About Coaching (FAQs)
What does an essay coach do?
I'll give you the tools, confidence and extra support to put your best foot forward in the parts of your application that aren't about grades, scores or rankings—the parts that tell your story: who you are, what you've accomplished, and what's important to you.
Common App Essays
Personal Statements
Activities Descriptions
Resumes & Cover Letters
Supplementary Essays
Letters of Interest/Intent
Short-Answer Questions
Deferral & Waitlist Materials
Colleges & Universities
Gap Year
Graduate & Professional Schools
Internships &. Summer Research
Scholarships & Fellowships
Study Abroad
Meet Vivien
For the past 20 years I've had the immense fun and challenge of teaching advanced writing skills to hundreds of journalism undergraduates at NYU. In 2018, based on student testimonials, I was honored with the university's "Outstanding Teaching Award." (Here's what I submitted when asked to reflect on my teaching philosophy.)
Teaching and essay-coaching let me do one of the things I do and love best: guiding young people to dig deep and write compellingly about what really matters to them, and making it a positive experience—or at least, not horrible. The outcomes are often amazing.
Testimonials
Even with the added challenges of this pandemic year, she supported me with endless dedication, patience, wisdom and warmth. Thanks, Vivien!
S.L., HARVARD LAW SCHOOL
You helped our son tell his story! It was tough to incorporate his specialized technical academic profile AND portray his friendly personality throughout his essay package.
We couldn't have done it without you.
D.M., parent, MIT
I've learned so much about writing from your expert edits. First you helped me take my essays to the next level for my first-choice school (yay Northwestern!) and now, 4 years later, for a top MBA program.
R.O., COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL
Vivien, words can't describe the emotions I'm feeling now—one of the best days of my life. Working with you was a total pleasure, an experience I'll never forget.
M.D., YALE UNIVERSITY
I was frankly crushed to be deferred by my Early Decision school. But you, Vivien, were undaunted. Thanks for inspiring me to create an outstanding Deferral Letter and supporting materials that turned everything around!
J.S., BARNARD COLLEGE
The way she painstakingly mentored our child through this process removed a significant amount of stress from our daily interactions. It was worth every penny.
D.B., parent, U OF CHICAGO
Useful Reads
• The "new normal" in college admissions (Forbes Magazine)
• Last year's applicants reflections on the pandemic's impact (The New York Times)
• A guide to writing a terrific essay (U.S. News & World Report)
• Comprehensive overview of the MBA personal statement
• Law school "over-enrollment": tips for applicants (U.S. News & World Report)
• Med school applicants undeterred by COVID-19 (CBS News)
• Tufts' admissions blog: lots of good ideas
• A sobering take on student debt (Slate)
Check back...we'll keep reading and updating!
Contact Vivien
