Kathy Jayanth
Essay Review
Kathy Jayanth
About
As the daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to apply for college, I learned early on how to lean on my community to succeed. That journey took me to UC Berkeley and eventually into a career in venture capital and science-focused media. I know firsthand the impact of the right guidance, and I'm excited to share the tools, strategies, and encouragement I've gained along the way to help you reach your goals.
Berkeley, CA
5 years of experience
English | Polish
🎓
University of California, Berkeley – BA | Economics, Slavic Studies
How I work
My approach is both skill-based and soul-based. From early drafts to final edits, I make sure my clients have the right tools to tackle any college essay or application prompt. At the same time, I take care to understand who they are at their core. Together, we’ll craft authentic work that helps you stand out from other applicants and connect with schools that are truly the right fit for you.
I’ve helped students get accepted to…
Brown University
University of California, Berkeley
Services
Advising sessions
Brainstorm 30 min
$60 | 30 min
I’ll help you refine your ideas by drawing on my experience in venture capital and media. This is where I thrive—working with you to shape a compelling, memorable story that stands out.
Book session
Brainstorming 60 min
$110 | 60 min
We’ll take your initial idea and shape it into a strong, strategic outline. By the end of this session, you’ll feel confident and ready to start drafting. With my background in media, press releases, and venture capital, I bring a unique lens to storytelling—I know what makes a pitch stand out. Together, we’ll craft a compelling narrative that showcases your voice and captures attention, just like the best pitches do.
Book session
Advising packages
Application & Essay Bootcamp
6 hours
This package includes 6 hours of dedicated support to help you craft your personal statement from start to finish. I’ll be your editor, mentor, and sounding board every step of the way. We can brainstorm together, build a strong outline, and work through revisions—both live and asynchronously. You’re free to divide the time however works best for you: focus on your main essay, tackle supplemental essays, build a school list, or review drafts. If you finish your personal statement early, we’ll shift to whatever’s most helpful next. We can also talk through strategies for letters of recommendation or other application pieces. I’ll help you find a unique angle that makes your story stand out. My goal is to make this process feel clear, creative, and collaborative.
$600 ($100/hr)
Book package
Essay review
Personal Statement Review
$42 + 6¢ per word
I’ll provide a thorough review of your essay draft, no matter what stage it’s in. You’ll receive honest, detailed feedback through tracked changes and margin comments, along with a clear summary to help guide your next steps. I bring experience editing press releases for high-profile organizations in collaboration with top PR firms, so I know how to shape writing that’s polished, strategic, and impactful. Your story deserves and will receive the same level of clarity.
Submit essay
Returning Review
$24 + 6¢ per word
I would love to review a draft of an essay that you've already submitted to me. I will build upon the feedback from our previous drafts and provide you with more actionable feedback.
Submit essay
Supplemental essays review
$42 + 6¢ per word
Editing for supplemental essays includes help with answering the prompt clearly and effectively, reducing passive voice, improving grammar, and enhancing word choice to make your writing more impactful. I also keep an eye out for your overall “pitch” as a student—what’s the common thread in your accomplishments? What’s the motivation, the poetry, the why behind your extracurriculars? I take a holistic approach to help you tell a cohesive, compelling story that feels authentic and memorable to admissions officers.
Submit essay
Unlimited essay edits
$300 + 15¢ per word
Unlimited edits and collaboration on a single essay, including support with brainstorming, structure, and every draft along the way. I’ll provide a thorough review of your essay at any stage, with honest, detailed feedback through tracked changes, margin comments, and a clear summary to guide your next steps.
Submit essay
Fun facts
Hobbies
Reading, traveling, learning languages
💬
Describe yourself in three words
Inventive, Investigative, Upbeat
🗣
Favorite piece of advice
The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried
🎬
Favorite movie
Amadeus
🍽
Favorite cuisine
Indian
🎓
Favorite classes in school
Economics
🎧
Favorite album
ODESZA-Summer's Gone
🧑🏼‍💼
First job
College Admissions Consultant at CollegeVine