Los Angeles · Common App · UC Essays · Supplements
College Essay Tutoring.
A college essay isn't just writing. It's finding the moment that says something real — and learning to tell it clearly.
The Common App personal statement is one of the only parts of a college application a student fully controls. Most students either try to write what they think admissions wants to hear, or they hand the essay off entirely. Neither works. Tiana works with students to find the story worth telling, develop a draft that sounds like them — not like every other applicant — and edit it to the standard selective colleges actually hold. Supplemental essays for every school on the list are included.
Why HUMBLE
One tutor. Real results.
No rotating staff, no generic programs. Every student works directly with Tiana — and every plan is built around that student specifically.
The personal statement
Most college essays read like a résumé with feelings. Tiana helps students find the specific, concrete story that reveals character — and teaches them to write it in their own voice, not an imitation of what they think admissions wants.
Supplements for every school
Supplemental essays for every school on the list — Why this school, Why this major, additional short answers. Supplements often matter as much as the personal statement and get far less attention.
UC Personal Insight Questions
The UC system requires four PIQs out of eight prompts. Sessions help students select the strongest prompts, develop distinctive answers, and stay within the 350-word limit without losing depth.
How it works
Three steps. No pressure.
Tell us where your student is stuck and we'll map out support that builds confidence, stronger habits, and real academic skills.
1. Free intro call
Tell us what's going on. We listen, ask questions, and get a feel for where your student stands.
2. A plan that fits
A custom plan — subjects, pace, and how often we meet. No templates, no fluff.
3. Sessions begin
We close the gaps holding your student back, then build forward — adjusting as they grow.
Reviews
What Students & Families Are Saying.
I had to learn how to create an AI Agent for a job interview, and Tiana got me a finished product in 2 hours. She is one of the most intelligent young people I have ever met — and most importantly a phenomenal teacher. — David (a CEO and Harvard MBA)
I couldn't read even a Dr Seuss book or do simple multiplication before I met Tiana. Thank you so much for your help.
We were really stressed about our two kids failing their final exams. Then we found Tiana and honestly, she changed everything.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start college essay prep?
For a fall application (Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision), starting in June or July of the summer before senior year is ideal. That timeline allows a first draft by August, revision through September, and a polished essay well before October deadlines. Starting later is workable but compresses the revision process, which is where essays actually improve.
Do you help with the Common App personal statement and supplements?
Yes — both, and in sequence. Most students should finalize the personal statement before writing supplements, because the personal statement sets the narrative frame the supplements build around. Tiana works through the full application essay set, not just one piece.
My student is a strong writer — do they still need help?
Often yes, for a different reason. Strong writers sometimes produce essays that are technically polished but impersonal — they've optimized for correctness and lost the specific detail that makes an essay memorable. Tiana works with strong writers to ensure the essay sounds human, specific, and genuinely theirs.
Do you help with UC Personal Insight Questions?
Yes. The UC PIQs are a distinct format — shorter than the Common App essay, with different prompts, and evaluated differently. Sessions help students choose the right four prompts, avoid the common mistake of answering what the prompt asks instead of what makes a compelling answer, and write within the 350-word constraint without generic filler.
What's the difference between editing and what you do?
Editing fixes grammar and phrasing. What Tiana does starts earlier — helping students find the right topic, develop the angle, structure the narrative, and then revise through multiple drafts. By the time grammar is on the table, the essay already has something real to say.
Ready when you are
The first call is always free.
No commitment — just a conversation about where your student is and where they want to be. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
Serving: Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pasadena, Woodland Hills, Manhattan Beach & all of Los Angeles
Also offered