Search
Ben U.'s Photo

Berkeley PhD, Harvard Author - Writing Coach for College Essays
Ben U.

5.0 (333 ratings)

1,210 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $450
Contact Ben
Response time: 7 minutes

About Ben

Bio

I help students write compelling, effective college essays.

The college application process is daunting — especially when it comes to writing about yourself. Drawing on twenty years' teaching experience and my background as an author published with Harvard University Press, I help students overcome their fears and lead them through every step of the college essay writing process.

MY APPROACH

I adopt a streamlined approach to the essay writing process by
-Connecting with students to...

I help students write compelling, effective college essays.

The college application process is daunting — especially when it comes to writing about yourself. Drawing on twenty years' teaching experience and my background as an author published with Harvard University Press, I help students overcome their fears and lead them through every step of the college essay writing process.

MY APPROACH

I adopt a streamlined approach to the essay writing process by
-Connecting with students to draw out the best possible college essay topic.
-Helping students overcome their fear of writing.
-Breaking down the writing process into achievable tasks.

My students find that after just a few sessions, they have already made significant progress on their college essays.

MY BACKGROUND

After teaching history at UC Berkeley for ten years, I was elected to a faculty position in the Harvard Society of Fellows. Given my passion for good, clear writing, I wrote an academic book that received a wide readership and was discussed in international media. Since 2016, I have focused on helping students with their college admissions essays.

For undergraduate applicants, I can help with the Common App essay, supplemental essays, UC personal insight questions (PIQs), and transfer essays; for graduate applicants, I can help with personal statements for medical school, business school, and law school.

MY TRACK RECORD

Over the past eight years, my clients have been accepted to many top schools across the United States, including:
-Harvard University
-Yale University
-Stanford University
-Princeton University
-University of Chicago
-Columbia University
-MIT
-Cornell
-Brown
-Dartmouth
-Williams College
-Swarthmore College
-Johns Hopkins
-UC Berkeley
-UCLA
-UC Davis
-UC San Diego
-UC Irvine
-Pomona College
-University of Michigan
-Boston University
-Northwestern
-Vanderbilt
-NYU
-USC

Read more

Education

University of Chicago
M.A.
UC Berkeley
PhD
Harvard Society of Fellows
Other

Additional Languages

French

Policies

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

College Counseling

College Counseling

I’ve helped applicants gain admission to top-tier universities across the US, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and UC Berkeley. Since 2016, I’ve guided students through every step of the college application process — from refining a school list and planning timelines to crafting standout essays and shaping a cohesive narrative. Before that, I taught academic writing at UC Berkeley for ten years and supervised 30 senior theses through one-on-one mentoring. Over those years, I developed a streamlined process that helps students find their authentic voice and write compelling, distinctive essays. I earned my PhD from UC Berkeley and was elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows (2011–2016), where I published a book with Harvard University Press that received international media attention. If you're looking for individualized admissions strategy and personal writing support, I’d be happy to help.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I’ve coached students in essay writing since 2016, including personal statements, research papers, and literary analysis. Previously, I taught writing and composition at UC Berkeley for ten years, where I directed 30 senior theses and provided one-on-one support at every stage of the writing process. I help my clients improve fundamental aspects of their writing — structure, clarity, argumentation, and thesis development — while refining technical elements such as grammar, voice, and style. I’m also an author myself: my first book was published by Harvard University Press in 2013 and translated into six languages. I was elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows (2011–2016), a prestigious group of scholars selected for their academic promise.
Grammar

Grammar

I’ve helped students strengthen their grammar and writing skills since 2016, with a focus on sentence structure, clarity, and precision in both academic and personal writing. I was taught grammar explicitly from an early age in a traditional school setting, and my understanding is deepened by years of study in French, German, and Latin. Previously, I taught academic writing and composition at UC Berkeley for ten years, where I mentored students one-on-one and directed 30 senior theses with close attention to language, mechanics, and expression. My first book was published by Harvard University Press and translated into six languages. I was elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows, a prestigious group of scholars recognized for their academic promise.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

Since 2015, I’ve helped students craft standout personal statements for college, medical school, law school, MBA programs, PhDs, and competitive internships. My clients have been admitted to Ivy League universities, top U.S. graduate programs, and selective summer opportunities. Many have received full-ride scholarships, major merit awards, and prestigious research or professional fellowships. I hold a PhD from UC Berkeley, where I taught for ten years, and I’m the author of a book published by Harvard University Press – all of which inform my approach to personal statements.
Proofreading

Proofreading

I’ve been professionally proofreading academic writing since 2016, helping students improve clarity, sentence flow, and tone, while correcting grammar, punctuation, and word choice. Previously, I taught academic writing and composition at UC Berkeley for ten years and mentored students through every stage of the writing process. I also directed 30 senior theses, with a strong focus on line editing and structural refinement. My first book was published by Harvard University Press and translated into six languages. I was elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows, a prestigious group of scholars recognized for their academic promise.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

