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Harvard Grad and College Essay Consultant
Benjamin P.

5.0 (11 ratings)

101 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $115
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Response time: 2 hours

About Benjamin

Bio

Are you staring at the Common App essay prompts and wondering where to begin? Maybe you're not sure which of your life stories will make the strongest essay, or perhaps you already know what you want to write but aren't sure how to put it into words.

If that sounds like you, I'm here to help!

After graduating from Harvard with a degree in English, I've worked with students to discover the stories only they can tell and transform them into compelling college essays. Together, we'll...

Are you staring at the Common App essay prompts and wondering where to begin? Maybe you're not sure which of your life stories will make the strongest essay, or perhaps you already know what you want to write but aren't sure how to put it into words.

If that sounds like you, I'm here to help!

After graduating from Harvard with a degree in English, I've worked with students to discover the stories only they can tell and transform them into compelling college essays. Together, we'll identify the experiences, values, and moments that reveal who you are and help you stand out amongst a highly competitive application pool.

My process is super collaborative and conversation-driven. Before we ever worry about perfect sentences, I’ll spend time getting to know you, discovering the experiences that matter most to you. I encourage students to write freely and without self-judgment. From there, we’ll refine your ideas through thoughtful revision until your essay is polished and personal.

In today’s competitive college admissions landscape where many applicants rely on AI-generated writing, a genuine, well-crafted essay has never been more important. I've seen firsthand the difference an authentic personal statement can make and have had the privilege of helping students gain admission to schools including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and many other highly selective colleges and universities.

My goal isn't just to help you write an essay that gets you into your dream school. I want to help you become a more confident, thoughtful writer while giving you the space to reflect meaningfully on your past and the person you're becoming. Writing your college essay can feel overwhelming, but it can also be one of the most rewarding parts of the application process. I'd love to help you tell your story.

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Education

(1) Harvard University
English

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $115
  • Rate details: $90 for college essay app asynchronous editing sessions. I provide detailed comments and edit suggestions over Google Docs.
  • Lesson cancellation: 0 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

College Counseling

College Counseling

Over the past five years, I've consulted students on all things regarding college applications, and my students have gone on to get into many selective colleges including Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia. Whether it's deciding what programs to apply for, brainstorming and then refining the perfect college application essays, or preparing for interviews I'm excited to help you find the best college for you. As someone who didn't have a traditional education (and thus application) I recognize the importance of a great application, and I'd love to help you make yours great too!
Creative Writing

Creative Writing

As a non-traditional student, I never felt that I clicked with traditional school subjects, but after discovering creative writing, I discovered a passion for storytelling that led me to studying English with a focus in creative writing at Harvard University. In university my short stories helped me gain admission to fellowships across the world and my thesis, a dramatic narrative, was one of the few creative theses given the honor of Summa Cum Laude, reserved for 5% of Harvard's graduating class. Since then my plays have been selected for festivals including the Harvard Playwrights Festival and the New York Theater Festival, and I recently gained the support of a production company to develop one of my screenplays. Through college and after, I've worked for production companies, helping edit and provide critique for screenplays, plays, and works of fiction. I have a passion for helping others with their creative work by diagnosing where a story is working and where it needs work. I love to help other writers bring the ideas in their heads to life on the page, and I enjoy the process of discovery that comes when helping writers brainstorm, refine, or expand their pieces. I hope I can do the same for you!
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

As a non-traditional student, I recognized the power of a great essay, and I was able to use the essay portion of my college applications to help me gain admission to Harvard University. While in college, I studied English with a focus in writing where I learned how to craft solid critical essays whether they were five pages or 105! On top of this, I worked in my school's writing center, helping other students with their essays. I also worked with students of all ages on their essay writing through private tutoring, which I've continued to this day five years later. Whether you need help with brainstorming powerful topics, crafting a strong thesis, outlining your argument, restructuring your writing, or editing for clarity, word choice, and grammar, I have tools and years of experience to break down the writing process for you in a way that's seamless, manageable, and even fun!
Fiction Writing

Fiction Writing

As a non-traditional student, I never felt that I clicked with traditional school subjects, but after discovering creative writing, I discovered a passion for storytelling that led me to studying English with a focus in creative writing at Harvard University. In university my short stories helped me gain admission to fellowships across the world and my thesis, a dramatic narrative, was one of the few creative theses given the honor of Summa Cum Laude, reserved for 5% of Harvard's graduating class. Since then my plays have been selected for festivals including the Harvard Playwrights Festival and the New York Theater Festival, and I recently gained the support of a production company to develop one of my screenplays. Through college and after, I've worked for production companies, helping edit and provide critique for screenplays, plays, and works of fiction. I have a passion for helping others with their creative work by diagnosing where a story is working and where it needs work. I love to help other writers bring the ideas in their heads to life on the page, and I enjoy the process of discovery that comes when helping writers brainstorm, refine, or expand their pieces. I hope I can do the same for you!
ACT English
ACT Reading
ACT Science
English
ESL/ESOL
GED
Grammar
Literature
Phonics
Proofreading
PSAT
Reading
SAT Reading
SAT Writing
Spelling
SSAT
Study Skills
TOEFL
Vocabulary
Writing
Benjamin P.'s Photo

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Response time: 2 hours

Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (11 ratings)
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Reviews

Knowledgeable and Talented Teacher

Benjamin is an exceptionally knowledgeable and talented teacher and writer. He has helped my daughter develop her personal essay, and his feedback is always detailed, clear, and insightful. He encourages her to think more deeply and guides her in making the storytelling truly compelling. My daughter has learned a great deal from him. I am really impressed by how much her writing has improved with his guidance. She truly enjoys working with Benjamin and is excited to continue learning from him. We feel very lucky to have found such a dedicated and talented teacher!

Willow, 7 lessons with Benjamin
Hourly Rate: $115
Response time: 2 hours
Contact Benjamin