Students who work with Success Story have been accepted and matriculated at competitive colleges and universities across the United States. I love to hear from my students who have received significant scholarships or admissions to honors programs, and learn that their essays are cited as “memorable.”
Good News!
So far Success Story students have heard great news from Appalachian State, Agnes Scott, American University, Arizona State’s Barrett Honor College, Auburn, Bard, Barton, Bates, Baylor, Binghamton University, Boston University, Brown University, Bryn Mawr, Bucknell, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman, Carnegie Mellon, Clemson University, Colorado School of Mines, Davidson College, Duke University, Durham University (United Kingdom), East Carolina University, Elon University, Florida State, Furman, George Washington, Georgia Tech, Hawaii Pacific, High Point, Hollins, Hunter College, Indiana University, Indiana University (Kelley School of Business), Johns Hopkins University, Loyal University Chicago, Marquette, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Meredith College, Miami University (Ohio), Montana State University, NC State University (including Goodnight Scholarships!), Northeastern, Northwestern, Oberlin, Oregon State, Oregon State Honors College, Patrick Henry College, Penn State, Pratt, Purdue (Honors College), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Ringling College of Art and Design, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Santa Clara University, Sarah Lawrence, Salem College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Scripps, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Smith, St. John’s University (Queens), Stanford University, Stonybrook University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY New Paltz, Temple University Japan, Texas A & M, Texas Christian University, Tulane, Trinity University, Tufts University, University of Alabama, University of North Carolina Asheville, University of Buffalo, UC Berkeley, UC Berkeley MET program, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, University of Charlotte, University of Chicago, University College Dublin, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Edinburgh, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of London SOAS, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Montana, University of New Hampshire, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Oregon Clark Honors College, University of Pittsburgh, University of Puget Sound, University of Rochester, University of San Francisco, UNC School of the Arts, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, USC Marshall School of Business, University of St. Andrew’s, University of Tampa, University of Tennessee, University of Texas at Austin, University of Virginia, University of Washington-Seattle, University of Wisconsin, University of York, Villanova, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Western Carolina, Wheaton, and William and Mary!
A number of students have received merit scholarships, acceptances to honors colleges, and acceptances to research programs as well.
Student Testimonials
“Lyn was incredibly valuable in helping me find specific stories and examples of my best traits to share with colleges. She was so reassuring and kind throughout the whole process!”
—Mischa, UNC-Chapel Hill Honors. Also accepted to University of Michigan, Davidson, Wake Forest, University of Maryland, and Wisconsin.
“I loved working with Lyn as she allowed me to portray and integrate my creative ideas into my writing. By talking back and forth with her and reviewing multiple writing drafts together, I gained such amazing insight on how to write creatively, authentically, and with a manner that makes my writing stand out. I loved being able to express my writing ideas freely. Lyn and I are both creative, free writers so bouncing ideas and writing styles off of each other brought out the best in my essays. Also, I learned so much about repurposing writing efficiently to save time and utilize my already hard-work done writing.”
—Aastha Bhaghat, UC Berkeley. Accepted to all other UCs; waitlisted at UCLA. Accepted to Indiana (Kelley Business Program direct admit), Northeastern, and Wisconsin.
“Lyn is a patient and supportive coach who taught me how to craft compelling essays. She empowers her students to grow as both writers and communicators, and thanks to her guidance, I’ve become a more confident and effective storyteller.”
—Shiven, University of Pennsylvania Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Class of 2029. Also accepted to UC Berkeley MET, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Duke University, Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, University of Southern California (Deans Scholar), UIUC, Purdue, and Virginia Tech.
“Thanks to the resources and essay strategies that Lyn introduced me to, my college application processes was a lot less daunting! Success Story provides plenty of essay examples and helpful methods for brainstorming. Lyn was amazing to work with and very approachable!”
—Eva, Stanford University, Class of 2027
“I really enjoyed working with Lyn! I felt that I got a really good idea of what colleges want to see in an applicant through my work with her, and did very well in my applications because of it.”
—Otter, Full ride to Stonybrook, Simons STEM program, Class of 2029
“Success Story helped me so much in coming up with essay ideas and writing a detailed story that captured my personality. I couldn’t have done it without their help!”
—Sophie, Duke University, Class of 2029
“The Blue/Green/Gold is a super useful and comprehensive way to frame things! I really liked the way you taught essay writing strategies. I think you helped me improve my essays a lot.”
—Annika, Class of 2029
“Lyn is very encouraging and makes the application process a lot less stressful.”
—Marlena, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Class of 2027
“Nothing but amazing things to say about working with Lyn!! There is a structure for the whole time so as a student I can see my deadlines and the set up for the whole week. Lyn is a creative genius and works with your own story to make it appealing and persuasive for colleges. 1000/10 would totally recommend to any of my friends beginning the essay writing process.”
