College essay help is a service with IvySelect that aids you in writing the best college application essay possible. Our college essay help specialists have world-class experience in the field of essay writing. Your college essays play an incredibly important role in the highly selective admissions process. Standardized test scores, your GPA and the rigor of your curriculum remain as pivotal pieces of your college application. But with so many students submitting test scores and grades at the highest level, how is a university able to decide to whom they should offer admission?

College Essay Writing Help From Unsurpassed College Essay Specialists

By employing a “holistic” approach to the process, admissions officers are able to separate students with very similar academic credentials. Their subjective analysis draws upon many pieces, e.g., your letters of recommendation, your activities and how they’re viewed in the context of “institutional priorities,” your “special status” as an athlete or legacy and so forth.

Your essays are very highly valued in this analysis. They provide (or should provide) insights into how you write, how you think and what you’re passionate about. Your personal statement, short answers and supplemental essays reveal your personality traits, how you visualize your academic path, and detail your life story.

Is it any wonder, then, that the vast majority of students find writing their college essays to be incredibly daunting? Due to a lack of information, anxiety and a dearth of fundamental knowledge, students often fail to write “winning” essays that can be the difference between whether or not they get in to various schools. That fate will not be yours when you work with IvySelect!

Our college admissions counselors possess an expert understanding of the essay writing process. We will guide you to write top-notch essays that stand out from your competition.

We’re sure you have many questions. How do you begin the writing process? What strategies distinguish exceptional personal statements from ordinary essays? Will I have to write many drafts? How can I make my essay stand out from other students? What methods do I use to reveal different aspects of myself in the many short answer questions and essays I’ll be writing?

57% of our students in 2020 will attend a school ranked in the Top 10 National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges
100% of our students in 2020 will attend their 1st or 2nd top-choice school
100% of our students in 2020 will attend schools ranked in the Top 25 National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges

Don’t Let Inadequate Resources Undermine Your Essays

The resources you might consider are simply inadequate. Your guidance and/or college counselors do not have the time to work with you on an individual basis through multiple drafts of your multiple essays. Alternatively, filled with hubris, some students believe that because they receive strong grades in English and read a book on “successful Ivy League essays,” that they are well equipped to write an outstanding personal statement.

Keep in mind that the college personal statement is a very different beast than the five-paragraph essays that make up your high school writing assignments. Admissions officers are evaluating your essays in an exceedingly different light than your English teacher. Therefore, the college essay help offered by your English teacher may totally miss the mark, as your teacher is without the requisite expertise needed.

Essay Coaching Companies Lack The Knowledge Of Our Professional College Counselors

Essay coaches share something in common with English teachers: they, too, are NOT professional college counselors. The writing background that essay coaches may have does not make them admissions experts!

IOur counselors participate in national college conferences alongside admissions officers, who share their insights about their schools and their different admissions processes. We fly all over the country to take part in professional development seminars where we receive current information on college admissions. Our consultants visit schools in the U.S. and internationally in order to help you build essays that are on-point for each university.

We are true college essay specialists, with a honed professional understanding that is way beyond essay coaching and writing services. Utilizing our experience, knowledge base and deep-level strategies, your writing will be top flight, unique and will stand head and shoulders above your competition.

We’ll Provide Insight Into How Admissions Officers Evaluate College Essays

When students lack professional college admissions guidance, they often will write essays that they think admissions officers want. They may envision a professorial old man sporting a bow tie and dowdy sports jacket as their gatekeeper. Though a few admissions officers may fit that profile, most AO’s do not belong to that demographic.

Attempting to craft an essay to impress your particular vision of an admissions officer is foolhardy. It may actually undermine your chances of getting into a particular school.

Our college counselors will help you avoid these types of pitfalls. Given our experience and knowledge, including the many conversations that we have with admissions officers, we are able to guide you in crafting authentic essays that are exceptional.

We Will Assist You In Discovering Your “Life Themes”

Students without the proper counseling often write essays that are bereft of passion and that fail to delineate who they are. Their writing, on most occasions, often does not identify their “life themes” that are part of different pieces of their applications, including resumes, letters of recommendation, the academic record as well as extracurricular activities.

Your Ivy league college counselor will help you tie together the various pieces of your application in both the academic and extracurricular contexts. Through our strategic vision, you will understand how your school-based and summer activities, as well as your personal and family experiences tie together to showcase your life themes. We’ll help you demonstrate your vision throughout your application and your essays, so that, in admissions speak, there will be the proper “resonance” across all of your college admissions documents.

