The Last Word Prep offers a full array of customized college consulting services which rely on its founder’s comprehensive knowledge of today’s college application landscape, strong marketing, writing and editing background, and unparalleled ability to connect with students and parents in order to inspire trust and spark creativity in the application process.  From helping to develop a high school academic and extracurricular plan, to building the college list and producing top notch essays, all of The Last Word Prep’s services are designed to help the student with developing self-awareness, smart college choices, and improved writing, editing, and self-presentation skills. Founder Rachel Rader, a Yale graduate who worked in the book publishing industry for many years, utilizes her extensive writing, editing and media coaching experience to help students -- from the struggling to the accomplished -- present themselves at their most dynamic and authentic to colleges and universities at every level of selectivity.

In today’s competitive application environment there are several objective measures of success – grades, standardized test scores, AP classes – to which almost all colleges turn to help shape their acceptances.  But beyond these measurements lies a more subjective area consisting of extracurricular activities, life experiences, family background, and personality, just waiting to be defined and presented to college admissions officers in the best possible way.  This may seem like a daunting task for a teenager, but it is, in fact, an amazing opportunity for students to set themselves apart from the pack.

Grades and scores matter, of course, but colleges and universities are looking for students who are great communicators, who are able to express who they are and what is important to them in a smart, genuine, and completely individual manner.  The Last Word Prep works with students on both application essays and preparation for on campus and alumni interviews, helping them to identify what makes them unique and interesting and to convey this information to the college of their choice in a lively, intelligent, and convincing fashion.

At the end of The Last Word Prep’s process, students will have made smart decisions throughout high school, built realistic and well-researched college lists, written carefully thought out and creative college essays, and developed strong interview and follow-up skills and an improved ability to communicate that will serve them well in college and beyond.