Hi. I'm Hollee, and I'm a College Essay Coach.
I love helping high school juniors and seniors transform into storytellers. Every single one of them has a unique story to tell, and admissions officers want to hear those stories in order to get to know the student behind the stats.
I know it can feel intimidating to sum up your hopes and dreams in 650 words or less, so I'm here to help your student unearth an essay topic that best illustrates who they really are, then guide them through the process of using their authentic voice to craft cohesive and compelling narratives that will set them apart from other applicants.
I work with kids during all stages of the application process. Some come to me during the brainstorming stage; others reach out later for help cleaning up a final draft. I’m here for whatever they need on the road to becoming great storytellers. Because with so many schools remaining test optional, it's become more important than ever to showcase the "real" you in your personal essay and college-specific supplements.
Getting to know each student and helping them identify their unique story is my absolute favorite part of the process. If you choose to work with me from the beginning, I’ll start by sending your child a questionnaire to complete that will help me get to know them. Then I’ll set up a phone conversation with them to chat about their background, interests and future goals — and about how to communicate all those things in their admissions essays.
Once we’ve identified and locked down a theme, we'll compose an outline for a first draft and your student will be off and running. They’ll also receive worksheets with tips for finding their voice, guides for structuring and composing each college-specific supplemental essay and additional writing advice, application deadline reminders and acceptance date drops on my Instagram account: @essayhelpbyhollee.
I offer several different package levels and a la cart options. But no matter which one you select, your student will have full access to me. They can call/text anytime they have a new idea or something they want me to look over. I know this is such a stressful time in their lives and I want them to feel as in control of and excited about the creative process as possible.
In addition to working as a college essay coach, I've been a journalist for the past 30 years. Whether I'm writing about Chrissy Teigen's famous banana bread, interviewing Kim Kardashian's interior designer, defending Visiting Day at sleepaway camp or helping high school students craft the perfect "Why This College" essay, storytelling is what I do best. I truly love helping high school juniors and seniors find their voices, so if you’re wondering where to start or even if you just need a fresh pair of eyes for a final draft, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Students I've worked with recently have been admitted to:
Boston University, Clemson, Colgate, Columbia University, USC, Emerson, Georgetown, George Washington University, University of Georgia, Loyola Marymount, University of Maryland, University of Michigan/Michigan Ross, New York University, Penn State, Ohio State, UT-Austin, Tulane, Tufts, Virginia Tech, UVM,
University of Wisconsin, University of Florida, University of Miami, Lehigh, Lafayette, University of South Carolina, Trinity and Syracuse Newhouse.
Boston University, Clemson, Colgate, Columbia University, USC, Emerson, Georgetown, George Washington University, University of Georgia, Loyola Marymount, University of Maryland, University of Michigan/Michigan Ross, New York University, Penn State, Ohio State, UT-Austin, Tulane, Tufts, Virginia Tech, UVM,
University of Wisconsin, University of Florida, University of Miami, Lehigh, Lafayette, University of South Carolina, Trinity and Syracuse Newhouse.
Click here to check out my college essay packages:
As a journalist, my writing has appeared in the following publications:
People Magazine, Self, Cosmopolitan, Shape, Parents, PopSugar, Refinery29, Bustle, The New York Post, Fit Pregnancy, Health, Elite Daily, Scary Mommy, Parenting, Babble, Romper, The Knot, Ocean Drive, InStyle Weddings, Today.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and Philadelphia Style.
You can check out some of my work by clicking the links below:
People Magazine, Self, Cosmopolitan, Shape, Parents, PopSugar, Refinery29, Bustle, The New York Post, Fit Pregnancy, Health, Elite Daily, Scary Mommy, Parenting, Babble, Romper, The Knot, Ocean Drive, InStyle Weddings, Today.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and Philadelphia Style.
You can check out some of my work by clicking the links below:
