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Princeton Grad | Ivy League College Essay, Writing & Admissions Expert
Silvana P.

5.0 (97 ratings)

257 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $150
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Response time: 5 minutes

About Silvana

Bio

Hello, I’m Silvana! I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) and college admissions specialist with over six years of professional experience in college counseling, college essay coaching, and application strategy. I have guided hundreds of students through the college admissions process, mentoring them to develop essays that set their applications apart and have led to acceptances at Ivy League universities and other top-tier colleges.

For many families, the college...

Hello, I’m Silvana! I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) and college admissions specialist with over six years of professional experience in college counseling, college essay coaching, and application strategy. I have guided hundreds of students through the college admissions process, mentoring them to develop essays that set their applications apart and have led to acceptances at Ivy League universities and other top-tier colleges.

For many families, the college application process can feel daunting. My role is to help you make sense of the process and show you exactly how to stand out. We will identify your strongest stories, develop them into clear and meaningful essays, and connect each piece of your application into a cohesive, memorable whole.

I specialize in guiding students through every part of the college application process, from crafting Common App personal statements and supplemental essays to preparing for interviews. In addition to one-on-one coaching, I offer detailed proofreading and line-by-line editing for college essays.

Qualifications and Student Outcomes:
Previously, I served as a lead college consultant for a national advising organization, where I mentored dozens of students through the full admissions cycle. My students have earned admission to institutions including Ivy League colleges and top universities, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia, UPenn, MIT, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, University of Michigan, NYU, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, UVA, and more in the past two cycles.

Beyond college admissions, I also mentor students in academic and professional writing. My approach is structured, encouraging, and deeply personalized. I will meet you where you are, whether you’re starting from a blank page or refining your final draft, and help you transform your ideas into essays that are confident, cohesive, and unforgettable.

Use Instant Book or send me a message to get started! I look forward to collaborating with you!

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Education

Princeton University
Neuroscience

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Approved Subjects

College Counseling

College Counseling

I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) and college admissions specialist with over six years of professional experience in college counseling, college essay coaching, and application strategy. I have guided hundreds of students through the college admissions process, mentoring them to develop essays that set their applications apart and have led to acceptances at Ivy League universities and other top-tier colleges. My role is to help you make sense of the process and show you exactly how to stand out. Previously, I served as a lead college consultant for a national advising organization where I mentored hundreds of students and gained firsthand insight into how admissions committees evaluate applications. Together, we will identify your strongest stories, develop them into clear and meaningful essays, and connect each piece of your application into a cohesive, memorable whole. I specialize in helping students craft powerful Common App personal statements, UC PIQs, and supplemental essays that reflect their authentic voice, intellectual curiosity, and growth. My students have earned admission to Ivy League colleges and other highly selective universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, UCLA, NYU, and Johns Hopkins. My approach is collaborative, strategic, and results-driven. I will meet you where you are, whether you’re starting from a blank page or refining your final draft, and help you transform your ideas, activities, and achievements into essays that are confident, cohesive, and unforgettable. In addition to college essay coaching, I provide comprehensive college counseling and college admissions guidance, including college list development, interview preparation, scholarship advising, and complete application review.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) with over five years of professional experience helping students develop clear, authentic, and compelling writing for college admissions. I specialize in guiding students through every stage of the essay writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to refining tone, structure, and style. Over the years, I have coached students through hundreds of personal statements, UC PIQs, and supplemental essays, helping them articulate their stories with confidence and purpose. My students have earned admission to top universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Columbia. My approach is collaborative and detail oriented. I focus on both storytelling and strategy, ensuring that each essay not only reads beautifully but also aligns with the student’s overall application narrative. Whether you are starting from scratch or perfecting a final draft, I can help you craft writing that is polished, genuine, and memorable.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) with over five years of professional college counseling experience as a college essay and personal statement coach. I have worked with hundreds of students across the United States and internationally to craft authentic, compelling college essays that highlight their voice, intellectual curiosity, and growth while standing out to top-tier universities. I help students craft powerful Common App personal statements, UC PIQs, and supplemental essays that go beyond strong writing to tell a cohesive, meaningful story. My students have earned admission to Ivy League colleges and highly selective universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, UCLA, NYU, and Johns Hopkins. My approach is collaborative, reflective, and results-driven. From brainstorming to final polish, I guide students through a structured process that helps them uncover their story, refine their voice, and present their experiences with clarity and confidence. As a former advising mentor for a college counseling organization (Matriculate), I have guided hundreds of students through the college application process, helping them apply with confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
Proofreading

Proofreading

I am a Princeton University graduate (B.A. in Neuroscience) with over five years of professional experience helping students refine and elevate their writing for college admissions. I specialize in proofreading and editing college essays, personal statements, UC PIQs, and supplemental essays, ensuring every piece is clear, authentic, and polished. Over the years, I’ve reviewed hundreds of essays and guided students who have gone on to earn admission to top universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Columbia. My approach is collaborative and detail-oriented. I focus on precision, flow, and voice while preserving the student’s individuality. Whether you need final proofreading or line-by-line refinement, I help transform strong drafts into essays that read smoothly and make a lasting impression.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I received my B.A. in neuroscience from Princeton University and have years of experience tutoring psychology, biology, neuroscience, and other subjects. I specialize in mentoring students on effective study habits, organization, and test-taking strategies. My goal is to empower students by providing individualized strategies that suit their learning style, helping them develop strong study skills for long-term academic success.
Writing

Writing

I am a Princeton University graduate with over five years of professional experience in academic writing instruction, college essay coaching, and college application support. I specialize in helping students craft standout college applications and develop clear, authentic, and engaging writing. Whether you are refining your Common App essay, working on UC PIQs or supplemental essays, or seeking to strengthen your academic writing and analytical skills, I will help you find your voice and express your ideas with confidence and impact. I also support students with literary analysis and expository writing, focusing on organization, argumentation, and style. I have guided students through hundreds of essays, helping them communicate their ideas with clarity, depth, and confidence that resonate with admissions committees. My students have earned admission to Ivy League colleges and other highly selective universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, UCLA, NYU, and Johns Hopkins. My approach is collaborative and tailored to each student’s voice, with a focus on building both writing skill and self-expression.
Biology
English
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (97 ratings)
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Reviews

Amazing with College Essays!

Simply stated, Silvana is fabulous! My daughter is a high school senior applying to selective colleges. We hired a private counselor to proof her essays but when my daughter got pneumonia, she missed all the deadlines for proofreading services. I found Silvana online and I'm so pleased with the results. She provided very quick, insightful feedback that elevated my daughter's essay style. We will be working with Silvana again!

Heather, 5 lessons with Silvana

Highly Skilled Editor & Advisor

Working with Silvana was one of the best decisions we made during the highly stressful time of applying to college. She is a first class essay editor in the sense that she doesn't only look for grammar mistakes, she has a true understanding of what the schools your child is applying to are looking for. Beyond her incredible skills, she's also incredibly reliable and communicative. Equally important when faced with tight deadlines. I really hope to work with her again. Thank you for everything!

Allison, 3 lessons with Silvana
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much, Allison. This really means a lot to me. I know how stressful this process can be, and I’m so glad I could be of help. Your son put a lot of care into his essays, and it was a pleasure reading his work. I’ll be cheering him on, and thank you again for your kind words and trust!

Amazing with summer program essays!

Silvana is truly exceptional! She helped my son revise his summer program application, guiding him in refining structure, strengthening clarity, and expressing his ideas with confidence. She reviewed his drafts with great care and offered thoughtful suggestions to deepen reflection and improve organization—all while keeping his voice authentic. What truly sets Silvana apart is her rare ability to pair sharp, insightful guidance with genuine encouragement and support. She asks the right questions, inspires deeper thinking, and helps students shape their stories in ways that feel both compelling and true to who they are. We are deeply grateful for Silvana’s expertise, compassion, and dedication. She went above and beyond for us, and I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone navigating college or summer program applications. We would absolutely work with her again.

Wendy, 3 lessons with Silvana

Amazing with UC PIQs!

Silvana was incredibly helpful with the UC PIQs for my transfer application. She gives amazing feedback and refined my application with patience and understanding. She is extremely knowledgeable, supportive, and understands exactly what UC admissions is looking for. I felt so much more confident with my PIQs after our sessions. She was always willing to review my edits/leave feedback after sessions as well. Absolutely amazing college counselor, I would definitely work with her again in the future. I highly recommend!

Athina, 5 lessons with Silvana
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much, Athina! It was truly a joy working with you on your PIQs, and I’m so glad our sessions helped you feel more confident in your writing. Wishing you all the very best with your transfer application!

Amazing tutor, patient, professional and caring

My daughter worked extremely well with Silvana. She gave the best feedback and really supported her in her essay writing. It's a stressful time, but working with Silvana was a major relief her her and eased her anxiety. Her college admissions experience was very helpful because you got an essay coach and counselor rolled into one.

Joy, 10 lessons with Silvana
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much for your kind words, Joy. It has truly been a pleasure working with your daughter and seeing her essays come together so beautifully!

Great Guidance

Silvana was incredibly helpful and resourceful throughout the entire process. She guided me through each stage of writing my essays, from selecting strong topics to refining sentence structure and grammar. She was always open to reviewing my essays even after our meetings. Overall, a great experience and I highly recommend her for anyone looking for solid guidance with their college applications!

Noa, 6 lessons with Silvana
Hourly Rate: $150
Response time: 5 minutes
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