Get your story.
Our conversations will spark new ideas and validate existing ones. Through this process, you will learn to talk and write meaningfully about the experiences, identities, talents, achievements and topics that matter to you.
How It Works
Interview-style conversations are at the core of our work.
Your motor skills (writing) can’t keep up with your brain. Only talking can help you process all the essay ideas, half-thoughts, and words bouncing around in your head. Our virtual conversations are designed to help you:
reflect on important things and people in your life,
think about what matters most,
and connect the dots between experiences and insights.
Calls last 60-90 minutes (or about 10,000 unedited words). The conversational sweet spot is two (2) calls, but each student and case is different.
A transcription process preserves your spoken words.
Our conversations will do more than get you talking. Interview transcripts serve as high-quality and authentic source material for your essay writing process. Spoken words can stand on their own as topics, sentences, and even full paragraphs. They inform writing style and language. (Read more: Spoken word excerpts are inspiring, dramatic, and honest.)
Your Essay Building Blocks is a structured highlight reel that allows your voice to flourish on page.
From the raw transcripts (about 10,000-15,000 unedited words), I prune and cut. Then I move around, sort, and organize content into the building blocks for your essays. These are typically 1,500-2,000-word documents that are highlighted by themes, topics, or main ideas that emerge from our conversations. In my cover note, I will include some of my key recommendations and advice as you move into the drafting phase.
Ongoing Editing Services
I provide continued 1:1 coaching and advanced editing services. This includes anything from one-time reviews providing high-level feedback to copy editing and ongoing 1:1 writing sessions, as well as final proofing.
Pricing
Since launching this project, one of my biggest takeaways is that every student and process is different. In addition, I have learned that it’s important to have flexible in pricing structure based on individual needs. Contact me with pricing questions.
Better yet, schedule a free 1:1 consultation with any questions you have about writing college essays.
Parent Testimonial
"As a parent of a student who felt unsure about his content and writing style, I saw first-hand how Geoff's process drew out personal applicable stories, supported an authentic writing style and boosted confidence. Geoff definitely brought down the stress level."
Workshops and Collaborations
Are you a purpose-driven organization committed to improving college access for all students? Let’s talk.
In addition to serving students through The College Essay Journalist, Geoff is a college essay coach with the Matchlighters Scholars program and a mentor with Mentor Rhode Island. Please contact me if you are interested in partnering to create a sponsorship program to bring college essay coaching to more students.
Learn more and apply to the Matchlighters Scholars program here.
FAQs
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Writing a college essay can feel overwhelming. It’s one of the few parts of your application that’s completely within your control, which can make it feel like there’s a lot at stake.
Our approach helps you craft a story that is both impactful to admissions officers and deeply meaningful to you. We believe every student has a unique and compelling story, and we are relentlessly curious in helping you tell it.
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We offer personalized 1:1 coaching—both virtual and in-person—for high school students working on:
College application essays (personal statements & supplemental essays)
Scholarship applications
Writing portfolios for admissions
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Our conversations are designed to be welcoming, engaging, and even a little fun. Here’s how it works:
Getting Started – You’ll complete a short questionnaire and brainstorming exercises to help us get to know you.
Interview-Style Conversations – We’ll meet virtually for structured discussions that help uncover your best stories.
Content Review & Recommendations – Using transcripts from our conversation, I’ll highlight key themes and ideas, providing structured guidance to develop your first draft.
Follow-Up & Next Steps – We’ll meet again to review your essay plan and ensure you’re ready to start writing.
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Many students feel this way, but learning to express yourself clearly and confidently is a skill you’ll use throughout life—whether in college, job interviews, or personal relationships.
The good news? The more you practice, the easier it gets. Our process is designed to make storytelling feel natural and engaging.
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Not exactly. You don’t need a fully formed essay idea, but be ready to discuss meaningful moments from your life with specific details. Think about:
The sounds and smells that define a memory
The people who shaped your experiences
The emotions and lessons tied to key events
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Absolutely not. While we’ll talk a lot about you, you’re always in control of what you share. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable telling a story that is true, authentic, and meaningful.
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The College Essay Journalist was founded by Geoff Decker to help students craft and share compelling personal stories for their college applications. Through interview-style conversations, our approach is to guide students in discovering the right topics with clarity and confidence before they start writing.
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Since 2023, we have helped dozens of high school students write authentic and impactful college admissions essays. Our students have been accepted to a wide range of top American and international colleges and universities, including Cornell University, Scripps College, Boston College, University of St Andrews, Middlebury College, SUNY Purchase, Ramapo College, SUNY Binghamton, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and more.
I am a journalist and communications professional with over a decade of experience writing stories and interviewing people in the education space. As part of the reporting team at Chalkbeat, I contributed to award-winning coverage of New York City’s education policy.
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No single part of your application guarantees admission. Your essays—typically a 650-word personal statement for the Common App and additional supplemental essays—are just one piece of a larger application that includes your academic transcript, extracurriculars, recommendations, and more.
Tip: To find supplemental essay prompts in the Common App, go to the College Information section and scroll down to Writing Requirements.
Bottom line: Essays play a critical role in showcasing your personality, background, and values, but they are just one factor in the admissions proce
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No.
Our role is to help you develop your ideas and find your authentic voice. Through guided conversations, we equip you with thousands of your spoken own words, organized into meaningful essay topics. We’ll support you throughout the process, but the writing—and the story—will be yours.
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Yes. We assist families with additional aspects of the college admissions process, including CommonApp support, FAFSA and financial aid guidance, and college list-building. We also have a strong network of professionals in the college admissions space. If we can’t help with something, we’ll do our best to connect you with someone who can.
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Yes! We also help professionals, researchers, and executives develop personal narratives for cover letters, job applications, op-eds, and grant proposals. If you need help telling your story in a compelling way, we’d love to assist.