The Essay Expert LLC — Client Agreement for College Essay Services

Thank you for purchasing a College Essay / Personal Statement package from The Essay Expert LLC. We are pleased that you have chosen to work with us and we look forward to providing you with tools for a successful application process.

Before we begin work, I want to make sure we are all on the same page regarding our policies and practices. If you have a question or concern about ANYTHING during this process, please address these questions to Brenda Bernstein at BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com or 608-467-0067.We are committed to providing outstanding services and products, and, above all, to your satisfaction.

Please be aware of the following expectations and terms of your agreement with The Essay Expert:

General Agreements:

1. I have retained The Essay Expert LLC to work with me or my son or daughter (hereinafter "my student") on my/his/her College Application Essay(s) and/or Resume/Activity List.
2. If I am dissatisfied with my (or my student´s) consultant at any time during the service, The Essay Expert´s Customer Service can reassign me upon request. Customer service can be reached at 718-390-6696 or 608-467-0067, or through The Essay Expert Web Form

Confidentiality:

Your identity and the nature of your sessions will be kept private from any third parties unless you provide written consent.

There are 3 exceptions to confidentiality:

1. When disclosure is imminent to prevent harm to yourself or others;
2. When legal demands require that confidential material be released;
3. When a child is in need of protection.

Basic Process and Document Systems:

1. Our services will be provided by an assigned Consultant via phone and e-mail as well as dropbox or other cloud computing systems, unless other arrangements are agreed upon prior to the start of the consulting package. All documents sent via email by either party will be in Word (i.e., .doc or .docx) format unless otherwise stipulated in the initial consultation.
2. We will be using the Track Changes feature of MS Word. If you need assistance in using this feature, please read
   How To Avoid Embarrassing Editing Marks On Your Documents MS Words Track Changes Program

   ***You are responsible for making sure there are no redlining marks or comments on your final documents.*** We will be happy to send you a clean copy of any document upon request.

3. Spell check and editing techniques will be used to ensure the correctness and accuracy of your documents, but it is your responsibility to proofread and give final approval of their completion.

Time and Scheduling Policy:

1. The Essay Expert´s guideline is that you will have a response to your calls and emails within 2 business days, and comments on your documents returned within 3 to 5 business days. If you do not hear back from your consultant within the appropriate time period, please resend your message and leave a telephone message with your consultant. If you still do not get a response after another business day, please contact Brenda Bernstein directly.
2. In order for us to help you within our promised turnaround times, we ask that you promptly complete and return any surveys or questionnaires sent by your consultant or by The Essay Expert LLC. Our response times are guaranteed only in relation to when you provide completed questionnaires and responses to our inquiries.
3. The Essay Expert LLC reserves the right to extend the deadline of the project and/or to add fees to our initial estimate in order to accommodate additional, unanticipated work. Work on the project may be delayed while additional fees are processed.
4. RUSH packages are available if I require faster service than promised in this agreement.
5. If an appointment is confirmed for a specific time, please provide 24 hours´ notice if you need to cancel or change the appointment. For hourly packages, The Essay Expert´s policy is to charge 1/2 hour for any appointments missed without proper notice. For flat rate packages, you will forfeit your package if you (or your student) miss(es) two meetings without providing 24 hours´ notice.

Consultant´s Responsibilities:

1. Consultant will provide consulting services for the number of essays purchased (additional schools will require a fee supplement).
2. Consultant will provide with feedback regarding how the intended audience will perceive my (or my student’s) resume, essay(s), etc.
3. Consultant will critique the content and style of my (or my student’s) written work, and determine how to best present my (or their) experiences and accomplishments.
4. My consultant will work with me (or my student) to improve the quality of my (or my student’s) essays. I understand, however, that consultants will not write my (or my student’s) essays.
5. Consultant will notify me in advance if he or she plans to be unavailable for a period of time longer than 3 business days (for special circumstances including business travel, vacations, etc).

