With every passing year, the college applications process becomes more competitive—and more stressful.I know from first-hand experience: applying to college in 2015, applying to grad school in 2021, and now helping other students craft their own applications.I've seen how the stress of college applications can weigh heavily on families. A lot of that stress comes from the unresolved questions that parents and students have. Do colleges want students who are focused or well-rounded? How much do grades and test scores matter? What experience should I draw on to write my essays?In my sessions with students, I answer questions like these from an insider's perspective, as an alumni interviewer for Duke University. But more importantly, I emphasize the importance of a cohesive application package.Many students think of their college application as a series of individual challenges. When I coach students, on the other hand, we approach their college application as one unified story. We work together to identify what story the student wants to tell. Then we figure out how each element in the application can tell a part of that story. Finally, I coach students on how to craft their essays and put their best foot forward with admissions officers.