Having trouble getting started?
Don't know what to do with your draft?
is the author of College Admissions Cracked: Saving Your Kid (and Yourself) From the Madness and founder of In Other Words, a college essay coaching service with an empowering, low-stress approach to succeeding in college admissions. Jill has evaluated thousands of applications for elite colleges; taught writing at The New School and City University of New York; appeared in the news at Forbes, the LA Times, CNN, NEPR and more; and written for The New York Times, Family Circle, Parents, and others. Learn more about Jill here.
"I couldn't imagine essay writing in any capacity being fun. However, Jill does a magical job of transforming what would normally be a painful experience for me into an entertaining one. With her...
"I couldn't imagine essay writing in any capacity being fun. However, Jill does a magical job of transforming what would normally be a painful experience for me into an entertaining one. With her guidance, my essay is ten times better, and her admissions experience provided an insider's glimpse that put my mind at ease. I honestly would have gotten into a lot more fights with my mom without her (I know my mom is eternally grateful as well.)"
Matthew
College of William and Mary
"I love my son's Common Application essay. It really captures him in a unique way. Thank you for making this process so much fun for him. You are a treasure!"
Teri
Matthew's Mom
"My son is an excellent student with plenty to say, yet he's a procrastinator who thinks he can't write. Jill's process helped him define topics that made him stand out, and somehow got him to put...
"My son is an excellent student with plenty to say, yet he's a procrastinator who thinks he can't write. Jill's process helped him define topics that made him stand out, and somehow got him to put his thoughts on paper. After the first draft, she offered such useful writing tips that he continued to implement her advice for other projects. I'm a professional writer myself, yet even I was wowed by the final result."
Rona
son at Cornell University
"You helped me do the soul-searching I needed to not only write a killer essay, but the process was so much more enjoyable under the guidance of an influential and sympathetic motivator. I got into...
"You helped me do the soul-searching I needed to not only write a killer essay, but the process was so much more enjoyable under the guidance of an influential and sympathetic motivator. I got into all of the schools where I applied!"
Emma
Colorado College
"I am extremely happy with my final essay, and I would never have imagined that my essay could represent me that well! I even had college admissions personnel call me and specifically comment on how...
"I am extremely happy with my final essay, and I would never have imagined that my essay could represent me that well! I even had college admissions personnel call me and specifically comment on how great my essay was! Thank you!"
Asher
George Washington University
"The Asst. Director of Admission hand wrote this on her letter: 'I thoroughly enjoyed your essay. You will be an amazing teammate and community contributor.' I learned from seeing my daughter go...
"The Asst. Director of Admission hand wrote this on her letter: 'I thoroughly enjoyed your essay. You will be an amazing teammate and community contributor.' I learned from seeing my daughter go through Jill's process that the essay must truly come from the heart of the student."
Michelle
daughter at Yale University
"You made writing my essay not only doable but enjoyable! I have not only been able to express my best self to whoever reviews my application, but I was also afforded the opportunity to discover...
"You made writing my essay not only doable but enjoyable! I have not only been able to express my best self to whoever reviews my application, but I was also afforded the opportunity to discover parts of myself that I hadn't known existed. I created work that I'm proud of, and I've gained the confidence I need to write strong essays in the future."
Lila
University College, Dublin
"Jill has the uncanny ability to help students distill the many experiences, unique perspectives, and ideas that are swirling around in their heads into a highly personal and cohesive essay. I feel...
"Jill has the uncanny ability to help students distill the many experiences, unique perspectives, and ideas that are swirling around in their heads into a highly personal and cohesive essay. I feel like my daughter had a master class in writing which went far beyond anything she ever learned at school. Not only was our daughter accepted into her first-choice college, she'll be taking her new and improved writing skills with her!"
Pam
daughter at Duke University
"Jill made the essay writing process meaningful, less stressful, and fun. She asked all the right questions, and I came out of it with original and authentic ideas for my essay. Her great attitude...
