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Expert Ivy/Top-Tier College Essay Coach, English PhD, Former UCLA Prof
Gabriel M.

1,782 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $240
Response time: 1 hour

About Gabriel


Bio

College essays are a crucial part of the application process. They are your opportunity to make a lasting impression on admission committees, and to distinguish yourself from other applicants through creative, skillfully written, and memorable essays. Working with a proven, experienced coach will make a huge impact on reaching your top choices—and on having a genuinely rewarding writing experience along the way.

I hold an MA and PhD in English from UCLA, where I taught for a decade. My...

College essays are a crucial part of the application process. They are your opportunity to make a lasting impression on admission committees, and to distinguish yourself from other applicants through creative, skillfully written, and memorable essays. Working with a proven, experienced coach will make a huge impact on reaching your top choices—and on having a genuinely rewarding writing experience along the way.

I hold an MA and PhD in English from UCLA, where I taught for a decade. My writing has been published in both academic and literary journals. For the past seven years, I have used my extensive academic experience, writerly expertise, and understanding of admissions to help students reach their dream schools. My students have been accepted by Stanford, the full range of Ivies, the UCs, Chicago, MIT, Caltech, Michigan, USC, and other top universities and colleges. Every year, I produce a wide range of admissions success (from my 2024 clients, I have Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Penn, USC, UCLA, and Berkeley admits, among a variety of other top schools). However, one size does not fit all--whatever your top choices, we'll craft essays that distinguish your application. I also work with applicants for medical and law school, and other grad programs.

In addition to independent coaching, I have previously coached and written material for the College Essay Guy team, and I have worked with boutique counseling services in Los Angeles.

Whether brainstorming, outlining, writing, or editing, I offer guidance at any phase. And don't worry, STEM-centric folks—you write some of the most creative, potent essays of all! I approach my work with results-driven focus and a sense of enjoyment and humor. Creating a collaborative relationship with applicants is one of the best parts of my job. Ultimately, we will make your essay stand out. In the process, I will help you become a more skilled writer, which will deliver dividends during college and beyond.

I look forward to working with you!


Education

Reed College
English - Phi Beta Kappa
UCLA
PhD
UCLA
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies


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Approved Subjects

Classics

Classics

I hold a PhD in English, and have a broad range of knowledge concerning English and European classics.
College Counseling

College Counseling

As an experienced college admissions essay coach, I have a demonstrated track record of helping students achieve admissions success. I hold a PhD in English Literature from UCLA, where I spent nearly a decade teaching, and where I gained a keen firsthand understanding of elite admissions committees. In addition to my independent coaching work, I spent several years working with students and writing about college essays for College Essay Guy, and I have also worked with boutique admissions counseling services in Los Angeles. My clients have gained admission to the full range of Ivies, Stanford, MIT, Chicago, Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, and many other schools. Year after year, I help students craft outstanding essays that capture their voice and vibrancy, and allow them to truly stand out from those of other applicants. I also work with graduate, medical, and law school applicants.
English

English

I hold a PhD in English literature from UCLA, where I later served as a faculty member. I am deeply versed in America, British, and international literature. I also have years of experience in helping students brainstorm, craft, and edit essays for maximum clarity, argumentative power, and stylistic excellence. I am skilled at advising at a range of educational levels, from high school to graduate and professional school.
Literature

Literature

I hold a PhD in English literature from UCLA, where I later served as a faculty member. I am deeply versed in American, British, and world literatures. I have years of experience in helping students brainstorm, craft, and edit essays for maximum clarity, argumentative power, and stylistic excellence. I am skilled at advising at a range of educational levels, from high school to graduate and professional school.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

For the past seven years, I have helped students and professionals develop powerful, successful personal statements for college, graduate/law/medical school, and summer program admissions. As a PhD in English, a former professor, and a longtime higher education professional, I have expert writing skills as well as a deep understanding of admissions committees. I take an engaged, hands-on approach to collaborating with students to help them emerge with the strongest essay possible. Year after year, student after student, my clients see the results in their admissions journey.
Writing

Writing

I hold a PhD in English literature from UCLA, where I later served as a faculty member. I have years of experience in helping students brainstorm, craft, and edit essays for maximum clarity, argumentative power, and stylistic excellence. I am skilled at advising at a range of educational levels, from high school to graduate and professional school.
SAT Writing
Vocabulary
Gabriel M.'s Photo

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Response time: 1 hour

Ratings and Reviews


Rating

5.0 (673 ratings)
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Reviews

Perfect tutor for college essays

Gabriel's skill and attention to detail is what makes him the perfect tutor for helping with college essays. He helped me with both my common app essay and supplementals to many top schools, and each time I met with him, I walked away with a new sense of confidence and a better idea of how my essays should be written. His advice and essay refinement strikes the perfect balance between bringing out my voice and providing assistance. He is efficient and effective, ensuring that you get the most out of your lesson. If you're looking for a tutor who has a deep understanding of college essays, I highly recommend Gabriel for his in-depth revisions and advice.

Sophie, 4 lessons with Gabriel

Excellent and knowledgeable essay advisor

Gabriel helped me refine my commonapp and supplemental essays, which contributed to my admission to Harvard. His feedback demonstrated a wealth of experience in the field, so I would highly recommend.

Adrian, 3 lessons with Gabriel

More Confidence, Better Writing!

