Coaching delivered via live sessions and asynchronous coaching.

Over the years, I’ve learned that taking certain key steps in a certain order makes the application process flow more smoothly and efficiently, maximizing quality while avoiding wasted time. I like to start with each applicant filling out a brag sheet, then scheduling an intensive ‘kick-off call’ to discuss a wide range of influences, life choices and other themes, usually resulting in a goldmine of insights, behavioral patterns, differentiators, and possible essay themes. From there, I like to focus on resume revision, then pivot to the ‘recommender selection/prep’ process, and then work on whatever other odds and ends need further attention, such as the short- or long-term professional goal story. By this point, we’ll both have done so much probing, high-quality thinking that we’ll be in excellent shape to start brainstorming and outlining the most difficult essays for the first application we tackle. As for process, I find that both calls and offline feedback are indispensable. For essay brainstorming and other challenging collaboration-intensive aspects of the process, nothing beats a live call. On the other hand, when suggesting a long list of edits on a new draft, taking the time to explain each issue and suggest specific fixes in writing is helpful for me, and my clients find that having ample time to review and think about this carefully prepared feedback is the most helpful and efficient for them. We can always schedule a call to discuss any questions, concerns, doubts, or even just to review our progress. Typically, my clients tend to schedule calls every 5-10 days, while trading revisions and feedback via email throughout the process. I handle everyday communications through email, and I find that our progress is optimized when clients send me complete revisions (and full sets of questions, if any) that reflect as much of my prior feedback as possible, rather than incomplete ‘just to see if I’m on the right track’ revisions. After we finalize the content for each main piece of an application, e.g. resume, essays, app form content, I like to do a final polish on all of it to make sure everything fits the required word limits and to address any issues with writing mechanics. As always, the more careful thought and hard work you put into this process yourself, the more I can help you make your ideas and final output even more compelling, often to the point where we’re both proud of what you’ve created and we can’t wait for you to submit it.