College Advising & Essay Consulting

I hold an MS in Education from Dominican University and an MFA in Fiction from the Rainier Writing Workshop. I have spent over twenty years as a high school English, Creative Writing, and theatre teacher. I also earned a college advising certification from UCSD, and have worked as both a private college consultant and as a public school college adviser. In 2005, I was one of the founding members of the College and Career Center at Forest Charter School.

I have also served as guest faculty/author at a variety of festivals and conferences including the Bay Area Book Festival, the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, the Sierra Writers Conference, the Book Passage YA/MG Conference, the Sierra Poetry Festival, and dozens of author panels, library, and private writing workshops.

Most importantly, though, the sum of my experience so far has allowed me to understand the importance of nurturing each writer’s process. As a writing consultant, my job is to support each writer’s individual goals as well as locate and amplify a writer’s voice. At the end of the day, I am here to help make your work the best version of what you want it to be, not what I want it to be. It is a simple, yet crucial, distinction.

If this sounds like a potentially good match for you, check out what I have to offer and email me with any questions:

Essay Consulting

I draw from more than twenty years of experience as a college advisor and as a published novelist to zero in on the college essay’s specific kind of storytelling. When coaching students on their essays, I aim to provide feedback that allows each student to find a balance of voice and topic so their college essay clearly showcases their uniqueness in their own words.

My daughter was really struggling with her college essay so I sent her to Kim for help. Best thing I could have done! Kim encouraged her to focus on a topic she was passionate about. She calmed my daughter’s nerves and made the essay writing process seem less overwhelming. My daughter loved working with her!

–Alison

College Advising

Sometimes a student needs more than essay consulting. I also provide a comprehensive college advising experience. I will meet with your student regarding what they want to study and where they want to study it. Then, I assist throughout the college application process by helping your student craft a dynamic three-tiered college list, consulting on essays and short answer writing assignments, as well as other facets of the application process (like knowing which application to use for each school).

I don’t advise on financial aid.

Standard Essay Reading/Critique

• Basic essay reading/critique through email only
• Read essays via Google Docs and give notes
• Does not include the option to have me see another round of revisions
• Does not include any Zooming or college advising

UC Application – $150

• 4 UC essays

Common App – $150

• Common App essay
• 3 supplemental essay questions

UC Application & Common App – $250

• 4 UC essays
• Common App essay

UC Application, Common App & Supplements – $275

• 4 UC essays
• Common App essay
• 3 supplemental essay questions

Enhanced Essay Reading/Critique

All Essays + One Round of Revisions – $400

• Essay reading/critique notes via Google Docs
• Includes UC essays, Common App essay, and all private school supplements
• Includes one round of revision/notes for any questions you have once reading my initial notes
• This package does not include any Zooming or college advising

All Essays + Unlimited Revisions + one initial Zoom – $450

• Essay reading/critique notes via Google Docs
• Includes UC essays, Common App essay, and all private school supplements
• Unlimited revisions, notes, and follow up questions about any of the essays
• This package includes one initial Zoom to get started
• This package does not include any college advising

All Essays + Unlimited Revisions + 4 Zoom Sessions – $800
(FULL, but my $450 package is available)

• Essay reading/critique notes via Google Docs
• Includes UC essays, Common App essay, and all private school supplements
• Unlimited revisions, notes, and follow up questions about any of the essays
• 4 Zoom sessions for college advising, and questions about other parts of the application

You can add additional zoom sessions to the above package for $100/session OR you can buy an additional block of 5 sessions for $400