We Help Transform Ordinary Experiences
Into Extraordinary Essays
Our Story Mining Method has helped hundreds of students reveal the character qualities that admission officers actually look for.
56% of admission
officers say essays have considerable importance in their decisions.
Admission officers spend 5+ minutes on essays vs. just 2 to 3 minutes on grades and test scores.
Admissions officers say essays are decisive factors when students academic credentials are similar.
Academic credentials can often be very similar.
Essays become the deciding factor
Without Our Course
--> Staring at blank pages
--> Feeling stressed as deadlines near
--> Sorting through conflicting advice
--> Feeling you have nothing to write about
--> Worrying that your essay just isn't that good
With Our Course
--> A proven system with clear steps
--> One trusted source that you can rely on
--> Uncovering your unique stories and points of view
--> Knowing that you are submitting writing that you're proud of
Your College Essay
Mini-Course Includes:
Why Your College Essay
Is So Important
Learn where the essay ranks in terms of importance in your application package.
What Admissions Offices
Are Really Looking For
Gain an understanding of what college admissions offices are really looking for in essays
How To Write An Essay That
Only You Can Write
Avoid the trap of writing a generic essay they've read hundreds of times. Find YOUR voice.
How Values Shape Your Essay
Using our worksheets, explore your values so you can authentically express who you are and what you believe.
Why Storytelling Is So Important
Our Story Mining Method helps you take all of your explorations and begin to turn them into an outstanding piece of writing.
Tools & Templates
Our downloadable checklists and guides give you the direction you need to write an essay that you can feel proud of.
Don't entrust this process to an overworked guidance counselor, some Google searches, and good luck.
This course is a proven system that removes stress and gives students the best chance of getting into their top choice schools.
What Parents & Students Say
"As a teen-ager without extraordinary achievements or hardships, I worried that my essay would be forgettable. The exercises in this course helped me see that my experiences weren't as ordinary as I thought. I ended up writing about working at a restaurant my grandparents own—something I'd never considered—and it showed important aspects of who I am and what I value. The tips helped me write an essay that my English teacher said was the most authentic in the class. I was accepted to my dream school (N'western) despite it being a reach. I'm sure that my essay helped, and I couldn't have written it without this course."
— Marcus J., Baltimore, MD
I've been through college applications with three kids, and seen firsthand how much anxiety the essay causes. My youngest struggled to find her voice—everything she wrote sounded generic or forced. This course was a game-changer, helping her uncover experiences I hadn't even thought to suggest. The approach increased her confidence, and the guidelines helped me support her without taking over. What impressed me most was how the course seemed to elevate her writing while preserving her authentic voice. She was accepted to four of her five top schools. This course delivered results beyond what we expected.
- Maya R. Lancaster, CA
I spent weeks staring at a blank screen trying to figure out what colleges wanted to hear. This course completely changed my approach. The exercises helped me discover a much more meaningful topic that I wouldn't have chosen otherwise. The templates helped me organize my thoughts, and the editing checklist transformed my first draft into something I was proud of. I was accepted to the majority of the colleges I applied to, with one of my acceptance letters specifically mentioning my essay. My best friends family spent a few thousand dollars on a consultant, and I honestly think she should have just done this.
Jaimie R. Newton, MA
How is this different from other essay guidance?
Unlike generic writing advice, our approach starts with the Story Mining Method to uncover meaningful topics that are unique to you. We focus on authenticity over formulas, helping you discover stories that showcase your character in ways admission officers remember.
Will this work if I'm not a strong writer?
Absolutely! Our process doesn't depend on advanced writing skills. We focus on finding your unique stories and providing clear frameworks to present them effectively. Many of our most successful students didn't consider themselves 'good writers' when they started.
How long will it take to complete the course?
The entire mini-course takes approximately 3 hours to complete. You can finish it in one weekend or spread it out over several days. You'll have lifetime access to review the material whenever needed.
Is this suitable for supplement essays too?
Yes! While we focus on your main personal statement, the principles and techniques apply directly to supplemental essays as well. The storytelling methods and authenticity strategies work for essays of any length.
When should I start this course?
There is no set answer for this. Ideally, start a few months before your application deadlines to give yourself time to implement what you learn. However, even students working on tight deadlines find tremendous value in our approach to quickly improve their essays.
What if I've already written a draft?
Perfect timing! Module 3 focuses on refining and polishing existing essays. Many students find our course most valuable when they've already attempted a draft and want to elevate it to the next level.
How does this compare to working with a private consultant?
Private essay consultants typically charge $3,000-$8,000 for one-on-one guidance. Our course distills the same proven techniques into a structured system for just $39, giving you the strategies used by top consultants at a fraction of the cost.
Is there a guarantee?
We're confident you'll find this course valuable. If you complete all the exercises and don't feel your essay has improved significantly, contact us within 30 days for a full refund.
Will you give me individual guidance if I need it?
We work with a limited number of students in an individualized way. We do offer an essay feedback package where we will look at your drafts and give our thoughts on how you may be able to improve it. Contact us for pricing details.
Do you offer other courses or services?
We also offer a complete college application course that walks you through the entire process, from researching schools and building a college list, securing recommendations, supplemental writing, navigating the common application, understanding regular and early decision, right up through submitting your applications.
Additionally, we take on a limited number of students in each application cycle in a 1 on 1 capacity, working with them for over a year on every aspect of the process. You can contact us for more info on that service.
Join hundreds of students who have transformed their essays from forgettable to unforgettable—and changed their college outcomes in the process.
This course was created by Alan Houghtaling, founder of Evolve College Admissions Coaching, an award winning company with over 15 years of experience helping students craft compelling applications.
His students have been accepted to hundreds of colleges and universities.
Email: [email protected]