An honest comparison of the best college admissions consultants: Collegewise, IvyWise, Empowerly, Crimson Education, and where ExceptionalGrad honestly fits.
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When filling out the Common Application, high school students are greeted by 10 blank slots in the Activities section.
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Writing your Common App essay isn’t about listing your accomplishments—that is what the rest of your application is for.
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Writing a compelling “Why This College?” (or “Why Us?”) essay is one of the most critical parts of the college application process.
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Admissions officers at competitive universities spend mere minutes reading each application essay.
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Navigating the college application landscape can feel like a game of high-stakes chess, and no rule causes more confusion than test-optional admissions.
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A low cumulative GPA can feel like a glaring red flag on your college application.
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Five annotated Common App essay examples mapped to the 2026-2027 prompts, with admissions-level analysis of what makes each one work.
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Be your genuine self: the most important item of all, no reading answers off of a word
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Supplemental essays vary substantially from school to school when it comes to the type of question
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Dr. Taylor McCabe studied at the University of Rochester, where she graduated magna cum laude with BAs in English Literature and French. She then completed her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of California, Irvine, where she focused on nineteenth-century American literature, gender studies, girlhood studies, and affect theory.
Taylor has worked with students applying to institutions at all levels, and has coached many undergraduate and graduate students through the application process. Her background in teaching writing at UCI helps her bring a nuanced editorial eye to all her students’ work. Since completing her PhD, Taylor works as a freelance writer and editor who specializes in polishing academic manuscripts for publication.
Jett Utah Verjan Watson graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in English and a minor in Spanish, where he mentored fellow students through the Writing Center. He was later selected for the Navy Volunteer Graduate Education Program, earning an M.A. in English Literature from George Mason University.
Jett spent five years as a Navy officer serving on ships around the world, where he developed extensive experience training and mentoring others in navigation and seamanship. He brings this background in leadership, education, and writing to his work with students, helping applicants develop compelling essays and applications that authentically communicate their experiences, strengths, and goals.
Jett completed his J.D. at Harvard Law School in 2026 and currently works in the Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic, litigating and advocating for clients across New England. His diverse academic and professional journey gives him a unique perspective on competitive admissions and the importance of presenting a clear, compelling personal narrative.
Morgan Galloway Daly holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Organizational Leadership from Purdue University, an M.P.A. from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Her diverse academic background and experience across law, public policy, and advocacy give her a unique perspective on helping students navigate competitive applications and clearly communicate their goals and strengths.
During law school, Morgan was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, earned recognition in the Order of Barristers through her involvement in Moot Court, and served on the program’s board. She also gained international experience through a human rights internship in Kenya and studies in comparative and intellectual property law at Renmin University in China.
Before founding her own practice, Morgan worked as a disability rights lobbyist, advocating for equity and accessibility at both the state and federal levels. Today, she owns a solo law firm and a nonprofit consulting company, where she provides legal and strategic guidance to mission-driven organizations. Her breadth of experience allows her to offer students thoughtful, personalized guidance as they work to build compelling applications and pursue their academic and professional goals.
Mitch Bledsoe graduated from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he earned a Health Law Certificate and developed a strong interest in business and health care law. Before law school, Mitch worked in sales and marketing, which gave him a practical perspective on professional development and a unique approach to succeeding in law school. While in Memphis, Mitch tutored law students and taught health law courses at the University of Memphis, helping future professionals sharpen their analytical skills and prepare for legal practice. He now practices law with Robinson & Lawing, LLP in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where his work includes business and commercial litigation, construction matters, health care regulatory compliance, and estate planning and administration.
Mitch enjoys mentoring students considering careers in law and guiding applicants through the admissions process. Having approached the legal profession from multiple vantage points—business professional, student, teacher, and practicing attorney—he helps students present themselves authentically and effectively in applications and interviews.
Anne Laure is an experienced legal professional with dual US and EU citizenship. Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2022 to 2025, Anne-Laure brings over a decade of experience in litigation, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil rights.
In addition to her legal practice, Anne Laure is passionate about mentorship and educational access. As a part-time career advisor at Fordham School of Law, she supports international LL.M. and non-JD students in navigating the U.S. legal job market. She hosts workshops on resumes, interviewing, and professional development, and organizes networking events for students and alumni.
Anne Laure is especially committed to helping students from diverse backgrounds succeed in higher education. She offers individualized guidance on college and law school applications, drawing from her own international academic journey and professional experience. She believes in empowering students to tell their stories with clarity and confidence.
Anne Laure holds an LL.M. in International Law and Justice from Fordham University School of Law and an LL.B. with honors from the University of Plymouth in the UK, where she was recognized for academic excellence.
Fiona Murphy, J.D., M.P.A. is a California licensed attorney with a background in family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Ms. Murphy attended Sonoma State University for her undergraduate degree and then traveled south to earn her Juris Doctorate and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. After passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Murphy returned to Sonoma County to serve her home community as a legal professional.
