It’s the summer before your senior year, and your college essay is… fine.
Students, does this sound familiar?
You're in bed watching Tik Toks and stumble upon another college essay video. The essay topic is unique, the writing is beautiful, and of course, the writer got into a competitive Ivy League School.
A pit forms in your stomach. You know you're just an ordinary teenager with a fairly boring life.
You're thinking: "How do I even stand a chance against people like that?"
When students share their Google Doc with me, they get clear guidance on their college essay within 5 days… without ever having to leave their house.
No more procrastination.
No more anxiety.
No more staring at the same half-finished draft.
My students have been accepted to...
This is the most important essay you’ll ever write. The last thing you need is basic, unhelpful feedback. Comments like:
...add more here
...show dont tell
...I didnt get this part
When I say my feedback is comprehensive, this is what I mean:
I can help you condense the word count – whether you’re over by 30 words or 300.
I can isolate specific sentences that need revisions or entire sections that need to be re-worked.
I give insight into how admissions officers would perceive your essay.
I don’t just highlight cliches, I help you to pivot to write more authentically.
I show you relevant examples of what an excellent essay would look like.
I am honest when an essay is not competitive, and I give suggestions on how to improve it.
I catch common mistakes and help students adjust.
I provide guiding questions to help you go beyond vague common app prompts.
And sometimes, I add in notes with entire essay outlines or writing strategies to help students move forward meaningfully in the drafting process.
Ella H.
"I consider Olivia to be a major asset in my college application journey. She is very articulate, has thoughtful feedback, and is a true expert in what she does. I highly recommend Olivia and her exceptional guidance. I know she was a contributor in my acceptance to the University of Michigan. Thank you, Olivia!"
Nick C.
"Olivia was great to work with and I felt like she really cared about not only my college essays but me. I was accepted into my top choice with a merit scholarship. Go Clemson Tigers!"
Autumn G.
"Olivia went above and beyond when helping me craft my college essay. Her skills, knowledge, and dedication enabled me to elevate my essay to an extent I would have never reached alone. With Olivia’s help, I was accepted into my #1 college, Howard University, with a 72k scholarship! As a whole, Olivia made my college application process smoother and less stressful and I am so thankful."
Greta G.
"I highly recommend Olivia's services as a tutor. She is an amazing help in so many ways. She made me feel confident in my writing and eased my worries about the college application process significantly. Before her help, I was so lost and had no idea how to even begin my essay. Her processes and techniques helped me feel secure."
Directions & What To Expect
1. Click the orange “Edit My Essay” button & input payment so that I receive your order.
2. Create a Google Document for your college essay if it is not already in a Google Document. Copy & Paste your essay into the document. It is helpful if you copy & paste the essay prompt(s) that you are intending to address in your essay.
3. Share the document with me using the blue “Share” button on Google Documents
4.Share your essay with: oliviagundrum@illuminatedessays.com and please give EDIT access. I will not permanently edit or delete anything in the document. Edit access allows me to type additional notes and feedback at the bottom of the document.
5. Expect for your essay feedback to be complete in 3-5 business days.
6. Once I have finished adding feedback onto the document, I will email you using the email connected to the Google Document.
7. For additional edits, please purchase another Google Doc Edit. Feel free to email me or text me at (248) 629-0466 with additional questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much writing can I send you?
Each time you purchase a Google Doc Review, I will read up to 5 pages worth of writing (12 point font & single spaced). For most students, this should allow for me to review their common app essay and 2-3 supplemental essays.
What if I want you to read my essay for a second time once I’ve made edits based on your feedback?
If you’d like me to review your essay for a second time, just purchase another edit and share the document with me again!
Any additional questions, just send me a text at (248) 629-0466 or email: oliviagundrum@illuminatedessays.com
If writing a decent essay was as easy as answering the prompt and having proper grammar, your parents could just edit your essay for you.
Students typically get hung up on the prompts because they are purposefully very generalized. It takes a skilled tutor to help them narrow their ideas down & be reflective.
Average Tutor
Student: I want to write my college essay about how much I loved cooking with my grandma when I was a kid!
Tutor: Great! Can you tell me why you liked it so much?
Olivia Gundrum
Student: I want to write my college essay about how much I loved cooking with my grandma when I was a kid!
Olivia: Great, that's an excellent topic!
Here are some questions you can reflect on so that you can begin to form a theme for your entire essay:
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What qualities in your grandma do you admire? Do you think you share some of those qualities? How are you two alike and different?
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Do you think cooking is more of an art or a science? Why?
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What in your life would you be missing if you never had those moments with your grandma?
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Why is cooking important to your family? To your community? To the world?
Imagine:
You get to the part of your essay drafting where you think: It’s good, but it’s not where I need it to be.
Instead of reading it over ... and over ... and over again… you simply send it to me.
Within 5 days, I have read and reviewed it, providing comprehensive feedback on what you should do next.
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The part that you don’t know what to do with? I’ll tell you the next steps.
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The paragraphs that don’t connect with each other? I’ll find the missing piece.
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The message that’s not really getting across? I’ll ensure that it’s cohesive and competitive.
You don't have to stress all summer about your college essay. Just send your essay to me!
