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COLLEGE CONSULTING FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED CLARITY, STRATEGY, AND EXECUTION

You have more than you think.

We help you put it together.

Essays. Direction. Application Strategy.

WELCOME TO STUDIO SB

For students with potential, pressure, and more going on than may be obvious at first

For over a decade, I’ve worked with students and families navigating the pressure, uncertainty, and complexity of college applications.

Many of the students I work with are bright, capable, and full of possibility.

They are also often overwhelmed.

They overthink.
They delay.
They second-guess themselves.
They worry they do not have a clear story, a clear direction, or anything particularly impressive to say.

I know these students well.

I help them organize what is already there, connect experiences that may feel scattered, and build stronger applications through clearer thinking, better writing, and more thoughtful strategy.

A 12-Month Framework for Junior and Senior Year (downloadable lead magnet)

10+ Years
Hundreds of Students
U.S. + U.K.
Essay Coach + Author

This Is Not Just Essay Help

Clearer Thinking

Writing is not just something students do at the end. Through conversation, brainstorming, and drafting, they often begin to understand themselves more clearly—what matters to them, what has shaped them, and how to express that with more confidence.

Connected Strategy

Classes, summers, activities, interests, and essays can feel scattered when students look at them separately. I help them connect those pieces, see the larger pattern, and shape a more thoughtful, coherent application.

Strong Applications

Strong applications are rarely built on scores alone. They come from depth, initiative, relationships, and a student’s ability to present their experiences with clarity, substance, and direction.

Start where you need to start

Programs

The Runway is my bigger-picture framework for helping students build direction, develop interests, and create meaningful momentum long before applications are due.

Essays

The Place Method is my practical approach to personal essays, helping students begin somewhere concrete rather than waiting for the perfect idea.

Workshops & Resources

Essay workshops, strategy tools, Unslack, and practical guides designed to help students think more clearly and move forward.

You may be in the right place if…

You are bright, but unsure how to present yourself

You have done a lot, but it feels disconnected

You keep delaying your essays because the task feels too big

You are not sure what to study yet

You want thoughtful guidance, not generic pressure

You need help turning ideas into action

Feedback from Students

If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone other than Sofia

I can safely say that if I didn’t work with Sofia, I would’ve made the wrong choice in colleges. Throughout the entire process, from October to May, Sofia constantly kept in touch through calls, emails, and in-person meetings. She listened without any judgment, and I always felt like what she wanted was the best for me. Even if it was difficult to say it out loud, Sofia told me her opinions frankly and pushed me (in the right way) through my stubbornness. I remember being surprised at the speed and detail with which Sofia responded. If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone other than Sofia.

University of Chicago

I cannot thank Sofia enough for helping me get admitted to my dream school. It was really my 'dream come true' moment.

It was not until I started working with Sofia that I understood how much I did not know about preparing my graduate school application. She opened my eyes and turned a light on, that writing an essay is not just a chance to set myself apart from other applicants. Instead, it is more of a process of reflecting on my own experience and learning from it. In this way, I could better understand who I am, what are my goals, and more importantly how I can contribute to society.

University of Texas

I couldn't imagine writing my personal essay without Sofia!

She is very knowledgeable about every type of college essay and always offered valuable insight to improve my writing. Regardless of where you stand in the college process, Sofia will help strengthen your essays to be the best they can be. She helped me hone in on the important aspects of my essay to convey who I really am to admissions officers and offered amazing advice to craft my essay into a beautiful piece. Not only was I able to write a great essay, but I was also able to learn so much about myself through the process. I loved how Sofia was supportive and always listened to my ideas. Thank you so much for everything Sofia!

Georgetown University

You kind of understand that great results don't have to come with painful experiences.

Working with Sofia was very easy yet highly effective. You kind of understand that great results don’t have to come with painful experiences. She let me be the master of my essay and never tried to force anything out of me that I didn’t want to write. At times it felt like maybe one idea wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, but when I suggested change, she was all for it. The college essay is something that gives many kids a hard time but working with Sofia made this experience fun and effective.

Syracuse University

You do not need to have everything figured out to begin but you need a clearer way to see what is already there.

That is where we start.

Redefining College Consulting

a kinder and more effective path to school admissions

Here is What We Do:

We help students craft outstanding essays and applications. Period.

We do that by guiding them and their families through a mindful exploration of activities, projects, and college lists.

