I’m Stephanie Broadhurst – a North Shore native, New Trier graduate, and mother of three – as well as a Northwestern-Medill trained writer and editor with over 20 years of experience, including work for national publications as an essay editor. I help students craft authentic, memorable college essays that reflect who they really are — without the stress. College essays don’t have to be perfect; they just have to sound like you. Together, we’ll turn your ideas into clear, confident, and compelling stories.
What I offer:
Personalized Essay Coaching – One-on-one guidance from brainstorming to final draft, so every essay feels authentic and polished.
Common App & Supplemental Support – Clear strategies for both the main personal statement and college-specific supplemental essays.
Professional Editing & Feedback – Detailed notes and line-by-line guidance from a seasoned writer and editor.
Stress-Free Structure – A calm, supportive process that breaks the writing process into manageable steps and builds confidence along the way.
Proven Results – Students feel proud of their work – and parents feel relieved knowing their child’s story truly shines.
You’ve got a story worth telling. Let’s make it shine.
I work with students to help them write authentically, so their essays sound like them – just stronger, clearer, and more focused. College admissions officers can spot AI or ChatGPT, so it’s important for students to use their own words.
I can help you:
Find Your Story – We’ll brainstorm together to uncover your best ideas and what makes you stand out.
Make Writing Easier – I’ll guide you step-by-step so the process feels clear and manageable, structured and low-stress – not overwhelming.
Sound Like You (At Your Best) – We’ll shape your essay in your own voice – authentic, confident, and memorable.
Polish Every Word – I’ll help you refine your essay until it shines.
Feel Proud and Prepared – You’ll finish with a strong essay and the writing confidence to bring with you to college and beyond.
Less Stress. Real Stories. Smarter Essays.
About Me…
I’m Stephanie, a Chicago North Shore native and New Trier graduate, and I’ve spent my life surrounded by words. After earning my degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, I worked as an editor and writer for national publications, including as an essay editor.
I’ve raised my three children here (two recent New Trier grads!) and guided them through the college admissions process, while also helping students discover their voices and tell their stories with confidence. With over 20 years of professional writing, editing, and proofreading experience, I bring both expertise and empathy to the process.
My approach is down-to-earth and supportive: I help students brainstorm, shape their stories, and polish them until they shine – without losing their authentic voice. Along the way, I teach clear writing skills that carry beyond the admissions process.
I know how overwhelming essays can feel – for both students and parents – and I bring both professional expertise and a supportive approach to make the process less stressful and more successful.
I can help with anything from the Common App personal statement and supplementals, to basic proofreading, essay reviews, and general feedback. Whether it’s brainstorming from scratch, refining a draft or polishing the final version, I help students craft stories they feel good about when they hit “submit.”
1. Get Organized
We’ll start by breaking the process into clear, manageable steps so it never feels overwhelming. Together, we’ll track deadlines, prompts, and drafts to make sure everything stays on schedule – stress-free and structured.
2. Get Creative
Through brainstorming exercises and guided prompts, you’ll uncover meaningful stories and moments that reflect who you are. This is where ideas start to come alive, and your authentic voice begins to shine.
3. Write It Down
Once you’ve chosen your best story, we’ll build a simple outline – hook, growth, and reflection – so writing feels natural and focused. You’ll learn how to shape your essay like a story, not a school assignment.
4. Polish and Shine
With expert editing and feedback, we’ll refine your essay, line by line, until it’s clear, confident and memorable. By the end, you’ll have a polished personal statement that truly sounds like you – and stands out to admissions readers.
What I offer:
Full Common App Essay Development (or Personal Statement)
From brainstorming to final draft, we pick a topic, create an outline, and make revisions. I’ll guide you through the final editing process as we polish together.
From First Draft To Final Polish
Supplemental Essay Package
Brainstorm, draft, and refine 2-4 supplemental essays (or more). Together, we’ll make sure each essay highlights something different, so the application tells a complete story. We will focus on clarity and voice, ensuring that each response strengthens your overall application.
Proofreading and Feedback Only (Main Essay or Supplementals)
For students who have finished drafts and want a professional eye on an essay before submission, I can give detailed comments, margin notes, and suggestions while preserving the student’s voice.
Hourly “On Demand” Essay and Writing Consulting
For students in the final stages who need help getting to the finish line, I’m here for you! I offer pay-as-you-go help that includes: brainstorming, paragraph feedback, narrative ideas, and line editing suggestions. I also offer tutoring help with school writing assignments – including your junior theme.
Please email for pricing: stephcbroadhurst@gmail.com
Guiding Students To Write With Clarity, Confidence, and Heart.
Every student has a story worth telling, and I’d love to help your student tell theirs. Email me to set up a quick phone call to discuss how I can support your family and help make the writing process stress-free – and, dare I say, fun!
“We came to Stephanie when my son already had a draft of his college essay, but it needed tightening and polishing. Her suggestions were spot-on – professional yet sensitive to his voice. Stephanie has an eye for language and flow that helped him elevate his essay from good to great in just a few rounds of feedback. He got into several of his top choices!”
— Sarah B., mother of 2025 NTHS grad.
Testimonials
“Stephanie helped my daughter refine her essay without changing the tone, catching details and helping it flow better and read beautifully. It was the perfect final polish before submitting.”
— C.S., parent, ETHS class of 2025
Mrs. Broadhurst was so helpful. I wanted another adult to review my college essays and she not only helped to improve it in areas the other reviewers missed but she taught me some valuable writing tips along the way! I really recommend her as she made the process less stressful when deadlines were approaching.
— NTHS 2025 Grad, IU Freshman