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How it works
A professional editor, Tenafly Writing Coach applies skills honed in the world-renowned newsroom of The Washington Post. I won’t write your child’s college application essays for them, but will coach them through every step.
Collaboration
We will work together to develop the subject of the essay and its themes. Once those are established, we continue through the writing process, carefully considering organization, structure, and word choice.
Revision
After the first draft is completed, parents are invited to weigh in. Suggested revisions will be addressed in a final edit, and then the essay will be ready to submit.
Clients admitted to:
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Stanford University
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Yale University
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Columbia University
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Cornell University
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Princeton University
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Barnard College
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Oxford University (UK)
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California Institute of Technology
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Brown University
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Tufts University
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University of Southern California
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Carnegie Mellon University
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Duke University
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Johns Hopkins University
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University of Michigan
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Georgetown University
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University of California, Berkeley
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George Washington University
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New York University
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Northwestern University
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Weill Cornell Medical College
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University of Chicago
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University of California, Los Angeles
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Wesleyan University
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Georgetown University Law Center
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Rice University
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Oberlin College
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Wellesley College
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Hamilton College
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Spelman College
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Sarah Lawrence College
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Williams College
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American University
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University of Virginia
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Rutgers University/Honors College
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Swarthmore College
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Georgia Institute of Technology
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Haverford College
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Bowdoin College
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Smith College
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University of Maryland
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Dickinson College
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Virginia Institute of Technology
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Indiana University Bloomington
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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Texas A&M University
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University of Notre Dame
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Villanova University
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University of Florida
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William & Mary University
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Brandeis University
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Carleton College
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Marist Colege
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University of Richmond
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Florida State University
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Wake Forest University
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James Madison University
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Loyola Marymount University
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Emerson College
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Ohio University
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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University of Washington
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Purdue University
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EDHEC Business School
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University of Leeds
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Leiden University
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University of Warwick
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SOAS University of London
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Newcastle University
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Trinity College
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Rollins College
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Emory University
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Skidmore College
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University of Miami
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Muhlenberg College
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Clemson University
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Union College
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North Carolina State University
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University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
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Case Western Reserve University
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Rowan University
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Colgate University
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McGill University
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Fordham University
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Boston University
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Northeastern University
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Lafayette College
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Boston College
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New Jersey Institute of Technology
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Seton Hall University
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State University of New York, Binghamton
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University of Missouri
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The College of New Jersey
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State University of New York, Stony Brook
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State University of New York, Albany
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Caldwell University
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George Mason University
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Oregon State University
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Rochester Institute of Technology
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
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Florida Atlantic University
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University of Cincinnati
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Colorado School of Mines
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Loyola University Maryland
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California State University Fullerton
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Chapman University
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University of Connecticut
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University of Texas at Austin
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University of Georgia
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University of South Carolina
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Stevens Institute of Technology
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University of California, Merced
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Temple University
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Santa Clara University
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University of the Sciences
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University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Elon University
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University of California, Irvine
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University of California, San Diego
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University of California, Santa Barbara
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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San Diego State University
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University of California, Riverside
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University of California, Santa Cruz
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University of California, Davis
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Marquette University
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Hobart and William Smith Colleges
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Bates College
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Syracuse University
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University of Iowa
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University of Pittsburgh
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Oklahoma State University
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Drexel University
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University of Denver
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Louisiana State University
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University of Kansas
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DePaul University
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Mount Holyoke College
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Whitman College
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Appalachian State University
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University of Colorado Boulder
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University of Delaware
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University of Vermont
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Christopher Newport University
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Centenary University
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Beacon College
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California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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Culinary Institute of America
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Hofstra University
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Catholic University
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Pennsylvania State University
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Loyola University Chicago
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University of Alabama
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Michigan State University
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Baylor University
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Ohio State University
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Ursinus College
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Ithaca College
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Ramapo College of New Jersey
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Kean University
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University of North Carolina Greensboro
We can also help you with
Weekly Support Sessions
Tenafly Writing Coach also offers weekly sessions for middle and high school students who need to strengthen their writing skills. During these one-on-one Zoom sessions, students practice various types of writing—essays, poetry, research papers, film reviews, etc.—with an emphasis on structure, clarity, and grammar.
Corporate Content
Services
Corporate services are also available. Tenafly Writing Coach has extensive experience in editing business plans and supporting documents, as well as correspondence and website content.
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Flexible scheduling
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Customized support for each client
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Cost-effective pricing
What people are saying
"Alona is a phenomenal writer and editor. She has a unique way of making your thoughts, words and ideas sound brilliant while also teaching you how to do it for yourself in the future. That's priceless."
— Sheila A. Washington, D.C.
"We had a wonderful experience with Tenafly Writing Coach! Alona guided my daughter to find her voice and helped her to craft and polish a beautiful essay. The end result was a slew of acceptances, scholarships and invitations to honors programs."
— Marian M. Leonia, NJ
"Tenafly Writing Coach helped me find direction in the writing process while still maintaining my individual voice. It felt like the process helped bring the essay I had wanted to write out of me, and every step of the way it felt like Alona was putting in effort to make sure I was happy with the result."
— Jaden S. Tenafly, NJ
"I needed help with the text for my website. Alona helped me organize my jumbled ideas into clear, engaging text. She’s a fantastic editor."
— Dominic F. Toronto, Canada
"10/10 I definitely recommend! Alona has helped me refine my admissions statements and job application essays. Not only is she an incredible writer, but she is also incredibly supportive and encouraging."
— Ellen L. Holmdel, NJ
"The college admissions process was arguably the most difficult part of my high school journey. The most challenging part of it was the essay portions. Although this process was hard, Alona was always there to provide her knowledge and expertise. I do not know where I would be in this next chapter of my life without her help. I highly recommend her to anyone who is in need of help with their essays."
— Pratham S., Modesto, CA
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Let’s start writing!
About us
Born and raised in and around the nation’s capital, Alona served as a staff writer and editor for both Washington City Paper and The Washington Post before taking time off to raise her children. She currently resides just outside New York City with her family and several amiable chipmunks.
Photos by Zhee Chatmon
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Tenafly Writing Coach sessions work?
Sessions are over Zoom, and we work on a shared Google doc. For the 650-word common app essay, 90-minute sessions generally work best. Most students need between two and five sessions to finish. Some students, but not all, also use Tenafly Writing Coach for the supplemental essays.
How long does the whole process take?
Every student is different, but the college essay process generally takes between one and four sessions. If an initial draft of the essay has already been written, only one or two sessions may be needed.
What sets Tenafly Writing Coach apart from other college counselors?
The essays are the only aspect of the college application process that I focus on. As a former editor for The Washington Post, I have a great deal of experience helping writers find their voice.
Can parents also participate in these working sessions?
Parents often offer valuable insights, but because the essay should reflect the student’s voice, these sessions work best if moms, dads, and grandparents, are not involved. I am happy to chat with you about your child before scheduling a session. Parents are asked to refrain from reading the essay draft after each session; that tends to be distracting and can diminish the student’s presence in the essay. Once a first draft is completed, we show it to parents. After that, all suggested revisions will be addressed.
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