Abigail Hillman: Writing Coach, Academic Tutor, College Essay Advisor
About
Abigail has worked with hundreds of students to help them become confident, self-sufficient, passionate writers. She has an easy rapport with young people and excels at guiding them through writing papers and researching essays. She also provides test prep as well as organizational and academic support and is able to bring history to life and make Shakespeare exciting, even to the most jaded students.
Abigail also possesses a singular talent for helping students identify a unique memory or event to help them express their distinctive qualities in compelling, convincing college essays. Her students have had tremendously high acceptance rates at colleges and universities that were deemed “reaches.” She also helps young people and adults craft targeted and impactful resumes and cover letters.
She works primarily with high school and college students, but has experience with middle schoolers and adults as well. She provides ongoing tutoring sessions or single sessions depending on the needs of the client. Many students find weekly sessions are ideal, while others meet on an ad hoc basis before a test or when they have a writing assignment.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Yale University, BA History Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Brown University, MAT History
Certified Grades 9-12 by Rhode Island and Massachusetts
More than ten years classroom teaching experience
Tutoring exclusively since 2004
I firmly believe that writing is a skill that can be effectively taught. Most students who think that they have trouble with writing may simply have trouble organizing their thoughts. I always tell a parent that—if I can only meet with a student once—I would rather work with a student to develop a strong outline than try to untangle a disorganized draft. Often a student is having trouble with writing because he or she simply does not understand the material. Writing is hard work, but it is a critical, teachable skill. I have had countless former students email me from college to tell me that I taught them to write.