Most of all, we make sure our students discover and uplevel their strengths and interests so they see themselves as problem-solvers and change-makers.

Here's What You Can Get Done:

Write essays that leave you feeling smarter, stronger, and more confident in yourself and your future.

Discover schools, majors, and activities. Uncover new interests, develop the courage to pursue your ideas, and take a leap.

Complete the college application process knowing that you can achieve awesome success without sacrificing well-being, relationships, and integrity.

Understand the role of a personal essay in the context of your application. Learn to avoid cliched topics and insights.
Complete brainstorming exercises and generate multiple topics and themes.
Outline an essay or begin to write “essay nuggets.” Learn unorthodox writing. Write as you speak, think, and feel. Gain confidence in your own voice.
Learn how to bring your writing to life with specifics, nuances, insights, and “surprising but inevitable” conclusions.

Write outstanding “Why Us” essays that are both about you and the school you are applying to. And no – you are not to mention weather, location and rankings in these essays.
Learn to “deep” research colleges – their programs, departments, unique course offerings, campus life, and more. This will get you excited about schools too.
Write “Why Major” essay even if you are not sure what your major is.
Learn how to respond to provocative essay questions and “weird” prompts.

Design or uplevel your summer experiences. One of our strengths is helping students find meaningful, fun, and productive (often home-grown) projects.
Refine and finalize a balanced college list.
Write your Common Application Personal Statement or Personal Inquiry Questions (PIQs for the University of California), or Statement of Purpose (for UCAS, UK).
Write the Additional essays/ Supplemental Questions on your list.
Complete the Common Application Activities List and Additional Information.

Our 9th-12th grade programs are not just about getting into college. In fact, we do not talk about college until late in the game, i.e. sometime in junior year. Instead, our 9-12 programs focus on nurturing intellectual curiosity, academic and personal enrichment, intrinsic motivation, and the path from curiosity to action.

I will meet you wherever you are on your personal and educational journey. Whether you are a freshman or a senior in high school who is thinking about starting the college application process or, perhaps, you are stuck on a strange prompt for an essay, I will support you with the big and small tasks on your list. I fill in the blanks – whether it is to inspire you to write your powerful personal essay, help you design a fun and productive summer, or come up with your best college list.

Sofia Blake

Founder, Studio SB | College Application Coach

Transfer essays need to be more focused on academic goals than undergraduate application essays. We will help you get clear on your goals and career aspirations. You will get excited about the possibilities for impact and confident about how much you already know.
“We will guide you in writing about the positive takeaways and what you hope would be different at your new school. You will learn to truly research a school beyond Home pages and taglines.
Refine and update activities list and highlight ways you would contribute to your new school.

Outline ideas for personal statement, statement of purpose, and letter of intent. Many programs require one, two or all three.
Develop and organize ideas that highlight your experience, skills, lessons, career goals, and reasons for applying.
Write a strong thesis and build up your main points.
Research thoroughly your schools’ programs, departments, and priorities so your “Why Us” essay (or paragraph) stands out.

SB 9th-12th Programs

Identify activities that align with your interests, natural skills, and circumstances.
Uplevel organically your activities at school by taking small steps toward inspired leadership and collaborative work.
Brainstorm home-grown and independent projects that are minimal effort-maximum impact.
Discover ways to widen and deepen activities by identifying problems you want to solve and the world needs you to address. As it turns out, the college application is not actually just about you.

Develop a sense of self by recognizing and embracing personality and temperament.
Identify emerging interests. Start exploring “issues” – in the neighborhood, country, the world.
Review and sign up for clubs and activities. Remain open-minded.
Plan a summer experience that is both productive, rewarding, and fun.

Consider challenging and interesting courses and remain focused on keeping grades up.
Continue and deepen participation in non-academic extracurricular activities. Consider leadership roles.
Continue to grow personally by developing skills and tools for dealing with academic and personal problems.
Plan your fun and productive summer by continuing your self-directed project, independent research, internship, job, online classes, or summer programs.

