Sonia S.
5.0
(3)
Studied at University of Chicago
Works at Fulbright Taiwan
Successful clients at
Available Monday at 1:00 AM UTC
I'm pretty flexible, so if you need a time that's not listed let me know and we can discuss!
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About Sonia
Hi! I’m Sonia. I’m a Fulbright scholar and a University of Chicago graduate. I’ve spent years writing and refining applications for college, graduate school, and competitive fellowships for myself, and I have also jumped at the opportunity to help people I know through their own application processes for college, transferring colleges, or graduate school. I have also tutored high schoolers applying to college in a formal capacity through SpiderSmart Learning Centers. I know firsthand how stressful it can be to capture your experiences and your voice on paper, especially on tight deadlines. I love helping others finding their voice in these moments and turn them into essays that sound both authentic and confident. I’ve worked with a wide range of students and professionals, including people from diverse backgrounds and varying English levels. I enjoy tailoring my approach to each person’s story and goals. Fun bonus: my own common app essay was featured in a Wall Street Journal article about how to write a good college admissions essay: https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-272B-483. I work with students and clients from all over online, and I aim to make the process as clear, encouraging, and productive as possible.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I loved applying to college, even though it was stressful. During my most formative years, the experience pushed me to think through who I was and what I was interested in.genuinely enjoy helping people find their own voice and tell their stories. Applications can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose confidence in the process. I like guiding students through each step, from brainstorming to final touches, and seeing them grow more confident and articulate along the way.
Work Experience
Grantee
Fulbright Taiwan
September 2023 - Present
Awarded competitive Fulbright scholarship to fund Master's degree in Taipei Taiwan. At National Chengchi University, I research Taiwanese youth narratives of the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests. I have also interned at several Taipei-based media companies during my time in Taiwan.
Writer
The White House
March 2023 - August 2023
Hiring Manager
In my role as a Presidential Writer, I drafted correspondence, meeting tight deadlines requested by the President and his Oval Office team. Correspondence recipients ranged from US Military leadership and former US Presidents, to celebrities, elected officials, and personal friends of the President. This role required extreme efficiency and precision, as we were representing the President in writing, and constantly working to uphold presidential tone, style, and White House Style Guide editorial standards. In this role I continued to help direct the intern hiring process, sifting through college student resumes, interviewing college students, and managing the interns who ultimately came to work in our office.
Analyst
The White House
August 2022 - March 2023
Hiring Manager
At the White House, I directed the President’s student correspondence team, overseeing logistics to ensure the White House could respond efficiently to students’ letters to the President. In this role, I managed up to 20 volunteers, and helped direct the intern hiring process each semester, combing through hundreds of college student resumes and interviewing students to intern in our office. I also managed interns of my own.
Researcher
Fairmark Partners LLP
March 2022 - September 2022
In this role, I researched and drafted legal and policy memos on corporate wrongdoing in agriculture and hospital industries, examining potential legal and advocacy angles, including antitrust, environmental, and labor-related damages.
Research Assistant
Mark Leibovich: Thank You for Your Servitude
January 2022 - September 2022
In this role I fact-checked and researched The Atlantic journalist Mark Leibovich’s New York Times #1 Bestseller on Trump.
College Essay Coach
legacy learning center
September 2021 - March 2022
In this role, I tutored high schoolers in all reading, writing subjects, including editing essays for college and high school applications.
Regional Field Director
Political Campaigns (Various)
July 2018 - November 2020
Hiring Manager
For 2.5 years I worked on political campaigns in field organizing. In these roles I hired, trained, and managed a team of field organizers, as well as hiring interns and recruiting volunteers. I consistently led the highest-performing teams in the states where I worked (Nevada, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan). Nevada State Democratic Party - July - November 2018 Elizabeth Warren for President, Iowa/Ohio - June 2019 - March 2020 Biden for President, Michigan - June - November 2020
Education
National Chengchi University
MA
2023 - 2025
Granted full tuition award as a 2023-2025 Fulbright Scholar to attend National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan.
University of Chicago
History and English
2014 - 2018
Grade: With honors
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Sonia has helped Leland clients get into Cornell University