I’ve coached students in public speaking for years, helping them write and deliver compelling speeches — including graduation talks, college interviews, and professional presentations. I take an individualized approach with each client, focusing on clarity, confidence, and delivery. As a professional speaker, I’ve given public talks at venues including the National Archives (Washington DC), the Wiener Library (London), and the German Historical Museum (Berlin). I’ve also appeared on CBS, CNN, Fox, NPR, the BBC, and other major outlets. I draw on this experience to help clients shape their message, refine their delivery, and connect with their audience.
Writing

Writing

I’ve been a professional writing coach since 2016, advising university applicants on their college essays. Taught academic writing at UC Berkeley, 2001-2011. Directed 30 senior theses at Berkeley, primarily through individual consultation and mentoring. Published book with Harvard University Press in 2013 (translated into six languages). Elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows, an elite group of scholars selected for their potential to advance academic wisdom.
English
Ben U.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Ben before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Ben
Response time: 7 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (333 ratings)
5 star
(333)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

The best college essay tutor I’ve worked with

I was struggling with my college essay, and whenever I met with other tutors, they just edited my work. Ben was totally different: he asked me questions I hadn’t even considered writing about, and he gave me low-pressure homework that made the writing process so much easier. I went from dreading my Common App personal statement to feeling really proud of it - and it only took a few sessions. If you’re hitting a wall and want to write a college essay or personal statement that truly stands out, set up a session with Ben!

Adam, 3 lessons with Ben

The Real College Essay Guy

Before Ben, I applied for several summer programs, and got rejected from all of them. This made me lose hope in myself and even question my own achievements. But when I first met with Ben, it only him took minutes to break each of those essays down and explain what was fundamentally wrong with them. With the Common App, he asked deep, searching, questions to be able to grasp the actual essence of my identity. They may feel seemingly random at times, but it's so much better than the surface-level, linguistic edits everyone else tends to give. This keeps the writing authentically in your own style while letting your true self shine. His organization and patience is just as unmatched. I am exponentially more confident for college admissions than I was before him.

Laura, 14 lessons with Ben

Amazing help with College Essays

Ben was an incredibly skilled, patient, and knowledgeable tutor for my son, a rising senior who is trying to write his college essays for the fall. Ben has made me feel infinitely more confident in this process, with the help he's given my son. I remember him telling me that the questions he was asked in the first session are some of the most insightful he's ever been asked. I would 100% recommend Ben for anyone looking to submit a good college application.

Somnath, 5 lessons with Ben

Expert college essay coach — highly recommended!

Before I met with Ben, I had no idea how to start my college essay. In our first session, he helped me come up with a topic I never would’ve thought of and an outline that made everything feel way more manageable. From there, we worked on tightening the language, improving sentences, and making sure each paragraph flowed into the next. He also pushed me to think more deeply about my experiences and what they meant, which added real depth to my writing. Now we’re working on supplemental college essays and UC PIQs, and I already feel way more confident in my writing and my voice. Ben’s process is smart, efficient, and totally personalized — I’d recommend him to anyone who wants to take their college application essays to the next level.

Sarah, 3 lessons with Ben

Exceptional

Ben is exceptional. He helped our son with both his personal statement and supplementary essays, and the entire experience from the collaboration to the final product was outstanding. We put a great deal of time and care into the college application process, knowing how important it is to get every aspect right. Ben played a vital role in that journey and his ability to guide, challenge, and refine ideas was instrumental in helping our son craft essays that were authentic, thoughtful, and compelling. Ben has a remarkable talent for bringing out a student’s voice while providing the structure and insight needed to stand out. We couldn’t be more impressed and can not recommend Ben enough.

Lucas, 7 lessons with Ben

Awesome feedback

My first session with Ben was super helpful. He gave me feedback for my graduate admission essays and made the information easy to understand. I felt like Ben knows how to help you stand out and be successful!

Ash, 2 lessons with Ben

Extremely knowledgeable and patient tutor

Ben was incredibly helpful and truly went above and beyond! I made the last-minute decision to completely rewrite my Common App essay just four days before the deadline, which felt overwhelming. I needed a tutor who could jump in quickly, and Ben was there every step of the way. He helped me brainstorm ideas, organize my thoughts, and refine each paragraph. Thanks to his guidance, I ended up with an essay that feels authentic to me, and I’m extremely confident submitting it. I couldn’t have done it without his expertise and support!

Lyla, 2 lessons with Ben

Very inspiring teacher!

My son has been struggling with his college essays for months, and his anxiety grew as the deadline approached. Fortunately, we found Ben, who has a remarkable ability to inspire student. After just two lessons, my son is making progress like never before. I strongly recommend Ben, only wish we had found him sooner!

Cindy, 12 lessons with Ben

Very helpful for my son

I was desperate to find someone to help my son finish his college app essay. He found Ben to be immensely helpful. My son finished his essay right after meeting with Ben. I will be using him again for supplemental application questions.

Leslie, 2 lessons with Ben

Knowledgeable and Patient Tutor

Ben helped me come up with an idea for my personal statement and helped edit my statement and also my supplemental essays. He was really helpful during this process, he gave useful tips, and his editing really improved my writing significantly.

Yun, 8 lessons with Ben
Hourly Rate: $450
Response time: 7 minutes
Contact Ben