"Jill made the essay writing process meaningful, less stressful, and fun. She asked all the right questions, and I came out of it with original and authentic ideas for my essay. Her great attitude kept me from getting overwhelmed and was invaluable to me. I am so grateful!"
Bethany
Washington University
"As a first generation college student, the college admissions process was especially complicated. Thank you for helping me find my way past all of the superficiality and negativity that applicants...
"As a first generation college student, the college admissions process was especially complicated. Thank you for helping me find my way past all of the superficiality and negativity that applicants encounter!
Josiah
Tufts University
"Jill brings the relevant expertise to the table and has a useful and friendly, but structured approach to keep students working toward their vision. I particularly appreciate the way she encourages the...
"Jill brings the relevant expertise to the table and has a useful and friendly, but structured approach to keep students working toward their vision. I particularly appreciate the way she encourages the student's unique voice and compelling narration to shine through. It was comforting to have guidance from someone so keyed into what works!"
Sarah
son at Williams College, daughter at Swarthmore College
"I was very nervous about applying for college and you made the process so much easier and less stressful. In the end I was accepted to my first-choice college and I can't thank Jill's process...
"I was very nervous about applying for college and you made the process so much easier and less stressful. In the end I was accepted to my first-choice college and I can't thank Jill's process enough for helping me get to that point!"
Claire
Wellesley College
"I'm really a math/science guy, but somehow, Jill actually made writing my college essay fun. My college application included the best essay I've ever written!" MattRochester Institute of...
"I'm really a math/science guy, but somehow, Jill actually made writing my college essay fun. My college application included the best essay I've ever written!"
Matt
Rochester Institute of Technology
"My daughter had amazing responses from the admission departments and while the rigor of her academics and grades were excellent, I think the essay was what caught their attention to dive deeper...
"My daughter had amazing responses from the admission departments and while the rigor of her academics and grades were excellent, I think the essay was what caught their attention to dive deeper into her application and offer her top scholarships at six colleges. The handwritten note she received from the admissions rep at one college said her essay was the best one he had read all year, and two more college reps mentioned her essay when I scheduled tours for accepted student events. You really brought out the best in her writing and it was a great investment!"
Suzan
daughter at Agnes Scott College
"My original Common Application personal essay wasn't very strong, and it was impersonal because I wrote about something I thought that colleges would like to see. But now I've created an essay that was...
"My original Common Application personal essay wasn't very strong, and it was impersonal because I wrote about something I thought that colleges would like to see. But now I've created an essay that was entirely what I wanted to write, and the final product is personal and imaginative. I couldn't be more proud of it! I got accepted to my dream school and received scholarships from multiple colleges. Thank you so much, Jill!"
Niki
New York University
"Jill magically made my video-game-addicted sone get his main essay done before his junior year summer vacation ended without any prodding or involvement from me! She helped him become a better...
"Jill magically made my video-game-addicted sone get his main essay done before his junior year summer vacation ended without any prodding or involvement from me! She helped him become a better writer too, and this fall, he wrote such a good paper for a history class that his teacher wants him to submit it for an essay contest. He's learned lessons from Jill that will carry him forward in college and in life.
Vivian
son at Boston College
"I've been complicit in treating the whole college admissions process as a game. You turned it around by asking my son to think about what's actually true, what matters to him and moves him--and his...
"I've been complicit in treating the whole college admissions process as a game. You turned it around by asking my son to think about what's actually true, what matters to him and moves him--and his essay was much, much better as a result!"
Eve
son at University of Pennsylvania
"Jill's process is so impressive! My son really enjoyed all parts of writing his college essay, from the brainstorming to the editing. Many schools actually commented on how touched they were by the...
"Jill's process is so impressive! My son really enjoyed all parts of writing his college essay, from the brainstorming to the editing. Many schools actually commented on how touched they were by the story he told, and how they related to it themselves, and he is attending his first-choice college!"
