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Shelley L.'s Photo
Shelley L.'s Photo
Shelley L.'s Photo

Shelley L.

WRITE COLLEGE ESSAYS THIS SUMMER! Interview Prep, Screenwriting

WRITE COLLEGE ESSAYS THIS SUMMER! Interview Prep, Screenwriting

$135/hour

4.9 (266 ratings)

  • 1,248 hours tutoring

About Shelley

Bio

I am delighted to say that my students have gone on to Berkeley, Colorado College, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Oberlin, University of Oxford, Pratt Institute, Purdue, Sarah Lawrence, Stanford, UCLA, UCSD, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, University Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, USC, University of Texas at Austin, University of Puget Sound, Vassar College, Yale University, and many other wonderful schools.

As a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Directors...

I am delighted to say that my students have gone on to Berkeley, Colorado College, Johns Hopkins, NYU, Oberlin, University of Oxford, Pratt Institute, Purdue, Sarah Lawrence, Stanford, UCLA, UCSD, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, University Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, USC, University of Texas at Austin, University of Puget Sound, Vassar College, Yale University, and many other wonderful schools.

As a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I have vast experience finding the perfect anecdote, the underlying theme, the dramatic conflict and the ethical dilemma. That is why my strength as a writing coach is to help you find the perfect subject to write about. Sending a unique, well-written and telling essay helps you stand out. In addition to tutoring admission applicants, I also work with those writing memoirs, speeches, stories and screenplays.

After your first draft, you'll receive red-lined edited drafts which include questions, suggestions and brief writing tips. Also, I can promise that you will see your writing quickly improve. (Perhaps you know that the most important skill for success in college and in your career, is the quality of your writing.)

On coaching you for interviews...

After interviewing thousands of people over the 25 years of her talk show, Oprah Winfrey tells an amazing story: she said that at the end of each interview, every guest asked the same question, "Was that okay?!" Whether her subject was a reformed white supremacist or a President of the United States, everyone fears they are not enough, and that they didn't do well enough. You are not alone as you face an interview with trepidation. With that in mind, I explain why you need to know there are two people in the room, and each one needs to "succeed."

As an interview coach, I will make clear to you what needs to happen for you to shine and earn acceptance to a school, or a job offer. Few of us have been tau

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Education

Queens College, City University of New York
Communication Arts
Queens College, City University of New York
Masters
American Film Institute Conservatory, Los Angeles, CA
Masters

Policies

Schedule

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Subjects

Art

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.
Theater

Theater

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

Business

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.
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.

Corporate Training

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.
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.

Elementary Education

Vocabulary

English

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.
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.
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.
Vocabulary

Homeschool

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.
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.

Most Popular

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.
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.

Other

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.

Special Needs

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.

Summer

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.

Test Preparation

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.

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 ›

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (266 ratings)
5 star
(243)
4 star
(18)
3 star
(4)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

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All reviews interesting creative knowledgeable ideas excellent

Featured review

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

Encouraging and Very Skilled!

I really liked how Shelley not only coached my on my writing skills, but she taught me how to overcome my inner-voice telling me that my writing wasn't strong enough. She is not only a great teacher but also a great encouraged with TONS of knowledge to share! I really enjoyed my lesson with her, and I'm looking forward to more!

Kaylee, 3 lessons with Shelley

Supportive and Knowledgeable tutor

Shelley worked with my daughter on college essay writing. My daughter was not sure what to expect, but the time Shelley spent with her my daughter felt prepared to start writing her essays. Shelley was able to streamline her message and get to the heart and focus of the essays quickly.

Lori, 1 lesson with Shelley

Great editor!

Has helped me clarify and refine my college essays! She is knowledgeable about the UC application process. Very promptly gets back with helpful, concise feedback. Easy to work with. I would strongly recommend her

Ted, 3 lessons with Shelley

Excellent teacher!!

Shelley is extremely knowledgeable, patient, sincere, and truly inspiring. I enjoyed my first session with her and will absolutely continue. I feel much more focused now and have a clear sense of direction to move forward.

Natalie, 7 lessons with Shelley

Extensive Experience

It was a pleasure to have Shelley work with my son on story building. She provides strong foundations of concepts to build on. She was detailed in the review and provided critical feedback and edits that helped improve the assignment so much. She has extensive experience in coaching students which reflects in the way she interacted with my son. We would strongly recommend her without any reservations. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with her.

Rakhi, 4 lessons with Shelley

Excellent teacher!!

Shelley is extremely knowledgeable, patient, sincere, and truly inspiring. I enjoyed my first session with her and will absolutely continue. I feel much more focused now and have a clear sense of direction to move forward.

Natalie, 7 lessons with Shelley

Amazing mentor with deep insights and expertise about storytelling

It's so fortunate to have the opportunity to be mentored by her in storytelling, film, and screenwriting. She is extremely helpful in pointing out improvements in my scripts. Her assignments for me each week facilitate deliberate practices, which give me room to work on improving my techniques incrementally.

Michael, 3 lessons with Shelley

Excellent teacher!!

Shelley is extremely knowledgeable, patient, sincere, and truly inspiring. I enjoyed my first session with her and will absolutely continue. I feel much more focused now and have a clear sense of direction to move forward.

Natalie, 7 lessons with Shelley

An Excellent Tutor

"I cannot sing my praise enough for Shelly as my Screenwriting tutor. I can assure anyone who studies screenwriting under her will develop a critical and analytical eye towards the craft and step away a stronger storyteller. She will not hold back when it comes to challenging her students. She was able to highlight both my personal strengths and weaknesses as a writer, so I knew exactly which facet of the craft I had to work on and gain maximum productivity with our sessions. Most importantly, she truly cares about her students' growth as artists. Her highly instructive, insightful, and detailed feedback exhibits the amount of care she gives towards the student's work. In Shelly, you will find both a tutor and a creative mentor.

Elijah , 6 lessons with Shelley
Contact Shelley

Response time: 57 minutes

$135/hour

Shelley L.'s Photo

Shelley L.

$135/hour

  • No subscriptions or upfront payments

  • Only pay for the time you need

  • Find the right fit, or your first hour is free

Contact Shelley

Response time: 57 minutes