Mike Demilio
College essay coach and admissions counselor in New York City
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | New York City, United States |
Mike Demilio is a college essay coach and admissions counselor based in New York City. He helps college applicants and younger students, and he supports their parents. He is a Princeton graduate who worked as a novelist, professional writer and entrepreneur. He also invented software and played college football. He works with students from all over the US, and he offers essay coaching alone or full college counseling.
What Mike helps with
Mike helps students find the right stories for their college essays. He also guides them in choosing colleges that fit their interests and goals.
- Finding strong personal stories for college essays
- Drawing out clear, engaging writing from students
- Identifying lasting interests and core ambitions
- Choosing colleges that fit when building an application list
- Guidance for younger students planning ahead
- Reassurance for parents during the process
Who Mike works with
Mike works with college applicants and younger students from across the US. He also works with their parents, giving them calm and steady guidance while the student moves through the admissions process.
How Mike works
Mike uses a process he has refined over the years to quickly find the most useful and connecting stories a student can tell in a college essay. He then draws the writing out of the student. He also focuses on a student's lasting interests and core ambitions, and uses them to help pick colleges that fit. Clients can choose essay coaching alone or full college counseling that includes essay work.
Background and qualifications
Mike Demilio graduated from Princeton. Before coaching, he worked as a novelist, a professional writer and an entrepreneur. He also invented software, worked as a creative artist and played college football. He says those experiences help him connect with many kinds of young people. He is based in New York City and coaches students from all over the US.
Mike Demilio pricing
Programs and services
- Essay coaching
- Full-service college counseling including essay help
Mike Demilio reviews
The CoachVouch take
A Princeton graduate and former novelist who uses his writing background to coach college essays.
Best for students and parents who want help finding the right essay stories and choosing colleges that fit.
Common questions
How much does Mike Demilio charge?
Coaching with Mike runs $150 to $225 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Mike Demilio help with?
Mike Demilio helps with finding strong personal stories for college essays, drawing out clear, engaging writing from students, identifying lasting interests and core ambitions and choosing colleges that fit when building an application list.
Does Mike Demilio work with students outside New York?
Yes. Mike is based in New York City and works with students from all over the US.
Can Mike help with more than essays?
Yes. He offers full-service college counseling that includes essay coaching, along with help choosing colleges that fit.
How do I contact Mike Demilio?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Mike and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.