College Essays & Application Support

The Best College Essay Topics Are Not Always The Most Obvious

I work with students during any or all stages of the college application process, from finding a Common Application Essay topic to fleshing out supplemental essays for Early Decision 1 or 2, Early Action and Regular Decision to integrating resumes and portfolios. Together, we create a portrait of the “whole” student. Whether it’s essay conception, line-editing or overall shaping, I help students maintain their voice and point-of-view despite constant drafting and input.

My goal as an essay coach is for students to become better writers during this process, communicating in an effective tone exactly who they are and what’s important to them. The best college essay topics are often the ones that need to be teased or coaxed into fruition.

I also advise families on all aspects of the college counseling process, including list development, itinerary planning and interview preparation.

How to Make College Essay Writing A Snap

Nail the Common Application Essay. When I tell students that all of their application essay drafting isn’t for naught, they don’t believe me. They’re incredulous when I promise that the prompts and papers they will be assigned in college over the next four years will flow easily because they’ve become muscular writers.

The proof is in the pudding – or their essays.

During the application process, these young writers have put in the hours, practicing their skills, honing their craft and developing their voice. It’s in this way that my work as a writing coach and teacher comes into play. The college essay writing assignments we do are collaborative so that when a student begins their freshman year, they feel confident with expressing their unique voice and point-of-view.

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