Their voice. Their story.
Applying to college can feel overwhelming – for students and parents. There's a lot riding on the personal essay. In just 650 words, the student must sound authentic, thoughtful and in an age of AI-generated content, unmistakably human. That’s where I can help. I’m not just an essay editor or tutor. I’m a professional storyteller who has a talent for helping students discover their story and tell it in their voice.
With a background in journalism and editorial work, I’ve developed a sharp eye for narrative threads and a keen ear for personal nuances. That’s how I help students clarify their ideas and write essays that are entirely their own. I don’t re-write student essays. I help students dig deeper into their experiences and find their own words.
Students, trouble getting started?
Have you been wondering what to write or how to weave some good ideas into a great story? You’re not alone. And you don’t need an unusual experience or dramatic story. Sometimes, small moments make the best stories. Each of you has something meaningful to share about yourself. With a little conversation, we’ll find it together. We’ll dig into your experiences, questions and moments to figure out the right direction for your story. From there, you’ll be surprised at how much easier and enjoyable the writing can be.
Working Together: Six-Session Framework
To guide students from story discovery to a polished final essay, I use a six-virtual-session framework:
Session One:
Getting to know you
After we discuss life experiences, values and memorable moments, I’ll provide a document highlighting useful content from our conversation and ask the student to review and fill in details.
Session Four: Deepening the storyline
We’ll strengthen the story arc, adding key details to bring the story to life. Student takes the detailed markup to write draft three.
Session Two: Weaving the thread
We’ll review the content document, narrow possible narrative threads to a chosen direction and create a rough outline which the student will use to write the first draft.
Session Five:
Refining the voice
Next, we’ll work on voice consistency, tightening the language and eliminating “overwriting.” Student takes the detailed markup to write draft four.
Session Three:
First draft and reflection
We’ll review the first draft together and I’ll offer big picture feedback, focusing on clarity, impact and authenticity. Student uses markup to write draft two.
Session Six:
Final review
We’ll do a final read through together, make any minor copy edits and end the session with a finished college essay.
Additional support offerings
For students with essays in progress, I offer individual sessions with editorial support and guidance to refine narrative flow, improve voice consistency and tighten content as needed. I can also work with students on supplemental essays on a session-by-session basis.
Choose the option that best suits your student's needs
Option 1: Six-session package: $1,200
(each session includes 2-3 hours between in-person meetings and offline editing/feedback)
Option 2: Individual storycrafting/editorial sessions: $250
(each session includes 2-3 hours between in-person meetings and offline editing/feedback)
what's your story?
Testimonials
Explore what it's like to work with me. See what my students and parents are saying.
My Story
Lisa Predella
As a writer, editor and professional storyteller, I’ve spent decades helping others find their voices by uncovering their story—and finding the most compelling way to tell it. That passion is what took me from corporate communications to college essay coaching.
Over the course of my career writing and editing for corporate America, I’ve helped professionals of all levels communicate with clarity and authenticity. For nearly two decades, I ran my own editorial services business, serving clients across several industries and providing writing and editorial services across different media.
I’ve used the expertise and background I’ve developed over my career, including journalism, professional writing, editorial judgment and strategic storytelling to support the students I coach. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cornell and two master's degrees from Boston University – print and broadcast journalism – I learned to dig deep on stories, recognize personal nuances and weave narratives that bring stories to life.
What's Your Story?