College Application Tutoring

Make your college application stand out

Imagine you are an admissions officer. Your job: sift through thousands of applications to decide which students deserve a place at your school. You’re looking for students who won’t just get in — but who will succeed, graduate, and bring honor to the institution.

Now picture yourself in that pile of applications. Maybe you already have a 4.0 GPA from a highly competitive high school. Maybe you’ve checked every box. But in today’s admissions climate, even that isn’t always enough. The competition is fierce, and what was once a “reach school” for one student is now a “safety school” for another.

That’s where I come in. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve coached thousands of students through this exact process — helping them stand out in the places that matter most.

I provide personalized guidance in three of the most critical areas of the application process: essays, recommendations, and interviews.

The College Essay

Your story, your voice — but stronger

Admissions officers want to know more than your GPA and test scores. While a transcript demonstrates what you've done, the essay shows them who you are. But writing about yourself isn’t easy.

Here’s how I help:

  • Essay topic brainstorming sessions to uncover meaningful experiences and ideas that admissions officers haven’t read a thousand times before.

  • Step-by-step guidance from messy first drafts to polished, powerful final versions.

  • Simple and easy to implement tools to capture and sustain the reader’s interest.

  • Honest feedback to keep your writing authentic — it should sound like you, not a canned template.

  • Essays that complement the rest of your application and leave a lasting impression.

Letters of Recommendation

Let others tell your story, the right way

A strong recommendation letter is like a spotlight — it shines on qualities about yourself that you can’t easily showcase yourself. But not all recommendation letters are created equal.

I guide students to:

  • Choose the right people (teachers, coaches, and mentors) who know you well and take pride in your accomplishments.

  • Provide them with background and talking points so they highlight your strengths clearly.

  • Align recommendations with the bigger picture of your application.

When done right, these letters don’t just “check a box.” They confirm to admissions officers that you are exactly the kind of student they want.

The College Interview

It’s not about rehearsed answers — it’s about confidence

The interview is your chance to bring your application to life. You’re not just answering questions — you’re building a connection and leaving an impression. Everyone has a transcript. But not everyone can carry a conversation.

I coach students to:

  • Understand key concepts like interview dress code, social skills, and post-interview follow up

  • Practice real interview questions in a supportive setting until answers feel natural, not memorized

  • Learn how to tell your story clearly, confidently, and authentically

  • Develop poise, body language, and presence so admissions officers remember you, not your nerves

  • Hone strategies to effectively answer unexpected questions

Ready to Strengthen Your Application?

I’ve seen firsthand how stressful this process can feel — for students and for parents. My job is to make it manageable, structured, and effective. Whether it’s through essays, recommendations, or interviews, I’ll help you present the very best version of yourself.

Sessions are available in person in Hackettstown, New Jersey or virtually on Zoom.