Tutoring Services

650 words

You, the applicant, are supposed to tell colleges who you are in 650 words.

Daunting? Of course.

Impossible? Not at all.

“The college application essay [is] an essay that—given the current landscape of college admissions—is arguably the most important 650 words a contemporary human will write.”

- Ethan Sawyer, “College Essay Guy”

I’m your step-by-step guide.

Don’t worry: you’ll still be the storyteller.

My goal is to help you figure out which story to write, and how to write it.

1. Brainstorming

The idea you choose for your essay is as important as how you write it—if not more. We’ll do reflective exercises that cut straight to the most compelling parts of your story. I’ll also steer you away from clichés.

2. Writing

This isn’t an analytic writing assignment. We’ll pick one of several narrative structures tailored for 650-word autobiography. Think of it as your blueprint. The details will all be your own.

3. Editing

There’s a saying in the writing world: “Writing is editing.” No first draft will be perfect. Together, we’ll identify which parts of your draft sing, and which belong on the chopping block.

4. Polishing

Grammar, word choice, sentence variation—this step is all about getting the details right. Sharpening those edges will take your essay from “okay” to “excellent.”

5. Celebrating

You’re done! You did it! Take a breath. Consider treating yourself to whatever you call self-care. Being proud of yourself is just as important as working hard.

START STORYTELLING

My Education

I graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a B.A. in English (concentrating in creative writing) and philosophy.

At BC, I was Senior Editor of The Stylus and Vice President of Model United Nations. I also studied abroad for an entire year at the best university for English in the world: The University of Oxford.

My degree taught me how to write excellently and think rigorously. Coincidentally, these are precisely the ingredients you need to write a home-run college essay.

Teaching & Tutoring

Between my third and fourth year of university, I served as a Philosophy Teaching Assistant at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Seven hours of class time a day was grueling. It was my students who made the long days worthwhile.

As soon as I graduated from BC, I applied for (and accepted) a job at a top-rated tutoring center. Although I tutored in everything from SAT prep to ACT prep to general writing skills, I found myself looking forward to college essay sessions most of all.

Now, I specialize in college essay prep. I’ve read dozens of student essays, and I know a literary “spark” when I see it. There’s nothing more fulfilling to me than helping my students discover that spark for themselves.

  • Holly is an excellent writer. Her essays are clear and well-structured. Her writing flows in a very natural and eloquent way. She is rhetorically persuasive and efficient. She deserves high praise for this.

    Carlos Nunez Jimenez, PhD, Lecturer in Moral Philosophy at the University of Oxford

  • Holly is a thoughtful, sensitive listener, reflecting on new ideas with an open mind.

    John Ballam, PhD, Director of the Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford

  • You're an amazing teacher and are so good at explaining things. Thanks for listening to me yap/being nice to me!

    Aster, Grade 11

  • Holly is a perceptive and insightful reader, who approached texts and essay questions in innovative, and often astute ways. She always contributed to tutorial discussions with confidence and assurance, and conversations often took dynamic and interesting directions because of her input.

    Clare Broome Saunders, PhD, Senior Tutor and Fellow at the University of Oxford

Book your free consultation

All clients must arrange a (free!) consultation before enrolling themselves/their student in a session.

Get in touch with me by emailing hbranco21@gmail.com, or use the web form. Once we find a time to chat, we’ll talk rates, services, and next steps.

In-person tutoring is available to students located within 10 miles of Long Valley, New Jersey. Otherwise, I am happy to meet with students virtually.

I look forward to helping you tell your story with confidence.