ONE-ON-ONE COLLEGE ESSAY COACHING
Make Your
College Essays
Count.
From brainstorming to the final revisions, I help students turn their ideas and experiences into compelling college essays that reflect their authentic voice.
Let’s discuss your student’s needs and see whether working together would be a good fit.
Meet Joy · 1:36
A Decade Of Experience
An Understanding of Teenagers
Clear, Personalized Guidance
UNC–Chapel Hill honors graduate | Phi Beta Kappa
Meet Joy Jacobson
For more than a decade, I’ve worked with teenagers and families on college essays, test preparation, and admissions. Currently, I am focusing on college essays.
One of my favorite parts of this work is helping students discover what they have to say. Some arrive convinced they have nothing worth writing about; others have so many ideas they don’t know where to begin. Through thoughtful questions and conversation, I help them uncover meaningful details and perspectives they might otherwise overlook.
As a parent of teenagers myself, I understand the balance between wanting to help and giving students room to find their own way. I approach each student with patience, humor, and a genuine interest in what matters to them.
I bring structure, clear direction, and honest feedback to a process that can feel overwhelming. My goal is for students to grow more confident in their writing and finish with essays they’re proud to call their own.
Students I’ve supported have been admitted to dozens of universities, including Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, Brown, Duke, UCLA, UC Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and many others.
Past admissions outcomes do not guarantee future results.
What Families Say
Ally Romano
Student, Campbell Hall, Studio City
“Joy has been the biggest help. She is so sweet, intelligent and helpful. Without her, this process would have been so much more difficult. I can’t imagine going through the process of test prep and college essays with anyone but her.”
Esther Renzer
Parent, Shalhevet School
“You are AMAZING and we are very grateful to you for mentoring and motivating our daughter through this process.”
Tamara Hirsch
Student, Buckley School
“Joy not only relieved an infinite amount of stress with her compassion, but she also helped me to find my voice and gain self-confidence. Joy is one of the most intelligent and genuinely sweet people I know, and I am so thankful for her valuable SAT lessons and priceless college essay advice!”