I specialize in working with women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and the Jewish community. These are some of the most salient elements of my own identity, and I know from experience that it is a great source of affirmation and comfort to work with a professional who understands the experience of moving through the world as a member of one or all of these groups.
Additionally, given my background in teaching English language arts and working with students on scholarship applications, I specialize in supporting clients with their essays.
My services are described in more detail below.
This page has two sections: one for undergraduate applicants and one for graduate applicants. Please scroll down to the section that best meets your needs.
Undergraduate Applicants
Choosing an educational path to pursue after high school is an exciting but daunting prospect. I am here to support students in making the first major adult decision of their lives.
These days, many people discuss the increasing selectivity of colleges and therefore the decreasing number of opportunities for prospective students. This is far from the truth. There are, in fact, a massive number of opportunities, perhaps an overwhelming number, once you steer clear of elite, brand-name colleges and seek an education elsewhere.
I am passionate about helping students locate and apply to good-fit schools where they will have an enriching experience and graduate with the skills and knowledge they will use in their adult lives.
I offer a few different services to support the undergraduate admission process.
Read more about my offerings below. If you are interested in the comprehensive college counseling package or essay coaching, the first step would be to discuss it with me in a free initial consultation. Schedule a free initial consultation here.
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At the end of this counseling package, students will walk away with a post-graduation plan that they feel good about.
This package is designed for high school juniors and seniors. As a baseline, it includes 20 sessions over the course of junior and senior year. Sessions can be added as needed, and these additions would be included in the cost of the package.
This service includes helping the student reflect on what they’re looking for in their college experience; develop and finalize their college list; decide what they want to include in the application (standardized testing, letters of recommendation, etc); draft and revise the application, including all essays; manage deadlines and timelines; and consider options once admission offers arrive.
This service also includes email updates to parents or caregivers and meetings as needed.
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For students who only want essay support. This service is already included in the comprehensive package (see above).
At the end of this counseling package, students will walk away with work that they are ready to submit.
Depending on your needs, this can include the Common App personal essay, supplemental essays, or both.
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The course takes students through the entire writing process. By the end, they will have a Common App Personal Essay that is ready to submit.
Students will complete the lessons at their own pace. There are no scheduled course meetings.
The course is ideal for rising and current seniors. It is taught by me, a certified English language arts teacher.
Price: $100 for lifetime access.
“Rachel's knowledge of the entire college process, from deadlines to documents to nuances of applications, gave us a roadmap that took the fear and tears out of the process. The clarity she provided, the resources she shared, and the personal care she invested in my child’s success have set us on a path we never could have navigated alone. Our family is eternally grateful, and I enthusiastically recommend hiring Rachel for anyone looking for exceptional college counseling.”
- Amanda, parent
Graduate Applicants
Applying to graduate school is exciting and filled with possibility, whether you are straight out of undergrad or taking on a career change in your forties.
The graduate school application process is an opportunity for deep self-reflection and self-awareness. Your application will be strongest when you can articulate your aptitude for your chosen field and your motivation for pursuing it.
I will help you figure this out and communicate it clearly to admission readers. I will also help you bring out your individuality and uniqueness in your application.
I particularly enjoy working with applicants who are pursuing a graduate degree in teaching, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and basically any profession that provides a service to improve the lives of clients.
Read more about my offerings below, and schedule a free initial consultation here.
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This is an individualized service, so wherever you are in your writing process, we will start there.
Depending on your needs, this service may include beginning the writing process by examining prompts and brainstorming; providing feedback on a draft and generating ideas for revision; and/or giving the piece a final polish by correcting grammatical errors.
It may take multiple drafts and rounds of feedback before we get to the step where we’ve finalized the content, and we’re correcting grammatical errors.
I view this process as deep, meaningful, and self-reflective. I hope you do too.
An additional benefit of this service is that it provides structure and deadlines for your essay writing. We will come up with them together, and our work will provide the accountability you need in order to complete the essay/s.
If you are interested in this service, the first step would be to discuss it with me in a free initial consultation.
“Wow, thank you so much for all the help you provided [our student] with their essay--we're biased but think that really put their application at the top.”
- Leora, parent
My Philosophy
Contrary to the US News and World Report, I do not believe it is possible to compile an objective list of best universities or degree programs. There are thousands of universities in the US, and any of them could be a good fit for a prospective student. It takes open-mindedness and thoughtful self-reflection to find the right school.
The best school for you is out there, and it may or may not be one you’ve already heard of. Using a scaffolded approach, I help you identify what you are looking for in your undergraduate or graduate experience.
Knowing what you are looking for will help you set aside unhelpful information like rankings and stay focused on finding the best academic, social, and financial fit for you.
