One-On-One College Essay Coaching
Learn to write an essay that Admissions Officers can’t put down.
write a college essay that stands out
The college application process can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With my college essay coaching, you will find your true voice. Together, we will discover how to best tell your experiences in a way that feels true, outstanding, and attention-worthy. Demonstrate who you are and what you’ve accomplished with a college application essay that stands out.
FEATURED IN
why choose college essay coaching?
I believe in the college admissions process. I believe that Admissions Officers know if a student is the right fit for their school. The admissions essay, thankfully, is a brilliant opportunity for them to get to know you. This is the chance to show them: you are the right fit by showing them who you are. It can feel daunting—as a teenager, who knows themselves? Thankfully, the majority of admissions essays are asking questions to find out those very things. Let’s show them who you are so that you can tell them where you want to go.
meet your college essay coach
I am a writer and educator based in Los Angeles. I have helped students get into the undergraduate and graduate schools of their dreams since 2015. I received my B.A. from Barnard College and my MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing from Columbia University, where I has began teaching comedy writing to high schoolers in 2017. I am the co-author of IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AWKWARD, published by Clarion Teen in September 2021. Most notably, in October 2021 I was a finalist for Longridge Review’s Barnhill Prize for her essay, “Other Mother”. Additionally, I was an Ernest and Red Heller Fellowship recipient at MacDowell in 2021 and have been published in Narratively, Human Parts, Columbia Journal, Slackjaw Humor, and HuffPo Women, among others. I am currently working on a memoir.
TESTIMONIALS
Agnes T.
"Paulina is a very responsible coach. Her courses are engaging and easy for students to understand. We had a beautiful time working together! I definitely couldn't get into SSHI without her guidance. I feel lucky to have the chance to work with her, and I feel thankful for that!"
Teresa T.
"Paulina was born to teach."
Jane G.
"I reached out to Paulina when I was applying to graduate school. She helped me craft a compelling narrative and collaborated with me on my personal statement. I'm incredibly grateful for her support and guidance. Thanks to her help, I was accepted into USC's MFT graduate program!
Fran M.
"Paulina is a gifted instructor"
Jennie K.
"Leave your egos at the door because they’re not welcome here! Paulina fosters such a wonderful sense of community. The space she creates allows folks to be vulnerable but feel safe and taken care of while doing so."
FOR PARENTS
The common application can be daunting—for you and your child. You may be asking yourself, "How do they write an essay that stands out? How do they get noticed by Admissions Officers at the school of their dreams?"
I know you will do anything to help make your child’s dreams come true. And of course, to set them up on a path for future success.
College Guidance Counseling can cost upwards of $15,000, exploiting and monetizing the fear of rejection. But you don’t have to guess— you don’t have to throw money at someone you’re not sure you can trust. I am here to help your child write a Common Application Essay that is memorable and effective.
I am here to support you—both in the writing and the emotional stress of applying to college.
Why am I so confident in my ability to help you write an essay that will gain you admission? In my first job out of college, I worked for a company that helped Chinese students gain admission to American Universities. Since 2015, I have independently helped students gain admissions at Duke, Middlebury, Columbia, USC, and more. I have experience helping students with the Common App, UC App, supplemental essays, and Activities Lists. I have also offered application help to those seeking graduate school admissions.
I don't believe that college essay coaching should be reserved for those who can afford it—the cost of writing your application essay should not be equivalent to one semester of tuition at a private university.
FOR STUDENTS
Applying to college is stressful—like, the most stressful thing I have ever done. I remember what it felt like to be a high school senior, afraid I was never going to get into college. That I was already a failure. That I was absolutely and totally screwed.
But I promise: you’re going to get into school.
I have faith in the admission process. Believe it or not, Admissions Officers are good at their job—they can tell if you’re the right fit for their school.
So, why don’t we show them that you’re the right fit?
I’m game if you are.
Over this process, we are going to get to know each other. I’m here to help you write, but I am also here to tell you: it’s gonna work out, I promise.
So let's tackle this thing together.
COLLEGE ESSAY COACHING PACKAGE
Includes 5 1:1 coaching sessions covering:
Understand the requirements for each application essay.
Understand each prompt, then decide which feels like the right fit.
Tips and tricks for how to make your essay memorable to Admissions Officers.
How to brag without making it feel like bragging.
How to identify the best angle for you that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Package: 1200
HOURLY-BASED COACHING SERVICES
I offer hour-based rates for students who are unable to afford the full pricing rate. This rate is dependent on student need and budget. Students must sign up for a minimum of five hours.
Every student gets the same level of attention and care, no matter the rate.
GET STARTED
Complete the form below to begin the conversation and get started.
FAQs
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Think of me as your writing doula— I am here to help you give birth to your writing ideas: I will guide you towards writing your dream project. I can help you write essays, memoirs, poems, plays, short stories, or novels— and you don’t have to know the form before we meet.
Together, we will explore. Not only will I get you writing, but we will develop a personal relationship so that you feel safe and held while taking creative risks.
Each session is determined by where you are in your creative process.
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Much like you would do with a college counselor, we will create a list of schools to apply to. However, I don’t believe in exploiting people’s fears about getting into college by overcharging them. We will take it session by session at a simple hourly rate.
Since 2015, I have helped students get into Duke, Middlebury, Columbia, USC, and more. I am able to help students with undergraduate and graduate school applications.
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If that is what is needed, yes.
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Typically I meet with my writing coaching students once a week for as long as they like! I find that my long-term students grow the most as writers and we are able to get them writing, re-writing, and publishing their work.
Usually students start with a Four Week Writing Course, where we work on your writing skills and brainstorm. After that point, we continue on as long as each client likes.
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No. I ask for monetary compensation because my time is worth what I am asking for, but more importantly: I have found that people who put down a monetary commitment show up.
STEP INTO YOUR POWER
STEP INTO YOUR POWER