Hello! As a college writing teacher and a mother of three college-aged students, I understand firsthand the combination of excitement and anxiety you and your family may be feeling as you enter “College Application Season”. Whether you are looking for guidance to write just one essay or support throughout every step of completing your applications, I look forward to partnering with you. Let me tell you more about my background and the various ways I work with students.
Application Support
I have three clear goals with each of my students: to help them build applications that reflect their best selves; to help them learn about themselves and become better communicators; and to make the process as stress-free as possible for the whole family.
With that in mind, I work with my students to organize and complete all components of their applications (supplements, activity sections, transcripts, test scores, recommendations, etc.), making sure each entry is impactful, polished, and complete. I track deadlines, follow up with school counselors, and assist with school research on Naviance. Before each application is submitted, the student and I conduct a final proofread together, bringing peace of mind that the process has been completed accurately and error-free.
Essay Coaching
Students and I work together (though the student is always the writer!) to complete the core essay as well as all supplemental questions. Through carefully guided conversation and creative exercises, we reflect on your experiences, beliefs, and aspirations to discover the compelling stories that distinguish you from other applicants. I will help you to structure and outline your essay and meet with you throughout the drafting process (usually 3-5 drafts) until you feel excited and proud of your writing. Here are some specific goals I help you to achieve in your essays:
- Communicating the unique contribution you will make to the institution (and yes, you are unique!)
- Using active, descriptive language (strong verbs and adjectives, specific examples, etc.) that engages the senses and emotions of admissions officers to make your essay memorable.
- Editing and proofreading to ensure your final product is error-free.
- And most importantly: writing in your authentic voice. As I tell my students, “Your essay must sound like you to those who know you best.”
At the end of the writing process, you will have developed powerful stories that reveal your individuality and enhance the other elements of your application. It is my hope that you will feel proud of your work and will possess new skills that serve you in your college years and beyond.
About Me
I have taught writing and English for over 20 years at schools such as Villanova University, Temple University, and Bryn Mawr College. In 2014, I began working with students on their college and graduate school applications, helping them to discover and express their strengths and future goals. Students I have coached have been admitted to schools such as Cornell, Tufts, Harvard, Dartmouth, George Washington, UCLA, Boston College, Georgetown, and Wesleyan, to name just a few.
I graduated from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and marketing. After working in marketing and development for several years, I returned to school (Boston University) to earn a master’s degree in education/teaching and later completed a certification as a creative writing instructor. My diverse background in marketing, education, and writing allows me to effectively coach students with a wide range of interests and goals.
I look forward to meeting and working with your family!
Logistics
After an initial (free) consultation, students and I set up a regular, weekly schedule to meet either in-person or virtually. We make an action plan that takes into account the reality of the student’s situation and the wishes of the family. Ideally, we meet throughout the summer in order to finish as much as possible before the beginning of senior year. Meetings can be either in person or via video conference, and are often a combination of both. Students take responsibility for scheduling and attending their appointments and doing the necessary writing in between sessions.
Communication is open and ongoing throughout the time I spend with my students. My “door” is always open for questions, concerns, and constructive feedback, and I am always happy to provide parents with a progress report on their student’s efforts.
I have coached hundreds of students as they write essays and personal statements for undergraduate and graduate applications, coursework, scholarships, and more. Students I’ve worked with have been admitted to schools such as Yale, Cornell, Tufts, Dartmouth, George Washington, UCLA, Villanova, Colgate, and Lehigh, to name a few!
Contact me to schedule a free consultation. I would be happy to tell you more about my process and fees and to determine if I would be a good fit for your student and family.
Nancy is a gifted educator of writing with a wide variety of experience with teenagers of various backgrounds. She has a rare talent as she is able to engage with high school seniors in a way that enables them to generate their own ideas of how to demonstrate who they are to selection committees.
Nancy is the utmost professional and very approachable. My high school aged son was accepted to more than 1 university ranked top 50 in the country and we believed his essays were a big factor. Nancy engaged in many interesting conversations with my son and helped him translate experiences that most would consider common for your average high school student— meaning he hasn’t done cancer research, opened a business or formed a charity— into essays that were compelling, heartfelt and persuasive. I recommend Nancy for any editorial or literary task.
“Nancy worked with two of my children who needed help with their college essays. My two kids are quite different – one is a self-starter, and the other is a procrastinator. I marvel that Nancy’s approach to coaching worked so well with both of my kids. Unlike other writing coaches, Nancy does not write the essay for the kids. Neither does she simply pull apart their first draft or two and rewrite it. To the contrary, she provides needed guidance and support, but the finished college essay is in the child’s voice and belongs singularly to that child.”