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Write Your Essays Now for College and Graduate Schools!
Shelley L.

4.8 (364 ratings)

1,876 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $135
Contact Shelley
Response time: 47 minutes

About Shelley

Bio

Essay Writing ...
My students have gained admission to Berkeley, Berkeley GMP, Cambridge, Cornell, Dartmouth, Michigan, N.Y.U., Oberlin, Oxford, Penn, Pratt, Purdue, Skidmore, Stanford, Swarthmore, UCI, UT at Austin, UCLA, Tulane, Union Theological University, University of Virginia, Yale, and other wonderful schools.

I also work with students applying to graduate schools of all kinds: medical, law, doctoral programs, film schools and those who are writing transfer and scholarship...

Essay Writing ...
My students have gained admission to Berkeley, Berkeley GMP, Cambridge, Cornell, Dartmouth, Michigan, N.Y.U., Oberlin, Oxford, Penn, Pratt, Purdue, Skidmore, Stanford, Swarthmore, UCI, UT at Austin, UCLA, Tulane, Union Theological University, University of Virginia, Yale, and other wonderful schools.

I also work with students applying to graduate schools of all kinds: medical, law, doctoral programs, film schools and those who are writing transfer and scholarship essays.

My strength is helping students find the perfect anecdote to write about. Telling a compelling story is what makes essays stand out. Because readers go through hundreds of essays each month, coming upon a unique, amusing, and insightful piece of writing is always welcomed, as is concise, clear and compelling writing.

Speech Coach...
In just one hour you will learn what needs to happen between you and the interviewer. Few of us have been taught how to handle this important interaction, though all of us are interviewed from time to time. I can tell you that once you understand that the interviewer also has a lot riding on meeting you as well, you'll be able to share the spotlight with the other person in the conversation. Of course we'll try some mock interviewing along with my critiquing.

About Screenwriting...
I so enjoy teaching screenwriting; it's complex, challenging and fabulously creative. Whether you're learning the basics or you've written many screenplays, if we both work hard, a workable, and maybe even a wonderful, script may emerge.

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Education

American Film Institute Conservatory, Los Angeles, CA - MFA/Directing
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $135
  • Rate details: Am open to special pricing for multiple hour lessons.
  • Lesson cancellation: 6 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/9/2014

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Bar Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah

A mom contacted me because she was afraid to speak at her son's bar mitzvah so we worked together on her speaking skills as well as polishing her speech. The happy ending to this story is that she loved the experience so much that she joined Toastmasters International and now speaks publicly all over LA! I have an undergraduate and a graduate degree in Speech and have been working with all kinds of speakers throughout my career be they politicians, executives, people facing school and job interviews and those who want to improve their speaking and social skills.
Career Development

Career Development

As a speech coach, I have "rehearsed" many adults before they face job interviews, school interviews and auditions and dates! I have been astounded every time I coach someone at how quickly their presentation improves. Also I've learned that even the most talented and brightest of applicants is often unaware of what interviewers look for, appreciate and expect. That is why I find this work incredibly rewarding and stimulating.
College Counseling

College Counseling

First, you will want to know that my students have gone on to Berkeley, Colorado College, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Oberlin, Pepperdine, Pratt Institute, Santa Clara, Sarah Lawrence, Stanford (early action), UCLA, University of Oxford, UC San Diego, University of Virginia, University Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, University of Puget Sound, Purdue, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin, Yale (early action) and many other wonderful schools. When I work with you on your college application essays, my goal is to help you write attention-getting, authentic and meaningful essays. Ultimately, we are looking for a result that makes clear what your contribution to the college will be. Are you an out-of-the-box thinker, a humanitarian, a problem solver, an ethicist, an entrepreneur? The challenge you face is to show and not tell the admissions officer what your gift is; this is where I am best able to help you. We need to find that one specific story that clearly demonstrates who you are. A challenging task but well worth the effort! When possible, I urge you to spend time on the supplemental essays as well. They too must be well-written, otherwise the admissions officer thinks you may have received too much outside help if the quality of the writing varies. My students have been successful because my prompts inevitably produce original work, and my numerous and simple tips for writing insure quick and impressive results. Finally, I urge rising seniors to consider working on the personal statements and supplementals during the summer since the fall semester requires you to focus on good grades, SAT scores, obtaining recommendations, completing volunteer hours and of course, applying to colleges! If you can remove one important task from the list, it will help you. And quality time spent on the essays often pays off down the line.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

Presently, I am tutoring elementary students on a private basis with a focus on writing. I am also certified by LAUSD to teach elementary school.
English

English

I've spent my entire career teaching English in some capacity. For fourteen years, I was a high school English teacher who taught not only the required courses but many electives such as Journalism, Film and Television, Mass Media and Speech. I moved on from there to teach Advanced Screenwriting at USC and Personal and Business Writing at DeVry University. For the past few years, I've conducted writing workshops; Memoir Writing for adults and College Essay Writing for high school seniors. Also, I act as consultant to professional writers and am a member of the Writers Guild of America. I suppose my greatest strength as a teacher is that I never repeat a lesson. I am able to create the right example, the perfect assignment and the most authentic critique on the spot -- this is how my mind works. That is why I find my work so exciting and still a lot of fun.
Film

