Your Story Is Your Competitive Edge.

Personal writing is hard. But the tools I've honed for memoir writing apply just as powerfully to application essays.

A high-performing personal statement can be the distinguishing factor when everyone has high test scores and GPAs. It's one element of a competitive application process that you can control, and one that frequently makes the difference in admissions decisions at elite institutions.

Working with a literary expert gives you an advantage that generic essay advice can't match. I'll help you identify the most compelling elements of your experience and craft them into a narrative that admissions committees will remember.

Service Packages

  • The Premium:

    For students aiming at elite schools and big scholarships.

    What’s Included:

    ✓ Brainstorming workbook

    ✓ Four 60-minute coaching sessions for strategizing, planning, drafting, and revision

    ✓ Unlimited research into target schools or programs

    ✓ Guidance on networking and program fit

    ✓ 24/5 asynchronous support

    ✓ Unlimited in-depth edits of the final essay(s)

    Investment: $3,495

    photo of Joshua Doležal Writer. Coach. Editor. reading on his couch in front of bookcase
  • The Standard:

    For students serious about winning a spot at targeted, competitive schools.

    What’s Included:

    ✓ Brainstorming workbook 

    ✓ Two 30-minute coaching sessions

    ✓ Minor editing between sessions

    ✓ Basic research into target schools or programs

    ✓ 2 in-depth edits of the Common App essay

    ✓ Additional support for supplemental essays for up to three total schools

    Investment: $1,495

    photo of a stack of books and glasses
  • The Essentials:

    For students who need quick polish but are comfortable working mostly alone.

    What’s Included:

    ✓ Brainstorming workbook 

    ✓ Light feedback on up to 3 drafts with summary notes

    ✓ One in-depth edit of the Common App essay

    Investment: $595

    photo of man writing

You’re
in the
right place if…

✓ You want your application essay to stand out from the crowd.

✓ You struggle with creative storytelling.

✓ Your writing is wordy.

✓ You don’t know how to customize a college essay or personal statement to your target audience.

photo of a stack of books with glasses

Get the Workshop

Boost Your
Personal Statement
or College Essay

Great storytelling alone might not get you into Harvard. But when you are applying to schools that could admit 10x as many applicants as they currently do without sacrificing academic quality, every distinguishing factor counts. A high-performing essay can be a game-changer. 

    • Build and leverage audience awareness.

    • Cast a magic spell on your reader with your storytelling (and avoid breaking that spell).

    • Replace common anecdotes with unforgettable scenes and images.

    • Establish high stakes and suspense.

    • Turn generic summaries into individual characters.

    • Show your stories rather than “telling” them.

    • Investment: $49

What Clients have said
about working with Josh

  • "Josh's feedback on my writing helped make my application essays much stronger and made me feel more confident. His suggestions helped me develop a compelling narrative that blended my personal story with my professional experiences and this significantly strengthened my PhD application."

    — Gabe, PhD Candidate in Biosciences

  • "Josh can help people who have never felt successful putting their story to paper, and he can also help those who want a fresh take on how they present themselves to the world in writing. His abilities to meet individual needs and draw out focused, thoughtful inquiries are his greatest attributes as a coach."

    — Matthew, PhD Candidate in Musicology

photo of Joshua Doležal Writer pdf, How to write a high-performing personal statement or college essay

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