you have done to help Rayna achieve her dream school.

Thank you again for being our fearless college leader. We could not have done it without you!!

A student from Fiorella H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts student who matriculated to Pratt Institute, and her parent:

Hi Elizabeth,
Finished my applications in December. I got into SCAD and just had interviews with CMU as well as Purchase NY. Thanks so much for all the help it would have been hell without you!
-Sophie

Hey Elizabeth!

I am answering for Sophie so I can take the chance to thank you for working with her.

She did great and overall is really happy. Basically, she only got rejected from RISD and the design program at Carnegie Mellon. But she did get into the production design program at Carnegie Mellon.

Also got into RIT, SCAD, Bard, Pratt and Purchase.

So it came down to Pratt and CMU and surprisingly she picked Pratt. She got a ton of $ from them and nothing from CMU but that wasn’t really it. She just wanted a more general design program at the end of the day.

So—it is all good.

Anyway—thanks for everything. Maybe we will talk again in four years!! (I have an eighth grader 😉)

A parent of an Easthampton High School student who matriculated to Loyola Marymount University Film Department:

Dear Elizabeth,
I can’t thank you enough for the love and guidance you gave to Anni. Her trust in you warmed my heart. My trust in you was biblical! Thank you for all your kind words and especially your professional help. You gave her something she will use for a long time to come.

A parent of an Ethical Culture Fieldston School student who matriculated to Colgate University:

Hi Elizabeth —I’ve been meaning to write to thank you for taking such good care of Brooke and for the great work you did advising her on her essays, editing her, talking to her, etc. She really enjoyed working with you. And, I loved reading the results. I am very touched by how well you understood Brooke and how much you appreciate her. I know the feeling is very mutual. I think Brooke learned a tremendous amount from you that she will carry with her always. It’s been a tremendous experience.

Thank you so much for the many hours of hard work and hand-holding.

A parent of a student from The John Cooper School, The Woodlands, TX who matriculated to University of California, Santa Barbara:

Hi Elizabeth, Kya mentioned you’ve been a pleasure to work with, as always. Thanks for the college guidance and support you’ve given both our children. Best wishes.

A parent of a Stuyvesant High School student who matriculated to University of Michigan Engineering:

Dear Elizabeth,

Many thanks for your kind words and for your help with Jakob’s essays, of course. It was very helpful to have an objective professional guiding him through this rather stressful process. He appreciated it and learned a lot from you.

Many thanks again and we may reach out again in three years when our younger son is applying to college🙂

A parent of a Hunter College High School student who matriculated to Barnard College:

Working with Elizabeth England was one of the highlights of our college application process. My daughter says this: “She’s super-helpful with brainstorming. She helps you find your own best voice and gives good editorial suggestions. Elizabeth is easy to talk to and sticks with you throughout the process.” I was also grateful for Elizabeth’s kind and thoughtful approach to working with anxious parents! She is encouraging, patient, responsive. She’s an optimist and a realist. We highly recommend working with her!

A parent of a Hunter College High School student who matriculated to Barnard College:

A parent of an Easthampton High School junior/tennis player who matriculated to Georgetown University:

In my very first phone conversation with Elizabeth, I felt like I was speaking to a close friend who had an earnest interest in my son’s future. She immediately shared her wealth of knowledge as it pertained to my son, and I felt a huge relief to know that I was in the hands of someone who truly cared and would be an enormous support for us through this stressful process. Elizabeth has continued to provide us with current information and helpful tips while planning our college trips. I look forward to working with Elizabeth as my son goes through the grueling application process.

A student from Dwight School who matriculated to New York University:

Without you, my essay would never have been the essay it was and my supplements greatly benefited from your editing. I’m attending NYU in the fall and I really just wanted to say thanks for helping me.

A student from Huntington High School who matriculated to Emory University:

I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you put into helping me with my essays and supplements for school! I’ll be attending Emory University in the fall. Couldn’t have done it without you!

