College Application Essay Coaching:
I hold a BA in Nonfiction Writing from Brown University, an MFA in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts, and a certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California Irvine. Over the past several years, I’ve been a professional writer for media publications, a narration producer on a Hulu show, and a college application essay coach. Through these experiences, I’ve learned how to keep writers excited about the editing process, a large part of which is cultivating and fine-tuning each person’s unique voice. Part of this voice development involves crafting a personal narrative that then becomes the backbone of the college essays.
I’m as hands-on with writing and editing as each student requires, but my focus is on building confidence in and a genuine enjoyment of personal storytelling. I also pride myself on creating a stress-free environment for my clients. This might entail chatting through what’s on a student’s mind that day, providing tips for time management, or simply making myself available outside of our scheduled sessions. I help establish the right headspace for writing by communicating both as a coach and a peer.
Reviews:
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“Sydney helped my son with the essay writing process so he could apply early decision to his top choice school. She was patient and insightful as he brainstormed topics for his essays. She gave him thoughtful advice about the content and approach to each essay. He truly valued all of her input. She was a tremendous help and a pleasure to work with!”
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“I would recommend Sydney’s help to anyone in need of assistance with college personal statements and supplemental essays. Her edits were always spot on and she has a gift for organizing the students pre-existing thoughts into articulate essays. She was always incredibly responsible, never missing a meeting or asynchronous editing. She found a great balance of steering me toward the right ideas without taking control of the essay. When first meeting with her, I was in a tough spot with a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it. Sydney created a plan of action with varying levels of offline and online meetings. Without her, I may not have finished the essays for every school, and the schools I did finish would not have been as concisely organized and well-written. 100% recommend!”
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“I feel so fortunate to have found Sydney to help my son craft his college applications. Sydney worked with him on a personal statement as well as supplements for several schools. With her guidance, nurturing support, and constructive feedback, my son was able to write essays he was proud of. By working with her, he became a more introspective writer while also gaining admission to his top choice school! Thank you, Sydney!”
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“One thing about Sydney’s sessions that really helped me was her precise attention to detail. Each session she gave me honest, constructive advice that allowed my essays to constantly develop each and every time we met. Another thing that stood out to me and ultimately made an impact on my essays was her incredible diligence and quick responses. Whether I was taking ten minutes to test out a new idea or changing an entire essay, she was always in my corner outside of my sessions. In the end, my essays were both authentic to myself and incredibly fine tuned. With Sydney’s help, I was able to get into the Ivy League institution of my dreams.”
