Exceptional College Essays provides college applicants (high school 12th graders) with 1-on-1 essay writing assistance. Our services are personalized and customized to each student – we do not teach classes or lead writing workshops. We work with our students on their application essays and our focus is exclusively on developing the strongest, most EXCEPTIONAL college application essay. We are results driven and think of ourselves as the student’s advocate. We zero in on acceptances to the more competitive colleges and universities across the country.

To be candid, most students do not have the time — or the interest — to sit through another class or seminar. Exceptional College Essays provides individualized, one-on-one support focused exclusively on the student’s college application essays. We help refine drafts, strengthen content, add depth and context, and elevate the persuasive impact of each essay. Our goal is to complete the work efficiently and effectively, positioning the student for the strongest possible admission outcome.

I am a practicing attorney, licensed in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia for nearly 30 years. Throughout my career, I have specialized in government lobbying, where my role centers on analyzing complex information and translating it into clear, organized, and persuasive advocacy on behalf of my clients. In many ways, this mirrors the objective of a successful college application essay — to present a compelling, authentic narrative that distinguishes the student from thousands of other applicants.

After assisting my own two children with their college application essays, I founded Exceptional College Essays in 2019. Since then, I have worked with students across the United States, helping them craft essays that highlight their individual strengths, aspirations, and potential. My students have collectively earned admission to more than 100 of the most selective colleges and universities worldwide, including the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University, the University of Maryland, among many others. References are available upon request.

The answer to this question is clear to most parents. The transition from high school to college is an emotionally charged time for students and families alike. At this critical stage, students need their parents to serve primarily as sources of encouragement and support. The back-and-forth involved in drafting and refining college application essays can strain that dynamic. By working with an experienced, objective professional, students can focus on developing their strongest essays, while parents can maintain a positive and supportive relationship during this important period of transition.

High school college advisors play an important role, but they are often responsible for supporting hundreds of students at once, especially during the busy application cycle. Even the most dedicated advisors must divide their time and attention across many competing demands. At Exceptional College Essays, your student is our sole focus. We work one-on-one with each student, dedicating as much time as necessary to craft an outstanding essay. Our mission is clear and undistracted: to help your student present their strongest application and achieve their academic goals.

Many of the large college application consulting companies rely on current college students to lead their programs and courses. While these individuals may have successfully navigated their own admissions process, they often lack the seasoned judgment, maturity, and strategic advocacy experience necessary to help an applicant truly stand out to admissions officers.

In addition, most consulting firms focus on offering expensive, time-consuming classes designed to teach generalized essay-writing techniques. Rarely is the guidance fully customized to the individual student or tailored to the specific essays that admissions committees will be reading. At Exceptional College Essays, personalized attention is our sole focus. We work directly with each student to transform their drafts into outstanding, compelling essays. We do not view ourselves as the student's "teacher" — we are the student's advocate.

Exceptional College Essays was designed as a virtual experience even before the pandemic, offering flexibility that fits seamlessly into the busy schedules of today's students — balancing academics, athletics, employment, volunteer work, and social commitments. Our process is intentionally structured to ease stress within the household, not add to it.

We work with students using two platforms simultaneously: collaborating in real time on essay drafts via Google Docs while holding one-on-one discussions over FaceTime. This proven method accelerates progress, maximizes efficiency, and helps students produce high-quality essays with minimal disruption — all while keeping costs manageable for families.

Maintaining an organized schedule is critical to success. Early Decision applications are typically due by November 1, and Regular Decision deadlines generally fall on January 1. Together with the student (and in consultation with parents), we develop a tailored work plan to prioritize essays according to all application deadlines. Students who begin the process early — ideally in August or September — position themselves for a far less stressful and more successful application experience.

Absolutely. Typically, our students work with us on the two (or three) Common App questions, as well as on the supplemental essays from the student’s top two or three colleges. In most cases, after two or three rounds of supplemental essays, the student is well positioned to repurpose existing essay drafts for their remaining “safety” applications.

Absolutely. Supporting students who aspire to careers in medicine and law is one of our specialties. As a practicing attorney licensed in three states and admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, I understand the academic rigor, professionalism, and clarity of thought expected in these fields. In addition, I have worked with numerous students pursuing pre-medical and pre-law pathways. College admissions officers hold applicants in these areas to particularly high standards, and our services are specifically designed to help students exceed those expectations by crafting reasoned, persuasive, and compelling application essays.

Fees are charged on an hourly basis and apply only to the time spent working directly with your student on their essays. Any advance preparation and review time is billed separately at a flat rate based on the length of the essay and is fully transparent, so you and your student maintain complete control over the investment.

We also offer discounts and promotional rates. Many students qualify for rates below our standard hourly fee. Importantly, Exceptional College Essays does not operate on a subscription model, nor do we impose minimum billing requirements.

While our primary focus is on college application essays, we are able to offer broader college advising services on a case-by-case basis. Past students have engaged us for assistance with college selection, application strategy, and interview preparation. In all cases, however, we strongly encourage students to work collaboratively with their high school’s college advising professionals throughout the process. We believe that, when it comes to shaping priorities and strategies, informed input from multiple sources is an asset — not a complication.

Call me today at (410) 353-6131 and let’s schedule a free consultation.