Your college essay is you jumping off the page and uniquely showcasing, “this is me” and let’s be real — that goes way beyond your transcript and test scores.
It’s been noted that admissions are paying closer attention to the writing component, and you’re not writing just any ol’ essay for English class. Nope! This is the most important piece you’ve probably written in your 18 years of life, and doing that in a few hundred words can feel like a lot of pressure, right?
I’m here to help you craft a standout college essay, one that showcases not only your writer’s voice and your writing ability but YOU!
It’s time to SLAY your ESSAY!
let's get you into the college of your DREAMS
Lisa Desberg is your go-to guru when it comes to writing your common app and supplemental essays. As founder and lead coach of SLAY the ESSAY, she helps teens write outstanding essays to get into their dream school all the while alleviating families of stress and fighting. A total win-win!
For students who have "no clue what to write about," Lisa makes the writing process "so much more fun and so much less stressful than I could have ever imagined" according to one client. Not only do students feel at ease, their ultimate products always have the WOW factor!
As a graduate of Boston University and University of Massachusetts, Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and education and a Master’s Degree in leadership. She has taught at the college level in China and at a public as well as a vocational high school for 20+ years.
Fun fact: Lisa was the mascot for the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins, so you bet she’ll be cheering you on while guiding you to write your college essays.
Meet Lisa, your college essay bestie
“WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE ART OF WRITING? PART ONE: HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. PART TWO: SAY IT WELL.”
– EDWARD ABBEY
“WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE ART OF WRITING? PART ONE: HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. PART TWO: SAY IT WELL.” – EDWARD ABBEY
Session Slay
Simple Slay
Strategy Slay
1 one-hour coworking Zoom session to work on any aspect of the college or supplemental essay proccess
2 one-hour coworking Zoom sessions where the student comes with an outline/draft and I offer feedback and edits in real time as we write
- 1st hour - Choose common app topic, brainstorm, outline
- 2nd hour - Draft writing, feedback, editing
- 3rd hour - Finalization, closure
1 one-hour Zoom session dedicated to writing supplemental essays:
These essays have word limits ranging from 150 - 500 words, with many schools requiring one or more.
Parent follow up after each session
On-going email support for the student during our time working together
Signature Slay
- 1st hour - Choose common app topic, brainstorm, outline
- 2nd hour - Draft writing, feedback, editing
- 3rd hour - Finalization, closure
3 one-hour Zoom sessions dedicated to writing supplemental essays:
These essays have word limits ranging from 150 - 500 words, with many schools requiring one or more.
Parent follow up after each session
On-going email support for the student during our time working together
20% off my senior year life coaching services
"Before working with Lisa, I was very stressed out and didn’t know where to start with the application process. After I had a chance to work with Lisa, she made it easier to get organized and not feel" stressed out."
"Before we began any writing, we did a meditation exercise where I conceptualized myself a year from when we were doing the meditation and I envisioned myself at UC Berkley as a college student. That was really inspiring for me."
One of my favorite parts of working with [Lisa] is how she's always full of energy and we can have conversations about anything, and still be doing the work as well. I learned that for writing you can just go with it first and then revise-- that's something very important she taught me throughout the process."
"Not only did she release the weight of the world that my daughter was carrying, she challenged and engaged her."
Sarah has always been a self motivator, but when it came to college essay writing, she became someone I didn’t recognize. She was procrastinating and feeling defeated. This was not my child at all. I had a friend tell me about Lisa Desberg. Let me tell you, Lisa is a lifesaver! Not only did she release the weight of the world that my daughter was carrying, she challenged and engaged her. We are so grateful! Before Lisa and Slay the Essay, Sarah was overwhelmed and paralyzed with fear and all the essays ahead of her. Sarah enjoyed every minute of the Zoom meeting with Lisa and would come to me after with a play by play of where she was at and where she was headed. She was excited once again and very confident in her essays. We 100% recommend and give 5 stars! Forever grateful!
— Lisa, a mom from California
"She brought a genuine sense of ease and fun to the process"
I need to send a shout out about how fantastic it was for my daughter to work with Lisa. She brought a genuine sense of ease and fun to the process. It took any anxiety my daughter felt right out of it. She helped Frankie go deep inside and express herself so beautifully. I’m truly grateful for the way Lisa made college essay writing feel. Kind of a miracle.
— Priscilla, a mom from Pennsylvania
"My daughter’s essay was done with joy, and the piece is strong, detailed, and emotional, just like her. "
Having Lisa “Zoom” into our lives was such a gift. All summer we talked about her need to do her college essay. It became a beast. Between her swirling thoughts and my unsolicited counter thoughts, my daughter was getting nowhere. Enter Lisa — intuitive, empathetic, knowledgable, and disciplined. The result? My daughter’s essay was done with joy, and the piece is strong, detailed, and emotional, just like her. We are deeply appreciative.
— Kristine, a mom from Connecticut
"Lisa works tirelessly to help students conquer the overwhelming college essay writing process. "
Lisa works tirelessly to help students conquer the overwhelming college essay writing process. She has the uncanny ability to connect with all students as she sets them at ease providing guidance, resassurance, and an intense and committed focus throughout the incredibly emotional process. Lisa builds confidence as she assists students paralyzed by this process realize their hidden talents and true potential. The finished product, a tangible essay, is the positive result that comes from meeting and working with Lisa! A huge stress relief for every student and parent.
— Deb, a godmother from Massachusetts
Free Brainstorming Guide
Use this free brainstorm sheet to activate your thinking because the best thing you can do is start off with a lot of ideas before narrowing them down.
Free Brainstorming Guide
Use this free brainstorm sheet to activate your thinking because the best thing you can do is start off with a lot of ideas before narrowing them down.