Unsurpassed Professional Writing & Teaching Assistance

It’s not sufficient to know what to write. How you convey ideas is crucial. From experience, you understand that not all teachers, coaches and counselors have the same abilities. You simply learn more from certain individuals. Let’s face it – some people have superior talent in imparting what they know and in helping you elevate your writing.

Our Director has experience as an editor at a major New York publishing firm and is an award-winning writer. He possesses exceptional skills in helping students craft their essays. Should you work with him, you will receive guidance on your essays from an Ivy League graduate with a special talent and training to teach you how to write standout essays.

Regardless of which of our college counselors you work with, you’ll be in great hands. For example, our Senior College Admissions Consultant has a wealth of experience, having read literally thousands of essays in her role as a member of an admissions committee at one of the Ivies.

Our group of first-rate professionals will guide you in crafting personal statement that cut through the clutter in the very competitive admissions landscape at highly selective universities.

We Help You Conceptualize Standout Essays

Our college counselors will help you brainstorm concepts for your personal statements that you would most likely have not thought of on your own. Although we do not write essays for applicants, we guide you in crystallizing your ideas, direct you when your concepts flail and stop you from submitting essays that fail to answer the question or that do not make your best case for admission.

Is Hiring a College Essay Specialist Worth It? Ask Our Students and Their Parents.

College Essay Help Testimonials

The sweep of Michael’s knowledge and familiarity with Colleges far and wide was incredibly reassuring as our daughter embarked on the journey of finding and getting into the right school for her. It doesn’t matter how much writing someone has done, when it comes to the college essay, it is unbelievably helpful to have the guidance of someone who knows exactly what the admissions folks are looking for. Worth every nickel!
Harvard UniversityFather of Student
The college process can be – and mostly is – very stressful for the kids and the parents. With so many factors to consider – what schools to target, whether/where to apply early decision/action, selection of essay topic and dealing with the supplements etc. – it is important to have good guidance throughout the process. Michael has lots of experience in guiding kids and parents through this process. Our daughter established a good cadence with Michael and they were able to work regularly and diligently on the applications. They established a plan and stuck to it by having weekly meetings and making steady progress. Michael’s guidance was key for our daughter (and us!) to stay relatively calm through the process and we ended up with an early acceptance into her top choice – Duke! She was very happy and Michael’s support and counseling was key during the whole process.
Duke UniversityFather of Student
The college application process was by no means easy, which is why I feel so grateful to have had Michael’s guidance throughout it all. Right from the very first session, Michael had already formulated a comprehensive plan that included how I could turn my passions into standout projects, and even advised me on possible college essay topics. Michael’s approach proved to be very effective and always made me feel one step ahead. I cannot thank Michael enough for the help and time he has dedicated to me. I am so fortunate to be attending Northwestern this fall, an opportunity that may have not been possible without Michael’s expertise. Thank you!
Northwestern UniversityStudent
Thanks to Michael’s knowledge and expertise of the college process he assisted me in perfecting my essays and portraying myself well to colleges. I am so grateful for the time and effort he put into helping me achieve my dreams. With his guidance, I was accepted to several highly selective universities and am so excited to be attending Cornell University in the fall.
Cornell UniversityStudent
I am a happy parent from Jakarta, Indonesia who has just been notified that my daughter has been accepted by her ED school, Vassar College. Michael is a very reputable and knowledgeable college consultant. I feel that I chose the right and best consultant for my daughter. He has helped my daughter go through a complicated US college application process and make her become competitive to get accepted. He offered great advice about the best-suited college for my daughter based on her preference as well as her best possibility for the admittance. My daughter also got so much help from Michael when she wrote her college essay. Last but not least let me express my sincere gratitude for your support, effort and advise to my daughter. I wish you a very great success ahead. I will be happy to tell my experience with you to my friends and acquaintances.
Vassar CollegeFather of Student
I sincerely appreciate Mr. Goran’s precious efforts in helping me overcome all the challenges I faced throughout the application process. As a Chinese student, I was particularly struggling to use the most appropriate language and vocabulary when writing essays. Mr. Goran’s strategic advice on my essays played a significant role in my admission result. I probably could not have gotten accepted Early Decision to Duke without his professional guidance. My gratitude is beyond words.
Duke UniversityStudent
I started working with Michael the summer before senior year. I regret not having met with Michael earlier to create a more targeted approach to my academic pursuits over the first three years of high school. He had some great ideas on what I could have done! However, Michael instantly highlighted my strong points and came up with a strategy to best present my resume to the colleges. It was such a relief to have weekly meetings to discuss and edit my essays. Michael’s ideas for the essays were focused and insightful. The meetings kept me on track and I had applications for 12 schools completed before December 1. I was thrilled to be accepted ED to Haverford and feel that Michael was instrumental in helping me achieve this!
Haverford CollegeStudent
As senior year began I was quite bogged down by the amount of tasks I had to complete for the college admission process. As the weeks passed, I had done nothing and the college admission process still loomed large. When my parents introduced me to Mike, he made sure I completed everything on time. As an avid follower of procrastination, I do not think I would have even completed my applications if not for Mike. Furthermore, he made sure that my essays were perfect. He did not allow any draft to go without being edited until it was a compelling essay worthy of a top tier school. As a rising freshman in Washington University in St. Louis, I cannot thank Mike enough for doing his best to make sure I got into such a great school. I will never forget you! You’re the man, Mike!
Washington University of St. LouisStudent
Before working with Michael Goran, I was completely overwhelmed by the prospect of college applications and the unpredictability of the whole process. There were so many supplement essays to write, so many interviews to schedule, and so many application deadlines to meet. But Michael immediately dispelled all of my worries pertaining to college with his individualized counseling. He helped me finalize my college list, prepare for interviews, and assemble a holistic application that showcased who I am. In addition, his specific comments on my essays were so helpful in polishing my writing and advising me on how to write more fluidly while keeping my essays true to myself. If something could be improved, Michael did not hesitate to point it out so that my applications and supplements would be as flawless as possible. Michael always kept me on track, and with his help, I was able to finish almost all of my Regular Decision applications and supplements even before I received my Early Decision acceptance to Brown University. I don’t know how I would have survived this grueling college application process without IvySelect!
Brown UniversityStudent
After what felt like an eternity, I finally received the letter saying that I had been admitted to Cornell University. At that moment, all the tough times and the effort that Michael and I put forth seemed worth it. As an international student from China seeking a more elite and intellectually challenging academic environment, I was sure of my decision to transfer from a large public university. Yet, my path was rocky. I reworked my application essays multiple times, but they still lacked power and passion. At the same time, I felt overwhelmed by finals and papers from my current university. I was under pressure and frustrated. I could feel my dream school drifting further and further away. This feeling was so strong that I even lost control and cried right in front of Michael. However, Michael helped restore me with his patience and rebuilt my confidence through his rich experience. Most importantly, he also helped me find the best way to let my essays “speak for me.” Yes, my essays “talked.” I can’t find the words to describe my appreciation to him for not only making my dream come true, but also influencing me with his consideration and kindness. Thank you, Michael. I wish you all the best.
Cornell UniversityInternational Transfer Student