—Claire, Tulane University, Class of 2025
“Lyn offers rich wisdom and honesty. After working with her on my essays, I gained a greater sense of self and belief in my capabilities. Lyn was an integral part of my admission to college.”
—Henry, DePaul University, Class of 2019
“I gained an immense sense of confidence in my writing from working with Ms. Lyn. She created a safe environment open to exploring my creativity and she pushed me to create my best work. I couldn’t have gotten through my college essays without her!”
—Claire, Ringling College, Class of 2025
“Mrs. Hawks was an enormous help to both me and my writing skills. I’ve found myself using Gold Coin and Blue Sky strategies in all of my writing, and I know that my college essay wouldn’t have been the same without her help. I am extremely grateful for Ms. Hawks, and I highly recommend her services!”
—Sadie, Trinity University, Class of 2025
“The fun facts about me was a super helpful worksheet to me. I love how it was referenced many times throughout the sessions as something I could go back to if I ever got stuck. It also helped me to realize things about myself that I had never considered interesting enough before. Thank you!”
—Kaelin, Loyola University of Chicago, Class of 2025
“I have learned more in this month of writing than in all my English classes. I have no idea what I would’ve done without your help. You pushed me to become a better writer and I am so thankful for all your help!”
—Shafer, Appalachian State, Class of 2025
“Thank you so much for helping me with the essays…Something that particularly helped was cutting words and learning how to still convey my ideas in fewer words.”
—Kellan, Santa Clara University, Class of 2027
“All the feedback was given in a constructive way, and I feel that the service was highly personalized.”
—Paige, UT Austin, Engineering Honors, Class of 2027
Parent Testimonials
“Your work last summer was invaluable. It helped him focus and get organized. I believe he worked on 6-8 essays with you and leveraging the work he did with you, he ended up writing almost 25 total essays. He used the tools you provide to add “gold coins” to all his writing. Most interestingly, he then applied those same tools to his Senior year English class. I saw some amazing hooks in his writing that I had not seen before. His essays were selected a few times as class examples by the teacher. We cannot thank you enough.”
—Erika, parent
“I was blown away by your thoughtful editing comments/notes. You are offering her challenges and being inspiring and encouraging. I see her growing as a writer and analytical reader…and having a mentor/teacher that loves words as much as she does is pretty magical. Thanks for your time, expertise, enthusiasm, and care.”
—Tami, parent
“Lyn did an amazing job. She was so encouraging and she made the process fun. I felt that I knew what was happening at each stage, without actually having to be involved in the process itself. Lyn is organized, approachable, and knows how to inspire and motivate my 17-year-old. I cannot imagine our having done this without her valuable guidance and input.”
—Amy, parent
“Lyn is an AMAZING writing coach! I cannot say enough great things about her. Lyn created an organized, structured process that made it easy for my daughter to get started. Lyn set clear, attainable goals, and provided resources for brainstorming (the Google Drive is amazing!). She has a positive approach to the process which minimized the stress for my daughter. Writing is hard work and Lyn makes it fun! I cannot believe what they accomplished in just two weeks! It flows seamlessly for the student. Lyn was able to help her identify some key themes that felt authentic and true to her. I have already referred three friends to Lyn and I believe she is one of the best investments we’ve made in our daughter’s college application process so far.”
—Pam, parent
“Choosing Success Story was just as beneficial for me as it was for my daughter. Lyn’s approach to scheduling the coaching sessions and her consistent communications meant I never had to worry if my child was working on her college applications. My daughter felt confident about her finished essays and her true voice shone through after Lyn’s coaching.”
—Elizabeth, parent
“We cannot thank you enough for guiding him through the essay process. I love that you taught him techniques to be a better writer and that each essay was truly written by him, which was so important to him.”
—Rebecca, parent
“I highly recommend Lyn for your college essay coaching needs. Lyn made what is typically an overwhelming experience enjoyable. Her thoughtful process, effective use of technology, knowledge, and energy are what make the experience so exceptional. My child has a better sense of self, feels proud of his college applications, became a better writer, and gained other valuable skills that he will undoubtedly use throughout his college experience and beyond.”
—Anna, parent
“I think the best part of doing this work with you is watching the smile spread across my son’s face when he opened up his essays each day and read the comments. He looked at me and said, ‘I love her!’ In addition, he was so engaged in the work he referred her to his friends.”
—Michele, parent
“This was such a terrific experience. Really appreciated all your great edits, notes, tips, etc. I literally felt like it was Christmas morning, I couldn’t wait to wake up to your edits and read them! You were so positive and encouraging and I know that motivated him that he was on the right track and had a good idea that he could pull through. Thank you! We will be coming to you in 2 years with our daughter.”
—Parent