Christine
son at Bowdoin College
"Thank you! Your help brought me from a place of confusion and frustration to one of gratification and confidence." MylesVassar College
"Thank you! Your help brought me from a place of confusion and frustration to one of gratification and confidence."
Myles
Vassar College
"My honest feeling about all that goes into college applications is that it's way over the top and way too much pressure. So thankfully, we found a clear voice of what is expected and how best to...
"My honest feeling about all that goes into college applications is that it's way over the top and way too much pressure. So thankfully, we found a clear voice of what is expected and how best to manage through it. The ease and availability you offer makes writing this essay very doable and enjoyable--even for a busy senior who doesn't like to write! I highly recommend this service to anyone seeking professional guidance."
Connie
son at University of Florida
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PRIVACY POLICY
@2023 INTREPID APPLICANT
A top-tier college essay coach guides you efficiently, step-by-step, through an interactive virtual world where you'll nail down a one-of-a-kind topic and conjure a draft of an essay only you could write.
We believe you deserve to have less stress and more fun writing your personal essay for college admission in less time!
Agreed?
Enjoy the ride through revisions with expert guidance, nurturing, and humor. You'll embrace your first draft's successes then cruise through 3 more drafts to craft a sparkly personal essay that will stand out in a college applicant pool.
We believe you deserve to have less stress and more fun writing your personal essay for college admission in less time!
Agreed?
Is your college essay stressing you out?
Welcome to a world where you are an Intrepid Applicant!
What is the Intrepid Applicant adventure?
It's a mash-up between a course and a game like no other, designed to be easy to follow, entertaining, efficient, and economical. The entire adventure takes place in an online world where stress melts away. An expert college essay coach guides you step-by-step through interactive activities as you create a totally unique personal essay for your college application while digesting writing skills and empowerment strategies you will use for a lifetime. You get the advice and process of a top private consultant for a fraction of the price!
Having trouble getting started?
Write a Draft in a Week! In under an hour each day, a top-tier college essay coach guides you step-by-step through an interactive, virtual world where you'll nail down a one-of-a-kind topic and conjure a draft of a college essay only you could write.
Don't know what to do with your essay draft?
Finish a Sparkly Essay! Enjoy the ride through revisions with expert guidance, nurturing, and humor. In under an hour each day for one week, you'll embrace your first draft's successes then cruise through 3 more drafts crafting a personal essay that will stand out in a college applicant pool.
What makes the Intrepid Applicant adventure different?
You deserve to have less stress and more fun writing your personal essay for college admission in less time!
Agreed?
Agnes Scott College, Georgia
American University of Paris, France
American University, Washington, D.C.
Amherst College, Massachusetts
Arizona State University
Auburn University, Alabama
Austin College, Texas
Babson College, Massachusetts
Bard College, New York
Barnard College, New York
Bates College, Maine
Beloit College, Wisconsin
Bennington College, Vermont
Bentley University, Massachusetts
Berklee College of Music, Massachusetts
Boston College, Massachusetts
Boston University, Massachusetts
Bowdoin College, Maine
Brandeis University, Massachusetts
Brown University, Rhode Island
Bryant University, Rhode Island
Carleton College, Minnesota
Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
Case Western Reserve, Ohio
Christopher Newport University, Virginia
City University of New York
Clark University, Massachusetts
Clemson University, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina
Colby College, Maine
Colby-Sawyer College, New Hampshire
Colgate University, New York
College of Charleston, North Carolina
College of Charleston, South Carolina
College of William and Mary, Honors, Virginia
College of Wooster, Ohio
Colorado College
Colorado State University
Colorado University, Boulder
Columbia University, New York
Columbia University, New York, Graduate Engineering
Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
Connecticut College
Cornell University, New York
Cornell University, New York, Graduate Engineering
Creighton University, Nebraska
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
DePaul University, Illinois
Dickinson College, Pennsylvania
Drew University, New Jersey
Duke University, North Carolina
Drexel University, Pennsylvania
Earlham College, Indiana
Eckard College, Florida
Elon University, North Carolina
Emanuel College, Massachusetts
Emory University, Georgia
Evergreen State College, Washington
