Ashley Lefrak Grider

DEVELOPMENT & APPLICATION COACH

Ashley's essays and humor writing have been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Real Simple, and other publications. As a writer, she understands the challenges and rewards of turning messy first drafts into carefully crafted prose. Her warm, personable style of engagement encourages students to talk, think, and write their way toward successful self-presentation. Ashley holds a BA in Comparative Literature from Princeton, a BSN from University of Pennsylvania, and an MFA from Yale School of Art.

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After years of working with students throughout the admissions process, I have become aware of just how many application sections, beyond the main essay, provide an opportunity to craft the student's story. This is why I start with questions, lots of them! Conversation lays the foundation for our work. It allows me to get to know all the nuanced ways a person is unique, to understand strengths and struggles, interests and dreams. This trusting, helping relationship is the wellspring from which words and ideas flow. It allows me to hear the student’s voice and allows us, together, to ensure a singular voice comes through.

My objective is to help young people grow in self-awareness and articulate what is most important to them. What a wonderful thing to get to do! I welcome any questions about my process.