versed

Through a process-driven, student-centered and intuitive approach crafted over 15 years of teaching, Versed offers bespoke writing consulting and coaching services to high school, secondary, and post-secondary students with aspirations in higher education.

Whether you need guidance composing college application essays or personal statements, sustaining longer writing projects, or improving your relationship to writing, my storied experience as a writer and educator can help support you in moving from ideation to completion. Our local reach begins in Howard County, Maryland and extends to the larger DMV area: in-person, remote, and hybrid options are available depending on personal preferences and availability.

  • all students are all writers, but no writer is the same. for this reason, we work together to develop an individually-informed approach that inspires holistic writing improvement and self-confidence.

in collaboration, we will…

  • identify goals + challenges

    what is the writing task at hand, and what would you like to accomplish? what are some barriers to completion, and how can I best support you?

  • ideate + draft

    based on your concerns, we will put together a writing agenda to produce a completed draft. this process may involve smaller, imaginative writing tasks to help jumpstart drafting.

  • refine + revise

    writing is far from a clean, linear process —after receiving pointed feedback to help improve narrative cohesion, clarity, and effect, a revision of the draft follows.

behind versed

Jennifer received her Ph.D. in English at the George Washington University, where much of her graduate training and education centered writing pedagogy. She currently teaches as a Senior Lecturer in the Asian American Studies program at the University of Maryland, College Park. From Boston University to UC Berkeley, Jennifer has taught courses in writing, literature, and ethnic and gender studies to diverse student populations.

Additionally, Jennifer was on the writing faculty for Thrive Scholars Summer Academy at Amherst College, where she supported rising high school seniors in writing their college application essays, moving from early ideation to drafting and revision. Past students have matriculated at University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, New York University, Cornell University, Pomona College, and Columbia University.

Jennifer’s current writing projects include a book under contract with Ohio State University Press and a novel. When not at work, she enjoys traveling, indulging in good food, catching up on books and movies (not to mention Korean dramas), and spending time with her kids.

  • Jennifer received her Ph.D. in English at the George Washington University, and currently teaches as a Senior Lecturer in the Asian American Studies program at the University of Maryland, College Park. From Boston University to UC Berkeley, she has also taught courses in literature, writing, gender and ethnic studies at diverse public and private universities across the U.S.

    Additionally, Jennifer has been on the writing faculty for Thrive Scholars Summer Academy at Amherst College. She coached students in writing their college application essays (personal statement, common app & school-specific prompts, etc.), moving from early ideation to drafting and revision. Past students have matriculated at UPenn, Harvard, NYU, Cornell, UChicago, and Pomona College, just to name some examples.

    Having taught college students, Jennifer understands not only how to prepare high school students for the rigor of college-level writing, but also how to encourage self-discovery and authenticity so that students can connect their interests and talents with future academic and professional goals.

    Jennifer's current writing projects include a book with Ohio State University Press and a novel in progress. When not at work, she loves traveling, indulging in good food, catching up on new books and movie, and spending time with her family.

writing the college application personal statement

August 2024-January 2025

In a series of 3 or 5 progressive workshops, each student will receive individual and customized guidance in composing a personal statement for their college applications.

We begin by identifying those prompts (common application or university-specific) that can best accommodate the student rather than asking the student to accommodate themselves to the prompt.

Rather than compression, we work together towards full expression, done concisely, persuasively and, most importantly, authentically. A solid personal statement demonstrates self-awareness and reflexivity in a way that reveals the student’s character and greater potential. We will identify creative angles and methods of storytelling as well as points of connection, tension, and growth to keep readers invested in your future academic and professional successes.

Based on preliminary conversations and assessments, we develop a writing agenda that is unique to the student’s strengths and concerns. Early stages will consist of visualization, prewriting, and brainstorming, followed by productive cycles of drafting and revision based on constructive feedback.

Workshops can be scheduled in-person or online, meeting 1x per week or every other week depending on each student’s application timeline. Hybrid arrangements are also possible.

Rates

Three Workshops: $500.00 (includes initial 60-minute consultation + project mapping and 2 60-minute workshops on personal statement)

Five Workshops: $750.00 (includes initial 60-minute consultation + project mapping and 4 60-minute linked workshops on personal statement and supplemental essays)

a la carte

+ $150.00 per one-hour workshop on personal statement OR supplemental essays

individual writing projects

In one-on-one writing sessions (single or bundled), we effectively address unique concerns and take the full writer into account — this not only involves assessing the objectives of the assignment or task and creating the most supportive conditions for producing optimal work, but honoring the writer’s unique personality and relationship with writing.

Writing projects that might benefit from this type of support can include:

• argumentative, thesis-propelled essays

• thesis (undergraduate or graduate) or dissertation (PhD)

• cover letters for employment as well as research and internship opportunities

• personal, creative, and/or research statements for graduate admissions, internships, grants, residencies, job applications, etc.

• personal and/or professional website content

• social media and marketing content

If you find your project not represented above, please still reach out. We are open to redefining horizons to include your vision and story. Rates vary depending on complexity of writing project.