A parent of a Webster University Geneva student who transferred to University of Maryland:

Open and clear, Elizabeth established and maintained a positive relationship with our son. Having been educated solely in french, our son needed to find his voice in English. Through Elizabeth’s guidance, the end result was a voice that was elegant, articulate and honest.

A student from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts who matriculated to McGill University:

While I was preparing my college admissions essays, Elizabeth’s correspondence gave me a quality of technical and conceptual editing help that I simply wouldn’t have received had I depended on my school’s less specialized counselors. Aside from offering important suggestions about the structural and grammatical elements of my essays, she provided a useful third-party viewpoint that I felt very comfortable bouncing a variety of ideas off of, and brought my attention to the images I was presenting to admissions offices in a way that my family, friends, and school most likely would not have. Overall, I found Elizabeth to be a pleasure to work with and a great source of critique and encouragement during a very stressful process, and I would recommend her to anyone looking for help with developing their admissions materials.

A student from Mumbai, India who matriculated to Boston University’s PLME program:

I just heard back from the last of the colleges today. Just wanted to let you know that I did not get accepted into Brown or Northwestern. However, I was accepted at Boston University’s accelerated guaranteed program, which I am very excited to be in. I really appreciate all the help you gave me.

A student from The Spence School who matriculated to Amherst College:

When I first met with Elizabeth she was really fun to talk to. She asked me a series of helpful questions and I began to tell her stories about things that I was thinking about. Just from those stories she was able to help me pull out and then develop themes. Additionally she was able to explain how to approach the whole process, and gave me tips and a schedule for moving forward. During the writing process, Elizabeth helped me tighten my language and make my essays more colorful and to the point. I really appreciated her help and encouragement, especially because no high school senior wants to hear advice from their parents.

A parent of a Saint Ann’s School student who matriculated to Vassar College:

Thank you for all of your help, advice, patience and support. I cannot believe how ridiculously difficult this process has become. Your support made such a difference in surviving it. Will definitely recommend you to others and will keep you posted on what she hears from school.

A parent of a New Hope Solebury High School student who matriculated to Duquesne University:

I don’t know how you do it but you are made for this job! You have an uncanny ability to see the substance through the traffic and poor grammar and sift out an essay that says exactly what was trying to be said!

My daughter sent me an elated text this morning saying that you liked her essays, and that she edited them and returned them to you! If you could only hear the surprise and relief! I guess I need to be better at couching constructive criticism 🙂

Thanks again so much. You have made this process bearable.

A student from Interlochen who matriculated to Oberlin College:

Your help with my college essay, apps and supplements has helped me leaps and bounds. I do not know where my applications would have been without your careful and cunning eye, your input and edits. My college essay is something I am proud of, and it is what it is because of the great work you helped me put into it.

During college supplements you pushed me and helped me write those college “love letters.” I have submitted all of my applications, and have already heard back from one: University of Vermont, which I was accepted to.

A parent of a Fiorella H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts student who matriculated to Tulane University:

To me, you were a lifesaver. You put the motor under my daughter and gave her the confidence she needed to get through this challenging process …And you took the pressure off of me, which had it continue the way it was with my editing my daughter’s essay would have ended up hijacking our relationship. Mostly, she truly enjoyed the collaboration with you…Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Again, I have so much respect for and gratitude to you for the time, effort, sensitivity and intelligence you put in to your consulting and editing.

A parent of two Saint Ann’s School students who matriculated to Amherst College and University of Pennsylvania:

Elizabeth was recommended to us by a close friend and I’m so happy I took her advice! Both my son and daughter (two years apart) were eagerly engaged throughout the essay coaching process and enjoyed and valued Elizabeth’s input and enthusiasm. Each of my children, while very close, are different learners and were looking for different school environments. Elizabeth seamlessly transitioned from one to the other encouraging their individual voices to shine through. Their personal statements were truly just that. Elizabeth is engaging and warm and relieved so much of the stress involved in this process along with the writing jitters of starting with a blank sheet. Her approach is refreshing. For my kids to find enjoyment during this time was invaluable and we all are so appreciative for all of Elizabeth’s support and I couldn’t recommend her more!

