College Essays Are More Important Than Your Grades
College essays and personal statements are more important than GPAs and standardized test scores. Top universities consider them more important than GPAs and standardized test scores. Beyond essential acceptance, these written pieces also determine early admission, financial aid packages, and scholarship awards. Competition has never been more demanding, with more international applicants considering college in the US.
While Kaplan or Princeton Review can help you prepare for the standardized test portion of your application, they don’t do well when assisting candidates with essays. A well-crafted essay and personal statement can often be the factors that separate you from other candidates. “Strong essays increase your admissions chances by up to 10 times. 3 in 4 students with strong essays get accepted at one or more selective colleges where their academic profile is below the average admitted student” (source).
A well-structured and thoughtfully formatted writing sample will put you ahead of students who have better scores because it’s an opportunity to tell your story in an inspiring and personally original way.
This is much easier said than done, but that’s precisely what I do.
What I do is actively work with you through 3 phases:
First, select which essay questions from the Common App and the college-specific supplemental essays that would best fit you
Second, brainstorming and outlining ideas, working towards forming a clear and compelling narrative
Third, shaping that story into a piece of writing that presents you in the best possible way
Fee Structure:
My fee structure depends on the number of essays, pages, word count, and time spent working through them together. This scope of work is something I propose after an initial discussion about your schedule and specific goals.
Here is what a few people have said about working with me:
“I have always admired Akshay’s professionalism, creativity, and approach to engaging students. I have watched Akshay advise college students on how to grow their professional network. He offered practical advice supported by real-life outcomes. I feel fortunate to have a savvy, forward-thinking colleague like Akshay as a go-to recommendation. (Sara Pandolfi - President, Sara Pandolfi & Co)
“I have known Akshay for nearly 5 years. Akshay is one of the most active and supportive alum members. He is always willing to speak at events and help mentor students. Akshay is one of the most generous and caring people I know, and we can't thank him enough for all he does for our community. “ (Lynn Minnaert - Associate Professor and Academic Chair, New York University)
“I’ve known Akshay for 10 years! He has always been a trusted resource and provides advice students would benefit from. He’s very approachable, easy to communicate with, and committed to the success of each of his clients. I strongly recommend his service as he never fails to go above and beyond. (Sha Luo - Associate, McKinsey & Company)
“Akshay has connected me with many professionals in my industry and taught me many skills as a young college kid. Akshay is always passionate about what he does and brings positive energy to the people around him. Akshay is a successful professional, and I sincerely value his help.” (Harper Lan - NYU Hospitality & Tourism Student)
Next Steps:
One-on-one coaching will make your essays stand out and catch the attention of admissions officers. College applications can be super stressful on top of performing well in school. But if done strategically, they can also be super easy and fun.
This is a fascinating time to start thinking about what will be 4 of the best years of your life! Therefore you want to be incredibly thoughtful about your approach to maximize your experience academically, professionally, and personally.
Let’s have that initial discussion soon. Just drop me a message when ready!
Contact Information:
You can also click here to book a time on my calendar.
About Akshay Ramanathan
With 10+ years of experience as a college counselor, career coach, resume writer, and corporate professional, I know firsthand the confusion and challenges both ambitious students and purpose-driven professionals face when building a career that is engaging and meaningful.
I have successfully overcome these problems myself and helped many others do the same.
Click here to book a call and learn how I’d like to help you take your career or college experience to the next level!
