Cassandra Hsiao
In 2017, I made international news when I was accepted into every college I applied to (17), including all 8 Ivy League universities. My common app essay went viral across the globe.
Since 2022, I've personally coached hundreds of students through 1:1 Zoom brainstorming sessions, personalized guidance, and meticulous editing to make students' essays sing.
Yes, I help students get into college. But CCC is much more than that. My passion is to help you find your voice and tell your story in an authentic and powerful way. I've assembled a team of coaches who are powerful storytellers who not only graduated from top schools, but also embody what I believe is key to living an all-in: creativity, courage, and character.
WHY CASSANDRA, and my storytelling methodologies? I'm up-to-date with what admissions officers are looking for. Gone are the days of accomplishment-tooting and resume-bragging. They're looking for genuine stories that capture their attention and heart, stories that show you at your best: complex, passionate, curious.
I graduated from Yale University in 2021 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Ethnicity, Race & Migration as well as Theatre & Performance Studies.
2023-24 STUDENT ACCEPTANCES
Yale, Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Princeton, UPenn (Wharton), Columbia, Stanford, Notre Dame, Boston College, Boston University, Tufts, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Tulane, University of Virginia, USC Rossier, UC Berkeley Law, UChicago Law, NYU Law, Georgetown Law and more!
2022-23 STUDENT ACCEPTANCES
Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, Brown, Cornell Med, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Williams, Pepperdine, USC, UC Berkeley, UCSD, Rice, Boston University, University of Nevada, UC Irvine Med, UCSF Law, Columbia Med, and MORE!
College Essay Coaching
1:1 Zoom sessions + Meticulous Google Doc edits
If you do not have any idea where to start for a particular essay prompt, that's ok! Our team offers 40-minute Zoom brainstorming sessions. You'll be equipped with essay examples, a solid idea/storyline for your essay, and strong guidance on how to execute the idea. In these 1:1 sessions, we will:
- brainstorm
- study essay examples
- identify unique strengths and stories
- solidify values to emphasize in essays
- review writing tips/habits
- evaluate any possible ideas you have
If you already have an essay draft, our team can help fine-tune your draft with 2 rounds of edits included. Prices vary by essay wordcount. In the first round of edits, we will make sure you are:
- fully answering the question
- presenting yourself uniquely
- are showing not telling
- crafting an engaging opening opening and memorable conclusion
In the second round of edits, we will focus on your:
- clarity
- grammar
- spelling
- style
- word usage
Additional round of edits are also available, if needed. Each round of edits will be delivered within 3 business days. Rush pricing is also offered.
Sign up now!
To receive a quote on your college essay package, please fill out this form and we will be in touch. We also offer bundles that include a certain number of Zooms and editing packages for schools.
What makes CCC unique is that it we offer you a pay-as-you-go structure, allowing the freedom and flexibility to make choices that would best suit your college application journey. In addition to that, we also offer comprehensive packages that include Zooms and editing packages for certain # of schools.
In addition to college essay coaching, we also offer writing lessons in various genres including poetry, fiction, screenwriting, playwriting, creative non-fiction, and analytical writing.
We offer support for any scholarship applications or apps for specific programs. We've worked with students on speech and debate competitions. We also provide essay counseling for graduate school and professional/trade school applications. Parents, if your student is applying for competitive high schools—we can work with you both on your collective application.
Note that our coaches are located in California, so all Zoom times offered will be in Pacific Time.
Form not working? Haven't received a response in 3 business days? Email us at cassandracollegecoaching@gmail.com
Get in touch...
Cassandra's College Acceptances
Yale University
Harvard University
Columbia University
Princeton University
Brown University
Dartmouth University
Cornell University
University of Pennsylvania
Stanford University
Johns Hopkins University
University of Southern California
Northwestern University
New York University
Amherst College
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of California, San Diego
OUR STUDENT COMMUNITY...
We've worked with students all across the globe, including:
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CASSANDRA'S
AWARDS & EXPERIENCE
Tutoring
Online Creative Writing Classes for students (started in 2015)
Film/Theatre/Radio
Judge for California Young Playwrights Contest
Judge for The Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival
Hollywood Radio & Television Society Fellow
CAPE’s Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge
The Blank Theatre’s LRS Series
Yale University Creative & Performing Arts Award
Yale Playwrights Festival
Ucross + The Blank Theatre’s Future of Playwriting Prize
Horizon Theatre’s New South Young Playwrights Festival
Yale University Dramat BIPOC Theatremakers Award
Yale Daily News Podcast Desk
Durango Arts Center 10-Minute Play Celebration
STAGE IT! Ten-Minute Play Festival
33rd and 32nd California Young Playwrights Contest
The Blank Theatre’s 24th and 25th Young Playwrights Festival
Curious New Voices National Collective Play Festival
Princeton University’s Ten-Minute Play Contest
Writopia Lab Worldwide Plays Festival
YouthPlays Publication Contest
Journalism
Yale Admissions Bulldogs Blogger
Asian American Journalists Association Voices Fellow
The Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Award Winner for Online Video Host
Asian American Journalists Association JCamp Finalist
Los Angeles Times' High School Insider
Fanlala
BYOU Magazine
Crixit (formerly known as KidsPickFlicks)
Poetry/Fiction/Non-Fiction
Francis House
Arts by the People
Storyscape
Brain Mill Press
LiveWire
Animal
Feminine Inquiry
Claremont Review
Jet Fuel Review
Aerie International
Rambutan Literary
University of Idaho’s Hemingway Festival
Los Angeles Times Essay Challenge
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: National Gold, Regional Gold, Silver Keys and Honorable Mentions
Semi-finalist for National Student Poets Program
YoungArts Honorable Mention Winner
Scholarships
Taco Bell Foundation and Get Schooled Finalist
Coca-Cola Semifinalist
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Semifinalist
National Merit Scholarship Winner
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
Luke 1:45