Dr. Rahmani | Essay Sensei — College Admissions Essay Coaching

Q: Which service is right for me?

If you're staring at a blank page, start with the Strategy Call — you'll leave with an agreed topic and a line-by-line blueprint for your essay. If you already have a draft you want sharpened, choose the Essay Review. If you want hand-holding from start to submission — including the college roster, strategy doc, and activities list — the Complete Bundle gives you the full journey at the best value. With either of the last two, you pick whether you need the Common App essay, the UC PIQs, or both.

Q: How do I pay?

All payments are handled through Venmo. When you submit the booking form, your details come straight to me and you'll see a Venmo button with the correct amount and note already filled in — just confirm and send. You'll also get a short reference code (like ES-7K2M) that's built into the Venmo note, so I can match your payment to your booking.

Q: What's the difference between the Common App essay and the UC PIQs?

They're two very different writing tasks. The Common App personal statement is a single 650-word essay — one long, fully developed narrative. The UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) are four separate 350-word responses, each answering a different prompt, which means four distinct stories that have to work together without repeating each other. Because they take different amounts of work, you choose which you need when you book, and the price updates accordingly.

Q: How much do the UC PIQs cost?

A single PIQ is $299, the same as a Common App essay. But all four together are $800 instead of $1,196 — a savings of $396, and the option almost everyone applying to the UCs should take. Inside the Complete Bundle, all four PIQs are included for $999, or $1,299 alongside the Common App essay.

The coach behind the craft

Welcome. I'm Dr. Rahmani. With a PhD in English, years of university teaching experience, and over a decade dedicated to college counseling, I've spent my career mastering one thing: the art of the admissions narrative.

I've reviewed essays for thousands of students, helping them transform generic drafts into compelling stories that open doors. My approach goes far beyond grammar. I work with you to uncover your unique voice, structure your narrative arc, and craft an application that truly reflects your potential.

Whether you're aiming for the Ivy League or your local state university, I'm here to make sure your essay doesn't just get read — it gets remembered.

Academic Rigor

PhD in English with university teaching experience

Narrative Expert

Specialized in story structure and voice

Proven Process

A decade of guiding students into top schools

From blank page to polished essay

A focused, no-fluff process designed to find what makes you stand out and get it on the page.

Discover

You start with an onboarding questionnaire so I can get to know your life in depth. Then, on our call, I dig deeper into your experiences, values, and quirks to find the story only you can tell — and we agree on your topic together.

Blueprint

After the call, I send you a line-by-line blueprint of your essay — exactly what belongs in each paragraph. You write a first draft with a strong backbone already in place, not a blank page.

Refine

We sharpen voice, tighten prose, and elevate every paragraph until your essay reads like it belongs in the admitted pile.

Pick the level of support you need

Whether you need help getting started, refining a draft, or both — there's a plan built for where you are right now.

The Strategy Call

Start strong with a clear plan — and a written blueprint — before you write a word.

$249

Onboarding Questionnaire: Before we ever meet, you fill out a detailed questionnaire so I can get to know your life, background, and interests in depth.
1-on-1 Deep-Dive Call: A dedicated session where I dig beneath your answers to mine your life for the story only you can tell.
Finding Your "X-Factor": We identify the unique trait that sets you apart — and agree together on your essay topic.
Line-by-Line Essay Blueprint: After the call, I send you a written blueprint that maps out your essay line by line, so you know exactly what to write in every paragraph.
Supplemental Strategy: Guidance on how to tackle specific school prompts.

Best value — save $49+

The Complete Bundle

End-to-end support from first idea to final draft — plus every blueprint I offer.