Remain focused on keeping grades up. Make sure you take challenging and interesting courses.
Continue and deepen participation in non-academic extracurricular activities. Consider leadership roles. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new that builds on something old.
Focus on nurturing relationships with teachers and school counselors.
Update and uplevel self-directed projects, internships or other projects. Be creative, brave and active.
Learn and practice self-care. 11th & 12th grades are often stressful, so you need to learn to prioritize and balance.
Develop a draft college list. Start researching colleges and their specific offerings. Plan campus visits, attend webinars, and sign up for their mailing list. Continue to explore majors and careers and new interdisciplinary majors. Plan your summer balancing fun, extracurriculars and college applications.
WRITE YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS!
SUMMER and FALL of Senior Year:

PREPARE AND SUBMIT KNOCKOUT APPLICATIONS

9th GRADE

Pathfinders

Program

10th GRADE

navigators

Program

11th-12th GRADE

Innovators

Program

List of Services & Programs:

Prices range from $500 to $12,500

Hourly work and consultations are $250 unless complimentary.

Every year, Sofia works with two scholarship students from the Matchlighters program and other organizations

supporting underserved students. She also offers family-and-friends discounts.

Sofia is a coach at the College Essay Guy.

Signature Programs

Ready to start doing?

Over the years, Sofia’s students have gained admission to a range of schools:

Feedback from Students

“If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone other than Sofia.”

I can safely say that if I didn’t work with Sofia, I would’ve made the wrong choice in colleges. Throughout the entire process, from October to May, Sofia constantly kept in touch through calls, emails, and in-person meetings. She listened without any judgement, and I always felt like what she wanted was the best for me. Even if it was difficult to say it outloud, Sofia told me her opinions frankly and pushed me (in the right way) through my stubbornness. I remember being surprised at the speed and detail with which Sofia responded. If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone other than Sofia.

“I cannot thank Sofia enough for helping me get admitted to my dream school. It was really my ‘dream come true’ moment.”

It was not until I started working with Sofia, that I understood how much I did not know about preparing my graduate school application. She opened my eyes and turned a light on, that writing an essay is not just a chance to set myself apart from other applicants. Instead, it is more of a process of reflecting on my own experience and learning from it. In this way, I could better understand who I am, what are my goals, and more importantly how I can contribute to society.

“I couldn’t imagine writing my personal essay without Sofia!”

She is very knowledgeable about every type of college essay and always offered valuable insight to improve my writing. Regardless of where you stand in the college process, Sofia will help strengthen your essays to be the best they can be. She helped me hone in on the important aspects of my essay to convey who I really am to admissions officers and offered amazing advice to craft my essay into a beautiful piece. Not only was I able to write a great essay, but I was also able to learn so much about myself through the process. I loved how Sofia was supportive and always listened to my ideas. Thank you so much for everything Sofia!

“…You kind of understand that great results don’t have to come with painful experiences.”

Working with Sofia was very easy yet highly effective. You kind of understand that great results don’t have to come with painful experiences. She let me be the master of my essay and never tried to force anything out of me that I didn’t want to write. At times it felt like maybe one idea wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do, but when I suggested change, she was all for it. The college essay is something that gives many kids a hard time but working with Sofia made this experience fun and effective.

“There were many times when I felt overwhelmed and confused but you always encouraged me to focus on how I felt and what I really needed.”

…I think it is mostly thanks to you that I decided to go to Middlebury, and I truly feel that was the right choice all along. Because of you, I was able to stop overthinking everything and simply focus on which college felt most “right” for me. Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and encouraging me to trust myself. I cannot thank you enough for all your help during the college application process.

“Sofia has been a rock for me throughout my application …”

Sofia has been a rock for me throughout my application period and further during my academic program. She gave me wonderful advice and sometimes stern encouragement when I needed it. I always know I can turn to her for an honest feedback.

“…I was being heard and given new, valuable perspectives every time.”

In an application process that requires one to go through deep introspection, working with Sofia helped me ask myself all the right probing questions. Writing about what matters most to me and summarising my previous experiences was often a long process with many iterations, and Sofia was always present for any kind of brainstorming I needed and gave me new, valuable perspective every time. Sofia was always honest and detailed in her feedback, giving me feedback like family and I really valued that.

“I would not be where I am today without the encouragement, advice and support you have given me.”

It is impossible for me to forget your role in my career. You have been incredibly supportive of my development since the beginning. I still remember how you opened my eyes and showed me how to write an essay. It wasn’t just an essay for me, but it was a process of reflecting on my experiences and learning from them. It was an important point in my lie when I got a better understanding of who I was, what were my goals and my decisions… Thank you for believing in me when I was in doubt…

“I have a lot of great things to say about the help you gave me during the college process.”