Read more from our clients and what they have to say about our college essay advisement services.

College Essays: Why Are They Important?

The Essay Makes Up 25% of Your College Application

Essays are a key component in admissions evaluations to top-tier schools. Depending upon the university, they can represent 25% or more of your application. Writing and submitting great college essays can play an even greater role in your admissions chances to elite schools than the mere percentage they represent, however. As one of the few subjective pieces of your application, they can serve as true differentiators, helping you to maximize your competitive stature to high-end colleges.

Essays Help You Stand Out From the Competition

Top colleges are not only looking for students with exceptionally high grades and standardized test scores. In the world of highly selective schools, the vast majority of students will have the “numbers” that put them in the conversation for admission. Beyond the “hard factors” though, top-tier universities employ a holistic admissions policy that looks at the whole student. The colleges are seeking students who demonstrate academic passion, intellectual curiosity, a dedication to impactful extracurricular activities, resilience, character, kindness and a commitment to their community. Your college essays are one of the primary mechanisms for manifesting these traits that can serve as a great contrast to other students with superior numbers. Your Ivy league consultant can provide you with exceptional college essay help, so that you can stand out from the competition.

Essays Can Highlight Your Creativity

College essays do more than highlight your strengths and passions. They also demonstrate the way you express yourself. They provide insights into your personality and how you think. With our college essay help, we will make certain that your “voice” comes through. You are unique – and the story you have to tell is unique as well!

Essays Provide an Outlet to Tell Your Story

Admissions officers truly want to get to know you. It’s a hard task when they might have 10 minutes or less to review your entire admissions file. Your transcript, standardized test scores, resume and more all tell part of your story. Yet, it’s the “soft factors” or subjective pieces of your application like letters of recommendation and essays that can really make you come to life, off the page, in a three-dimensional way. Essays can elicit an emotional reaction in admissions officers reviewing your file. Your college essays can really showcase in a heartfelt way who you are, making admissions officers more inclined to advocate for you in committee if they feel a connection to you through your writing.

Essays Help Round Out Your Application

It’s one thing to simply check off a box in your application indicating what you want to study in college. Grades in AP, honors or IB Higher Level courses in high school in that discipline can also demonstrate your interest in and aptitude for a given area of study. However, it’s another thing to be able to articulate with passion and authenticity why it is that you want to pursue a major in a specific field. In your Common App essay, you can speak about a meaningful extracurricular activity that cemented your interest in pursuing study in a given area. In a “Why X College” essay, you can write about how your interest developed, the resources that the college has that will help you learn more about your intended major and why, because of that alignment, you’re a great fit for that school. Essays allow you to provide a different perspective to round out your application. The college essay help that our team provides can make a pivotal difference in your admissions outcomes.

Our Counselors Work With You For Months On Your Multiple Essays

Although the Common Application has one “main” essay prompt, students are often surprised to find that each school may require that they respond to multiple supplemental essays and short answers. Many selective schools and, of course, highly selective colleges, require you to write at least one and often two additional essays. These writings may range in length from 250 to 500 words or more. In some cases, you may find yourself responding to five to seven questions for a single university!

If you submit a polished “main” personal statement that an essay coach or your English teacher helped you with, but answer your supplemental essays and short answers with awkward writing, this will raise red flags to admissions officers. They will surmise that you had help with your main essay and that your poor writing in other essays reflects your true abilities. In such a case, you will surely lose credibility.

In order to write multiple essays that are of the same elevated, high quality as your main essay, you need to spend the time, do the hard work and receive informed guidance. Working with your college counselor in hands-on, individualized weekly meetings that take place over a period of months, your essays will truly standout and help make your best case for admission to top colleges.

The IvySelect Essay Strategy

Preliminaries

  • Analyze your academic and extracurricular profile & interests
  • Learn about the student and family
  • Conceptualize and develop an essay strategy
  • “Life themes” exploration
  • Discuss possible essay concepts
  • Delineate what admissions officers look for in your essays

Essay Brainstorming & Conceptualization

  • Review various approaches to develop outstanding essay themes
  • The use of the “Snow Plow” to generate ideas
  • Writing About “Your Passions” Method
  • The “What do I believe?” Question
  • The “Values” Approach
  • Use of adjectives as a starting point
  • Discussion of Experiences: interests, activities, family, job, philosophy
  • Conceptualization through Formation of the Essay Idea

The Synthesis Stage

  • Drawing together material through your experience
  • Relating your experience to strengthen your positioning strategy
  • Defining how the experience was significant and your “take away”
  • Ascertaining your theme — revealing a truth, manifesting uniqueness
  • Pre-writing concepts — consider what will make your writing sound authentic and what to include for specificity
  • Avoiding trite topics that admissions readers hate
  • Making sure that you answer the question
  • Conferencing on what should be included in a specific essay

The Drafting Stage

  • Guidance on structure
  • Editing Considerations — length, flow, clarity, content, objectives, structure
  • Making certain the essay follows the “Do’s & Don’ts” rules
  • Discussing when you need to “kill your darlings”
  • Making certain the essay resonates with emotion & passion
  • Story development
  • Making the “character” come to life
  • Emphasizing Authenticity
  • Grammar assistance
  • Months-long feedback on an ongoing basis given for personal statements and short answers
  • Elevation of essays by taking them through multiple drafts

The Polishing Stage

  • Polishing the Introduction to “draw the reader in”
  • Elevating your positioning strategy via the polish
  • Making certain your ideas are defined & polished
  • Polishing the flow of your personal statements
  • Maximizing the depth & focus of your essays through the polish
  • Making certain your essay feels “complete” by polishing your Conclusion
  • Proofread for final adjustments

Our essay strategy is applied to all your essays and short answers.

Speak to a College Essay Specialist Today

Our college essay specialists have vast experience in the world of essay advisement and they know what they’re doing. Michael Goran and our team possess the talent to help you write a five-star essay, so that you have the best chance at the college or university of your dreams.

Learn More
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