FAQ
Getting Started
Q: When's the best time to start the college application process with you?
Spring of junior year! CCC offers group Zoom classes for high schoolers in the spring and summer before applications open. We also recommend starting 1:1's with our coaches in January of junior year as well. Starting early gives us more freedom and time to craft creative, authentic essays.
Q: Who are your coaches? How do you assign students to coaches?
All CCC coaches are trained under Cassandra’s direct guidance in adopting her storytelling methodologies and editing standards. You can meet our team of coaches here. Coaches are matched with students based on their individual availabilities.
Q: Do you offer free phone or Zoom consultations?
We do not offer free consultations. We serve students best when we are fully focused on coaching and editing, rather than pre-consultations. After you have filled out the form on the main page, if you still have additional questions, you may follow up with Team CCC at cassandracollegecoaching@gmail.com.
Q: How do I get started with CCC?
Simply fill out the form on our main page, and we will get in touch!
Q: I'm a parent. Can I sit in on my student's Zoom sessions?
Our CCC coaches prefer working with students directly on a 1:1 basis! In the past, Cassandra has found doing Zooms 1:1 is instrumental in getting to the heart of students and discovering who they really are as a person. If you would like, you can choose to sit in on the first Zoom meeting, but for meetings beyond that we would love to get to know students from their point of view.
Q: Do editing packages and Zooms expire? Can I get a refund?
Because college applications follow a fixed yearly cycle, all services purchased must be used within the same application season. Purchased editing packages, Zooms, and other services expire at the end of the application season and are non-refundable.
Q: How do you communicate with students during the process?
Our team communicates via email. Please note that responses can take up to 3 business days. Direct email access to coaches are reserved to bundled students.
Zooms & Editing Process
Q: What will you discuss on the Zooms?
Students should be prepared to screen-share or provide links to existing essay drafts, transcript, resume, or other relevant material during Zoom sessions. You can use this time to ask questions and review any part of your written application. We can also address strategy questions, such as which anecdotes fit best under specific essay prompts, or whether an essay truly captures your voice. If there is important background that would help your coach evaluate your essays, we recommend booking a Zoom before diving into an editing package.
Q: What if I need to cancel or reschedule a Zoom session?
Sessions must be cancelled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations or no-shows will count as a completed session. Zooms are non-refundable.
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Q: How long does it take coaches to edit?
3 business days (excluding holidays) per editing round, provided that essays meet the word count policy. We do offer rush pricing, which guarantees turnaround in 1 business day per editing round. Please inquire.
Q: What are your holidays for this year?
This year, we will be observing MLK, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Turnaround times are calculated based on business days excluding these holidays.
​Q: If I want to avoid rush pricing and still get both rounds of edits before my school's deadlines, when should I turn in my drafts?
CCC deadlines are earlier than school deadlines to ensure that both rounds of edits are completed within 3 business days of submission.
To avoid rush pricing, here are the last possible deadlines you would need to turn in each essay draft to us by sending a link to the Google Doc in an email. Turnaround time begins when links to drafts are submitted via email.
These dates also take our holidays into consideration. Don't wait until the last minute! It'll be very rushed for you if you do (you'll have to make edits very quickly to make the Round 2 deadline).
November 1, 2026 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on October 22
R2: by 6pm PT on October 27
November 15, 2026 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on November 4
R2: by 6pm PT on November 9
December 1, 2026 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on November 19
R2: by 6pm PT on November 24
December 15, 2026 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on December 7
R2: by 6pm PT on December 10
January 1, 2027 & January 2, 2027 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on December 20
R2: by 6pm PT on December 27
January 5, 2027 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on December 22
R2: by 6pm PT on December 29
January 10, 2027 deadlines:
R1: by 6pm PT on December 29
R2: by 6pm PT on January 5
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If your deadline is not on here, you can calculate the 3 business day timeline yourself, or email us to find out when you would need to turn in your drafts to us.
CCC is not responsible for missed deadlines due to late submissions or delayed responses from students. CCC is not responsible for completing work turned in after internal deadlines.
Q: What is your word count policy?
Essays must be within 50 words of the max word count of the essay question before the coach starts editing (for 100 words & below essays, it must be within 10 words of the max word count). We ask students to stay close to the maximum word count because developing discernment and editing with intention is an important part of the writing process. Our ethos is to guide, not take over.
​Q: Why does your editing package include 2 rounds of edits?
We have found that two rounds of edits are much more instructive for students. The first round is usually more big-picture, and the second round is more minute/nitty-gritty flow-oriented edits—read more about the editing differences on our main page. If students need another round, they can absolutely purchase it, but typically our coaches have found that we get all our work done within those two rounds, especially for students we've already been working with on Zoom!
