Meet Joy · 1:57
A Decade Of Experience
An Understanding of Teenagers
Clear, Personalized Guidance
UNC–Chapel Hill, Honors graduate | Phi Beta Kappa
Meet Joy Jacobson
For over a decade, I’ve worked with students and families on college essays, test preparation, and admissions. Currently, I am focusing on college essays and admissions assistance.
One of my favorite parts of this work is helping students discover what they have to say. Some arrive convinced they have nothing worth writing about; others have so many ideas they don’t know where to begin. Through thoughtful questions and conversation, I help them uncover meaningful details and perspectives they might otherwise overlook.
As a parent of teenagers myself, I understand the balance between wanting to help and giving students room to find their own way. I approach each student with patience, humor, and a genuine interest in what matters to them.
I bring structure, clear direction, and honest feedback to a process that can feel overwhelming. My goal is for students to grow more confident in their writing and finish with essays they’re proud to call their own.
Students I’ve supported have been admitted to dozens of universities, including Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, Brown, Duke, UCLA, UC Berkeley, the University of Michigan, Tufts, Barnard, MIT, Northwestern and many more.
Past admissions outcomes do not guarantee future results.
What Families Say
Nicole Shoohed
Student, Milken Community High School
Joy not only taught me excellent techniques that enabled me to receive a high score on the SAT (2160), but she was also always so positive and encouraging. She was so helpful with my college essays and my college application process. She conducted constructive brainstorming sessions during which we discovered my unique stories for my college essays (who I really am versus just a resume). She helped me understand the college admissions process as a whole and what colleges really look for.
Erica Rozbruch
Student, Campbell Hall
Joy is an amazing SAT tutor and college counselor. She helped me immensely through the entire process by raising my SAT score by almost 300 points and helping me write the perfect college essay. She has a great personality and really cares about each person she works with; she is so encouraging throughout the entire process and she made everything seem so easy. I could have not done this without Joy.
Rhonda Rand, MD
Parent, Buckley and Campbell Hall
Joy tutored both of my daughters for the SAT and was nothing short of wonderful. Scores increased about 300 points for both girls and both were admitted into their #1 school. Joy was always professional and supportive through this process. Joy gave them homework and practice tests and always went over them in a very constructive manner. She also helped them with the ‘tricks’ of standardized tests and how to write the perfect essay as well. I am so grateful we found Joy and will actually be looking forward to starting the process for my son soon!