College Admissions Consulting
THAT STORY
IS MONEY.
Work with a professional journalist — Financial Times, NPR — and NYT Book Review & Washington Post-reviewed author to find and develop your scholarship-winning story.
Every client I've worked with has received scholarship offers.
Bryan Shih
Founder
As a journalist, I was paid to find and develop stories no one else could. Now I want to help your kid get paid for theirs.
I ask questions — sometimes pointed, sometimes absurd, always intentional — to release what's bubbling just beneath the surface. That's where the best stories live, in a place too often overlooked. We then craft those stories into essays using classic narrative structures, populated with details only your child knows. The result is a compelling, unified profile presented in your child's own voice.
My Credentials
Fulbright Fellow
Project: The Japanese Swordmaker
MA Journalism · UC Berkeley
Graduate School of Journalism · Full Scholarship
Financial Times & NPR
Correspondent
NYT Book Review & Washington Post-Reviewed Author
The Black Panthers: Portraits from an Unfinished Revolution · Kirkus ★
25+ Years Admissions Consulting
College · MBA · Graduate School
"Bryan helped my husband get accepted to Harvard, then helped both me and my husband get accepted to MIT for a graduate business program. Now he's helping our daughter prepare her college applications and his work so far has been brilliant."
Current Client — Family
"I've been admitted to Stanford, Yale, and Princeton. Thank you for allowing me to share my story — it truly takes a village and I count my blessings."
Class of '26 Client
"He got in everywhere he applied. Thanks in no small part to his essay, and your help. It was a tough decision — he had so many great options."
Class of '26 Parent
"A number of her scholarship offers were leadership awards that specifically referenced her essay. We'll be back when our son is ready."
Class of '24 Parent
"We are non-writers and we are very happy. You were so wonderful with my son throughout. We will recommend you, of course."
Class of '27 Parent
PACKAGES FROM $3,000.
Most students need 3–5 essays across their applications. A typical engagement runs around $7,500.
| Main personal statement | $3,000 |
| Each additional essay | $1,500 |
| Typical full engagement (4 essays) | ~$7,500 |
- You work directly with me from start to submission — no AI, no handoffs
- Unlimited consultations and revisions
- Ask about first-gen pricing
I'm proud that every client I've worked with received multiple admits and scholarship offers, providing leverage and options when it came to decision time.
LET'S FIND
THAT STORY.
Book a free discovery call to start our search. Pure advice. No pitch. By the end, you'll know if I'm the right choice.
EMAIL ME TO START