Your Words.
Your Voice.
Your Story.
Show those schools
who you are.
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| 914.643.6573
|Registering NOW for the Class of 2025 & 26
Online & In Person
College Essay & Application Coaching
+ Graduate School, Transfers & Gap Year Programs
Although daunting, the college application process should be EXCITING and reflective, and it should result in pieces of significant writing that the student is proud of, pieces filled with the student's sharpest writing, voice, depth, and original narrative. Let us help bring direction, balance, and joy to your child's process so that they feel confident to hit SUBMIT.
Wordcraft will take the mystery and stress out of the process by:
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Teaching the student how to write a personal narrative (college) essay
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Helping the writer flesh out ideas for the essays
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Helping the writer find their voice and unique narrative
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Ensuring that all writing is original, nuanced, layered & authentic
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Setting a timetable for the Common App Essay and needed supplements
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Answering questions about the essays and application process
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Sharing insights to the admissions process
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Encouraging self reflection, depth, and detail development
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Insisting and supporting a thorough revision process
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Establishing due dates to keep writers moving forward
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Offering honest and encouraging feedback
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Coaching parents through the process and setting realistic expectations
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Easing anxiety about the process
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Making sure the student is proud of the essays they have written
Services
> Online Feedback & Editing
> Application Navigation and Organization
> Parent Coaching
> College Readiness Program | Minds at Work
Note: We will NOT write students' essays. Do not ask us to do so.
Packages|
The Coaching Package
Package includes:
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Initial one-hour meeting
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Creation of timeline/due date reminders for Common Application main essay and school-specific supplements
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5 months of coaching (summer prior to senior year to Dec 1) with a maximum of 10 individual meetings (virtual or in person)
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E-mail exchanges & check-ins
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Up to 3 hours of online edits & feedback
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Open access to our fall weekend Essay LABS
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Parent communication
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Main Essay and supplemental essays completed by Dec 1; ED/EA materials ready before Oct 31 (Additional work after 12/1 billed at *holiday rate.)
Cost: $5250
* Success of this package is dependent on student effort & follow-through
The Package Plus
Package includes:
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Everything in the Coaching Package
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A maximum of 15 individual meetings (virtual or in person)
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Ensuring a consistent, strong narrative is presented in entire application
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Common Application review and feedback
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Organizing and review of Common App Activity Section
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Common App Optional Essay (we don't believe in optional!)
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Interview preparation & practice
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Ongoing conversation about application strategy (ED, EA, RD)
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College List review
(Additional work after 12/1 billed at *holiday rate.)
Cost: $6450
* Success of these packages is dependent on student effort & follow-through
The Premium
Package includes:
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Everything in the Package Plus
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Up to 5 additional meetings between December 15 – January 15
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Coaching & review of scholarship and/or honors college applications
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Review of supplemental videos
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Resume coaching
Cost: $8450
* Success of these packages is dependent on student effort & follow-through
Individual Sessions|
Packages not for you? We've got you covered.
> Individual sessions: $450/hour with 2 deadlines and online feedback/editing exchanges for each
> Individual sessions: $300/hr, no online feedback/editing exchanges
> Online feedback/editing: $250/hour (1 hr minimum)
> The College Essay Crush and LAB, small group intensives | pricing varies
Click here for workshop information and registration.
*Holiday Rate | All fees increase 20% after Dec 1
* Success of all coaching is dependent on student effort & follow-through
college readiness program
Minds at Work | Sophomores and Juniors
Learning with joy, depth, meaning & direction
Kick off the college application process ready to show colleges your love for learning, the interests you have pursued deeply and meaningfully, the causes you authentically believe in, and the lessons learned from a job or multi-year project. Experience high school with purpose and direction so that you can present yourself to colleges as the passionate, curious, unique candidate they seek (and you are).
During 8 private sessions and multiple group seminars spread across 1 to 2 years, we will help students:
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Identify growing interests
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Brainstorm opportunities to explore those interests in meaningful and unique ways
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Cultivate their efforts via 1:1 mentorship
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Engage in group discussions about current events and special topics
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Strengthen communication skills
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Review academic class selection, worthwhile extra curricular endeavors, college entrance exams timelines, college visitation timelines
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Identify & address gaps in learning experience
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Answer questions about the process
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Focus on the joy of engaged learning
Space limited | Interview required
> Please call for cost and to schedule interview
> Students who complete the Minds at Work program receive a 10% discount on any one college package
Contact us today to book your slot or to discuss
how we can best support your child and you.
914.643.6573 | wendy@wordcraftny.com
The college essay does not guarantee admission
to any school.
Recent Wordcraft students have headed off to the following schools:
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Rochester University
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Santa Clara University
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Sarah Lawrence
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Skidmore
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Stanford
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SUNY Binghamton
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SUNY New Paltz
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SUNY Plattsburg
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Swarthmore
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Syracuse
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Tufts
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Tulane
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Union
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University of California, Berkeley
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University of Chicago
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University of Delaware
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University of Gettysburg
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University of Maryland
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University of Miami
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University of Michigan
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University of Pennsylvania
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University of Richmond
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USC
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University of Vermont
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University of Virgina
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University of Wisconsin
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Vanderbilt
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Vassar
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Villanova
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Wake Forest
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Washington University at St. Louis
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Wesleyan
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Williams
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Yale
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American
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Barnard
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Bates
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Belmont University
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Berklee School of Music
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Boston College
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Boston University
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Brown
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Bucknell
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Cal Tech
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Carnegie Mellon
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Case Western
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Colorado College
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Columbia
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Connecticut College
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Cornell
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Duke
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Elon
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Emory
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Fairfield University
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F.I.T.
