An Educator Who Has Seen
Both Sides of the Process

My Story

I started working with college applicants over 12 years ago when I was a mentor for UC Davis's College Application Mentor Program. Since then, admissions essay editing has become my specialty, and I have edited thousands of essays across virtually every type of graduate and undergraduate program.

What sets my background apart is that I have sat on the other side of the desk. As a former UC scholarship essay reviewer and scorer, I know exactly how application essays are read and evaluated. I know what makes a reviewer pause and take notice, and I know what causes a strong application to get lost in the noise.

Why I Do This Work

When I applied to college, I did not know what I was doing. I did not know how to build a college list. I missed deadlines. I only applied to four schools, and UC Davis was the only one that offered enough financial aid for me to attend. Looking back, some of my other options may have been affordable too. I just did not know how to interpret a financial aid award letter.

I did not know what an engineering major was until I met one my first quarter. I did not know what TAs were, or why they were teaching me. I did not fully understand office hours until the end of my freshman year. I made it through the application process, but barely. That is why I do this work: to be the guide I did not have, for the students who are still going through it.

That experience shapes how I show up. I am especially drawn to students whose voices are not always recognized clearly in the process, such as first-generation, immigrant, low-income, LGBTQ+, or students who have carried responsibilities beyond what is typical for their age. Many of these students undervalue what they bring, like strength, insight, and lived experience. I want them to understand their voice deserves to be heard. They don't need to have had prestigious programs or expensive extracurriculars to be taken seriously.

I do not believe admissions should feel like a formula. Approaches that promise a specific outcome create anxiety and leave no room for real self-discovery. Students can't control the admissions outcome, but they can control building a balanced college list, presenting themselves thoughtfully, and choosing schools they're genuinely excited about. The most fulfilling part of this work is watching a student grow in confidence as we shape their thoughts and lived experiences into a cohesive narrative that is unmistakably theirs.

My Credentials

• Former UC Scholarship Essay Reviewer and Scorer
  Evaluated and scored scholarship application essays for the University of California system, giving me direct insight into what reviewers look for.
• CSU and UC Application Mentor
  Mentored underrepresented and first-generation high school seniors through the UC and CSU application process, including personal statements, application strategy, and financial aid. Worked directly alongside UC Davis Admissions Officers and received training from campus resource centers.
• UC Berkeley College Admissions Consulting Certificate Program (in progress)
  Deepening my expertise across all facets of the admissions process through UC Berkeley Extension's rigorous professional credential, with coursework covering college research, admissions decision factors, financial aid, and standardized testing strategy across all institution types.
• B.A. Psychology and B.S. Human Development, UC Davis, Summa Cum Laude
  My academic background in how people think, learn, and communicate directly informs how I approach each student's story.
• Top Rated on Fiverr
  Top Rated status on Fiverr is granted through a holistic, manual review by Fiverr's team. Top Rated sellers are selected based on their professional skills, communication, service quality, and overall client experiences provided.

How I Work

I work virtually and serve clients across the US and around the world. I offer different services to match where you are in the process. Whether you need just a careful proofread before submitting, detailed feedback on an already-written draft, or a full consultation with brainstorming for your UC Personal Insight Questions and activity list, I can meet you there.

All editing and feedback is delivered directly in your document using tracked changes and comments in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, whichever you prefer. For services that include a consultation, we connect via Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime.

How I Am Different from Your School Counselor

School counselors do important work, but they typically carry caseloads of hundreds of students. That leaves very little time for the kind of deep, individual attention that strong application essays require.

• One-on-one focus
  Your essay receives my full attention. I am not juggling hundreds of students at once.
• Breadth of experience
  From UC PIQs to PhD statements of purpose, MBA essays to medical school applications, I have worked across virtually every program type.
• Deep essay expertise
  The essay is my specialty. With thousands of essays edited across every program type, I bring a depth of writing experience that goes beyond general college counseling.
• Invested in your voice
  I am not trying to make your essay sound like every other overly polished application. I am trying to help it sound unmistakably like you.