Sign Up with Valerie

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups April–November

1. The Uncommon Essay Course requires 4 scheduled sessions*, but support begins before the first session, with Discovery steps. Please be sure to allow at least two weeks between securing a schedule with deposit and the initial session so that the orientation and Discovery steps can be completed thoroughly. A thoughtful, patient approach to preparations is essential.

*Some students request or require extra support — additional sessions or asynchronous feedback. This can be reserved at sign-up or added once the Course is underway, in consultation with the coach.

2. An ideal session schedule allows seven to ten days between sessions and no longer than two weeks. Longer stretches of time in a student’s plan should be after Session 2, when the student is engaged in drafting and revising. Adjustments to session dates and times can usually be made through consultation with your coach.

3. We will review the Uncommon Essay schedule you create and, if all looks good, we will reach out with a deposit request. Once your session times are secured with deposit, we will be in touch about first steps!

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups April–November

The WayFinder requires 2 scheduled sessions: a 30-minute Orientation Meeting and an hour-long coaching session (for the student only) that follows completion of the Discovery steps.

Be sure to schedule the second session at least two weeks after the Orientation Meeting so that the Discovery steps can be completed thoroughly. A thoughtful, patient approach will make the most of The WayFinder. (See our Policies regarding incomplete Discovery steps.)

Following your reservation of session times below, we will reach out by email with a request for deposit to secure the plan.

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups August–December

1. The Supplements Launch requires 3 scheduled sessions. Please be aware that the student needs time before the Strategy Session (Session 1) to complete research for the Why Apply Here? worksheet and also to compile supplement essay prompts. These materials must be submitted at least 48 hours before the Strategy Session. We recommend at least a week for this preparatory work.

2. Allow the student plenty of drafting time between sessions (and around any academic and extracurricular demands).

3. We will review the Launch schedule you create and, if all looks good, we will reach out with a deposit request by e-mail.

To request E-Feedback, please fill out the form below. You may indicate your coach preference.

"*" indicates required fields

I am ...*

Student's Name:*

First Last

Student's Pronouns:*

Student's Email:*

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Student's Cell Phone:*

Student's School:*

Parent Name:*

First Last

Parent Email:*

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Parent Cell Phone:*

Billing Address:*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

What writing are you looking to submit for feedback? (Please pay attention to total word count. A fee may apply for submissions over 1000 words — whether submitting one essay or more than one.)*

After initial review of submitted drafting, Hillside provides an estimate of feedback-preparation time.

Have you worked with a Hillside coach previously? If so, who? If not, please indicate a preference if you have one.*

How did you hear about Hillside?*

Thank you! We will respond as soon as possible with information about coach availability. Please be aware that we receive many requests for draft feedback and do our best to arrange for timely, thorough support. Feel free to provide us with any further information below.

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups November–February

The Transfer Essay Program requires 3 scheduled sessions, roughly 7–10 days apart (preferably). But please note that the support begins before the first session. Be sure to allow at least two weeks before the initial meeting for completion of the Five Questions Exercise and Exchange.

We will review the schedule you create and, if all looks good, we will reach out with a deposit request by email. Once your session times are secured with deposit, your coach will be in touch about first steps!

Support for College Applicants

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups April–November

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups April–November

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups August–December

Scheduling Guidelines:

Open for sign-ups November–February

Support for Other Applicants

Creative Mentoring