Write Brilliant College Essays

Consulting Services

Personalized Writing Support

Brainstorm, write, and edit essays with expert support from an Iowa Writers’ Workshop writer.

We work with you to help ensure that your essay clearly, creatively, and strategically expresses your ideas and impresses admissions committees.

Proven Expertise

Our personalized approach is informed by years of experience helping students and families successfully navigate the entire college application process.

Our students have gained admission to Northwestern, Michigan, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Cornell, Emory, USC, Boston College, Boston University, Wisconsin, Tulane, Boulder, Syracuse, Miami, Villanova, and many more.

One-on-One Coaching

Personalized essay support, plus strategic answers to questions about application positioning.

One-on-one support from start to submission

FAQs

  • $300/hour

    Our pricing reflects the quality of support we provide.

    We are open to customizing pricing packages if the hourly model is not best suited to your needs.

  • Your commitment drives the pace. The timeline of this collaborative process largely depends on how motivated clients are to finish. For us, efficiency and high quality go hand-in-hand.

    For the full spectrum of brainstorming, drafting, editing, and revising the personal statement, expect ~8-15 hours of billable support.

    Historically, supplemental essays take less time.

  • We do not guarantee admission. Clients should be skeptical about anyone who does.

    The college admissions process is complex, ever-changing, and emotional. Anyone offering guarantees is not being honest.

    We have spent years honing our strategies and instincts to help position applications for maximum impact with admissions committees.

  • David King is at the center of the Stellar team, working one-on-one with every client.

    He also utilizes a trusted team of expert advisors to offer reviews and second opinions on essays and admissions strategies.

    The Stellar team includes former admissions readers, school deans, college counselors, independent education consultants, and published authors with MFAs from leading programs.

Stellar Testimonials

  • "I just got in to my dream school! Thank you so much for the help. You made the essay writing process so easy and stress-free."

    Jake

  • "Thank you for all of your help with writing these essays! You helped me immensely and were so kind, patient, and enthusiastic in the process. I really appreciate it and I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done! I seriously could not have done it without you."

    Lucy

  • "I got into The University of Michigan. Thank you so much for all your help, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

    Steven

  • "David, we can not thank you enough for helping Sam with his college essays. You took all the stress out of this for us and Sam loved working with you. We will be calling you again when his sister is a junior!"

    Happy Parent

  • "Sophie enjoys working with you and I know her essays are going to be great with your help. You certainly have made this easy for us. Thank you."

    Thrilled Parent

  • "We don't fight about essays at the dinner table anymore, and that is one of the most valuable gifts you could give us. What would we do without you?"

    Grateful Parent

The Essay Review Service for IECs

  • Multiple rounds of comprehensive edits.

    Straightforward content suggestions with clear, descriptive guidance in the margins to nudge the writer into more focused and reflective territory.

    Cliché-detector.

    Fast turnaround time.

  • 100% error-free excellence. Better than AI. Meticulous review of every mark on the page from a perfectionist with experience and “The Elements of Style” close at hand.

  • 24 and 48 hour turnaround times available upon request.

  • Submit an essay in Google Docs.

    Receive edits for your consideration in “Suggested Mode” for your client to work through and resubmit.

Meet David King

David is an experienced education consultant and writer. He’s interested in helping students find their writing voices and successfully navigate the college application process.

David graduated with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where he majored in English and Psychology. He taught English and Creative Writing at the University of Iowa. His experience in the classroom allows him to connect with students from all backgrounds.

Throughout his career, David has worked as an in-house writer, brand storyteller, and product marketer at various startups and tech companies, including Spotify. As a consultant and ghostwriter, he leads with empathy, a sunny disposition, and a listening-first approach.

David excels at guiding students to create their most authentic writing and understand themselves better along the way. David is dedicated to helping students find and communicate their unique stories and present their best selves to college admissions committees.