A parent of a Fiorella H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts student who matriculated to University of Edinburgh, UK:

Elizabeth has an infectious enthusiasm for the college process that really helped us as a family to face our fears and clarify our thinking. She is warm, knowledgeable and wonderful at communicating with Juniors about every step they have to take. We are very grateful to Elizabeth for making the process easy and even somewhat enjoyable! Our daughter is off to Edinburgh University in UK and we couldn’t be happier.

A parent of three students from a private school in Spain who matriculated to American universities:

Elizabeth worked with three of my five sons. The two whom she didn’t help were before her days of college counseling; if not, they would have been signed up as well. The process is simple, hassle free, full of encouragement and perfect for this stressful time for everyone. Elizabeth stays on top of the students without overwhelming them. She edits and tweaks the essays to make them more fluid without offending the writer. Being the mother of five boys, I am constantly looking for help with motivation in areas other than athletics. Elizabeth was my answer for the college application process. If I had another chance to do it all over again, Elizabeth would be our woman!

A student from The John Cooper School, The Woodlands, TX who matriculated to Columbia University:

We met Ms. England through one of my dad’s family friends while he was inquiring as to who would be a helpful writing coach, specifically in regards to Ivy League essays. Firstly, we approached each of my school’s prompts, and we brainstormed thoroughly as to ensure that my corresponding essay was both unique and authentic. Thereafter, I would write a draft and send it to her, and she’d have a revised version with comments within 24 hours. Even though the process was laborious, and each essay required around four-five drafts before a finalized version was realized, her assistance enabled my essays to stand out and they ultimately got me into Columbia.

A parent of a Dalton School student who matriculated to Washington University:

We met Elizabeth through a friend. Elizabeth helped my son with both College Counseling and the Essay Coaching. She was terrific and very knowledgeable. She provided a lot of insight to us about all the schools we had been interested in and what their strengths and weaknesses were. Her assessments about the schools were spot on. My son is now at Washington University in St. Louis and it could not be a better fit!

A parent of an Eleanor Roosevelt High School student who matriculated to Tufts University:

Elizabeth was incredibly patient with my son’s writer’s block, and extremely spontaneous once he found his voice. She was thoughtful, encouraging and seemed to bring out the best in him. I think his essay was the most personal and moving piece of writing he’s ever produced, and I can only attribute that to the creative dynamic between my son and Elizabeth.

A parent of a Saint Ann’s School student who matriculated to Colorado College:

I just wanted to thank you immensely for working with my son on his college applications. Although it drove me crazy that he left everything to the last possible minute, I was able to stay calm because I knew you were on his case. I saw his confidence grow each week throughout the process, and I attribute a lot of that to you. I think he is quite proud of the work he has done and is feeling very good about what he has submitted.

A parent of a Loomis Chaffee School student who matriculated to University of Miami:

Elizabeth came recommended by a dear friend, and upon our first conversations, I was impressed not only by her immediate sense of what would make a good college fit for our daughter; but by her ability to put our usually anxious daughter at ease with what was undeniably a stressful time. She was such a cheerleader throughout the college process, in a way that parents often find it difficult to be. Elizabeth has given her so much confidence in her voice that she has decided to major in communications!

A parent of a Professional Performing Arts School student who matriculated to Penn State:

Thank you, Elizabeth for all of your guidance during the college process. We started out completely overwhelmed and stressed by it all and turned out to have much better results than we anticipated. Having you on board to remove all of my “nagging” came through to my daughter as mere deadlines and coaching from you. Your outreach to your network to help answer our questions, providing tips and being available to text with my daughter as we toured schools showed how much you cared about her success. I know that part of her wanting to do well was because of you. She didn’t want to let you down. You were a great mentor for her. She enjoyed working with you and is so thrilled to have gotten into her dream college.

