Services

It’s important to note that a 50% deposit is required for all services – paid at the time an appointment is scheduled. Payments can be made by check, Venmo, Zelle, or by credit card via paypal.

Sessions cancelled without at least 24 hours notice, are charged at the full rate.

Students who don’t meet the essay submission deadlines for Ellen’s review will have their appointments rescheduled.

***All sessions will be conducted virtually until further notice.***

Jump Starter – $249

A blank piece of paper can be one of the most intimidating things, even for a seasoned writer. Ellen can help you generate ideas for your essay. This brain-storming session is a one-hour block customized to help you pull out the story you want to tell to college admissions officers. Everyone has a story. We’ll help you find yours.

Let’s Make It Better – $499

Maybe you’ve picked a story. Maybe you’ve even written a draft. But it’s just not where you want it to be. We can help you make it (so much) better. If you need to brainstorm first, we will do that together. Then, you’ll submit your draft (up to 750 words) and the prompt you are responding to at least 5 days before your appointment. Ellen will spend some time reviewing it and writing notes for your session.

Next, you’ll sit down with Ellen (either in person or via Skype/Facetime/Zoom) for an hour and revise your draft together. Most students don’t really understand that the magic of writing happens in revision. But it does. Your essay will transform in a more powerful story that fully captures who you are and gives the admissions counselors insights that simply can’t be captured in a transcript or on a resume. After you revise your draft, you will email it back to Ellen and she will provide an editorial letter (via email) with suggestions for finalizing your essay.

We’re In this Together $1250

From start to finish, you’ll get up to three essays written and revised. This package includes 3 one-on-one sessions with Ellen either in-person or via Skype/Facetime/Zoom.

In the first one-hour session, we’ll brainstorm and pull in some focus to your essay. We’ll draw up a plan for your first draft and we’ll talk (a lot) about what makes a good essay.

Then you will submit a draft essay at least 5 days (up to 750 words per essay) before we meet again.

In our second one-hour meeting, we will work on revisions together and make a plan for your next draft/essays.

You will then have the opportunity to submit up to two additional essays (up to 750 words each) for feedback.

In our third session, we will revise the last two essays and come up with a final plan for you to go forward with your applications.

This package will not only help you write a great essay but it will also help you become a better writer!

Supplemental Questions – $.50 per word for smaller questions (300 words or fewer)

Many colleges have supplemental questions that range in word counts from just a few words to 300 words. Ellen will provide feedback on a price per word basis at the rate of $.50 per word. This word count is based on word count requirement of the answer even if fewer words are submitted.

Research – $75 per hour

Typically students come to their sessions with a list of colleges they would like to apply to and the essay requirements for each college. If finding the questions is research you would prefer that we do for you, we’re happy to do that for $75 per hour (charged in 1/2 hour increments).

Non-Application Essay Tutoring –

If this is something you’d like to explore, please send an email to Ellen at [email protected] so she can assess your student’s needs and give you a quote/plan.

Rush Jobs – Additional fee of 35% of original fee

This option is only available if Ellen has open time in her schedule. Essays that need a quicker than usual turnaround will be assessed a rush fee. Please note however that the availability of this option is solely dependent on Ellen’s schedule and not the student’s.