Who We Are

So how do those beliefs–especially #3–translate into our practice?

We take a team approach to guiding the student through the college application process. While a student works primarily with one of us (depending on location and availability), Liz and Laura collaborate on a daily basis to ensure that each student has the benefit of our combined knowledge and expertise.

Before partnering to form College Composed, Laura was a college essay coach in private practice and taught writing to high school and college students. She continues to work as a freelance writer. Liz counseled college-bound students as an AVID mentor and in private practice. Her background as a trained social worker and co-founder of a teen center give her insight into high school students and their experiences.

With Laura based in Philadelphia and Liz in San Francisco, we know colleges from coast to coast and consult with each other on college list development. Equally important, we often both read a student’s essay. By having two readers–one with greater knowledge of the student than the other–we are able to give detailed and meaningful feedback.

We take the time to get to know each student beyond the hard facts of their academic record, extracurricular activities and intended major. Doing so informs our entire process from creating customized college lists to guiding students toward writing essays that tell their authentic stories.

We recognize that students have busy schedules and different work styles, and we tailor the process accordingly. Translation:  If a student does best with weekly in-person meetings and multiple, small deadlines, we do that. If phone calls, emails and bigger deadlines are more a student’s style, then that’s what we do.