College Admissions Essay Editor (Narrative & Storytelling Specialist)
The Opportunity We are looking for a narrative architect, not just a proofreader. You will be the first line of defense against the clichéd, boring, and robotic essays that flood admissions offices every year. Your job is to help students find their authentic voice, dig deep for "show, don't tell" moments, and craft essays that stop an admissions officer in their tracks. This role is high-volume and high-impact. During peak season, you will be "in the trenches" with students, reviewing 25+ essays a day and sending personalized Loom videos that inspire them to rewrite, refine, and polish. If you are a writer who loves the puzzle of storytelling and wants to make a tangible impact on a student’s future, this is your seat. What You'll Own Narrative Strategy: You won't just fix commas. You will identify structural gaps, cliches, and weak reflections in Common App Personal Statements and University of California PIQs. You will push students to go deeper. The "Loom" Experience: You will record a ~2-minute personalized video for every essay you edit. You are the face of our feedback, explaining the "why" behind your edits with empathy and authority. Pipeline Management: You will manage a dynamic queue of 27–32 essays per day during peak season, making quick but high-quality decisions on "Submission Readiness." Live Coaching: Facilitate weekly Zoom workshops and 1:1 sessions during our 6-Week Intensives, guiding groups of students through the brainstorming and drafting process in real-time. The "Editor-to-Coach" Pathway This role is designed as a career launchpad. Editors who demonstrate exceptional student outcomes and mission alignment are the primary talent pipeline for our Student Success Coach roles (our lead client-facing position). We invest in your growth during the off-season to prepare you for this step up. Who Thrives Here Required: Education: Bachelor’s degree required (preferred: English, Writing, Communications, Education, Humanities). 2+ Years of Admissions Editing: You know the difference between a UC PIQ and a Common App essay. You don't need to be taught the prompts. Storytelling Expertise: You understand narrative arcs, "show don't tell," and voice. You can spot a ChatGPT-written essay from a mile away. Camera Confidence: You are comfortable recording 20+ short videos a day. You have "energy" on camera that makes students feel supported, not criticized. High-Volume Stamina: You can edit a 650-word essay in 20 minutes without sacrificing quality. You enjoy the flow state of a busy queue. Tech-Savviness: Fluent in Google Docs (Suggesting Mode), Zoom, and Loom. Work Schedule: You can work a Monday-Friday 12:00pm-8:00pm PST schedule to align with our students' availability. This Role is NOT For You If... You are a "Grammar Police" editor who only cares about syntax but misses the story. You are camera-shy or uncomfortable speaking directly to students. You prefer to spend 2 hours perfecting one single essay (we move fast). You are looking for a "chill" job where you can hide behind email. The Pay & Structure Annualized Salary: $55,000 – $60,000 USD Note: Seasonal roles are paid at the equivalent biweekly rate (approx. $2,115 – $2,307) for the duration of the May–December term. Classification: Exempt (Creative Professional) Seasonality for Full-year editor: Expect heavy volume during Peak Season (Aug–Jan) and a lighter, training-focused schedule during the late Winter/Spring months. How to Apply (Read Carefully) We prioritize attention to detail. Incomplete applications will be auto-rejected. Resume: Submit your professional resume. Questionnaire: Submit your answers to the required questions. The "Loom" Challenge: A large portion of this role is spent on camera in Zoom meetings and recording Looms for students. You must submit a link to a 2-minute video (preferably Loom) answering the prompt below. Prompt: Pretend you are speaking to a student who has just submitted a draft that is almost entirely "telling" rather than "showing." Introduce yourself, and then kindly but clearly explain the concept of "Show, Don't Tell" to this hypothetical student using a quick example.