College Admission Essay Counselor // Executive Function Coach // Educational Consultant in the SF Bay Area and Beyond
My Coaching is Driven by Purpose & Insight
For over 20 years, I've empowered clients as a College Admission Essay Counselor, Executive Function Coach, and Educational Consultant in the SF Bay Area and beyond. I sincerely enjoy my work, engaging diverse clients in a purposeful, liberating process that brings insight to their academic lives. This joy shows up in the very texture of my work, as I naturally build understanding and rapport with each student. In many ways, this rapport-building is the foundation of effectively coaching all students on their unique academic journeys to genuine success.
I have a teaching background in Sociology & Literature and a Master’s in Education from UC Berkeley. This unique combination allows me to view academic coaching from an analytical and creative lens, helping clients on their path to educational excellence.
Empowering Students to Succeed with Confidence since 2005
“In junior year, Kevin helped me build better skills to organize my responsibilities and manage my time. In senior year, he also played a major role in my college application, giving feedback throughout the essay writing process and helping me reflect on what I value most in educational institutions...I’m now in my first year at Yale.”
“Kevin is more than just a great academic coach; he is truly a master of his work, seeking to cultivate genuine academic curiosity within his students as well as high academic performance. Last year, I had the pleasure of working with him on a number of my college applications, and I could not be more proud of the results. Throughout the process, Kevin not only provided valuable feedback – he was truly passionate about my growth and development as a thinker and writer.”
“After working with Kevin for the last 10 months, my son has improved his ability to reflect, write, edit, and complete his assignments. Although reluctant to work with a tutor at first, our son connected with Kevin right away. He enjoys his tutoring sessions!”
Explore years of my archived reviews on the Berkeley Parents Network:
https://www.berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/recommend/org/kevin-arnold
Location & Logistics
Bay Area & Beyond
While based in Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay Area, I mostly work with my clients remotely using Google Meet throughout California and beyond.
College Admissions Essay Coaching
With my focused and articulate manner, I illuminate the process of composing unforgettable college admission essays and cohesive applications. Together, we will create drafts, analyze past versions of successful essays, finalize main essays and supplementals, and complete your application. Overall, we will focus on strategically presenting an authentic and cohesive narrative throughout your main essays and entire application.
~For most college applicants, a comprehensive application that meaningfully enhances their candidacy typically requires 15 to 30 hours of focused collaboration over 4 to 8 weeks, depending on a few factors.
Executive Function & Academic Coaching
Long-term academic success relies on several logical, organizational, and emotional skills. As your Executive Function & Academic Coach, we'll create customized organizational systems and planners your student will actually use. I support students of all learning styles, including high-achieving teens, STEM students, creatives, and those with ADHD, Neurodivergent Profiles, or Twice Exceptional (2e) profiles. We’ll work together to build strategies to improve focus, address time-management issues, increase motivation, and work through avoidance. Also, we’ll track and complete all weekly assignments.
~Most executive function students benefit from 1 to 3 hours of weekly sessions to establish the support and structure necessary for practical success in their academic lives.
Educational Consulting Every student has a unique story. As an Educational Consultant, I work with families from diverse academic backgrounds and cultures to find college, university, or high school options where they can thrive. Drawing on extensive knowledge of colleges throughout California and the United States, I make the search for the right school clear and personal.
Writing Coaching & Content Creation
Creative potential is limitless. I work with authors, filmmakers, and artists across a wide spectrum of disciplines to develop effective, intuitive, and compelling content.