From $499

Save $49+ vs. buying separately

With the Common App essay $499

With all 4 UC PIQs $999

                            With both
Common App + all 4 UC PIQs
                            $1,299
                        

Everything in the Strategy Call: Onboarding questionnaire, deep-dive call, and your line-by-line essay blueprint.
You Choose the Essays: Pick the Common App personal statement, all four UC PIQs, or both — the price updates to match.
Everything in the Essay Review: Complete written review of the essays you selected.
College Roster & Strategy Doc: A tailored school list — reach, target, and safety — with a strategy for how to approach each one.
Activities List Doc: A guide to your activities section: how to write and describe every single activity on the Common App for maximum impact.
All Blueprints Included: You receive every blueprint doc I offer, whichever essays you choose. The written review covers exactly the essays you select — need more added later? Just tell me and we'll sort it out.
30-min Follow-up Call: Discuss edits and polish the final draft.

Essay Review

Already have a draft? Let's elevate it to its best form.

From $299

Common App essayone 650-word essay $299

Single UC PIQone 350-word essay $299

                            All 4 UC PIQs together
Best deal on PIQs
                            $800save $396
                        

Choose Your Essay Type: Common App personal statement, UC Personal Insight Questions, or both.
Deep Structural Edits: Analysis of story flow and logic.
Narrative Arc Polish: A compelling beginning, middle, and end.
Line-by-Line Review: Vocabulary, syntax, and tone.
Beyond Grammar: I don't just fix commas — I elevate your voice.

Common questions

Which service is right for me?

If you're staring at a blank page, start with the Strategy Call — you'll leave with an agreed topic and a line-by-line blueprint for your essay. If you already have a draft you want sharpened, choose the Essay Review. If you want hand-holding from start to submission — including the college roster, strategy doc, and activities list — the Complete Bundle gives you the full journey at the best value. With either of the last two, you pick whether you need the Common App essay, the UC PIQs, or both.

What's the typical turnaround time?

Strategy Calls are scheduled within a few days of booking. Written reviews are typically returned within 3–5 business days. During peak admissions season (October–December), timelines may extend slightly — please book early.

Do you work with students applying to Ivy League schools?

Yes. I've helped students craft essays for the full range of institutions — from top-tier private universities to state flagships and liberal arts colleges. The strategies I teach work regardless of where you're applying.

Will you write the essay for me?

No — and that's the point. Admissions officers can tell when an essay isn't in a student's own voice. My job is to help you find your story, shape it, and refine your prose, while keeping the essay authentically yours.

How do the sessions work?

Once you book, I'll send your onboarding questionnaire along with a scheduling link. Strategy and follow-up calls are held over video (Zoom). Blueprints, rosters, and activity docs are delivered as written documents, and essay reviews come back as marked-up drafts with comments and suggestions.

How do I pay?

All payments are handled through Venmo. When you submit the booking form, your details come straight to me and you'll see a Venmo button with the correct amount and note already filled in — just confirm and send. You'll also get a short reference code (like ES-7K2M) that's built into the Venmo note, so I can match your payment to your booking.

What's the difference between the Common App essay and the UC PIQs?

They're two very different writing tasks. The Common App personal statement is a single 650-word essay — one long, fully developed narrative. The UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) are four separate 350-word responses, each answering a different prompt, which means four distinct stories that have to work together without repeating each other. Because they take different amounts of work, you choose which you need when you book, and the price updates accordingly.

How much do the UC PIQs cost?

A single PIQ is $299, the same as a Common App essay. But all four together are $800 instead of $1,196 — a savings of $396, and the option almost everyone applying to the UCs should take. Inside the Complete Bundle, all four PIQs are included for $999, or $1,299 alongside the Common App essay.

Can I get both the Common App essay and the UC PIQs?

Yes — that's the most common request from students applying to both UC and non-UC schools. In the Essay Review, tick both boxes at checkout ($299 + $800 = $1,099 for the Common App essay and all four PIQs). In the Complete Bundle, ticking both gives you the full strategy package plus reviews of all five essays for $1,299.

What if I need more essays reviewed later?

Just tell me and we'll add them. Supplemental essays for individual schools, extra drafts, or a PIQ you decide to swap out — none of that has to be decided up front. You only pay for what you book now.

Your story is the difference between a pile and an acceptance.