About this Service

I work with students on their essays for college and graduate school applications from brainstorming to a final proofread. Beautiful sentences, vivid images, a clever ideas--these are all great to have, but what matters most is that your essay has your 'fingerprint' on it. Think about it this way: if you showed your essay to someone who you have not met, would have they have an accurate (and appealing) image of who you are?

My job is to get you there. My process adapts to each student, but generally I start with a brief but intensive interview in which I try to get to know who you are. We then move quickly to develop first drafts, then revise and polish. I will ask you to complete homework assignments between sessions to move the process forward, but when you get stuck, I will be there to make sure we keep moving forward.

Most of my students are applying to college and work with me on the personal statement as well as a range of supplemental essays. I also work with individuals applying to medical school, advanced training programs in clinical psychology, and other forms of graduate school.

I work quickly and efficiently. Every student needs different kinds of support, and I adapt my approach to their particular needs. My students tell me what they appreciate most is that I am critical and to the point. If the work is not good enough for the schools you are looking at, I will tell you. I'm also extremely fast. Asynchronous review is available as needed.

Don't hesitate to reach out. I offer free 30-minute consultations in which I'll provide a 'sample' of feedback on any ideas or drafts you have so far.

About this Lister

I’m a writer. Not a college guidance counselor, not an expert on admissions—a writer. For the last twelve years, I’ve been devoted to writing fiction. Back in the day, I also wrote screenplays, a web series, comedy pieces, and two self-published parody novels.

Another thing that would be helpful for you to know is that I am in training as a clinical psychologist and therapist. I'm a good listener and pretty quick at picking up what makes each student distinctive.

Background and Expertise

After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in psychology, I completed an M.F.A. in creative writing at Boston University. Over more than a decade of studying fiction line by line and holding myself to an exacting standard, I’ve learned how to tell a story.

I've now worked as a writing coach for seven years. These days, I take on only a small number of clients. Over the last two years alone, I have had students admitted to: Wharton Business School (x2), Cornell (x3), Dartmouth, Columbia (x2), UC Berkeley's highly competitive EE-CS program (1% admit rate), UChicago, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, etc. I've developed particular expertise in working with STEM-focused students, business applicants, and kids who are 'well-rounded' but don't know how to stand out.

A big part of this experience has been working alongside an expert independent guidance counselor, who has given me an insider's knowledge of what colleges are looking for.

Also, I have a great deal of experience as an applicant. I attended a highly competitive private school in New York growing up and am intimately familiar with the student experience in that kind of setting. Across two graduate programs, I've now written my own application essays for new positions for each of the last six years, securing my top choice at every step. I know what it's like to try to mine your experience in a way that is highly personal yet at the same time likely to get you where you want to go.

Finally, for three years I have reviewed applications, including personal statements and other written materials, for a doctoral program in clinical psychology. Being in an evaluative position has sharpened my perspective on what really matters (spoiler: it's not clever metaphors).

Let me end with a brief review from a student: “Oh. My. Golly Gosh. Ethan was the BEST reviewer I've ever had in my life. I mean, I've had reviewers look over my essay before (expensive ones too), but working with Ethan has been LIGHTYEARS away from any experience I've had with anyone. I came in with an essay I thought was pretty polished, but instantly, it was like Ethan was looking into the future, at a version of the essay that was yet to be, and I just immediately saw the vision when he explained it to me. When I say this man was COOKING, you must believe me. He. Was. Cooking. Every single tonal inconsistency, awkward phrase, wordy sentence, I mean -- in the first 7 minutes, I could see all the holes in my essay that I previously missed and after the first hour, I was looking at an entirely different essay."