the essay coaches
We help you find your story so you can find your college.
Adrienne Wichard-Edds is a writer and editor specializing in education and parenting. Her work regularly appears in The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Arlington Magazine, Washingtonian and Your Teen Magazine. Her experience working with teens—as a college advisor, standardized test prep instructor and creative writing teacher—spans 25 years. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Ami Foster is an award-winning creative writer with more than two decades of experience working with college-bound kids. A former director of Ivy West Educational Services (now Compass Education Group), Ami helped develop and implement standardized test prep materials used by thousands of students. Ami is a veteran advocate for equity and inclusion in education. She is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley.
philosophy
Our essay writing workshops and individual coaching methods enable students to find their voices and take control of the college application process.
Colleges want to learn more about students than just what their transcript and test scores reflect—that’s where the personal statement and supplemental essays come in. These are golden opportunities for kids to show colleges who they are, how they got there and where they’re headed. The process should be as revealing to the writer as the final product is to an admissions officer, and a well-written essay can be a tipping point for getting in. We help take the stress and uncertainty out of the essay writing process and empower students to confidently put their best story forward.
how we work (and why it works)
We start by listening. So many kids arrive at the college application process having little experience telling their most significant personal stories in writing—a task that can seem both daunting and overwhelming. To help students identify their story, gain confidence and find their voice, we begin with an in-depth brainstorming session that explores their ideas, experiences and goals for college and for life. We don’t shy away from asking the deeper questions that can lead to meaningful insights and transformative essays.
We meet each student at their level to develop a reasonable timeline and an efficient strategy for approaching the personal statement and supplemental essays. This work can occur both in-person and remotely, allowing us the flexibility to work not only with varying schedules but also with a range of learning styles and skill levels. As a result, students become better writers and communicators—skills that will serve them far beyond the college application process.
And as with all the best coaches, we guide and encourage students from the sidelines but never get on the field to play for them. In other words, students’ essays are always in their own words and authentic voices.
testimonials
“You did an amazing job understanding not only what I was trying to convey in my essay, but who I was as a person. You were able to extrapolate things from what I wrote that even I didn’t consider, and your suggestions were never intrusive.”
– Jackson C.
“You really helped me home in on and expand the most important and impactful parts of my essay while leaving out the parts that didn't add to the impression I wanted to give.”
– Reya K.
“My son has learned more from you about the writing process than from any of his classwork.”
– mom of a high school senior
“It is often difficult to get your teenager to focus on their applications and essays, and support from (and accountability to) a third party that they trust is invaluable.”
– dad of a high school senior
“I use your tips all the time. You’ve made me a better writer in school, too.”
– Sebirya A.
“You helped me to love my essay again and gave me great suggestions on how to incorporate and connect my ideas in a better way. I think talking it through with you was a great way to speak through my thoughts. Thank you for your help and reassurance to stick to a story that is true to me and my growth.”
– Jamileth P.