Frequently Asked Questions
About the College Essay
1. How important is the college essay?
For many colleges, the essay is the only place where students can speak directly to an admissions officer. Grades, test scores, activities, and recommendations describe what a student has accomplished. The essay helps explain who they are. While the importance of the essay varies from school to school, it can play a meaningful role in competitive admissions and in helping students stand out among applicants with similar academic records.
2. What makes a great college essay?
A great essay doesn't impress readers with extraordinary accomplishments. Instead, it reveals something authentic about the student. The strongest essays are thoughtful, reflective, and personal. They leave the admissions officer feeling as though they've met a real person—not just read another application.
3. Do students need an extraordinary story?
Not at all. Some of the strongest essays are about ordinary moments. What matters isn't the event itself—it's what the student learned, noticed, valued, or came to understand because of it.
4. Why do you discourage students from reading sample essays early in the process?
Many students assume the best way to write a college essay is to study successful examples. In my experience, the opposite is often true. Reading examples too early encourages students to imitate someone else's voice instead of discovering what makes their own story worth telling.
That's why we begin with brainstorming, conversation, and reflection. Once students have identified a strong topic and developed confidence in their own voice, they can learn from examples without being constrained by them.
Every student has a story worth telling. My job is to help them discover their story—not someone else's.
5. Can students use ChatGPT or other AI tools?
AI can be useful for brainstorming, organization, or proofreading, but it should never replace the student's own thinking or writing. Admissions officers are looking for authentic voice and genuine reflection. Throughout the coaching process, students remain the authors of every essay they submit.
About the Coaching Process
6. What happens during the first meeting?
Our first meeting focuses on getting to know the student, exploring colleges, and beginning the brainstorming process so the student leaves with a clear plan.
7. How many meetings will we have?
That depends on the service selected and the student's needs. Most students benefit from several meetings spread throughout brainstorming, drafting, revision, and final review.
8. Do you write essays for students?
No. Every essay must be the student's own work.
The coaching process is intentionally designed to help students discover their own stories, develop their own ideas, and write in their own voice. Rather than telling students what to write, I ask questions, challenge them to think more deeply, and provide feedback that helps them communicate their ideas more effectively.
When students identify a story that genuinely matters to them, writing stops feeling like an assignment and becomes an opportunity to tell someone who they are. By the time students begin drafting, they aren't looking for someone else to write the essay—they're excited to write their essay.
I guide the process from beginning to end, but every essay is ultimately the student's own work.
9. How much editing is appropriate?
I provide detailed feedback on organization, clarity, and mechanics, but students make the final decisions about their essays. The goal is authenticity, not perfection.
10. Do you help with supplemental essays?
Yes. I help students develop thoughtful responses to supplemental essays while avoiding unnecessary repetition across applications.
Working with Families
11. Should parents attend meetings?
Parents are welcome at the initial consultation and may join future meetings when appropriate. My primary goal, however, is to ensure the student's voice remains at the center of the process.
12. How can parents help?
The best way parents can help is by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging reflection, and supporting deadlines rather than rewriting essays.
13. What if my student struggles to get started?
That's completely normal. Through guided conversations and brainstorming exercises, we uncover meaningful experiences students often overlook.
14. What if my student misses deadlines between meetings?
Students are responsible for completing drafts between appointments. Missing deadlines may slow the process, but I'll always do my best to help students stay on track.
Logistics
15. When should students begin working on their essays?
Ideally during the summer before senior year so there is time for thoughtful revision without unnecessary stress.
16. Do you work with students outside the St. Louis area?
Yes. I work with students locally and virtually from anywhere.
17. How much does coaching cost?
Several coaching packages are available. Current pricing is listed on the Services page.
18. What is your cancellation policy?
Appointments may be rescheduled with at least 24 hours' notice. Fees are non-refundable once services begin.
19. How many students do you work with each year?
I intentionally limit the number of students I work with each application season so every student receives individualized attention.
I don't look for the strongest writers or the most accomplished students. Many students begin convinced they have nothing interesting to say or worry they aren't good writers. What matters most is a student's willingness to engage honestly with the process and put genuine effort into discovering and telling their own story.
Students don't need to arrive with a great essay. They simply need to be willing to do the work required to write one.
20. What makes Compass Admission Essays different?
For more than twenty years I've taught writing and literature and helped students develop authentic voices. Unlike larger companies, every student works directly with me. My goal isn't simply to help students write stronger essays—it's to help them better understand and communicate who they are.