Personal statements, unlike those undergraduate application essays you submitted long ago, can be frighteningly free-form. Where even to begin?
Take a deep breath, and consider this: I know nothing about you yet—just like the admissions officers who will be reviewing your application—but I’ll learn enough from the structured brainstorming process we'll do that I'll be able to zero right in on:
- What, specifically, makes you unique and memorable.
- What you’re good at.
- How you became interested in this field and what you eventually hope to contribute.
From there, we’ll tease out:
- Your best and most illuminating story—the one that only you can tell.
- Your best angle in.
- How best to hook your reader’s attention starting from your very first sentence.
- A sturdy structure.
- Drama and energy.
- The “voice” that feels most captivating and authentic to you.
- A conclusion that feels earned, satisfying, and memorable.
We can generally do all this in an exchange of e-mails and scheduled phone calls, but if you’re in the Bay Area, in-person sessions can also be arranged.
  |
| Welcome |
| Editing & Coaching |
| The Process |
| College Application Essays |
| Personal Statements |
| About Lesley |
| Publications |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Testimonials |
| Make Payment |
| Contact Me |
"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."
~ Anton Chekhov
"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."
~ Maya Angelou
"The scariest moment is always just before you start."
~ Stephen King
