College Essay Coaching That Helps Students Tell the Story Only They Can Tell
Your essay isn't just another writing assignment.
It's your opportunity to become more than a GPA, test score, or activity list.
We'll help your student uncover the story admissions officers actually want to read—and coach them through every draft until they have an essay that's authentic, memorable, and unmistakably theirs.
A Great Student Can Still Write an Average Essay.
Most students have never written about themselves before.
They don't know what colleges actually want.
They overthink every sentence.
They worry they'll choose the wrong topic.
Many end up writing essays that sound polished—but forgettable.
The result?
Admissions officers finish reading without learning who the student really is.
At My Admissions Sherpa, we don't write essays for students.
We help students discover the experiences, perspectives, and moments that reveal who they
truly are—and then teach them how to tell that story with confidence.
Here's everything that's included:
Strategic Topic Discovery
Great essays begin long before the first sentence.
We help students identify meaningful experiences, uncover hidden stories, and avoid overused topics that admissions officers see thousands of times every year.
One-on-One Essay Coaching
Students work directly with an experienced essay coach through brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, and polishing.
Every meeting moves the essay forward while helping students become stronger writers.
Personal Story Development
Instead of focusing on accomplishments, we help students discover what their experiences reveal about their character, values, resilience, curiosity, and growth.
The goal isn't to impress.
It's to connect.
Multiple Draft Reviews
Great essays are built through revision.
We provide thoughtful feedback on storytelling, structure, clarity, and voice to strengthen each draft while preserving the student's authentic perspective. Every revision brings the essay one step closer to submission.
Final Polish
Once the story is complete, we fine-tune every detail so the essay is polished, compelling, and submission-ready.
Essay Package Details:
✔ One full-length Common Application Personal Statement or one supplemental essay
✔ Up to 5 hours of dedicated coaching
✔ Multiple Zoom meetings
✔ Unlimited email support during the package
✔ Brainstorming session
✔ Outline development
✔ Multiple draft reviews
✔ Final submission review
This Package is Ideal for You If Your Student...
Has a college list but needs essay support.
Feels stuck picking a topic.
Has composed a draft but knows it isn't working.
Wants expert guidance without purchasing a full admissions package.
Our Philosophy on AI
AI can organize ideas.
It cannot tell your story.
Admissions officers read thousands of essays every year. They recognize generic writing almost immediately.
We encourage students to use technology responsibly—for brainstorming or organization—but never as a substitute for genuine reflection.
The essays that stand out aren't the most polished.
They're the most personal.
Here's What Sets Us Apart
Your Personal "Brain Trust"
When you hire My Admissions Sherpa, you're not hiring one person — you're hiring a team. Every student has a dedicated consultant and essay coach, backed by our collective expertise. We collaborate behind the scenes so every family benefits from our combined decades of experience.
We work on teenager time
Students don't have a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. Our consultants prioritize evenings and weekends, and we're reachable by text for quick questions throughout the day. Momentum never stalls, and parents never have to wonder where things stand.
No session caps, ever
Most firms sell you an hourly package but limit your live sessions to 5 or 10 hours. We think that's backwards. When your student needs to talk through a prompt or work through writer's block, we get on a call. We use the time however best serves them.
Proven results at selective schools
Our approach is personal. Our results are serious. We have a strong track record of helping students gain admission to the most selective colleges in the country — because we know exactly what those admissions committees are looking for.
Senior mentorship, not essay farms
We never hand your student's story to anonymous editors or junior staff. Your student works directly with a highly experienced coach who understands the admissions mindset — and who helps them find their voice, not just fix their grammar.
Premium guidance that's actually accessible
Elite-level coaching shouldn't be out of reach. While our individual hourly rate is $195, our package rates are even lower — making this a sensible investment for families who want to do this right.
Meet The Founders
Jennifer Schlegel: Co-founder & Senior Admissions Strategist
Jenny has been helping students get into college for over two decades. As a specialist in fit-first counseling, she has a rare, nuanced understanding of individual school cultures and what their admissions teams are actually looking for. She holds a BA in History and Secondary Education and two master's degrees — in History and Educational Technology — and has co-authored a comprehensive online course guiding families through the admissions journey. What's driven her throughout: a genuine love for working with teenagers.
Kate Barker: Co-founder & Senior Admissions Strategist
With more than 30 years of experience mentoring teenagers, Kate brings a uniquely holistic lens to the admissions process. She holds a Master of Family Therapy alongside certifications in Secondary Education, English, and Counseling. Kate's approach flips the script: rather than helping students fit a school's mold, she empowers them to choose with intention — asking the question most consultants never raise: Is this school truly a good fit for me? Her guidance helps students build sophisticated profiles, curated college lists, and the clarity to make a confident decision.
Why Families Choose My Admissions Sherpa
We coach. We don't ghostwrite.
Students remain the author of every word.
We protect your student's authentic voice.
Admissions officers can tell when an essay has been over-edited or written by someone else. We make sure every essay still sounds like the student who wrote it.
We know what admissions officers actually read.
After working with hundreds of students, we know what makes essays memorable—and what causes them to blend into the pile.
We teach skills that last beyond admissions.
Students leave with stronger writing, better storytelling, and greater confidence communicating about themselves.
We couldn't have done this without them. They kept our son motivated, helped him find his unique story, and completely eliminated the college application stress!
I was completely stuck on my personal statement, but my coach helped me find a unique story and build my confidence. I ended up with an essay I was incredibly proud to submit!
Our coach was incredible. They helped our daughter discover a unique story and completely took the stress out of the writing process. Highly recommend!
Your Story Deserves More Than a Grammar Check.
Let's create an essay that admissions officers remember—and one your student is proud to submit.
