Help for High Schoolers

College Coaching, Advising and Mentoring (For Essays, Interviews and More)

Yes, this post is for real. If you need help with your college essays or college interviews, fill out this form and I’ll be in touch with more information soon.

What I’m Offering

Two years ago, I started working with select high schoolers who wanted a thought partner for their essays. That went well for my students, who made it into incredible institutions, including Ivies, amazing publics and specialized colleges. That list includes Yale University, the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina, the Ohio State University, Georgia Tech and more.

It’s a privilege to work with ambitious young men and women from across the US and internationally, helping them find their voices, articulate their goals and define their potential. If you’re a high schooler or the parent of a high schooler who could use a coach and mentor, fill out this form and we’ll continue the conversation. I’ll offer virtual one-on-one coaching as well as group classes this summer and fall.

For this in the Cincinnati metro area, these can be in-person, too.

But please note: While I’m happy to work with students of all backgrounds and interests, there are only a limited number of spots available. As such, I’m taking students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

My Approach

As readers of this Substack well know, I’ve been working with high schoolers for years. As readers of this Substack also know, although our subject is religion, I’ve always insisted class include a range of academic skills, personal development and professional guidance, encouraging students to think strategically, ask hard questions, create and deliver PowerPoint presentations, critically analyze resources and develop confidence in their public speaking.

I love these opportunities even as they’re not my day job. My day job is Queen City Diwan… a company that focuses on empowering and inspiring. In fact, from January 3-9, 2026, Queen City Diwan will take a small group of remarkable Muslim college students to Spain for Queen City University. This youth leadership retreat combines history, art, culture, professional development, introspection, spiritual formation and community to help students reach their potential.

You can see common themes: education, encouragement, empowerment. From teaching high schoolers to designing opportunities with college students, helping high schoolers get into the right college is a natural extension of commitments I’ve had for years (and continue in various iterations). Of course, I bring the same spirit to this work that I bring to all my work, building off of over two decades’ experience teaching, writing, and institution-building.

I work with high schoolers by helping them find their voice, refine their ambitions, and think outside the box. This isn’t about crafting an abstract essay which doesn’t feel real, compelling or meaningful (and will hardly prepare the student invited to an interview for further consideration or a scholarship award!) My role is helping high schoolers discover their perspectives and ambitions, so that they find the institution that’s best for them (and that would be excited to have them).

My Experience and Expertise

One of my first book talks was at NYU’s on-campus bookstore. Look at all those college prep books!

I’m a published writer, three times over. I’m an award-winning columnist, published by the Washington Post, The New York Times, Guardian, TIME, NPR’s Fresh Air, CNN, NBC News, New York Daily News, and many others besides. I’m a graduate of Columbia University who’s additionally taught middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students and grad students (including at Columbia University.)

In other words, I know a lot about writing, a lot about college (and what college can do and can’t do)—and a lot about teaching.

I know that college essays are a special opportunity for students to really think about who they are, what inspires and excites them, what defines and drives them, and most importantly, where they hope to go next. In college. In their careers. In their lives.

I also know that a great college essay doesn’t follow a formula. It has to be honest, searching and ambitious, the product of thinking, editing, refining, brainstorming—and a partner in that process is invaluable.

For two years now, I’ve been working with select students to help them understand and express their strengths, share their aspirations, and elevate their applications with strong, unique and memorable essays.

If that sounds right, well, you know what to do.