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GW
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Hamilton
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Harvard
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Haverford
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Indiana University
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Ithaca
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Lehigh
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Middlebury
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Northeastern
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Northwestern
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NYU
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Oberlin
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RIT
For 20 years, we've helped students present their most authentic selves to their dream schools and helped families navigate the application process. Don't get caught in the anxiety swirl! Join those from Westchester County & NYC, as well as those beaming in from
across the country and
SHOW THOSE SCHOOLS WHO YOU ARE.
| WHAT THEY SAY
"Wendy enabled me to trust myself and, with her support and encouragement, to write college essays which were entirely true to me. She would set a timer and give me a calm, quiet space, encouraging me to get all my thoughts out on paper without self judgment. She made me laugh and helped me feel empowered rather than pressured."
– Beatrice Tulchin
Barnard College
“Not only did Wendy remove all the home stress by managing the whole process, but her positive 1-1 coaching helped my kids grow, learn and discover their true voice. I am forever grateful.”
– Andrea Gilman,
Chappaqua NY
"Wendy Fried is an absolutely amazing teacher.
Her passion and dedication to helping others take their writing to the next level is clear, and her essay workshops provided me with helpful, valuable information, especially when I didn’t know where to start. She helped me immensely in getting to a point where I felt proud of my college essay. I’m so thankful for all of her help and guidance and I truly believe she was one of the reasons I got into my top school!"
– Charlotte Harter
Vassar College
"After considering the daunting task of helping my son with his college essay, I enlisted the assistance of Wendy Fried. Wendy immediately made my son feel at ease and helped him actually enjoy the process of developing a great essay. Coupled with her professionalism is Wendy's genuine care and concern for people. My son learned skills that will help him far beyond his college years!”
– Laurie
Pleasantville, NY
"Wendy taught me how to transform my scattered thoughts into a flowing personal narrative that spoke true to me. Between brainstorming, writing, and editing, she elevated my abilities as both a thinker and a writer while also helping me navigate this critical college application process. I am so thankful for her help in getting into my first choice school."
– Eddie Tu
Pleasantville High School
Harvard University
"Writing with humor is hard enough, but to do so while marketing yourself to your dream school? Near impossible. Because of Wendy, I was able to write an essay that portrayed my voice and values the way I hoped to.
After applying, I received two personal emails from college admissions staff praising my essay. One counselor even said she “laughed out loud” and that it was one of the “best essays I have ever read.” Wendy was my lifeline during the stress of college admissions."
– Mia Dillon
University of Vermont
"So much about writing a successful essay is confidence. Wendy taught me that."
– Chad Frieder,
Harvard University
“Wendy Fried was the college essay writing consultant for both of my children. These two students have very different learning styles and goals yet Wendy "clicked" with both. One especially great aspect to Wendy (besides her manner and patience) is that she does not attempt to rewrite the student's essay in her words or words that she thinks a college will like. Her aim is to let the student's "voice" come through so the college really gets a feel for who the student is in the essay. She is also great at editing, brainstorming, motivating, and words of encouragement! My daughter said she disliked writing and often procrastinates, but she looked forward to working with Wendy, set up her own appointments, and Wendy turned what could have been a painfully stressful college essay experience into a positive one!”
— Amy, mother of two Horace Greeley graduates, Chappaqua, NY
“Wendy understood the goal of my essay and helped me frame the message I wanted to send. With her guidance, I was able to tell my story clearly and effectively.”
— Maggie Sullivan
Boston College
“Wendy was instrumental in helping me focus my college essay. From the jumble of ideas that was my first draft she helped me organize my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to say and how best to say it. She never just told me what to write, she helped me figure out how to say what I wanted to say. My essay came together really well and kept a strong consistent narrative voice throughout thanks to her.”
– Julia, Masters School
“Working with Wendy on my college essays made a dismal obligation into a wonderful experience. She was patient, constructive, and creative. Wendy always had confidence in my work but she also pushed me to be better. When I emailed her questions, she was always prompt with her replies. Without her help, I never would have gotten into my dream school.”
– Miranda
Chappaqua, N.Y.
Columbia University
"Wendy was a great resource during my college application process. She made valuable suggestions to my essays while allowing me to maintain my voice. When I felt stuck, she helped me transform my ideas into full-length essays. She gave prompt feedback, and I am grateful for her help during this process!"
– Madeline,
Cornell University
"Wendy Fried is a magician. She has helped me become a better writer, which has allowed me to jumpstart my own consulting business and get into my dream college. I would highly recommend her for those of you in search of someone to help with college essays, or those of you in search of someone to help improve your writing."
– Emmett Shea
Villanova University
Chappaqua NY
For Parents:
Helping Parents Maintain Sanity During The College Application Process | In Person & Online opportunities
Don't let the process overwhelm you! In order to best support your children, you need to feel supported. Connect with other parents, get informed, ask your questions, share your worries, learn strategies to help your child move through the process with confidence, ownership, direction, and excitement.
Click here for more details and to join the conversation.