FAQ — Scholarship & College Essay Coaching | Merit Ink

Question 1

How do sessions work?

Accepted Answer

Every session is live, one-on-one on Zoom — 60 minutes, just your student and the coach. There are no pre-recorded modules, no group sessions, and no homework packets. We work directly on your student's actual writing during the session.

Question 2

How far in advance do we need to schedule?

Accepted Answer

We ask families to schedule sessions at least 48 hours in advance. Most families set a recurring weekly time at the start of the track, which makes it easy to plan around school and activities.

Question 3

What if we need to reschedule a session?

Accepted Answer

Life happens. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to reschedule. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice count as used unless there's an emergency.

Question 4

Do sessions happen during the school year or summer?

Accepted Answer

Both. Track 1 and Track 2 work well during the school year at one session per week. Track 3 is designed for either a summer intensive (two sessions per week over four weeks) or a spring term (one session per week over eight weeks). Track 4 runs in the fall, aligned to Early Action and Regular Decision deadlines.

Question 5

Does my student need a Zoom account?

Accepted Answer

No. We send a Zoom link before each session. Your student just clicks the link — no account or app download required, though the desktop app gives the best experience.

Question 6

What does my student need for sessions?

Accepted Answer

A computer or tablet with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and whatever they're currently working on — a draft, notes, or just a blank document. That's it.

Question 7

Can parents sit in on sessions?

Accepted Answer

We generally recommend that students have their own space for sessions — they tend to open up more and take more ownership of their writing when it's just them and the coach. That said, parents are welcome to join the first session to get oriented, and we send a short summary after every session so you always know what we worked on.

Question 8

My student is in 8th grade. Is that too early to start?

Accepted Answer

Not at all — it's actually ideal. Track 1 is built specifically for 8th and 9th graders. The earlier students develop strong writing habits, the less catching up they have to do in 11th and 12th grade when the stakes are higher.

Question 9

My student is already a junior. Have they missed the window?

Accepted Answer

No. Track 3 is designed exactly for 11th graders who want to get their personal statement done before senior year. The goal is a complete, revised draft finished in junior year — which is still very much achievable.

Question 10

What if my student doesn't fit neatly into one track's grade range?

Accepted Answer

Grade ranges are guidelines, not hard rules. A strong 9th grader might be ready for Track 2 material. A 10th grader who hasn't done much analytical writing might benefit from starting with Track 1. We talk through fit on the discovery call and recommend the right starting point.

Question 11

Can my student do more than one track?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and ideally they will. The tracks are designed as a sequence. A student who does Track 1 in 8th grade, Track 2 in 10th, and Track 3 in 11th arrives at senior year with a finished personal statement and a story bank full of material. That's the full Merit Ink path.

Question 12

Do the tracks have to be done in order?

Accepted Answer

Not strictly. Each track is designed to stand alone. But they build on each other — Track 2 assumes some comfort with analytical writing, and Track 3 works best when a student has a story bank from Track 2. If your student is starting in 11th or 12th grade, we'll meet them where they are.

Question 13

What if my student did Track 2 but skipped Track 1?

Accepted Answer

That's fine. We'll assess where they are in the first session and fill in any gaps. Most students who come in at Track 2 without Track 1 just need a quick orientation to analytical structure — it doesn't derail the track.

Question 14

Is there a track for students who only need help with scholarship essays?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Track 4 covers scholarship essays directly, including prompt analysis, reuse strategy, and recommender packets. If your student already has a strong personal statement and just needs help with scholarships, we can focus the track there.

Question 15

How much does coaching cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is shared on the discovery call, where we can give you an accurate quote based on your student's grade, track, and session frequency. We don't publish a rate card because the right package varies — a summer intensive looks different from a school-year track.

Question 16

Is there a free consultation before we commit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every family gets a free 20-minute discovery call before enrolling. We'll talk about your student's grade, goals, and which track makes the most sense. No pressure, no commitment.

Question 17

What's the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We ask for one week's notice to cancel a track. Sessions already completed are non-refundable. If something comes up mid-track, we'll work with you to find a solution — we'd rather pause and resume than lose the relationship.

Question 18

How do I enroll?

Accepted Answer

Fill out the enrollment inquiry form and we'll be in touch within one business day to confirm your student's track and schedule your first session — or your discovery call, if you'd like to talk first.

Questions parents ask us most.

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