Credentials
+ Education
New York University, 2022 - 2024
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing
University of Pennsylvania, 2017 - 2021
BA (Bachelor of Arts) in English, Minor in Urban Studies
Attending a top-tier institution like University of Pennsylvania has given me a deep understanding of what elite schools look for in their students — a combination of academic rigor, creativity, and authentic voice. This knowledge allows me to help students present themselves in a way that resonates with admissions committees at top schools.
During my MFA at New York university, I had the privilege of working with renowned writers like Ocean Vuong, Terrance Hayes, and Catherine Barnett. Their mentorship honed my craft even further, teaching me how to bring both nuance and emotional depth to my writing. This training has enhanced my ability to guide students in shaping their essays, ensuring that their unique stories come through with clarity and impact.
+ College Admissions Experience
The College Admissions Essay with Margaret Zhang, 2017 - Present
Founder & College Admissions Consultant
Thinktown Education, 2021 - 2022
College Admissions & Academic Consultant
Fahey Associates, 2020 - 2021
College Admissions Writing Advisor
+ Editing Experience
Washington Square Review, 2022 - 2024
Copy Editor
The Penn Review, 2017 - 2021
Content Manager & Awards Coordinator
Sad Planetarium, 2017 - 2019
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Bellevue Literary Review, 2018
Editorial Intern
Glass Kite Anthology, 2014 - 2018
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
+ Teaching Experience
New York University, 2023 - 2024
Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing
Thinktown Education, 2021 - 2022
Creative Writing Consultant
Netter Center for Community Partnerships, 2018 - 2019
Teaching Associate
Glass Kite Anthology Writing Studio, 2015 - 2019
Founder, Director, & Teacher
+ Published Writing
The Margins, “Two Stories About Drowning” & “Self-Portrait as a Dead Dog”
Split Lit Magazine, “Self-Portrait as the Head of a Frozen Mouse”
Frontier Poetry, “Travelogue: Chinese After-School”
Sweet Lit, “Park Ekphrasis Without Park”
Ninth Letter, “The Two Times I Loved You Most in LA”
Redivider, “Time Travelers”
Juked, "Metaphorizing the merlots my mother drops off during quarantine”
Cosmonauts Avenue, “Theory of Worth”
Spork Press, “Memory I Keep Misremembering”
Palette Poetry, “Killing the Dragon”
Sine Theta Magazine, “Joji Photoshops Out My Ex’s Face from a Blurry Picture in Thailand”
The Penn Review, “Annelyse Gelman: About Repulsion” (Interview)
The Louisville Review, "Amputation"
Waxwing Literary Journal, "Mammoths"
Hobart, "Dead Baby Syndrome"
34th Street, Ghost Essay
The Minnesota Review, "Why Dehydration Was Invented"
|tap| lit mag, "Latitude #002;"
inter|rupture, “The Amber of the Moment”
34th Street, “On Math Rock and Sea Dragons”
Salt Hill Journal, "Origami" and "Nocturne"
Kweli Journal, "I dream back the city"
Glass Poetry Press, "Latitude"
SOFTBLOW, "Graveyard Hypothesis" & "Crane Theory" & "Apothecary" & "Why Bile Was Invented"
DIALOGIST, "Antidote for Yellow Skin"
Gigantic Sequins, "Straw Theory"
Words Dance, "Sestina for Devils and Sandpaper Braille"
+ Writing Awards & Features
Palette Poetry: Emerging Poet Prize 2020, Longlist
Pushcart Prize 2020, Nominated by The Louisville Review
Best New Poets 2019, Nominated by The Minnesota Review
Gigantic Sequins: Teen Sequins 2016, First Place & Feature
Sugar Rascals, Sweet Talk Interview
Phosphene Literary Journal, "13 Under 30” Feature
The Poetry Society of the UK’s Foyle Young Poet of the Year, Commended (3 consecutive years)
Interlochen Center for the Arts Writing, Fine Arts Award for Creative Writing
+ Attended Writing Workshops
Cave Canem, an accumulation: returning to the unwritten and the unsaid, 2021
Apogee Journal Writing Resistance Workshop, 2021
DreamYard Rad(ical) Poetry Consortium, 2021
Young Adult Fiction with Nova Ren Suma, 2021
Speculative Fiction with Carmen Maria Machado, 2020
Tin House Poetry Workshop with Patricia Lockwood, 2018
The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program with Chen Chen, 2016
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop, 2016
Iowa Young Writers’ Studio with Dan Rosenberg, 2015
Interlochen Center for the Arts Writing Workshop, 2014
California State Summer School for the Arts, 2013
I bring a unique combination of professional editing, teaching, and direct admissions experience. My years of editing have sharpened my ability to refine writing with attention to detail, ensuring every essay tells a clear and compelling story. My background as a teacher also helps me connect with students, making the writing process approachable and collaborative, empowering students to find confidence in their own voice.
With firsthand knowledge of the college admissions process, I understand what admissions officers are looking for and how to help students showcase their unique strengths. By combining my editorial skills and admissions insights, I provide personalized, narrative-focused editing that helps students craft standout essays.
With numerous publications, awards, and attendances at esteemed writing workshops, I’ve honed my ability to craft compelling narratives and engage readers. These skills make me uniquely qualified to help students turn their personal stories into standout essays.
My background as both a writer and editor allows me to help students refine their ideas, ensuring their essays are not only technically polished but also authentic and impactful. I’m passionate about helping each student find their voice and present their best self to admissions committees.