Frequently Asked Questions

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I provide expert one-on-one writing consultation through the college application season for students as they develop and perfect their main and supplemental admissions essays and get ready to write at the college level.

Annie Blais, PhD, is an educator with 30 years’ experience working with high-achieving young people as a classroom teacher, administrator, and founder/lead of college prep programs that have significantly increased college acceptance rates for low income students and students of color.  I really enjoy teaching young people composition and editing techniques and helping them to use these essays to clarify their thinking in this transition to college.  

Currently, I am an English teacher in Ann Arbor, as well as a teacher educator, education researcher, and writer.  I hold degrees from Harvard College, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan.  As a parent of three children at three stages of the path to college –  middle school, high school, and college – I am able to provide an empathetic perspective on the work required by the post-high school transition.  It can be a stressful time for the whole family.  I’m here to make it easier.  

While my work with clients focuses on helping them to craft writing that they can feel proud of, my deeper aim is for them to develop writing skills and confidence that they can carry with them, next year.

I take on a very small, select number of motivated clients through the critical four- to six-month application period (starting July or September, through November 1 and/or mid-January). Serving just a handful of young people allows me to provide quick attention to each person and strong communication with each family.

While my services do not come with a guarantee that a student will get into their top choice programs, I do have a solid track record of helping students define and achieve their ambitions, and can help make the writing process less stressful for students and their families.  References are available upon request.

One hour of my time per week over zoom or in person as needed, for whatever you need at different stages of the process: brainstorming/discussion on how to tackle questions, prompts/guidance for drafting, content and editing feedback, etc.  I read and comment on essays, plan editing exercises clients can try out, meet with clients over zoom and respond to texts all the time.  I check in with my clients frequently to make sure they're progressing.  I update and confer with families along the way, as needed.

Required In Person or Zoom Meetings:

• Initial consultation with family (free)
• Meet with student to discuss the scope of work, create a weekly schedule, and develop/discuss first essay draft
• Weekly work and check in with students over zoom/text/google docs
• Meet to discuss fully drafted essay and review or begin supplemental essays

Contact:

• With students:
  • Work/check in with each student every week
  • Available via text or email 
  • Will respond to requests for feedback on drafts within 48 hours (usually, 24)

• With families:
  • Available to check in by text or phone  
  • Available for 1-2 additional longer consultations with parents, as needed

First consultation: free hour to discuss your goals, get to know each other, and think about the scope of work -- families and students decide after if it feels like a good match.

Fee:  Payable upon signature by all parties to the Contract, before work begins.

_____  Full Package: Summer or Fall start (anytime before October), through Feb 1. Two 500-650 word college or scholarship essays, up to up to eight supplemental (300 word/less) essays.  $1300

_____  Fall Package: August/September through November 1.  One 500-650 word college essay, up to four supplemental (300 word/less) essays.  $1000

_____  Upgrade from Fall to Full package, after 11/1: continue work through Feb 1.  One additional full essay, up to six more supplemental  (300 word/less) essays. $500 

"Annie prepared a schedule to keep us on track, coached C. through his applications, and removed stress from our lives. As a result, C. was accepted at 4/4 and received scholarships from 3/4 institutions. I highly recommend working with Annie on college applications."  

-- Nicole, Parent

"I was so grateful for Annie's work with my son through his college essay writing process.  As a student who had spent most of his high school years during the pandemic, he came to the application process late and without much direction.  Annie was unfazed by his lack of preparation - she quickly built a relationship with him and helped him identify and craft a narrative that was tailored to his academic goals and, most importantly, was authentic to his voice.  He was accepted to every school to which he applied, and chose to matriculate into a highly-selective, top-ranked program at the school he'd dreamed of attending since he was a small child.  I am so grateful to Annie for making this dream a reality for him!"  -- Pyper, parent

"Dr. Blais was incredibly understanding and helpful from start to finish of the college essay application process. I credit her work with my college essay to my acceptance to a top university in the country!"  -- L., college sophomore

"My high school senior son had an idea for his college essay but Annie helped him flesh it out. The turn around time after he sent it to her and her helpful suggestions on edits was remarkably quick. He was accepted to his school of choice. I truly appreciate Annie’s help."  - Carrie B., parent

"Working with Dr. Blais could only be described as wonderfully productive. She is a fantastic teacher and helped me to craft my college essay to the highest standard possible."  - A., college sophomore