Film

I am a member of the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Happily, I received an M.F.A from The American Film Institute, and managed to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short for my AFI film. I've taught acting in various New York schools and Advanced Screenwriting at USC. Often I prepare applicants for film schools by coaching them through their essays and helping them ace their interviews through "rehearsals." Needless to say, it's a joy for me pay forward all the instruction and support I've received.
Proofreading

Proofreading

Having taught English at the high school and college level, and as a member of the Writers Guild of America, proofreading comes very easily to me. The novelist James Michener said, "I am not a very good writer but I am an excellent rewriter." I totally get that; it is only with editing that I am able to write well. What is more, I think this is true for everyone. This is why I find proofreading satisfying. I also act as consultant to professors and professional writers.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

I have a Bachelor and Master's degree in Speech and have taught public speaking to adults (businessmen and politicians) as well as to high school and college students. I have personally spoken at very large gatherings where I feel very comfortable. I most enjoy working with adults and teens as they face job and school interviews.
Speech

Speech

I majored in Speech in undergraduate and graduate schools and therefore hold two degrees in the subject. I taught Public Speaking at the high school level and also at a professional school for adults interested in improving their public speaking abilities. We worked with politicians and business people for the most part.
Theater

Theater

I have written and directed plays as well as directed episodic television. I have won major awards in the entertainment industry.
Writing

Writing

Years as a high school Speech, Film and Drama teacher, followed by work as a college Screenwriting, Essay Writing instructor, taught me how to teach writing. I will help you find a terrific topic to write about, one that is authentic, surprising and attention-getting. You will also learn many ways to improve your writing easily and quickly.
ACT English
Vocabulary

Examples of Expertise

Shelley has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 7 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Shelley ’s answers ›
Shelley L.'s Photo

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Contact Shelley
Response time: 47 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.8 (364 ratings)
5 star
(327)
4 star
(22)
3 star
(9)
2 star
(4)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

Great Tutor!

Shelley helped my son with his college essays. When we contacted her, he had already written 5 essays. We were not sure what the colleges were looking for. Shelley was very knowledgeable about the application process and kept that in mind when she proofread his essays. She gave him very good criticisms and ideas and guided him in improving his essays. The end result was excellent. This past December 13, he got early admission into Stanford University!

Janet, 6 lessons with Shelley

Incredibly knowledgeable and patient

Shelly is absolutely extraordinary and so knowledgeable as she helps my senior through the college application process. She is brilliant and reliable, and understands exactly what he needs in order to succeed in this process.

Stephanie , 8 lessons with Shelley

Experienced, Knowledgeable, and Insightful Speech Tutor.

Shelley was pleasant, friendly, and quite helpful in addressing my speech concerns and goals. She suggested certain exercises to implement in my every day routine to help me see myself as a strong speaker and build my confidence. We discussed how I can work on not using filler words through consciousness and practice. She highly recommended watching Ted Talks, reading, and more. I have begun implementing her expertise and advice. I had a wonderful tutoring session with Shelley and am ready to believe I can be a strong speaker.

Jeela, 1 lesson with Shelley

Amazing and experienced acting coach

Shelly has been an amazing acting coach for my 12-year-old son, and he always looks forward to lessons. His acting has improved tremendously, and he has started booking roles.

Igor, 97 lessons with Shelley

Great reviewer and guide

Shelley really got my son out of his writer block and the result was great. Very helpful teacher, mentor, and guide to bring best of the child.

Navin, 7 lessons with Shelley

Common App Essay

Shelley really helped my son think through topics and put forth a strategy to write a great essay! Shelley responds very quickly and it has been an enjoyable process. Thank you!

Elaine, 8 lessons with Shelley

Intelligent and tactful mentor

Shelley was incredible! I have had 3 sessions with her so far and her feedback has been amazingly insightful on many levels. She takes care to praise your strengths, but clearly articulates areas for improvement. Her tactful approach to giving feedback was very important to me because I tend to focus on my flaws. Her reassurance that I was making progress motivated me to recognize the weaker aspects of my work and think critically about the changes I needed to make. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone interested in essay feedback and look forward to working with her in the future.

Sydney, 3 lessons with Shelley

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Shelley reviewed the college application process at a high level, then focused on the techniques to write an essay. She explained things in a fun way, make it easy to relate to.

Haiyan, 12 lessons with Shelley

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Ms. Shelley is spontaneous and great tutor. She is helping my son with college essays. She helped our son with several essays. She is very prompt with editing and charges are very reasonable.

anuradha, 12 lessons with Shelley

great teacher

Shelly jumped right in and helped my son get his essay ready to submit. We will use her again for sure!

Jodie, 4 lessons with Shelley
Hourly Rate: $135
Response time: 47 minutes
Contact Shelley