Laurens Colson is a best-selling author, college admissions advisor, and writing coach with over 13 years of experience helping students craft unique and compelling essays. A former Creative Director and Editor-in-Chief at Authocracy Publishing, Laurens co-led the company for nearly five years, shaping its editorial vision and guiding the development of numerous successful publications.

He holds a Master’s degree in the Philosophy of Religion from Yale University (Class of 2016) and has supported hundreds of students in gaining admission to top-tier universities including Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Caltech, and many others in the top 30.

Laurens brings a holistic, skills-focused approach to college essay and applications coaching, providing more value than simply delivering powerful essays: students under his supervision develop a life-long talent for reflective writing and interpersonal communication. His students learn to express themselves with authenticity, clarity, and emotional intelligence—proficiencies that carry far beyond the college admissions process.

While Laurens specializes in highly competitive college applications, he is equally adept at supporting applicants targeting any of the top 100 U.S. colleges. Beyond essay coaching, he offers guidance in application strategy, career planning, and personal development—all delivered with a warm, thoughtful presence and backed by years of elite training.

My approach is grounded in the realities of modern college admissions. Application reviewers at top universities are tasked with evaluating hundreds of responses each day, which means patterns form quickly. Even at Stanford, one breathtaking essay can be enough to move an applicant from the “qualified” pile to a reviewer’s shortlist of must-have students. More often, though, the applicants who stand out are those who consistently write with care for the reader’s experience, whose responses are thoughtful, authentic, and insightful from start to finish.

Students need mentors who can help them build that kind of consistency, while also cultivating the standout “spikes” that can set an application apart. To meet both needs, I focus on teaching students the building blocks of strong storytelling. I help them see how each part of an essay works together to build the reader’s interest, trust, understanding, and ultimately, desire to advocate on their behalf.

To that end, I offer a range of services to meet students wherever they are—whether that’s big-picture mentorship over several years or targeted support in key moments. My students come from all over with a wide range of goals, strengths, and learning styles. I’ve worked with international applicants, recruited athletes, and students who learn or think differently, including neurodivergent students. Some arrive laser-focused on a specific school; others are still figuring out what matters most to them. Either way, I see my role as part mentor, part collaborator—someone who helps students chart a path forward that feels both intentional and truly their own.

Please note that the essay reviews are conducted offline, while my essay coaching sessions will be 1:1 via Zoom.