Academic Writing & College Admissions Essay Coaching
Thoughtful, ethical support grounded in growth mindset, guided revision, and student voice—designed to reduce stress and bring clarity to the college application writing process.
Michelle Fuentes, PhD
Academic Writing & College Admissions Essay Coach
Welcome
I work with high school juniors and seniors through individual coaching sessions, Common App personal statement support, and supplemental essay coaching, offering clear structure and steady guidance throughout the application writing process.
The college application process can be stressful for both students and families. Open-ended prompts, high expectations, and tight timelines often create anxiety and uncertainty. I aim to make the writing portion of that process more manageable and humane by providing clear structure, thoughtful pacing, and steady support.
Grounded in a growth-mindset approach, my coaching helps students develop their ideas over time while reducing pressure and confusion. Students do the writing; I guide the process through conversation, questioning, and structured feedback. When appropriate, I include parents through brief progress summaries so families feel informed and supported without taking over the process.
With 18 years of teaching experience and a PhD in political theory, I bring the perspective of a classroom educator to admissions coaching—helping students clarify their ideas, strengthen their voice, and approach writing with greater confidence and calm.
The Revision Mindset
Writing is not about shortcuts or last-minute polish—it is about thinking.
Through conversation, questioning, and structured feedback, students learn to make intentional choices about what they want to say and how they want to say it.
Revision becomes a process of discovery rather than pressure. This approach not only leads to stronger essays, but also helps reduce stress by replacing uncertainty with clear next steps.
My role is to guide this process while ensuring that every final draft remains fully and authentically the student’s own work.
Why Human Coaching Matters
With the rise of AI writing tools, many students and families wonder whether technology alone can support the college essay process. While AI can be useful for brainstorming or organizing ideas, it cannot replace the thoughtful, ethical guidance of an experienced teacher.
College admissions essays require judgment, context, and voice—qualities that develop through conversation, reflection, and human feedback. I work closely with students to help them think through their experiences, make intentional choices, and revise with purpose, while ensuring that their work remains authentic and fully their own.
Equally important, the application process is emotionally demanding. Students often need reassurance, perspective, and steady guidance as much as technical feedback. My work focuses not only on strong writing, but on reducing stress, clarifying expectations, and helping students and families navigate this process with integrity and confidence.
