About Me

I'm a former teacher, learning specialist and writing specialist with nearly three decades of experience working with high school and college students. I'm also a Mom to two daughters and a freelance editor. Helping students brainstorm, craft and revise their essays for college applications is one of my favorite roles.

This spring I'm offering a college essay writing workshop for juniors (rising seniors 2025).

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This includes four sessions, in my Wallingford home, around a large table:

     2 small group workshops over two evenings in May or June and

     2 individual meetings with me in late summer at your convenience.

Participants will complete one well-edited, personal essay ready for the Common App AND a shorter essay that can be molded into supplementals. Also, if you’ve done it right, you will have lots of ideas you can use for other essay needs. The total cost for this workshop is $400.

A great personal essay has it’s own unique voice, and a personal and meaningful message that will help admissions personal get to know you and how you will complement their student population.

Choose one of the following sessions:                                                                                 

         May 21st and May 23rd 7-8:30 pm

        June 3rd and June 5th 7-8:30 

        June 17th and June 19th 7-8:30 pm

I’m very grateful for Hillary, as she provided me a lot of helpful guidance while allowing me to keep my essay and voice authentic. With her help, I was able to get into my dream school, Duke University. -Ani S.

Hillary guided me to organize and structure my college essay while keeping it true to me. She was incredibly supportive and easy to work with. - Marley F. 

Hillary’s assistance was integral to making my college essays as strong and engaging as possible. I loved how she first wanted to understand me as a writer and then guided me in the most effective way to structure my narrative and convey my personality to admissions officers!  Between her collaborative nature and personalized counseling, I was able to gain admission into my top schools. -Avery C.