Frequently asked questions

Can you guarantee that I’ll get into my dream school?

Sadly no. Morally—and legally!—I can’t guarantee success, but I can give you the tools you need to present yourself in the best possible light. The college-admissions process is complicated and intimidating, and whether you get into one particular school can seem random. The most I can do is help you do all you can to give yourself the best possible chance of an excellent outcome, which is enough for students—and parents—to go through the process with no regrets.

Drat. OK, then how much can you raise my chances?

It depends. If you’re a C-minus student looking to go to Harvard, probably not much. If you’re a B-plus student who wants to attend UW or UCLA, probably a lot. My best advice is to apply to several schools you'd be happy to go to. There will always be some universities who appreciate your extra effort.

OK, but isn’t my essay less important than my numbers?

Again, it depends. If you look at Niche’s college-admissions calculator, you can see even kids with 4.0s and 1550 SATs get rejected from schools that should be a “sure thing.” It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s usually because they indicated disinterest through unpolished essays. By contrast, an exceptional essay can make top-tier admissions officers forget about substandard numbers and open the gates to your dream school. For some examples, check out this  New York Times feature—these essays might not be your style, but they got the job done.

Haven’t I learned how to write an essay already?

Sure! But probably not this kind. The admissions essay is a difficult genre. You have to brag about yourself while pretending not to, and give colleges what they want while not being too obvious about it. The subject matter—yourself—is at odds with the academic essay, and the style—economical and literary—contrasts with the long-winded and overwrought prose most high-school teachers expect. Self-presentation is a skill few adults have mastered—even in Seattle!—and a strong college essay is a great place to start.

I’m stressing about my applications. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the process?

Where you go to college matters. But there’s more than one school out there that will make you happy.