Our Essay Packages
Expert guidance to help your student turn their story into a powerful college application.
We combine the right story with the right strategy, and expert coaching to help your student stand out to admissions officers.
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Standout Essay Package
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Competitive Applicant Package
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Elite Admissions Package
OUR PACKAGES
Many students know they have something meaningful to say, but they don’t know how to turn their experiences into a compelling story that resonates with admissions officers.
At Step by Step Essay, students are guided through a structured coaching process designed to uncover their authentic voice and transform their experiences into powerful narratives.
Founder Stacey Lichter, an experienced educator and essay coach, works closely with students to help them discover what makes their story unique, develop their ideas with clarity, and craft essays that stand out in a highly competitive admissions process.
Whether your student needs help with a single essay or a full application strategy, these programs provide the guidance, structure, and expert feedback needed to build a compelling application narrative.
THE STANDOUT ESSAY PACKAGE
For students who need clear direction and expert support writing their main college essay.
Students often struggle with their college essay not because they lack meaningful experiences, but because they don’t know which story to tell or how to shape it into a compelling narrative. The Standout Essay Package guides students through a structured process to discover their strongest story and develop it into a powerful personal statement.
Includes
Story discovery and brainstorming sessions
Personal statement coaching
Essay outline and development
Draft review and detailed editing
Refinement of voice, clarity, and impact
Final submission-ready Common App essay
Outcome
A compelling personal essay that clearly communicates the student’s story, values, and perspective in a way that stands out to admissions officers.
YOUR INVESTMENT: $2500
THE COMPETITIVE APPLICANT PACKAGE
For students applying to multiple schools who want a cohesive application narrative.
A strong personal essay is important, but competitive college applications require a cohesive story across multiple essays. The Competitive Applicant Package helps students develop a clear narrative strategy so their experiences, values, and goals connect throughout the application.
Includes
Everything in the Standout Essay Package, plus:
Supplemental essay strategy
UC Personal Insight Question guidance
Personal narrative positioning
Application storytelling strategy
Coaching on how essays work together across the application
Outcome
A cohesive and strategic application narrative that strengthens the student’s entire college application and helps admissions officers clearly understand who they are.
YOUR INVESTMENT: $3500
*MOST POPULAR PACKAGE*
THE ELITE ADMISSIONS PACKAGE
For highly motivated students applying to TOP universities who want a strategic advantage.
Top universities look beyond grades and test scores. They seek students who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, leadership, and purpose.
The Elite Admissions Package provides deeper coaching and strategic guidance to help students stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Along with essay coaching, students develop a stronger overall application narrative that highlights their strengths and sets them apart.
Includes
Everything in the Competitive Applicant Package, plus:
Passion project development guidance
College positioning strategy
Competitive applicant differentiation
Deep narrative coaching
Long-term storytelling and application strategy
Outcome
A powerful and differentiated application story designed to stand out in highly selective admissions environments.
YOUR INVESTMENT: $5000
Compare Our Programs
| Standout Essay Package | Competitive Applicant Package | Elite Admissions Package | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Students who need help writing a powerful personal essay | Students applying to multiple schools who need a cohesive application story | Students applying to selective universities who want a strategic advantage |
| Story Discovery & Brainstorming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal Statement Coaching | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Essay Outline & Development | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editing & Refinement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Submission-Ready Common App Essay | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Supplemental Essay Strategy | ✓ | ✓ | |
| UC Personal Insight Questions | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Application Narrative Positioning | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Application Storytelling Strategy | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Passion Project Development | ✓ | ||
| College Positioning Strategy | ✓ | ||
| Competitive Applicant Differentiation | ✓ | ||
| Deep Narrative Coaching | ✓ | ||
| Outcome | Standout personal essay | Cohesive application narrative | Elite-level application strategy |
NOT SURE WHICH PROGRAM IS THE RIGHT FIT?
Every student’s college journey is different. During a discovery call, we’ll talk about your student’s goals, timeline, and application plans to determine which program will provide the most value and support.
Book a discovery call to learn how Step by Step Essay can help your student craft an application that truly stands out.