Fairfield University, Connecticut
Fashion Institute of American, New York
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Fordham University, New York
Franklin Pierce University, New Hampshire
George Mason University, Virginia
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania
Goucher College, Maryland
Grinnell College, Iowa
Hamilton College, New York
Hampshire College, Massachusetts
Hampton University, Virginia
Harvard University, Massachusetts
Haverford College, Pennsylvania
Hendrix College, Arkansas
Hobart and William Smith College, New York
Holy Cross, Massachusetts
Indiana University
Indiana University, Honors College
Ithaca College, New York
James Madison University, Virginia
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island
Juniata College, Pennsylvania
Keene State College, New Hampshire
Kenyon College, Ohio
Lafayette College, Pennsylvania
Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
Lewis and Clark College, Oregon
Liberty University, Virginia
Louisiana State University
Loyola Marymount University, California
Loyola University, Illinois
Loyola University, Music & Fine Arts, Louisiana
Macalester College, Minnesota
Marist College, New York
Marquette University, Wisconsin
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
McGill University, Québec
McMaster University, Canada
Mercer University, Florida
Miami University, Ohio
Michigan State University
Middlebury College, Vermont
Monmouth University, New Jersey
Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts
Muhlenberg College, Pennsylvania
New York University
Northeastern University, Massachusetts
Norwich University, Vermont
Notre Dame University, Indiana
Oberlin College, Ohio
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University, California
Pitzer College, California
Prairie View A&M University, Texas
Princeton University, New Jersey
Providence College
Purdue University, Indiana
Queens University, Canada
Reed College, Oregon
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, CT
Rhodes College, Tennessee
Rice University, Texas
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Saint Andrews University, Scotland
Saint Anselm College, New Hampshire
Saint Edward’s University, Texas
Saint Joseph’s University, Pennsylvania
Saint Lawrence University, New York
Saint Louis University, Missouri
Saint Michael’s College, Vermont
Saint Olaf College, Minnesota
Salisbury University, Maryland
Salve Regina University, Rhode Island
Samford University, Alabama
Santa Clara University, California
Sarah Lawrence College, New York
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
Scripps College, California
Sienna College, New York
Simmons College, Massachusetts
Skidmore College, New York
Southwestern University, Texas
St. Andrews University, Scotland
State University of California
State University of New York
St. Bonaventure University, New York
Stonehill College, Massachusetts
Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania
Syracuse University, New York
Temple University, Pennsylvania
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
The Citadel Military College, South Carolina
Towson University, Maryland
Trinity College, Connecticut
Trinity College, Ireland
Tufts University, Massachusetts
Tulane University, Louisiana
Tuskegee University, Alabama
University College of Dublin, Ireland
University of Alabama
University of British Colombia
University of California
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut, Honors
University of Dayton, Ohio
University of Denver, Colorado
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Hartford, Connecticut
University of Houston, Texas, Honors College
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Maine
University of Maryland
University of Maryland, Honors College, Clark School of Engineering
University of Massachusetts
University of Miami, Florida
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Nebraska
University of New Hampshire
University of New Haven, Connecticut
University of New Orleans, Louisiana
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Richmond, Virginia
University of Rochester, New York
University of San Francisco, Californiaf
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Tennessee
University of Texas
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Utica College, New York
Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
Vassar College, New York
Villanova University, Pennsylvania
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Tech, Graduate Engineering
Wake Forest University, North Carolina
Washington & Jefferson College, Pennsylvania
Washington College, Maryland
Washington University, Missouri
Wayne State University, Michigan
Wellesley College, Massachusetts
Wesleyan University, Connecticut
West Virginia University
Western New England University, Massachusetts
Wheaton College, Massachusetts
Whitman College, Washington
William and Mary, Virginia
Williams College, Massachusetts
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA
Yale University, Connecticut