Sharing your personal writing with another person is surprisingly hard. After all, next to public speaking, the idea of someone snooping around in your diary is one of humanity’s greatest shared fears. So why would you want someone reading about your deepest passions, greatest hardships, and wildest dreams for the future?
Because that’s what you have to do if you want to create a great (and memorable) college application essay, that’s why.
Before you panic, take a deep breath; it’s time to be brave. Finding an essay writing coach that you trust to help you grow is difficult, but we’re here to help! Tune in for our guide to find your perfect essay-writing coach — that college expert’s perspective you need to understand how you stack up, where you need to go, and how you can improve your application.
Why work with an essay-writing coach at all?
Let’s back up for a second.
Before you dive into your search, it’s worth asking: why work with an essay writing coach at all?
After all, many students are capable writers. But college essays aren’t your typical five-paragraph classroom assignment. They’re personal, nuanced, and high-stakes — closer to memoir than academic writing. Most high school students haven’t had to practice creative nonfiction much, let alone perfect the art. And in a holistic admissions process, your essay could be the deciding factor that tips your application from “maybe” to “yes.”
That’s why partnering with a coach can be transformative. The best essay coaches won’t just correct your grammar; they’ll ask thoughtful questions, guide your reflection, and challenge you to dig deeper. A great essay writing coach will help you:
- Brainstorm stories and structure your ideas
- Identify compelling personal stories you might have otherwise overlooked completely
- Avoid common clichés and overused themes
- Provide honest, specific feedback on each draft
- Respect your voice and never write the essay for you
- Translate your life experiences into admissions gold
- Keep you on schedule while encouraging your creativity
- Understand what different colleges actually want to see
Even confident writers benefit from an outside perspective. Coaches bring an experienced eye, challenge you to go deeper, and push you to revise with purpose. For students applying to selective schools, it’s no longer a question of whether your essay is “good” — it’s about whether it’s unforgettable.
That said, if you are worried about whether your essay is even “good,” a coach is there to help. (You can also check out Empowerly’s Guide to Essays for a foundational primer.) From brainstorming funny anecdotes to helping you articulate your life lessons, a great essay-writing coach can make the whole process less painful.
Step into my office…
Ready to find a tutor to help you write a great essay? Great. There’s going to be some good news and some bad news.
First, the bad news. Unfortunately, the process won’t happen overnight, no matter how big of a rush you’re in. With only hours left before the submission deadline… chances are you don’t have the time to reach out to writing coaches, let alone refine multiple well-conceived drafts. Time is the one thing we really can’t provide.
The good news is: there are concrete steps you can take, starting now, to make sure you find the right essay-writing coach for you. You’ll need a few days for the process to work, and you have to be honest and forthright about your needs. But if you work your way through these tips, you’ll end up with a one-in-a-million mentor, which is more than worthwhile.
Curious what that looks like? This video explains the power of the right guide:
How to find an essay-writing coach
Ok, we’re convinced. First and foremost, where do you even start the search?
If you’re going to spend hours working on your drafts, it only makes sense to spend a few minutes thinking about who is going to help you finish them.
1. Decide what you’re looking for
You need to work with someone you can trust. In the next section, we’ll review the most important considerations (some of which you may or may not have thought about already) so you are prepared with what you’re looking for. After all, having a clear goal in mind is a key step to recognizing it when you see it.
2. Search locally
You can start the search in your high school or local community, or even in your broader city. Some families want to be able to meet with their writing tutor in person, so searching in your geographic area makes logical sense. Sometimes recommendations may come by word-of-mouth from older siblings or friends nearby who have gone through the college application process already.
3. Search online
Let’s face it — most students today will end up finding their essay coach online. That’s not a bad thing! In fact, working virtually gives you access to experts across the country instead of being limited to your zip code.
But with that freedom comes a little more responsibility.
After all, not all online essay coaches are created equal. Now, anyone with internet access and the right credentials can provide advice from where they are. Naturally, this means you’ll also have to filter through some noise to find the good ones, but they’re out there.
Red flag alert: Be cautious of anyone who promises to write your essay for you or offers generic editing without real context. A strong coach helps you strengthen your writing — not offer to replace it. Instead, look for a clear coaching process and policies (including availability and turnaround times) and examples of past student outcomes or testimonials.
Avoid people who…
- Promise to write or heavily rewrite your essay for you
- Give vague or generic advice not relevant to your essay
- Don’t provide a clear process or timeline for feedback
- Can’t offer past student success examples or testimonials
Looking for an explanation? This student explains why your authenticity is so important (and valuable) in essay writing:
Finding the perfect essay-writing coach — for you
So as you’re reviewing all the potential essay-writing coaches, tutors, and editors, what are you even looking for? Here are some thought-starters to help you identify the right coach for you.
- Do I feel comfortable sharing personal stories with this coach?
- Do they ask me questions that help me think more deeply or in a new way?
- Do they explain feedback clearly and constructively?
- Can I see myself working with them through multiple drafts?
Next, we’ll review the most important pieces to consider in your search.
College applications or admissions experience
More than anything else, you need to know that the person you’re working with on your essays knows what they’re talking about, right? Firsthand experience in college applications and admissions is perhaps the best way to know for sure that your essay-writing coach has the correct context for the prompts and overall purpose of your statements. Don’t be afraid to ask your essay writing coach questions about their experience and qualifications.
Compatible and encouraging personality
Embarrassment or hesitancy will only hold you back from getting the real work done. Whether you’re meeting regularly with your essay-writing coach to brainstorm new ideas or sticking strictly to line edits, you should be able to trust them with the truth.
You also need to know that your coach will be truthful with you about your progress — or lack thereof. Accountability is important. Like many other parts of life, honesty and transparency are necessary for both parties if you want to grow as a writer.
Practical method of meeting
Whether you choose to meet in person or online, accessibility is important. If you are meeting with your essay-writing coach at a designated location, ensure that it’s convenient and you have transportation. If you’re utilizing video conferencing and email, make sure your technology is working, and you’ll be able to connect with your coach when needed. Whatever your choice, make sure that it works for you and your family.
Convenient scheduling
Chances are, your schedule in high school is already very busy and a little unpredictable! So the last thing you need is another scheduling headache when you try to find times to meet with your essay-writing coach. If you’re planning to meet up in person, ask whether they offer evening or weekend availability. If you’re meeting online, make sure you clarify your time zone and regular meeting times you can count on. Between classes, after-school activities, and homework, you need to know that your support will be there when you need it.
Available for questions
Working on your college essays is a collaborative effort. We often find that students have questions about your feedback or specific areas they want to improve that are hard to express in writing. Being able to reach your essay-writing coach with quick questions or talk through your thoughts together can prevent you from getting stuck on one issue at a time. During your search, ask about your essay-writing coach’s policy on contact and questions in-between official sessions so you know what you can expect going forward.
Your voice, elevated
Finding the right essay writing coach isn’t just about polishing your grammar — it’s about partnering with someone who understands how to help you share your story with power and authenticity. The college essay is one of the few moments in your application where admissions officers get to hear from you directly — no test scores, no transcripts, just your voice.
So take the time to choose someone who won’t just “fix” your essay but will help you find the confidence to tell your truth clearly and effectively.
At Empowerly, our college counseling team includes experienced essay coaches who’ve helped students gain admission to top universities across the country. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to help you stand out in a crowded field. From ebooks and guides to blind editing to one-on-one coaching, our team can help you tell your story how it deserves to be told.
Don’t leave this part of your application to chance. Book a free consultation today and find out how the right guidance can make all the difference.
