The August Advantage Program

Trade a stressful fall for a strategic August.

Senior year gets busy — fast. Classes begin. Sports and activities resume. College visits continue. Deadlines that once felt far away suddenly become urgent.

The August Advantage program helps rising seniors complete 80% to 90% of their college application work before the school year takes over.

Why August?

The best time to work on college applications is not September. It’s August.

August gives students something that becomes increasingly difficult to find once school begins: uninterrupted time to reflect, write, revise, and make thoughtful decisions.

Starting early allows students to build their applications strategically—not scramble to finish them between homework, activities, and approaching deadlines.

Great applications aren’t accidental. They're strategic.

The August Advantage Program $1,499

Designed to help students begin senior year with approximately 80% to 90% of their college application completed.

Purchase & Schedule 1st Session

A Powerful & Comprehensive Program

The August Advantage is a comprehensive college application coaching program designed to help rising seniors begin the school year with a thoughtful strategy, a compelling personal narrative, and the majority of their written application completed.

COLLEGE APPLICATION STRATEGY

Understanding what colleges are really evaluating throughout the application—not just the essay
Developing an individualized application strategy and timeline
Creating a personalized roadmap to complete applications before deadlines

DISCOVERY & PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Guided Discovery Process to uncover authentic experiences, values, strengths, and defining moments
Identifying the stories only the student can tell
Building a compelling personal narrative that serves as the foundation for the entire application

THE ART OF PERSONAL EXPRESSION

Drawing from graduate literary study and real-world branding techniques, students learn how to craft essays that are memorable, authentic, and can connect meaningfully with the admission officers.

Topics include:

What colleges wish students knew about the college essay
Show, Don't Tell
Strong openings and memorable hooks
Sensory detail and vivid storytelling
Sentence structure, cadence, and rhythm
Authentic voice and style
Revision techniques that elevate good writing into compelling writing

COMMON APP PLATFORM COACHING

Personalized guidance on the written application components that matter most, including:

Activities List
Personal Statement
Supplemental Essays
Additional Information section
Letters of Recommendation strategy
Application review and final submission planning

SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY(S) STRATEGY

Learn how to approach supplemental essays with confidence by understanding:

Why colleges ask supplemental questions
How to properly research and prepare responses
Avoiding common responses
Reusing material strategically when appropriate
Developing individualized responses for different colleges

PERSONALIZED COACHING

Every student receives individualized guidance, accountability, and feedback throughout the process, with coaching tailored to their goals, strengths, and college list.

Purchase & Schedule 1st Session

Imagine...

It's Labor Day, the end of summer.

Instead of wondering... "Have we even started?"

Imagine knowing...

✓ The Common Application is nearly complete.

✓ The essay is 90% finished.

✓ Activities have been refined.

✓ Supplemental strategy is in place, and preliminary writing is complete.

✓ Additional information has been refined.

SENIOR YEAR CAN ACTUALLY BE ENJOYED.

THAT's The August Advantage.

Support for Students. Relief for Parents.

Trusted Expertise

Ace the Essay with Valerie

I have coached students in public school systems as well as elite private schools including Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, and Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Even at outstanding schools like these, students benefit from having a dedicated one-on-one coach to help them develop their personal narrative, complete their college applications, and craft compelling essays.

Henry Cisneros Scholars Program

I was also selected to serve as an application and essay coach for the highly prestigious Henry Cisneros Scholars Rising Senior Program in San Antonio, Texas.

“Our Scholars Program uses nationally and globally recognized mentoring programs, including Toastmasters and Café College. Ace the Essay with Valerie has been an excellent addition, bringing an unprecedented level of expertise, personalized support, and engaging personality to the program. Our students genuinely enjoy working with her.”

— Quiana Natividad
Vice President of Development, Cisneros Scholars

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