Expert College Applications Essay Coach, Writing Tutor, and Editor

Erin P.

As a writing coach and editor, I work with high school and college students to strengthen their writing skills and produce work they are proud of. I am also available as an editor for adults seeking help with academic, creative, or workplace writing. For five years, I taught college writing and literature, first at a flagship public university for traditional college students and then a private college with students ranging from recent high school graduates to mid-life career changers. My classes were in person, averaging 18-25 students per section, and included Composition, Technical and Business Writing, Creative Writing, and American and English Literature with an emphasis on traditional academic essays. Through years in the classroom, I developed successful methods for guiding students one-on-one through the writing process from brainstorming to completion. I have also spent two years coaching individual high school students on the written portions of college applications, including personal statements, supplemental essays, and résumés and activity lists.

I transitioned from classroom instructor to professional communications, spending two decades as a grant writer and family literacy educator. With a background in teaching, tutoring, and professional writing, I bring both academic insight and real-world perspective to my coaching. I tailor instruction to students' specific needs and existing writing skills and specialize in helping students develop a clear, authentic voice for college application materials. My approach is highly individualized, shaped by the purpose of the writing and each student’s unique goals. Areas of focus include structure, organization, supporting details, clarity, tone, grammar, craft, and overall effectiveness.

I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Washington College, where I graduated summa cum laude with departmental and thesis honors.