The students who would benefit most from your work the most are students like me, the ones with a lot of ideas but trouble bringing them out. Before speaking to you, the entire college process was unapproachable in my mind. Your insight, along with your plethora of tools, allowed me to advance step-by-step through this process. Before I knew it, I had finished everything that used to cause me stress. This was especially helpful while writing essays. You brought me from staring at an empty google doc, stressed about what to write, to put words on the page. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.

“I really appreciated the hours you put into helping me develop and refine my writing…”

Thank you so much for helping me through the very long and tedious college application process…that meant a lot to me. Please let us know when we can get together so I can thank you properly…

Ready to start doing?

About SB

Sofia Blake works with high school students who are confused or overwhelmed with the college application process and feel stuck at the beginning, middle or end of it. She helps students gain clarity, confidence, and motivation to write their best essays and prepare an outstanding package to get into the college of their dreams.

As someone who struggled earlier in life to discover who she was, what she wanted, and how to get it, Sofia knows firsthand the power of finding the motivation and actions to get where you want to be in life. Studio SB programs reflect years of helping students find their core strengths, overcome difficulties and prepare for successful college and professional lives.

Sofia is an essay coach for the College Essay Guy. She is also the author of the book Journeys of the Heart. She is the founder of Padi Internship Program and a number of educational and entrepreneurship initiatives. She holds a B.A. from Brown University, an M.A. in Political Science from L’Institut des Sciences Politiques and an MSFS from Georgetown University.

Originally from Bulgaria, Sofia has lived in Tunisia, India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. In her spare time, she enjoys her three daughters and husband, friends, and travel. She would love to have more time to hike, play bridge, and fence (she’s only fenced once🙂). She commits to building daily mindfulness practices and finding more fun activities to enjoy her extraordinary life.

Sofia has worked with both parents and students to set goals, find opportunities to work, volunteer and study, choose the right college, overcome personal setbacks and recognize the importance of optimal health, positive relationships and unshakable self-esteem. Discover how Studio SB programs can help your child get into the college where they will thrive and live their own amazing life.

Work With Me

Approach

Essays

Workshops

Resources

About

COLLEGE CONSULTING FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED CLARITY, STRATEGY, AND EXECUTION

For students with potential, pressure, and more going on than may be obvious at first

This Is Not Just Essay Help

Clearer Thinking

Connected Strategy

Strong Applications

Start where you need to start

Programs

Essays

Workshops & Resources

You may be in the right place if…

Feedback from Students

If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone other than Sofia

I cannot thank Sofia enough for helping me get admitted to my dream school. It was really my 'dream come true' moment.

I couldn't imagine writing my personal essay without Sofia!

You kind of understand that great results don't have to come with painful experiences.

You do not need to have everything figured out to begin but you need a clearer way to see what is already there.

Redefining College Consulting

Here is What We Do:

Here's What You Can Get Done:

Sofia Blake

SB 9th-12th Programs

List of Services & Programs:

Signature Programs

Ready to start doing?

Over the years, Sofia’s students have gained admission to a range of schools:

Feedback from Students

Ready to start doing?

About SB

What if you could

learn how to beat procrastination and get things done

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UNSLACK, OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM

Home

Work With Me

Approach

Essays

Workshops

Resources

About

COLLEGE CONSULTING FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED CLARITY, STRATEGY, AND EXECUTION

For students with potential, pressure, and more going on than may be obvious at first

This Is Not Just Essay Help

Clearer Thinking

Connected Strategy

Strong Applications

Start where you need to start

Programs

Essays

Workshops & Resources

You may be in the right place if…

Feedback from Students

If I had to go through the college process again, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone other than Sofia

I cannot thank Sofia enough for helping me get admitted to my dream school. It was really my 'dream come true' moment.

I couldn't imagine writing my personal essay without Sofia!

You kind of understand that great results don't have to come with painful experiences.

You do not need to have everything figured out to begin but you need a clearer way to see what is already there.

Redefining College Consulting

Here is What We Do:

Here's What You Can Get Done:

Sofia Blake

SB 9th-12th Programs

List of Services & Programs:

Signature Programs

Ready to start doing?

Over the years, Sofia’s students have gained admission to a range of schools:

Feedback from Students​

Ready to start doing?

About SB

What if you could

learn how to beat procrastination and get things done

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UNSLACK, OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM

Feedback from Students