My child has been working with Gabriel on her college essays for the past five months, and it has been such a positive experience. From the very beginning, Gabriel explained his approach with students, which helped my daughter feel comfortable right away. He’s also been great about replying to my messages promptly and patiently answering any questions. Trust me, I have a lot of questions as a first-time parent going through this process, and he always made me feel heard and supported. My child was initially reluctant to work with a tutor, but after her first session with Gabriel, she realized it wasn’t as bad as she thought. After a few more sessions, she even began looking forward to them. She also really appreciates how straightforward and direct Gabriel is. It helps her understand exactly what she needs to work on and how to improve. With Gabriel’s support, she has learned a lot about herself as a writer, and she always leaves their meetings feeling more confident and encouraged. She has mentioned many times how much he has helped her write more clearly and effectively. I’ve read many of her essays (the ones she was willing to show me!), and they feel so authentically her. Watching her growth has been incredibly rewarding. One moment that really stood out was just a few days before she submitted her EA applications. She suddenly started doubting one of her essays. She had read it so many times that she couldn’t see it clearly anymore. Gabriel made time to meet with her on short notice and helped her revisit her original thinking. That reassurance was exactly what she needed, and she was able to submit everything with ease. We are truly grateful for Gabriel’s guidance and would gladly recommend him to any family looking for a tutor who is kind, thoughtful, straightforward, and genuinely invested in helping students shine.

MEIYING, 18 lessons with Gabriel

The Best Writing Coaching I've Received – Elevated My Application!

Look No Further. This is the only essay coach you will ever need for your undergraduate or postgraduate applications. Here is my completely honest review: Gabriel is genuinely exceptional in his writing abilities. As a transfer student, I am very familiar with the application essays and have worked with 7+ essay professors, and none matched his level of sophistication or proven expertise. Based on my essays alone, I feel confident about getting into top-tier schools thanks to him. In my search for the best essay tutor, I had high expectations given his PhD in English and experience with College Essay Guy, and when I finally found him, he still exceeded them. His teaching approach brings out ideas I didn’t know I had. He’s truly a writing genius, and he doesn’t just hand you an outline, make small edits, or give surface-level advice—he works with your ideas to shape your story and convey your voice in ways you wouldn’t be able to achieve alone. I’m genuinely grateful to have found him. He is incredibly down-to-earth and fully committed to helping you portray yourself at your best. Worth Every Single Penny, I promise.

Stephanie, 9 lessons with Gabriel

UC PIQ Sessions

Gabriel has been an exceptional tutor throughout my college application process. He guided me thoughtfully through my UC PIQS and provided detailed, constructive feedback on my UC PIQs. I especially appreciate how open-minded and attentive he has been. He always taking the time to listen to my ideas while offering insightful suggestions that strengthened my writing without changing my voice. His support has made a real difference in my applications, and I’m truly grateful for his guidance.

Tanish, 5 lessons with Gabriel

Outstanding college essay tutor

Gabriel did an excellent job working with my daughter on all of her essays. He pushed her to think deeply and come up with ideas that were truly meaningful, while also guiding her to express them clearly and effectively. He had her rewrite each essay until they reached the level expected at top universities like Stanford. Gabriel also provided invaluable support with her supplemental essays, making sure her voice came through while keeping the writing polished and compelling. We are very happy with how the essays turned out and highly recommend Gabriel to any family looking for expertise and guidance in the college application proces

Rupa, 13 lessons with Gabriel

Excellent tutor!

Gabriel instantly connected with my son to better understand him as a student navigating the application and essay process. He was able to help my son transform his essay and supplementals to better reflect him as a person and student. Highly recommend Gabriel to anyone looking for guidance and expertise in the college application process!

William, 8 lessons with Gabriel

Great tutor

My daughter has lessons with Gabriel multiple times now, and I think he helps her tremendously on her essay writing, we appreciate him very much and looking forward to working with him more!

Yunlu, 12 lessons with Gabriel

Amazing Tutor/Coach for my HS Senior - College Applications, Personal Statement

Gabriel spent 5 sessions (on-line) working with my high school senior to brainstorm, develop, edit, and strengthen her personal statement for college applications. We are so thankful for his help and are very happy with the final version of her essay! He spent the first two sessions getting to know her background and interests, talking about college essays as a genre, discussing different sample essays he sent her to illustrate what works and doesn’t work, reviewing a personal draft statement she had already put together, and discussing her ideas and other ideas for the personal statement. In the next session, Gabriel reviewed drafts of two new personal statements she had written and they picked one to move forward with. He weighed what was working and what could be developed, and laid out ways for her to develop the most interesting themes in her essay. Then went back and forth a couple more sessions to further develop, edit, and strengthen the essay. We highly recommend Gabriel to anyone looking for help developing a personal essay or statement for college applications.

Mimi, 11 lessons with Gabriel

Knowledgable and Patient Tutor

If you're looking for a writing tutor who’s honest, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping you improve, I would most definitely recommend Gabriel. He offers wise, thoughtful critiques--always constructive and geared toward making your work the best it can be. He's an excellent writer with a sharp eye for detail and clarity, and he’ll challenge you in the right ways.

Kaitlyn, 11 lessons with Gabriel
Hourly Rate: $240
Response time: 1 hour
Contact Gabriel