Fiona has served as a law clerk for the Honorable Brandon Harrison of the Court of Appeals, as a Deputy Public Defender for Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office, and now operates her own firm, specializing in family law and general civil litigation. She is passionate about serving her clients to the best of her ability and is exceptionally skilled at conflict resolution and legal writing.
Brittany Somerville is an in-house attorney and communications strategist with over a decade of experience spanning legal counsel, branding, and strategic writing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Florida A&M University, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University, and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Brittany is licensed to practice law in Texas and holds certifications in privacy law, privacy program management, and cybersecurity. She serves as Senior Counsel for a global chemical manufacturing company based in Saudi Arabia, where she navigates complex issues at the intersection of business, law, and innovation.
Brittany combines legal insight with marketing expertise and a passion for education, and she’s excited to leverage her skills to help empower students and graduates through coaching, clear communication, and purpose-driven support that drives real results.
Dr. Kristie Wood is a dedicated professor and academic advisor at the University of Texas, where she completed both her Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Psychology. With years of experience mentoring and advising students, she specializes in guiding graduate applicants through the admissions process and helping them navigate the complexities of pursuing their chosen fields.
Dr. Wood combines her academic expertise with a personalized approach to help students identify and communicate their strengths, refine their applications, and position themselves as competitive candidates for top graduate programs. Her approachable demeanor and commitment to student success make her a trusted advisor who is deeply invested in each student’s academic and professional growth. She takes pride in helping students approach the admissions process with greater confidence and clarity while developing applications that authentically reflect their goals and potential.
Mia Ellis graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a B.S. in quantitative economics and mathematics. She received highest honors for her senior thesis and multiple academic awards in economics. While in college, she led a team that established a tuition-free auxiliary nursing program in rural Honduras. After graduating, she worked as a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute and published academic research on manufacturing development and agrifood systems. Her responsibilities included fieldwork in countries like Egypt, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
Mia is passionate about helping prospective students prepare their admissions materials. She has spent years editing candidates’ statements of purpose, school-specific essays, and resumes for graduate programs.
Passionate about innovation and technology in medicine, he is actively involved in developing novel artificial intelligence-based approaches for the betterment of cardiac devices and patient care. Beyond medicine, Arjun has a deep-rooted love for South Asian A Cappella, having co-founded multiple organizations dedicated to fostering the genre. He enjoys exploring the intersection of technology, music, and patient care, always seeking new ways to bridge creativity with impact.
Richard graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies & History through the Wharton School. After graduation, he worked for three years as an investment management analyst in Philadelphia. Currently, Richard is a third-year law student at Columbia Law School where he has received academic honors in each of his first two years. During law school he has been involved with the Columbia Journal of Tax Law and the Corporate Responsibility Association.
Richard has spent time working at various government and self-regulatory organizations including the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Federal Trade Commission – Bureau of Competition, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Richard has accepted an offer to join the corporate practice of a law firm in New York upon graduation from law school.
Richard greatly enjoys helping pre-college and pre-law school students improve their personal statements and supplemental essays as well as advising on other application materials. In his free time, he enjoys viewing classic films, birdwatching, and scuba diving.
Kelly Song holds an B.A. from Peking University and a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Raised between Vancouver, Canada and Beijing, China, she is bilingual in English and Chinese. With a passion for DEI and cross-cultural communication, she has presented on relevant topics at various conferences across Harvard, MIT, and Oxford University.
Having pursued an arts major in college and taken courses in creative writing, her expertise in storytelling and essay writing helps students craft standout application materials, showcasing their unique experiences and aspirations. She has guided students to top undergraduate colleges and graduate schools at Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, Brown, Cornell, UCLA, USC, Rice, among others.
Dr. Lucian Zhao graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Mathematics and earned his M.D. from UT Southwestern Medical School. He brings several years of experience mentoring high school and undergraduate students, with a focus on helping applicants craft compelling personal statements and secondary applications that authentically showcase their strengths.
Having participated in the medical school admissions and interview process, Lucian offers valuable insight into what top programs look for in successful applicants. He combines this admissions perspective with his own experience navigating highly competitive academic and medical pathways to help students present their strongest applications and maximize their chances of admission to top schools.
Lucian is currently a resident physician specializing in radiation oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is passionate about helping students navigate the admissions process with confidence, providing thoughtful, individualized guidance that allows each applicant to tell their story and stand out in an increasingly competitive applicant pool.
Having worked as a tutor and mentor for nearly two decades, Tamar is passionate about helping others succeed. She particularly loves editing essays and considering the ways that each part of a law school application tells a holistic story. Tamar has a strong track record of helping students gain admission to competitive T14 law programs as well as advising about California and East Coast schools in particular.
