Frequently Asked Questions
Exceptional College Essays provides college applicants (high school 12th graders) with 1-on-1 essay writing assistance. Our services are personalized and customized to each student – we do not teach classes or lead writing workshops. We work with our students on their application essays and our focus is exclusively on developing the strongest, most EXCEPTIONAL college application essay. We are results driven and think of ourselves as the student’s advocate. We zero in on acceptances to the more competitive colleges and universities across the country.
No. To be honest, your student does not have the time to (or, likely, interest in) spend in another class or seminar. Exceptional College Essays works 1-on-1 with your student on the college essays. We clean up drafts, add context, depth, and persuasive advocacy. We finish the job and put your student in the best possible posture for admission success.
I am a practicing attorney, licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia for the better part of 30 years. Most of my practice has been in the area of government lobbying. As a lobbyist I am responsible for unraveling complex material and concepts and repackaging all of it into a thoughtful, organized and persuasive advocacy campaign on behalf of my clients. Isn’t that exactly what a college essay is intended to accomplish? The college application essay is a representation of who your student is and who your student could become. The essay is your student’s primary opportunity to “sell” the college on your qualifications, experiences, and skills that will stand out from the thousands of others who are competing for the same admission offers.
After helping my own two children with their college application essays, I launched Exceptional College Essays in 2019. In each of the last two application cycles I have worked with several students across the United States who, ultimately, received letters of admission from over 100 of the most prestigious colleges and universities around the world, including the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, Notre Dame University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Maryland and many others. References are available upon request.
The answer to this question is self-evident to most parents. The transition from high school to college is an emotional powder keg in so many respects. At this point in their lives, more than ever before, students need parents to be reliably supportive. The give-and-take process of writing application essays can make that relationship more difficult to sustain.
High school college advisors are overworked and underpaid. Even the most enthusiastic and diligent advisor is being pulled in dozens of directions throughout the application cycle. Your student needs to come first – and that’s where Exceptional College Essays shines. We work with your student individually for as long as necessary to develop the best essay possible. We are never distracted from our mission to help your student accomplish his or her academic goals.
The huge names in the college application consulting industry frequently hire college students to run their programs and courses. While these students might have enjoyed success in their own college application process, typically they are not capable of providing the seasoned, mature, and experienced advocacy advice that is required to get noticed in the pile of applications on an admissions officer’s desk.
Moreover, college application consultant companies typically offer expensive and time-consuming classes intended to teach your student how to write an essay. Rarely is the advice customized to your student and the specific essay that will soon be read by the admissions officers. Personal attention to the student and getting the essays into EXCEPTIONAL form is all we do. We are not the student’s teacher – we are the student’s advocate!
Exceptional College Essays was a virtual experience even before the pandemic. Your student is busy enough with sports, a social life, a part-time job, volunteer hours, and (of course) academics. We’ve designed the essay writing process in a way that EASES stress levels in the home – not expands upon them. Our students work with us using two communication platforms simultaneously. Specifically, we will both work on the essay draft over Google Docs while, at the same time, collaborate one-on-one over FaceTime. It’s a proven method that expedites the process, saves the student valuable time, and (importantly) saves parents financial resources.
Being mindful of the calendar is so important. In most instances, Early Decision applications are due on November 1st and Regular Decision applications are due on January 1st. Your student and I, in consultation with you, will prioritize applications according to all deadlines. Students who get ahead of the game by putting pen to paper in August and September will thank themselves later in the application cycle.
Absolutely. Typically, our students work with us on the two (or three) Common App questions, as well as on the supplemental essays from the student’s top two or three colleges. In most cases, after two or three rounds of supplemental essays, the student is well positioned to repurpose existing essay drafts for their remaining “safety” applications.
Absolutely - in fact, helping students achieve dreams of careers in medicine and law is a specialty. I am an attorney myself, licensed in three states and authorized to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Moreover, I have helped many students who have become (or aspire to become) physicians. College admissions officers have, for obvious reasons, high expectations of applicants in interested in these areas and our services are intended to help our students exceed expectations by developing reasoned, persuasive, and compelling application essays.
Fees are incurred hourly and only for the time your student spends working on the essay with me. My advance prep time is never billed. Therefore, you and your student are in complete control of the investment.
Please ask about our discounts and promotions. Frequently students qualify for rates below our standard hourly rate. We are not a subscription-based model and nor do we impose minimum fees.
Our focus is primarily on application essays, but we can offer additional services on a case-by-case basis. For example, several of our previous students have worked with us on college targeting, application strategy, and interview prep. In all instances, however, we strongly encourage students to work cooperatively with the high school’s college advising professionals throughout the process. It’s our view that, in terms of priorities and strategies, more input is better than less.
Call me today at (410) 353-6131 and let’s schedule a free consultation.