Q+A
“There was never yet an uninteresting life. Inside the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy, a tragedy.” — Mark Twain
Contact me today for a free 20min consult: jessica@essayswithease.com
Did you know?
College admissions breakdowns puts essays and activity statements at upwards of 55% of the total admissions score. Meaning that 55% of the student’s admissions fate is wrapped up in writing-related execution. Writing is even more heavily weighted if the student is not submitting an SAT/ACT score.
How many college essays does the average student write?
Believe it or not, the average student writes 15 college essays plus 7-10 activity statements. The amount of college essays required has increased year after year.
How does your service compare to other college services companies?
The difference between my business and other college services companies is that you only work with me. I do not pass you off to other editors, webinars, platforms or essay specialists.
Additionally, I offer more “a la carte” options, not forcing the client to sign up for a costly package upfront, but to only sign up for what they need.
Why would being passed off to others be problematic?
Oftentimes when working with a college counselor or service, you will not even be made aware if your students’ essays are being edited by someone other than the college counselor you hired, which in my opinion, contributes to a lack of central knowledge about the student as an applicant and also lacks a cohesive, organic approach to the entire process. This two-pronged approach that I do not follow, also makes the student less likely to share and write about personal subjects — and those vulnerable topics make the best essays.
How many hours per week can I expect interfacing with you?
I typically spend up to 4 hours per week with each student on my virtual platform: editing, brainstorming, sending reminders and working on our college list, essays and activity statements. I maintain my position as a direct, yet flexible partner to your family in order make the best choices for the student. I spend 2+ hours editing their work on my own in between sessions.
What’s your approach?
My goal is to provide a warm and supportive, yet direct and informative environment for the student to flourish in. A mom to two children myself, I am a self-described empath. I am known to provide book recommendations as reading often supports great writing. I like to infuse humor into my repertoire with the students because yes, college is a big deal, but there also needs to be an ease to the process. I make myself very available for the student in case questions arise between sessions. I commonly answer text messages and send appointment and other reminders via text to align myself with teenagers’ preferred mode of communication.
Are you available to update parents/caregivers?
Yes, absolutely! Transparency is important to me. This is the first time the student is taking control of their future and it is best if they are given some space to do that with me. However, the college list is only confirmed once the family approves of each school, and I will be available to keep family in the loop throughout the process.
How much do you educate the parents/caregivers?
I offer a detailed amount of information such as how the college application process has changed in recent years, Early Decision/Early Action strategies and how to use the platforms like the UC apps, the Common App and Cal State portals.
What’s the Common App?
The Common App is an online dashboard that most schools put their applications on and it serves as a home base for multiple applications. Once you have your personal statement and activity statement portion completed, you have completed the main part of “Common App” and then you move on to supplemental essays that differ per school, also on the same dashboard. These denote a different skillset of writing and communication style per school pertaining to why you are a great fit and interested in the school. The student will also apply to the schools via this website.
Are all schools on the Common App?
No, some schools are not – for example, the UC system has its own application with many intricacies and significant differences from that of the Common App. These types of applications prove to be challenging in their own right, and very writing-centric.
What schools have your former students attended / currently attend?
Past students and freshmen for the fall of 2022 gained admission, have or will attend: University of Wisconsin at Madison, Clemson, Indiana University at Bloomington, Tulane University, Northeastern, UC San Diego, USC, Northwestern, Syracuse, Chapman, Liberty University, University of Washington, Loyola Marymount University, University of Miami, University of Colorado, Boulder, Babson College, University of Texas, Austin, University of San Diego, College for Creative Studies, CSU San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University, Endicott, University of Maryland and more.
*Note: the above is not an exhaustive list of all of the applications I have worked on with my students, where they attend or where they were admitted to.
What if my student has learning difficulties or other mental health circumstances?
Please be honest when you first contact me if there are any circumstances I need to be made aware of about your student. It will allow me to determine what is the best approach. If anything is beyond my scope, I promise to be honest and upfront with you. That being said, I have worked with students who are both medicated and unmedicated working through depression, anxiety and ADHD with positive results.
Do you work with adults for writing needs?
Yes! Being a published author and former employee of HarperCollins Publishers, I also work with published and unpublished authors who need guidance writing query letters for literary agent consideration, structural book edits, book proposals, marketing ideation and overall coaching about the publishing world.
I can also work with adults in need of writing + editing assistance for a plethora of circumstances such as resumes, LinkedIn profiles and small biz/personal websites.
When should we sign up with you?
Signing up before senior year means optimizing your investment — I will consult on academic and extracurricular/volunteer activities, college options and more. Hence, you will get more time with me for your same investment.
The most ideal time to begin working with me is between freshman and junior year so you can reserve a spot for your application year and tap my intell throughout high school.
After I sign up, when is the financial commitment due?
Regarding College Services: if sign-ups take place before September 1 of the student’s application year, half of the payment is due on the date the services begin, and the remaining half will be due July 1. If sign-ups take place after September 1, the full commitment is due on the start date. If you sign up your 9th-11th grader (pre application year), a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required and will go towards your final package.
For other writing services: schedule TBD per each individual program.
*Essays With Ease accepts checks, Zelle or Venmo payments.