College Essay Strategy & Editing for Compelling Essays
Uncovering your story and crafting narratives that resonate
With decades of experience as a writer and editor, I know how to tell a good story. Using that knowledge, I provide one-on-one, personalized college essay editing to high school students around the country, helping them write compelling essays that enhance their applications.
I rely on the interviewing techniques I have used in my work as a journalist to discover the ideas, experiences and values that students want to share with colleges and universities. I brainstorm with students to help them choose meaningful topics for their personal statements and supplemental essays.
As I guide students through the writing process, I help them structure their essays to tell a great story while ensuring their unique voice shines through. I am always editing for grammar, spelling, usage and typos, too.
I have guided my two children through the college application process and know the stress that families may be feeling. Along with helping students write engaging essays, I am also an impartial observer of students’ thoughts and ideas, providing a safe and encouraging place for them to write about themselves. I love getting to know students and helping them tell their stories in a thoughtful, illuminating and captivating way.
For more information about college essay editing or to set up a complimentary consultation, get in touch at EssayEditorLisa@gmail.com.
Testimonials
"Lisa was a true partner in supporting my son with his college essays. With her guidance, he wrote a strong personal statement that was insightful and authentic, and unique supplemental essays that were highly specific to each school. Lisa provided timely, thorough and thoughtful feedback and edits every step of the way. Going through the college application process for the first time as a parent, I was relieved to have her expertise during such a busy time. My son was accepted to amazing universities and is thriving at his dream school, Vanderbilt. I highly recommend working with Lisa."
Mother of a Class of 2024 graduate, New York City
“Lisa helped me find direction and confidence in my essays. She has a methodical process where she truly gets to know a student before diving straight into the writing. This made it far easier to organize my ideas and strengthen the overall message of my essays. What stood out most was that she never overrides the student, as she strives to ensure that the student's voice is preserved. Rather than rewriting my work, she guided me in making decisions, and each choice felt authentic to me. Ultimately, Lisa helped me reach a place where I was proud of the essays I submitted to colleges.
Student, New York, Class of 2026; Duke University, Class of 2030
"Working with you made such a difference in my application journey. You helped me turn my scattered ideas into a clear, compelling story by pushing me to go deeper with my reflections and add in anecdotes. Our brainstorming sessions helped me uncover themes to write about that I wouldn’t have recognized on my own. After lots of brainstorming and writing, the most helpful part was the feedback you left me. Your feedback made my essays feel authentic, polished, and confident. I felt supported every step of the way. Thank you for all of your help!!"
Student, North Carolina, Class of 2026; Cornell University, Class of 2030
"Lisa is great with allowing the writer to choose their own path and she helps them navigate through it rather than jumping ahead and doing it for them. Independence was a big part of my application process as I did not want someone to override my personal aspects of my essay and choose what they wanted, but Lisa allowed me to choose my own path in my essay.
Lisa, thank you so much for all your help. Your work is so greatly appreciated, and I’m so thankful for the time you took to help me craft such a wonderful essay!"
Jessica, Massachusetts, Class of 2026; University of Michigan, Class of 2030
Students I worked with were accepted to colleges and universities including:
Adelphi University
American University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Bentley University
Binghamton University
Boston University
Bryant University
Bucknell University
Buffalo State University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Colgate University
College of the Holy Cross
Connecticut College
Cornell University (Early Decision)
Drexel University
Duke University
Elon University
Fairfield University
Flagler College
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida State University
Fordham University
Hamilton College
High Point University
James Madison University
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Maryland
Merrimack College
Michigan State University
Monmouth University
NC State University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Northeastern University
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
Providence College
Rowan University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Joseph’s University
Salve Regina University
Springfield College
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stonehill College
Stony Brook University
SUNY ESF
SUNY Oneonta
Syracuse University
Temple University
The College of New Jersey
Trinity College
UMass Lowell
Union College
University of Alabama
University at Albany
University of Arizona
University at Buffalo
University of Central Florida
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Georgia
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts
University of Miami ($25,000 scholarship)
University of Michigan (Early Decision)
University of Mississippi
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of New Hampshire
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Pittsburgh ($40,000 scholarship)
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of Scranton
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Tennessee
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University (Early Decision)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis
York College