Q: When do I have to turn in my second draft?
Students MUST turn in their second draft within 2 weeks of receiving Round One edits or before the CCC deadline for that school, whichever comes first. CCC is not responsible for completing work turned in after deadlines.
Q: Can you edit my essay again after 2 rounds of edits?
Yes! If you would like more feedback, please order another editing package since we charge per rounds of essay revisions.
Q: Can I give you two versions of the same essay and you decide which one is better to proceed with edits?
No, you may only submit one essay for an editing package. If you would like our coaches' input on which best suits your application, this may be discussed on a Zoom.
Q: Can I change my essay topic in between round one and round two?
Yes, you can, but you will need to purchase a new editing package. If CCC determines that the new content has changed substantially from your original draft (new topic, new structure, or new direction), the essay will require a new editing package.
Q: Can I ask follow-up questions after I go through the editing package?
Out of consideration for our coaches' time and to ensure every student gets high quality feedback, we won't be able to answer follow-up questions after we have completed the editing package. You can purchase another editing package if you would like further review. Strategic questions are reserved for Zooms.
Payment Structure
Q: How do you price your Pay-As-You-Go editing packages?
We price based on the max word count of the essay question. We will only edit essays that are within 50 words of the max word count. To receive pricing info, please fill out the form on our home page. Prices are subject to change.
Q: What's the difference between Pay-As-You-Go vs Bundles?
If you would like to work exclusively with Cassandra, we offer bundles that include a certain number of Zooms and editing packages for your list of schools. This includes significant discounts and countless other benefits, including access to Cassandra and honors/awards review. If you are interested in seeing price points for these bundles, please let us know. You can start with pay-as-you-go with your coach and upgrade to a bundle with that coach at any time. Services as part of a bundle expire at the end of the application cycle and do not roll over. For both payment structures, payment is due in full before coaching or editing begins.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
We currently accept payment via PayPal and Zelle.
Coaching Philosophy
Q: How do I know I'm a good fit to work with Cassandra as a bundled student?
Fit is very important to us. The bundled students that we work with best are highly self-motivated critical thinkers who stay on top of deadlines and are responsive to feedback. We are especially effective for students who are applying to selective schools and who come to Zooms prepared to show their progress.
If you would like to understand Cassandra's style and teaching ethos, you can watch her latest videos here.
And you can read our mission, vision, and values here.
Q: Can you tell me if my essay is Ivy League-worthy?
There's no real standard for “Ivy-Worthy”—admissions decisions depend on many factors beyond essays. This is why we ask students to diversify their college list with safeties and matches. What we can ensure is that our process helps you discover your unique voice and story in a powerful, transformative way.
Q: Can I use AI to help me write my essay?
CCC will not edit essays that utilize AI-generated content. We don't want students to jeopardize everything they've worked towards by using AI. AI-generated writing is detectable by colleges and is considered plagiarism. Our goal is to protect your integrity and your future. We reserve the right to discontinue services in cases of plagiarism or AI-generated content.
Q: Will you write the essays for me?
Never. Students write all content. We do not ghostwrite. We guide students through the writing process focusing on structure, style, content, clarity, and impact, while firmly maintaining your integrity and authenticity. Please see our core CCC values here. We hope you will not only walk away with an essay that you’re proud of, but also enhanced writing skills.
Q: Should I read more example essays online?
If you have started the process of brainstorming and writing your college essays, we recommend that you don't read example essays during this stage. It's writing time! Those other essays will only distract you from finding your true voice.
Q: What if I fall behind in terms of scheduling Zooms and submitting essays for edits?
CCC is not responsible for managing students' timelines. We cannot compel students to write. We work best with students who are proactive and take responsibility for their future. If a student becomes unresponsive or disengages, unused purchased services will still expire at the end of the application cycle or after CCC deadlines pass, whichever comes first.
If you have started the process of brainstorming and writing your college essays, we recommend that you don't read example essays during this stage. It's writing time! Those other essays will only distract you from finding your true voice.
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Q: What other essay coaching do you offer?
Our coaches have worked with students to prepare for creative writing competitions, grad school applications, transfer applications, critical essay writing, summer internship/program applications, applications to competitive high schools, and more. If you are interested in other modes of coaching, fill out the form on the main page and make a note of that.
​Q: Do you offer holistic college counseling services?
At this moment, CCC does not offer college counseling services beyond essays and activities/honors review on the application. However, we will happily refer you to our trusted partners. Please email cassandracollegecoaching@gmail.com if you are looking for more comprehensive counseling services.
​Q: Where can I find your full Terms & Conditions?
You can read our full Terms & Conditions here!