College Essay Coaching That Stands Out
Yen Pham
A strong college essay can open doors — but it’s hard to write one under pressure. I work one-on-one with students to craft essays that are thoughtful, personal, and compelling — the kind that help admissions officers remember them.With over a decade of experience at top admissions firms, I guide students through every stage: from finding the right story to polishing the final draft.My students have been admitted to Penn, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, and Cambridge. I hold degrees from Harvard, Oxford (as a Rhodes Scholar), and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. My writing has appeared in The New York Times and elsewhere.
Want to give your student their strongest shot?
Click below to schedule a free 20-minute intro call.
What I offer
Feeling stuck or unsure where to begin? Even the strongest students need support turning their ideas into standout applications.With thoughtful coaching and deep editorial support, I help students find their voice, shape their story, and submit polished, compelling work — under real deadlines.Common App Essay Package
Two 1-hour calls + two rounds of edits. From initial brainstorm to final polish, I guide students every step of the way. Extended packages available on request.Supplemental Essay Coaching
Available per school or hourly — ideal for shorter prompts or strategic narrative refinement.Hourly Writing Support
Flexible editing and guidance for any part of the process, whether you need a second set of eyes or a full narrative rethink.Not sure what you need?
Schedule a free 20-minute intro call to see how I can help — no pressure, no commitment.If you're working on something not listed here, or just trying to sort out where to start, feel free to get in touch. I'll let you know if I can help.
What students say
Each student brings a different story — and I help them tell it clearly and powerfully. Here’s what some of my students have shared about the process of working together.
“Her guidance and feedback were invaluable.”
"Yen is an extraordinary writing tutor who helped me find my voice at every step of the application process. Her thoughtful guidance pushed me to reflect more deeply on each of my experiences to craft an authentic personal statement I was proud to submit. I would recommend Yen to absolutely anyone looking to strengthen their writing and present a clear, cohesive personal narrative."
—Abby G.
"Yen was my writing coach throughout my application process. She helped me flesh out my ideas and communicate my motivations in well-written, cohesive essays that also made me a stronger writer. Yen encourages her students to dig deep and represent themselves honestly, without disingenuity. Her guidance and feedback were invaluable, and I highly recommend Yen’s mentorship to anyone looking to put forth their strongest applications."
—Aishini D.
More feedback from students
"Yen hasn't just helped me edit my essays—I believe her feedback has made me a better writer. Her thorough explanations help me see what prompts are really asking for. The edits and suggestions she offers are clear and actionable. She pushes me to dig deeper, make my writing personal, and support my ideas with evidence and detail. I'm so grateful for her help throughout the application cycle."
—Christina V.
"Thanks to Yen, my application process has felt much more manageable. She provides consistent, high-quality feedback on my writing and is incredibly flexible when it comes to scheduling. I feel confident that after working with Yen, I’m submitting essays that are stronger, more creative, and more reflective of who I am."
—Jenna G.
The kind of support families actually need
Parents often come to me looking for expert help with essays — but what they really want is someone they can trust to support their child through a high-stakes, high-stress process. That’s exactly what I offer.I work closely with a small number of students, helping them find their voice and craft applications that feel honest, thoughtful, and truly their own. Along the way, they gain confidence — not just as applicants, but as writers and thinkers.If you’re looking for that kind of support, I’d be happy to talk more.
Get in touch
Have questions or want to work together?Reach out anytime: phamyenh [at] gmail [dot] com
or fill out the contact form below — I respond within 24-48 hours.I’d love to hear about your goals!
