Terms & Policies
A clear summary of how I work, what's included, and what to expect when we work together.
These terms apply to all services provided by Candlelight College Consulting, operated by Heather Wood. By engaging my services and submitting payment, you agree to the terms outlined below. Clients receive a confirmation of scope and payment terms with their invoice prior to the start of work.
I provide editing, feedback, and coaching for admissions essays across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The scope of each engagement is defined by the package purchased, including Basic, Standard, Premium, UC PIQ Bundle, and Comprehensive Essay Package. The specific deliverables for each package are listed on the Services page.
I do not write essays for students. My role is to review, edit, and provide feedback on writing the student has already produced or is working on. Every word in the final essay should be the student's own.
Payment is invoiced through PayPal Goods and Services. Individual essay packages (Basic, Standard, Premium, UC PIQ Standard, UC PIQ Premium) require payment in full before work begins. The Comprehensive Essay Package requires a non-refundable deposit at booking, with the remaining balance due before the editing portion of the engagement starts.
All prices are listed in US dollars. PayPal processing fees are included in the listed package prices.
Refunds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In general:
If you have a concern about the quality of service received, please contact me directly. I am committed to working in good faith to resolve any issues before a refund is considered.
The number of revision rounds and turnaround times for each package are listed on the Services page. Turnaround time begins the moment I receive your draft and confirm the engagement, not at the time of inquiry or booking.
Rush service (24-hour turnaround) is available for individual essay packages at a 50% surcharge, subject to availability.
I typically respond to inquiries and messages within 24 hours. Communication is primarily by email. For Premium packages and the Comprehensive Essay Package, video consultations are available via Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime.
Please include your application deadline, target program, and any specific concerns in your initial message so I can confirm availability and scope.
I do not write essays for students. I do not check for AI-generated content or "humanize" writing produced by AI tools. The essay should be your own original work, and my role is to help you strengthen and refine what you have written.
By engaging my services, you affirm that the work you submit is your own and that any AI-assisted content has been disclosed to me where applicable.
Admission to any college, university, graduate program, or professional school depends on many factors beyond essay quality, including academic record, test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, interviews, and institutional priorities. I do not and cannot guarantee admission to any program. My services are intended to strengthen the written portion of your application.
Your essays, application details, and personal information are kept confidential and used only for the purpose of providing services. I do not share, sell, or distribute your information.
Client testimonials shared on my website are reproduced word-for-word from Fiverr reviews and do not include identifying details beyond what the client chose to share publicly on that platform.
Work is delivered through Google Docs or Microsoft Word, based on the client's preference. The Comprehensive Essay Package also uses Prompt (myprompt.com), a professional essay management platform, to organize, track, and manage essays across multiple schools. By engaging the Comprehensive Essay Package, you agree to Prompt's terms of service in addition to my own.
The essay and final written work remain entirely the property of the student. Editing notes, written summaries, and feedback I provide are for the personal use of the client and may not be redistributed, resold, or reproduced for commercial purposes.
These terms may be updated periodically. The version in effect at the time of your engagement is the version that applies to your service. Material changes will be communicated directly to active clients.
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes arising from services provided by Candlelight College Consulting will be resolved first through good-faith communication, and, if necessary, through mediation or arbitration before any court proceedings.
If anything in these terms is unclear or you have questions before booking, please reach out through the contact page. I'm happy to walk through any of these policies in more detail.
Last updated: May 2026