I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Cornell University and a Master of Science degree from Boston University's College of Communication.

After a 20-year career in television that included a Writers Guild Award for All My Children and two Emmy® Award nominations, I founded First Impressions College Consulting.

 

What's a soap opera writer doing teaching college essay writing?

 

It was a career change I never anticipated. When my friends' children started applying to college, they asked me if I would read their children's college application essays and teach them how to interview.  And a wonderful thing happened—I discovered how much I love teaching.

 

So what is a soap writer doing teaching college essay writing? A soap opera writer's job is to create interesting and compelling stories that capture and hold the viewer's attention. That's exactly what a college application essay needs to do.

 

I work with my students to find their story. Together, we explore ideas and identify the best topics; I then teach them the writing skills they need to write a great college application essay. I provide customized tools for interview preparation and teach the interview skills students need for success now and in the years to come.

 

I'm proud to say that college admissions officers have remembered and complimented my students' essays.

 

I communicate extensively with college admissions officers on college essay writing.  I know first-hand what colleges look for (and what makes them cringe).

 

When it comes to interview coaching, I provide customized tools for interview preparation, teaching my students the interview skills they need to know for success now and in the years to come. My students have won major scholarships following their interviews.

​

Here is my Bio:

 

Television and Film Producing

• Writer/Producer, Martha Stewart Living

• Assistant Film Coordinator, Sisters

• Assistant Producer, Another World

• Executive Producer, The Exchange, a daily, live talk show

• CableAce Award

• UPI Award

 

Television Writing

• Scriptwriter, All My Children

• Scriptwriter, Guiding Light

• Scriptwriter, Another World

• Writers Guild Award, "Outstanding Script"

• Six Writers Guild Award Nominations

• Two Daytime Emmy Award Nominations, "Outstanding Script"

 

Speaker

• Programs: "The ABC's of Writing a Great College Application Essay," "Less Stress, More Success: Writing College Application Essays"

• Lecture with college admissions officers about writing college essays

 

College Interviewer

• Ten years participation in alumni interviewing for Cornell University (CAAN)

 

Contributor

• i-studentglobal.com. An international education information resource providing expert information and guidance to help international students plan their futures. Please read my articles: 

  •  Winning Personal Essays in 500 Words or Less

  • 7 Tips for a Great "Why This School"Essay

• Hersam-Acorn Newspapers education section.

• Redding and Brookfield Hamlethub.

• Weston-Redding-Easton Connecticut Patch.

 

Blog Writer

• My blog is ApplyingToCollege.org

• In ten years, my blog has almost one million views from around the world

 

Public Speaking Coach

• Coached political candidates in interview and public speaking skills

• Teach speakers how to capture and maintain an audience's attention

• Trained non-profit leaders to communicate effectively

 

Writing Consultant

• Author/coach helping new writers find their unique writing style and voice

 

Website Writer and Content Developer

• Edited newsletter for a medical website

• Wrote and developed award-winning garden club website

 

Education

• Cornell University, Bachelor of Arts in English. Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in All Subjects

• Boston University, Masters of Science in Broadcasting, specializing in writing and media organization

A Connecticut native, my husband and I live in Redding, Connecticut, where I proudly provide college essay writing, interview skills help, and resume writing for students in Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport, Wilton Connecticut, and surrounding towns. Plus world-wide on the Internet.