What to Expect

  • Before I’ll ask that your student send any of the following materials they’re comfortable sharing:

    • School preferences, if any

    • Concerns about the personal essay

    • Confidences about the personal essay

    • A writing sample, including academic or polished creative work

    There will also be an initial assignment of one personal essay as an introduction to the genre.

  • In the first two sessions, we’ll brainstorm the people, places, and experiences that might become meaningful narratives, and connect them to your student’s character, contributions, and long-term goals. Next, we’ll turn to technical skills. Forget the generic “hooks” taught in most classrooms; we’ll study engaging, professional first paragraphs. Finally, we’ll practice exercises that help students push past perfectionism and performance to get to the authentic message, the “so what” of their essays.

  • If you’re ever tempted to comb through a stack of “best essay” anthologies, you’ll find many beloved works about a single topic: pets. This shows that with a unique perspective and an authentic voice, any essay topic can endear and impress admissions committees.


    In Weeks 3 & 4, we’ll read published personal essays that teach us how to make an audience care. These lessons focus on the major content and organization of the essay, encouraging students to deepen their ideas for greater originality. Their theme will begin to shine through, and essays will start to feel less intimidating.

  • Congrats, it’s Week 5 and we’ve got a full rough draft! This week will be spent on revision techniques, including expansion, density, and organization. We’ll also study concluding paragraphs and practice memorable endings. We aren’t aiming for perfection, Week 5 is when the essay approaches final form. 

    Which means that by Week 6, we are aiming for perfection: grammar, spelling, and mechanics. We’ll format essays according to each school’s guidelines (often pesky!), editing for word count and any other fiddly requirements. By the end of Week 6, your student should have a digital folder full of easy-to-find, ready-to-submit final drafts.

    As a bonus to all students, I’ll provide a final round of feedback any time after our last session and prior to submission deadlines.

  • Most lessons feature:

    • Homework review (5-10 minutes)

    • Writing exercises (15-30 minutes)

    • Craft lesson and study of example essays (15-30 minutes)

    • Introduction to new homework (5-10 minutes)


    Students should expect three types of homework:

    • Reading example essays/excerpts (I try to keep this to a useful minimum)

    • Writing and brainstorming exercises

    • Translating in-session work to essay writing

    Having only six hours together in session, it’s crucial that students come prepared with completed homework, including written assignments and reading for review. Homework leads into the coming week’s material–it’s not for review. We’re always working and looking ahead!

    Completed homework allows students to write their essays over time, paragraph by paragraph, with less stress and multiple rounds of feedback.

Pricing & Customization

  • $90/Session, $540 All-In

    The standard! Initial lessons focus on creative concept development, then idea organization and rhetoric. Final sessions produce a well-thought, rigorously executed personal narrative.

    Includes:

    • Six in-person essay tutoring sessions

    • Personalized prompts and essay examples

    • Guided outline, introduction, and persuasive argument writing

    • Guided rough drafts

    • Customization for up to four schools

    • Multiple rounds of substantive, clarity, and mechanics edits

    • Polished final draft of two essays: long personal essay (appropriate for the Common App) and short community/leadership essay (as requested by most universities)

    • Executive functioning skills for writing and communication

    • Bonus: “Final Proofread” any time prior to submissions

  • $90/Session, $360 All-In

    The accelerated approach is best for students who excel in reading and writing, and enjoy practicing both autonomously. Though the end result is the same, sessions are oriented toward brainstorming, revision, and feedback, with less time for guided practice.

    Includes:

    • Four in-person essay tutoring sessions

    • Personalized prompts and essay examples

    • Lessons on idea organization, outlining, and writing “the hook”

    • Substantive, clarity, and mechanics edits

    • Polished final draft of two essays: long personal essay (appropriate for the Common App) and short community/leadership essay (as requested by most universities)

    • Bonus: “Final Proofread” any time prior to submissions

  • $90/Session, $540 All-In*

    The standard! Initial lessons focus on creative concept development, then idea organization and rhetoric. Final sessions produce a well-thought, rigorously executed personal narrative and multiple rounds of revision.

    Includes:

    • Six in-person essay tutoring sessions

    • Personalized prompts to hone in on your attributes, interests, and goals

    • Guided outline, hook, and persuasive argument writing

    • Guided rough drafts

    • Customization for up to four schools

    • Multiple rounds of substantive, clarity, and mechanics edits

    • Polished final draft of statement of purpose or statement of intent or personal statement

    • Executive functioning skills for professional-level writing and communication

    • Bonus “Final Proofread” any time prior to submissions

    *Inquire about sliding scale options!

  • Substantive edits (content, clarity, ideas, organization, and depth): $24/page

    Proofreading (spelling and grammar): $13/page

    Substantive/Proofread package (two rounds): $35/page

    If you’ve written a rough draft that needs initial feedback (Is your topic interesting? Are your ideas engaging?) you’d likely benefit from substantive edits. Once you’re sure all your ideas are well organized and properly expressed, it’s time for a closer proofread for spelling and grammar. These rounds of revision go hand-in-hand.

    The work is ultimately yours: your perspective, your story. In all editing endeavors, my goal is to maintain the integrity of your voice and vision.

Let’s Connect.

alex@writeanecdote.com