My Second Nature (Student Sample Essay)–Reggie
2016 was the best and worst year of my life. I was in Spanish class when my mom called, which was surprising because she never calls during school. I didn’t know that this was going to be the worst call I’d ever answered. She just got straight to it: “ Reggie…don’t overreact and DON’T cause Continue Reading …
Always A Creative Solution (Student Sample Essay)
By Z.S. I took a deep breath and walked in. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I faced the room of judges. I told them my name, the monologue I was going to perform, and closed my eyes. Ready, set, go. I opened my mouth, but my mind was blank. All eyes Continue Reading …
Pain that Invigorates (Sample Student Essay)
By Antonia On November 16th, 2014, a boy I knew killed himself. Neither his life nor death was a cautionary tale, so I took no caution when I began my own descent soon after. I had been passionately engaged in the movements for queer rights, Black Lives Matter, and feminism, but that fall, bearing witness Continue Reading …
Speak Up (Sample Student Essay)
By Joel Speak up. Speak clearly. Speak slowly. These are the three sentences I’ll remember forever. As a child, I struggled with communicating because of my thick Nigerian accent combined with a speech impediment. My fear of people judging the way I spoke made me timid at home, at school, and on the playground. I Continue Reading …
Here to Heal (Sample Student Essay)
By Aya “Terrorist!” the man yelled as I walked down my block. A naive part of me assumed that he couldn’t be talking to me, but in reality he was. As I dodged the beer can that he threw my way I tried to control my indignance. It seemed unfair that, ever since I started Continue Reading …
Swimming Through It (Sample Student Essay)
By Alexis “Marco!” Teri screamed. “Polo!” We responded. They swam off; I couldn’t. The minute I let my guard down, Teri tagged me. Right then, I was thrilled that a silly game was my biggest problem. At 7 years old, I swam in a pool for the first time, and while I was mildly terrified, Continue Reading …
Just Beyond the Sign (Sample Student Essay)
By Jerry “DANGER! Do Not Go Beyond This Point,” warned the wooden, paint-chipped sign at the far end of Seaview Park. The weathered sign stood in front of grass that was as tall as stop signs. The grass provided camouflage for the various animals that in hiding. Their screams and shouts would have been enough Continue Reading …
A Force to Be Reckoned With (Sample Student Essay)
By Ana I walk into the reception area where officers and handcuffed criminals wait. I hear whispers: “Who is she?” “She is the intern.” My stomach tightens. “How old is she?” “She is twelve!” A handcuffed man asks me curiously, “How old are you?” I reply, “I am sixteen.” Walking away, I hear a rowdy Continue Reading …
How Many Times Can I Say Yes? (Sample Student Essay)
By Tim Some people count sheep; I count ideas. I get carried away with them. Dancing around me, they wrap me in their tight cocoon, comfort me, and wait for me to emerge with a new take on things. Here, in this cool dark spot, I take solace when life seems out of control. In Continue Reading …
Skepticide: Killing the Doubts (Sample Student Essay)
By Travis I am an assassin who has the possession of one of the most complex and dangerous weapons. No one can access or use my weapon except for me. This weapon is my mind. Like a missile, once my mind locks onto its target, it hits. My ambition and determination are the reusable ammunition Continue Reading …
My time with Sara was amazing and and beneficial to my writing skills. She challenged me to add more juice and style to my writing. Each detail I put in my personal statement I was asked questions about. It was as if she was guiding me in peeling an onion to its center. Each evening she would sit with me listening as I expressed my thoughts to her. She became my pencil that helped converts my thoughts into words on paper. Each email sent was words of encouragement and cheer that uplifted my spirit. This motivated me to continue writing every time I got writer’s block. I found a reason to be happy about my writing instead of being ashamed of it. I appreciate the time and dedication Sara spent working on my essay with me because it helped me get admission to the schools I was interested in attending. I was able to find my voice, use my words, and tell my story because of Sara’s assistance.
--Joel, Cornel University, Class of 2019
When I started the college process the one thing that I was really sure of was that I never wanted to try to fit who I was into who I thought colleges wanted me to be. When it came to my personal statement, I was adamant about not forcing the events that have shaped my high school experience to seem presentable and neat. Because they had not been and I felt like I owed everyone involved with the college process as close to a true representation of myself as I could manage. Sara not only aided my and guided me through this process, but she encouraged my writing to be raw and lyrical in the ways I thought it should be. Writing with Sara not only helped with my college process, but also with my writing and thinking processes.
--Antonia, Scripps College, Class of 2021
Sara was a true delight to work with! She guided us and our daughter in the essay preparation process, and helped us manage deadlines, always allowing our daughter to be in full command. Sara brought out the best in our daughter's essays, while fully respecting her voice and her style. Thank you Sara! You are very talented! We are always happy and delighted to serve as a reference.
--Grateful Family in Scarsdale, NY, Parents of T, Class of 2019