A parent of a Professional Performing Arts School student who matriculated to New York University Tisch School of the Arts:

I wanted to respond immediately when I received your email because our daughter loved working with you and gained so much from the experience! Elizabeth, we are so grateful for all you did for our daughter!

A parent of a Special Music School student who matriculated to Princeton University:

I appreciate all the help you gave our son with his essays. I know he enjoyed working with you and valued your opinion.

A parent of a NYC Museum School student who matriculated to Oberlin College:

You gave our daughter the kick she needed to get things done. Clearly, her confidence has enhanced, all thanks to you really. But more, you really kept my head above water when I felt like was drowning. I simply could not have gotten through this process without you. I feel so fortunate to take this journey, albeit a very different one, with you again next year. Our other daughter is very eager to begin. You truly make people’s lives better.

A parent of a Berkeley Carroll School student who matriculated to Bard College as a sports recruit:

You were such a wonderful force in our son’s life at just the right moment. He really appreciated you and was eager for your feedback and counsel. There was nothing difficult or fraught about his relationship with you — you two just clicked. For that, we are deeply thankful. On a separate note, we were up at Bard last weekend for their soccer ID camp, and it was so clear he had made a great choice.

A parent of both a Fiorella H. Laguardia High School Of Music & Art and Performing Arts student and a Stuyvesant High School student who matriculated to The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU Tisch and University of St Andrews, UK, respectively:

My twin daughters are very different and had completely different college goals. I was so impressed with Elizabeth that she was able to connect with each of them in a unique way for their own goals. Even after years of hearing about how stressful the college process is we were still overwhelmed by the number of essays and things to do. Elizabeth helped us navigate the process with ease. She would tell me to just let them deal with her with their questions, planning, deadlines and anxiety. And she was somehow able to keep them on track and motivate them at the same time. Elizabeth became their cheerleader, trusted guide, and therapist. I couldn’t have gone through the process without her. Thank you so much Elizabeth, for your help and guidance for both of my daughters to get accepted into their dream schools.

A student from The John Cooper School, The Woodlands, TX who matriculated to University of Michigan:

We were introduced to Ms. England through a family friend while in search of a premier college counsellor and essay writing coach. I will never forget the overwhelming enthusiasm that Ms. England shared with me on our first FaceTime call, which was an immediate assurance that I was in good hands. Soon after, she would help me craft a college list that perfectly catered to my own unique interests and desires.Throughout the essay writing process, we worked tirelessly to ensure that every prompt was executed with purpose, and that my outgoing personality would manifest within each response. Surely enough, this was the result. Although it took many long hours and drafts to do so, Ms. England’s million dollar “show don’t tell” advice enabled me to dig deeply, subsequently producing a truly authentic product. Not only did Ms. England help me get accepted in to one of my top-choice schools, but she also instilled writing skills that will benefit me for life. Thank you so much for everything, Ms. England. I am very lucky to have had you by my side throughout the college process!

A parent of public and private school students who both matriculated to private middle and high schools:

Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with. My children focused and worked hard for her. The work was done efficiently and the final product was still clearly each child’s own work. Worth every penny!

A parent of a Village Community School student who matriculated to Beacon High School:

When my son entered 8th grade I was totally unprepared for the arduous process of applying to high schools — applications, tests, and essays. Hiring Elizabeth to help my son with the essay portion of his numerous applications was the smartest thing I did. With her guidance he composed terrific essays, which I believe were instrumental in his getting accepted to his top choice schools. She also gave him great pep talks, helping his confidence. I’m sure I’ll be hiring her again in 4 years!!!!

A parent of a Village Community School student who matriculated to The Horace Mann School:

Somehow, Elizabeth was able to get my son to complete in just a few sessions the essays that would have taken him weeks to do on his own. It sure made my life easier!

Elizabeth is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling and the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling.