1st-choice
95%
Of my students go on to their first-choice school.
2nd-choice
100%
Go on to their first or next-choice schools.
Essay Services
1-on-1 Coaching
WOW essay plan
Get to WOW in four phases
1 – Spill your guts
The things you love, things you would never do again, your big hairy dreams and your tiny pleasures – we mine your life in the first session until the golden topic reveals itself.
2 – Learn from the best
We study hand-picked essays that beat the odds at your top schools, looking for critical strategies in story telling, humor, structure and original thinking. We generate your own craft arsenal to make your essay sing and map your story onto it.
3 – Write your brains out
We blaze several drafts, refining and sharpening at each pass (and eating lots of snacks) until we have a piece of writing that shows your love of learning and true self.
4 – Trim and polish
Stressed about word count? I got you. I take my essay ninja skills to your final draft and polish it to glinting – helping your voice stand out for all to admire.
Get personalized guidance at every stage of the essay-writing process to make your application rise to the top. Finish your WOW essay in four to six sessions. Finish your supplements in three to five.
WOW Essay Bootcamp
Get your WOW essay done in one week and save on 1-on-1 coaching. Have fun with other seniors from all over the country (and lots of snacks). Click one of the buttons below to find out when the next one is happening.
The WOW approach
Rather than a grueling, erudite self-promotion pitch, your college essay offers you an opportunity to connect to your deepest Want, your Original voice, and your Wisdom (self reflection) – your WOW – and share it in writing. Most competitive universities now base 50% of admissions on what you write in application essays. I have helped countless students craft a WOW essay and have watched them get into their top choice school – not because they bragged about themselves or tried to prove how smart they were – but because they dug deep in themselves and told a unique, personal story that showed their maturity and drive to grow. Admissions officers are shoveling through applications to find this kind of student. They have names for these rare finds: the autonomous learner, the ethical student, the citizen student – someone who will use their school like their own backyard, their own lab, engage with teachers and students and forge their own education. Transcripts and test scores won’t show them that. The essay is where you WOW them.
Admissions Services
Philosophy: Know Thyself
I help students discover their authentic desires, interests, and strengths and apply that knowledge to a personalized and empowering college admissions process, whether that be application-writing or a wraparound experience. Through coaching and research on curriculum selection, extracurricular activities, resume building, summer experiences, and application statements, I help students discover and present their authentic and most enthusiastic selves to colleges and universities.
Testimonials
“I wake up in absolute disbelief every morning.
I truly can not thank you for everything you have done to help me craft a compelling application.
My only regret is that I did not get connected to you earlier!”
Luke
admitted to Georgetown, MCDONOUGH school of business, 1st-choice school
“I would be nowhere without this guy! Justin helped me find a topic I never would have guessed and went the extra mile to help me break through. I can’t stop smiling!”
Daniel
admitted to Boston College, 1st-choice school
“Justin was the best Boost my daughter needed. He truly helped her to understand what she was trying to convey. We can’t thank him enough for inspiring her.”
EILEEN
mother of daughter admitted to Vanderbilt, 1st-choice school
“I cannot thank Justin enough for sharing his amazing skills with us. He made the whole process so much richer and more meaningful than it would have been.”
SHARI
mother of son admitted to NYU, 1st-choice school
About
I am a college admissions and essay expert and Yale grad who’s helped hundreds of students raise their admissions prospects. I bring together my expertise as an essayist and scriptwriter with expertise I learned in my family: my mother was the editor-in-chief of CollegeData.com. I have taught writing at Yale University, Wesleyan University, the Sorbonne, in high schools, and privately throughout New York City and internationally with all ages. My own essays have been featured in newspapers, magazines, and university commencement speeches, including one at Radio City Music Hall! I’m also a professional meditation teacher and love helping students bring more peace of mind to their lives and the college admissions process.
Contact
Get Started
Call: 929 244 9719
Email: justin@wowcollegeessay.com
Location
New York, New York
FAQ
I’m not the best essay writer. Can I still write a “wow” essay?
Absolutely. Can you tell a joke? Can you nerd out on your favorite place or piece of music or meal? Can you think out loud? Then you can write an essay that will wow.
I’m stuck. I don’t know what to write about. I’m worried I’m too “boring.” Can I still do it?
Absolutely. The number one comment I get from my students is “I never would have thought talking about that would get me into college.” Our lives are as interesting and engaging as our point of view on them. I help students see the gold right under their noses.
I already started an essay. Can you look it over?
Absolutely. Contact me at 929 244 9719 or justin@wowcollegeessay.com for more.
Do you work over the internet?
Yes! In fact, most of my students meet me over FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, etc. You name it, we can probably do it.
What is your pricing?
My 1-on-1 pricing is hourly or by package, depending on your goals. Contact me at 929 244 9719 or justin@wowcollegeessay.com for more.
For my NYC bootcamps, See here.
For my online bootcamps, contact me at 929 244 9719 or justin@wowcollegeessay.com.