FEES:
For a fee of $600 we will help you complete all the personal statement requirements of any school's application. We will do as many edits on each essay as is necessary, that is part of the fee. The application typically includes two essays and sometimes includes a question asking you to describe why you want to attend a particular school (an important question that we can help you answer). We also advise you how to fill out the 'brag' sheet, and those important but annoying questions for which they only give you 2 inches of space.
Since there is
usually an overlap in the types of questions asked by all
schools, we most often only help you complete just one
application (most frequently the so-called "common"
application, which is used in generic form or with slight
variations by many schools).
WHEN YOU CONTACT US:
We first determine which application you want us to help you with and we have a general discussion, usually by phone, of the actual questions you will be answering for that application. We then sketch out possible "first draft" approaches to the question, and give you a deadline, often three to five days, to complete the first drafts. Students seem surprised by that, but they are only first drafts, and the idea is to get started.
Sometimes we ask you to gather information, do library research, or talk to people who are central to your essay. For example, many essay questions ask you to discuss a teacher or relative who was influential in your development. We often suggest talking to that person and asking specific questions. You'd be surprised how many students fail to do this, as obvious as it would seem.
We then review the first draft, either by e-mail/fax or phone and come up with a plan for the second draft. Very often, the critical phase is between the first and second draft. Sometimes we are able, in reviewing the first draft, to detect the germ of a genuinely impressive idea and use that as a springboard for the final essay. Once the original and personal idea is uncovered, the writing, organization, tone, and content fall into place with relative ease--relative ease compared to the pain and frustration of attempting to write something that you do not really believe in or care about.
After the first drafts, polishing your essay, adding
details, and shaping it to the required length is easier
and more fun. This typically takes one to three more
drafts.
OTHER SERVICES:
We also offer two other services. For $250 we will help you complete any single essay question. This service is typically used by students who want targeted help in just one essay, or who are applying to a school with only one essay.
Our last service is our First Draft/Quick Appraisal.
If you send us a first draft of any essay question, we
will give you by return fax or e-mail a quick appraisal of
it for $150 which will include an overall impression and
suggestions for rewriting. The Quick Appraisal Service can
be a valuable tool for writers who can take cogent and
highly directed editorial advice without further
assistance.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
If you are "ultra" dedicated and can also demonstrate financial hardship, we will help you for free. Send us a 500 word letter, fax or e-mail outlining your aspirations and family background, and include the name of a high school counselor we can contact.
