College Essay & Interview Coaching
Getting into the college or university of your choice has never been more competitive.
Whether you're a student or a parent, the process can be nerve-wracking and anxiety-provoking.
We get it. We've been there.
And we can help.
Why Do You Need Help?
Even the most capable writers and speakers can get tongue-tied when talking about themselves.
Brainstorming with a writing or interview coach is invaluable. These professional wordsmiths can gently draw out the parts of your story that are exciting, moving, inspirational, and impressive.
When you hear your own worth reflected by another person, you inevitably gain the confidence that yours is a story worth telling.
We Ensure That Your Essays …
Project your passion, capabilities, and confidence ... the way you would say it, in your own voice.
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Highlight everything that is unique and valuable about you.
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Maximize delivery of your message and ambitions to the colleges and programs you’ve selected.
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Marry your values and history to the mission of the programs you apply to.
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Offer your strengths, skills, and experience in ways that differentiate you from the crowd.
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Are finished on time, without undue stress. You might even have fun!
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We’ll make certain that you feel proud of what you've already accomplished ... and what you will soon achieve!
Meet the Team
We use a double-layered, four-eyes editing process. Every student gets the benefit of two exceptional writers who ask questions, make suggestions, and offer feedback throughout a collaborative process. This maximizes the impact each essay can make on the application process.
Your primary writer will always be Damon DiMarco.
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Damon's books have won praise from The New York Times, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, NBC's The Today Show, Publisher's Weekly, and NPR/PBS. At Drew University's Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, Damon founded, created, and led the Writing for Public Intellectuals workshop which became a requirement for PhD students in the History & Culture Program. He ghostwrites for politicians, business moguls, celebrities, and thought leaders in various sectors.
Here’s What People Say About Us
“Relentlessly insightful. Respectful and inspirational. Damon's fierce commitment to offering clear responses regarding what works and doesn't work in a story avoid cheap comparisons while always honoring the writer's intent. The guidance he's provided helped stories by great writers like National Book Award winner Denis Johnson, Pulitzer Prize winner M. Scott Momaday, and many dozens more to flourish.”
Mark Woods, Founder of New River Dramatists and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival.
“Damon is top notch and I'm very thankful to be working with him. I couldn't have done this without him.”
Jade Falzon
“Damon doesn’t just work with you, he partners with you. He asks questions, he figures out what you need, then he does it … he’s great at what he does …”
Ron Roth
FAQs
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The Common App Essay has fast become the primary differentiator for an otherwise qualified candidacy.
A few things to know about the Common App Essay:
• It's entirely qualitative, not quantitative. It's the perfect opportunity to showcase a side of yourself that isn't reflected by grades and test scores.
• It's your personal statement, an opportunity to talk about yourself in your own voice and in a way that sets the tone for your values, goals, and expectations.
• In many cases, the Common App Essay is the only way a college will get to know you personally.
Things to keep in mind:
• Roughly a thousand schools rely on the Common App Essay to evaluate applicants, including all Ivy League colleges.
• Your essay will provide an answer to one of seven offered prompts.
• The Common App Essay is capped at a maximum of 650 words.
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In addition to the Common App Essay, most schools ask applicants to supply between two and five Supplemental Essays.
These essays drill into specific ways in which the applicant's experience and ambitions match the school's values and stated mission.
Supplemental Essays are a prime opportunity for applicants to differentiate themselves from the teeming crowd of similarly qualified students.
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Many colleges still use interviews to qualify and differentiate general applicants. Some schools only ask students applying for certain programs to interview. Others require interviews for students who qualify for scholarships. A few schools may ask to set up an interview after an application has been submitted.
Interviews can take place virtually, over the phone, or in person. They're generally held by an admissions officer, sometimes with the assistance of a current student, sometimes with the assistance of a school alum.
We recommend that students always request and complete interviews for the schools they truly wish to attend. And, of course, we recommend that students be prepared to knock their interview out of the park.
What makes for a great interview? Put simply: you being you at your best.
We've trained professional actors and C-suiters at multi-billion-dollar companies to put their best selves forward in auditions, performances, speeches, and trade talks. And, of course, we've helped students ace their college interviews.
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Each student's earnest participation in the coaching process is essential to helping them create a quality essay.
Each candidate must commit to an initial interview with their primary writer, and participate in scheduled calls, emails, and texts as needed.
Our Services
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$1500
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$175 per hour
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A one-hour "groundwork" meeting plus four one-hour mock interview sessions and preparation materials.
$1100