A successful essay and a successful interview have the same starting point:  knowing who you are and what you want to say, while having the flexibility to adapt your ideas to different situations.  The key to success is getting to that starting point.  There are no formulas and no magic bullets; rather, The Last Word’s approach is highly personalized and tailored specifically to the needs and skills of your student. Rachel will:

Spend time getting to know your student, and help him understand who he is, what he cares deeply about, and what experiences have shaped him, and then work with him on effectively sharing this information with admissions officers both verbally and in writing.   

Develop timelines and deadlines to ensure that your student creates the best possible finished product with the least amount of stress.

Teach your student how to “repurpose” – to adapt one idea or experience to several different essay prompts, a skill that is crucial in this day and age when students, pressed for time with academics and extracurricular activities, may apply to a dozen or more colleges.  

Develop a follow up plan:  At many colleges, reaching out to regional admissions officers, department chairs, and coaches is crucial.  A well-crafted email expressing specific interest can go a long way.  And thank you notes are mandatory!

Be a new -- and impartial -- voice in the college application process. It can be extremely helpful to have an unbiased expert to help defuse the tension between parent and child during this potentially stressful time.