Meet Our Coaches

Schools/Degrees:
Yale University - Master of Fine Arts in Theater Directing
Brown University - Bachelor of Arts in English, Theater Arts & Performance

Hi, I’m Alex. I believe in foregrounding curiosity, discovering what students are passionate about and how this relates to their academic goals, and creating a conversational, engaging atmosphere to motivate, challenge, and encourage students' growth as writers. I aim to bring a sense of humor to my teaching and strive to create a space where students can ask questions, take creative risks in their writing, and flourish. 

Schools/Degrees:
University of Iowa - Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting
Knox College - Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Creative Writing

Hi, I’m Meaks. I'm a professional playwright and teacher with years of experience as an adjunct or visiting professor with several universities. My background informs my philosophy. I like to meet students where they're at to figure out how to position their stories. Every student has a unique story to tell, and I help them find it by asking questions that let them unlock their full potential as a young storyteller.

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Schools/Degrees:
Columbia University - Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing
Hampshire College - Bachelor of Arts in Literary Journalism

Hi, I’m Colleen. College essays are a student's chance to think and write about who they are, what they value, and what they hope to pursue in the future. All of these aspects are both personal and aspirational, and I love getting to be a part of this process – from the initial brainstorms all the way to the completed essay! As a teacher, I'm excited to work with students to share what's most important to them as they head into their futures.

Schools/Degrees:
Eastern Illinois University - Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
Eastern Illinois University - Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences

Hi, I’m Ellyn. My philosophy is to help all students express and accept their unique individuality and perspectives. I believe in asking strategic questions that help students think critically and independently, developing meaningful content that reflects what is important to them and their story. Check out my college admissions articles in the Admissions News section of our website for more about my approach and my tips for students.

Schools/Degrees:
Indiana State University - Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing

Hi, I’m Emily. I love providing support and encouragement to students of diverse backgrounds in their life goals! All students have unique backgrounds, personalities, and strengths, and they deserve compassion and curiosity. My role is to meet students where they are and provide appropriate and tailored support to help them feel confident in their application and writing. Check out my college admissions articles in the Admissions News section of our website for more about my approach and my tips for students.   

Schools/Degrees:
Northwestern University - Bachelor of Arts in Communications

Hi, I’m Gabriella. I believe in helping students learn how to articulate their unique perspectives on the world and their strengths so that admissions readers can most clearly see how that student will contribute to a campus community. We can clearly show those strengths through the innovative ways a student approaches challenges or experiences in their lives, which can help forecast how they'll approach a challenge in college and beyond!

Schools/Degrees:
William & Mary - Masters of Science in Marine Science
New York University - Bachelor of Arts in English; Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Hi, I’m Jainita. I am excited to help students tell the story of their growth and to help them become better writers! My philosophy focuses on helping students tell their story. I enjoy guiding students by asking them questions to pinpoint exactly what's important to them before using this to shape the narrative of their essays. I think of this as a type of teamwork, which often works well to avoid overwhelming students and helps us tell an authentic and unique story!

Schools/Degrees:
University of Edinburgh - Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literature
Master of Science with Distinction in Comparative and General Literature
1st Class Masters (Hons) in Modern European Languages: German and Spanish

Hi, I’m Jessica. I love hearing students talk about their passions, interests, and beliefs. I encourage students to use these to work creatively and reflect critically on their writing, and aim to guide them towards finding their own solutions to problems. I'm a teacher, so my approach includes equipping students with skills that will help them work confidently and independently in the future, beyond the task at hand.

Schools/Degrees:
University of California, Irvine - Masters of Fine Arts in English 
University of California, San Diego - Bachelors of Arts in Literature and Writing

Hi, I’m Katelyn. I have a master's degree and am certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language because I enjoy exploring the fusions of learning, culture, and expression through language. I love connecting with students and helping them delve into their personal beliefs and stories. I hope to teach composition to students someday, and I already have a version of this opportunity here at Prompt!

Schools/Degrees:
Harvard University - Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater, Dance, & Media

Hi, I’m Madi. As a coach, I prioritize the big-picture idea of an essay! There's always time to fix word choice and grammar later, but being a perfectionist at the start limits your creativity. I want all of my students to feel like they can send me an essay that they feel truly represents them, even if it's vulnerable or not the most "impressive." I ask a lot of open-ended questions, and I often turn questions back to students to see what they think before sharing my thoughts.

Schools/Degrees:
The Juilliard School - Graduate of Lila Acheson Wallace Playwrights Program
University of Iowa - Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting 
Bennington College - Bachelor of Arts in Literature

Hi, I’m Margot. I'm a working playwright and a writing instructor with over ten years experience teaching students from middle school to college about writing, story telling, and theater. As a Prompt Writing Coach, I'm passionate about helping students find the stories and experiences that are important to them and helping them find the best way to present these stories to others in their college application essays.

Schools/Degrees:
University of California, San Diego Extension - Certificate in Translation
Syracuse University - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Hi, I’m Michael. I have my bachelor's in mechanical engineering and still love everything STEM! I believe the process IS the final product, and I try to help students break down big-picture ideas into bite-sized steps that focus on cause-and-effect relationships. Check out my college admissions articles in the Admissions News section of our website for more about my approach and my tips for students.

Schools/Degrees:
Temple University - Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Linguistics

Hi, I’m Mitch. As one of the first Prompt Writing Coaches to join the company back in 2016-2017, I have been coaching a diverse range of students for several years. I'm also a music teacher, playing fiddle and banjo, and coach, so I love learning about each student’s unique experiences and background. I enjoy guiding my students through the process of finding their own personal voices, whether it be written or musical.

Schools/Degrees:
Bowling Green State University - Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Denison University - Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Creative Writing

Hi, I’m Suzanne. I've been a professional writer for over 20 years, and the intimidation of the blank page never goes away. I hope that my guidance can help relieve some of this pressure. Everyone, regardless of their background or formal training, knows how to tell stories, and I look forward to working with students to help them tell their own stories. Check out my college admissions articles in the Admissions News section of our website for more about my approach and my tips for students.

Schools/Degrees:
University for Peace - Masters in Development and Diplomacy
Walla Walla University - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and French

Hi, I’m Stephanie. I love emphasizing the storytelling aspect of writing college application essays. Having worked with Prompt students for a few years now, I immensely enjoy getting to know about students' backgrounds and working with them to find unique, perhaps even unexpected, connections between their experiences. Ideally, they will be able to look back on this essay in the future and see how it captures the person they were at this particular moment in time!