Student Responsibilities:

1. I understand that it is ideal to begin working with my consultant as far in advance of my deadline as possible. The Essay Expert will not be responsible for missed deadlines.
2. If I have any questions or concerns about the service, I will contact The Essay Expert immediately at 608-467-0067, or through The Essay Expert Web Form.
3. I will complete all surveys, questionnaires and other requested documents sent to me by my consultant or The Essay Expert as promptly and completely as possible. I will not hold The Essay Expert responsible for delays if I do not return the information requested.
4. I will draft, refine and finalize my own essays, and incorporate my consultant’s feedback/suggestions when appropriate. I understand that my consultant will not write my essays for me.
5. I will provide feedback to my consultant to ensure my essays meet my goals and say what I want them to say.
6. I understand my consultant will proofread my essays. However I also promise to show the essays to at least 3 people with good English skills before submitting them to colleges. I am responsible, along with my parent(s), for final proofreading and approval before the essays are submitted!
7. I am responsible for direct correspondence with my targeted schools.
8. I am responsible for all communication with my selected or suggested recommenders.
9. I will advise The Essay Expert of any changes in my contact information.
10. I understand that The Essay Expert cannot guarantee admission to any school.

Parent Responsibilities:

1. I understand that it is ideal to begin working with my consultant as far in advance of my student’s deadline as possible. The Essay Expert will not be responsible for missed deadlines.
2. If I have any questions or concerns about the service, I will contact The Essay Expert immediately at 608-467-0067, or through The Essay Expert Web Form.
3. I understand my consultant will proofread my student’s essays. However I also promise to show the essays to at least 3 people with good English skills before submission to schools. I am responsible, along with my student, for final proofreading and approval before the essays are submitted!
4. I will advise The Essay Expert of any changes in my contact information.
5. I agree to conduct all financial business through The Essay Expert. I understand that my student’s consultant is not authorized to enter into private financial agreements with me to engage in admissions consulting, and that to do so would be a violation of his/her legal agreement.
6. I understand that The Essay Expert cannot guarantee admission to any school.

Refund Policy & Fees (Parents):

1. If my credit card is declined or my check returned, service will not begin until the transaction is approved (Please note: returned checks are subject to a $20 handling fee).
2. Partial refunds are available for incomplete packages for up to 90 days after date of purchase IF I do not use The Essay Expert’s services for the full number of schools that were in the package purchased.
3. After 90 days have elapsed since my date of purchase, I will no longer be eligible for a partial refund. I may choose to use my package at a future date or to transfer my package to another applicant.
4. I must arrange to start utilizing The Essay Expert’s service within one year of the purchase date. If I have paid in full and do not begin the service within a year of the purchase date, I will forfeit my eligibility for a refund. NOTE: A phone consultation is considered starting my service.

Essay Format:

We request that all essay submissions follow a standard format that we’ve found works best for our review purposes:

1. Put all the essays for one school in one MS Word document.
2. Write the first question and its specified word limit on the first page, followed by your first essay. Insert a page break and write down the second question and its word limit, then write your second essay. Continue in this way for additional essays.
3. Double space and use 12 point font throughout.
4. For the first draft of an essay for a school named ABC, name the Word document abc1. For a second draft of a school named ABC, name the Word document abc2. We will rename the documents abc1 – bbedits and abc2 – bbedits (the first letters will be the initials of your consultant).

Consultants & Referrals:

1. The Essay Expert works with carefully chosen consultants who work closely with college applicants on their documents. Please be assured that Brenda will read every word and make sure you are receiving a quality product.
2. We welcome and encourage your referrals! Please make your referrals to The Essay Expert, and if you have worked with a consultant you particularly like, we will be happy to assign your friends and colleagues to work with that same consultant. We appreciate your business!

Please keep this document for your records and let Brenda know that you have received it (BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com). Your consultant or Brenda will contact you to arrange a time for a first conversation.

Finally, if you have not done so already, please send your current resume and any essays you have drafted to BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com. Thank you for choosing The Essay Expert, and we look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,
Brenda Bernstein
The Essay Expert LLC
BrendaB@TheEssayExpert.com
608-467-0067

My typed or signed signature below certifies that I have read this Client Agreement and agree to abide by all above policies and procedures. I also agree to hold my Consultant and The Essay Expert LLC harmless for any adverse situations created as a direct or indirect result of specific advice or referrals given by the Consultant. My signature acknowledges the receipt of a copy of this Agreement.