Meet Abby.
My work with students integrates storytelling, strategy, and emotional insight. With a background as a communicator, mental health counselor, and former project manager, I bring a combination of depth and structure to the college application process.
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I earned my B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, where I studied storytelling and language — not just as tools for academic success, but as ways we make sense of our experiences and connect with others. During college, I started helping my cousins with their college essays (as many good family stories begin). What began as casual guidance quickly became something much more meaningful. I realized how much I loved helping students make sense of their experiences and put words to who they are — their personal stories, moments of growth, identity, core values, and their vision for the future. ​
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After graduation, I worked as an environmental program manager and communications consultant, leading complex projects with multiple stakeholders and moving parts. That chapter of my career shaped how I work today. I believe in a structured, process-based approach: clear timelines, defined milestones, collaborative feedback, and steady momentum from brainstorm to final draft.​
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Eventually, I left the consulting world to center my career fully around young people and their growth. I transitioned into mental health work and now manage a private counseling practice alongside my college essay coaching. My counseling training informs how I show up with students: I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help them move beyond surface-level accomplishments to uncover the deeper themes, lessons, and personal insights that make their stories compelling.
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The result isn’t just a stronger essay. It’s a clearer sense of voice, identity, and direction.
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It’s an honor to support students and families during this important chapter, helping young people tell their stories and step forward with greater clarity and confidence in who they are and where they’re going.
For Students
The college application process can feel like a lot — deadlines, expectations, pressure to stand out, and the challenge of writing about yourself in a way that feels both true and distinct.
You might be wondering: What do I even say? What makes my story different? How do I make this sound like me? How do I make a memorable impression on the admissions reader?
That’s where I come in.
I work with you to make this process clearer, manageable, and meaningful. Together, we’ll go beyond surface-level achievements and explore the experiences, moments, and ideas that have shaped who you are. I’ll help you identify the themes in your life that matter — your values, your growth, your character, your perspective — and turn them into essays that feel authentic, thoughtful, and compelling.
This isn’t about writing what you think colleges want to hear. It’s about learning how to tell your story in a way that is genuine, memorable, and fully your own.
I also know that writing can bring up a lot — self-doubt, stress, overthinking, perfectionism, or simply not knowing where to start. My role is to guide you through that. I’ll ask thoughtful questions, offer structure, give clear feedback, and help you keep moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
We’ll work step-by-step — from brainstorming to final draft — through a process that is organized, collaborative, and grounded.
By the end, you won’t just have strong essays. You’ll have a clearer sense of your voice, your story, and what you want to say about yourself as you take this next step.
For Parents
The college application process can feel overwhelming — not just for students, but for families.
You want your teen to put their best foot forward. You want them to feel confident, capable, and proud of their work. And you likely want the process to feel organized and manageable rather than stressful and reactive.
That’s where I come in. I bring both structure and emotional insight to this work. My background in project management ensures that we move through the application process with clear timelines and steady progress, while my training as a mental health counselor helps me understand the developmental and emotional realities teens are navigating — procrastination, writer's block, perfectionism, self-doubt, comparison, pressure, and identity formation. I serve as a calm, grounded guide — someone outside the family dynamic who can help your student reflect honestly, write authentically, and stay accountable.
My goal is not just a polished essay. It’s a young person who feels more confident in their voice and more prepared for the transition ahead. If you're looking for support that balances strategy with care, I would be honored to partner with your family.
Let’s Work Together
Based in Boulder, CO, and working virtually with students across the U.S.
Email: abigailpeizer@gmail.com
Tel: (703) 939-4880