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UC Berkeley PhD Candidate for Admissions Consulting, Editing, Tutoring
Shelby K.

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About Shelby

Bio

Is it possible to understand a history book in a week? How do you craft a compelling personal statement for college admissions? How do you make—or pinpoint—an academic argument? These are all questions I help students answer, breaking complex ideas into clear, intuitive steps.

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History, Theory, and Society) at UC Berkeley, where I have taught courses in architectural history and American studies. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public History,...

Is it possible to understand a history book in a week? How do you craft a compelling personal statement for college admissions? How do you make—or pinpoint—an academic argument? These are all questions I help students answer, breaking complex ideas into clear, intuitive steps.

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History, Theory, and Society) at UC Berkeley, where I have taught courses in architectural history and American studies. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public History, giving me expertise in American history as it comes alive in museums, archives, and historic preservation. My research and teaching focus on the late 19th century to the present, with special interest in the American West and South, the intersections of built and natural environments, and the history of ideas such as transcendentalism. My work has earned numerous awards, grants, and fellowships, reflecting both scholarly strength and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

In addition to university teaching, I work as an admissions essay editor for Solomon Admissions Consulting, where I have edited numerous college and graduate admissions essays and short-answer responses. I also serve as a research mentor for Solomon, Lumiere Education, and Hugo Mentors, supporting students as they develop original, evidence-based projects and learn how to frame strong arguments. One of my recent high school mentees (who began with no research experience) went on to publish her paper in a peer-reviewed journal just months after our work together.

In both editing and teaching, I prioritize clarity, real-world connections, and organizing ideas in ways that support long-term understanding. I take time to learn each student’s needs and help them discover strategies that work best while building confidence and independent thinking. My goal is to help students succeed in the present and develop skills in writing, research, and critical thinking that serve them well beyond our sessions.

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Education

University of New Orleans
History
California State University, Sacramento
Masters
University of California, Berkeley
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Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $80
  • Rate details: As I grow my Wyzant practice, I’m offering an introductory rate of $60/hr for your first five hours.
  • Lesson cancellation: 12 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 9/11/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

American History

American History

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History) at UC Berkeley, where I have taught multiple courses in architectural history and American studies. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public History, which gives me additional expertise in American history as engaged through the public sphere—for example, in museums, historic preservation, and archives. My research and teaching focus primarily on the late nineteenth century to the present, with particular emphasis on the American West and South, the intersections of built and natural environments, and the history of ideas, such as transcendentalism.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

With my academic writing and editing experience, I can guide you through the planning, research, writing, and editing phases of your humanities or social sciences research essay. I also have experience as a research mentor to high school students, some of whom have gone on to publish their work in peer reviewed academic journals. I have also had great success writing and editing admissions essays (personally admitted to UCB, BU, and Cornell). While we work together, I will provide expert writing tips intended to make writing essays easier for you in the long run.
Geography

Geography

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History) at UC Berkeley, which is a multidisciplinary degree that encompasses geography, environmental studies, american history, and architecture. I have ample experience mapping with ArcGIS and other mapping software, interpreting historical maps, and "reading" the built and natural environments through empirical observation (i.e. site interpretation). I love to teach human and natural geography by incorporating a variety of methods such as those just described, which are also transferable skills.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

I’m a UC Berkeley doctoral candidate who earned admission to top PhD programs, including Cornell and Boston University. As former Editor in Chief of an academic journal and a current research mentor with Solomon Admissions Consulting, I specialize in helping students discover the narrative that best highlights their strengths. I also guide students through research projects that showcase their intellectual curiosity and add valuable credentials to their applications. Together, we transform experiences into personal statements that are clear, compelling, and memorable—making the process less stressful and more empowering.
Reading

Reading

As a humanities doctoral candidate, I've mastered the art of extracting key information from large, complex texts in a short amount of time. If you have a hard time keeping up with reading assignments and incorporating what you've learned in class discussions and writing, I can help you build this learned skill. In addition to reading efficiently, I can show you note-taking and study techniques that work for your learning style (humanities and social science focus).
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

I have written two theses and am currently writing my doctoral dissertation. With this experience, I can guide you through the planning, research, writing, and editing phases of your thesis or other large project in the humanities. I also have experience as a research mentor to high school students, some of whom have gone on to publish their work in peer reviewed academic journals. I can guide you through publishing as well.
United States History

United States History

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History) at UC Berkeley, where I have taught multiple courses in architectural history and American studies. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public History, which gives me additional expertise in American history as engaged through the public sphere—for example, in museums, historic preservation, and archives. My research and teaching focus primarily on the late nineteenth century to the present, with particular emphasis on the American West and South, the intersections of built and natural environments, and the history of ideas, such as transcendentalism.
Writing

Writing

I am a doctoral candidate in Architecture (History) at UC Berkeley with extensive experience helping students become stronger, more confident writers. I previously served as Editor in Chief of UC Berkeley’s award-winning architecture journal, Room One Thousand, and I bring the same attention to clarity and precision to my tutoring. I have worked with high school, college, and adult learners, supporting everything from class essays to advanced research projects. My approach focuses on explaining the why behind writing conventions and mechanics so that students not only improve their current work but also build lasting skills they can carry forward.
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