Stop guessing. Find your ideal major & write a standout essay
Gain the clarity and confidence to shape your college future in this workshop series designed by two Stanford grads who've helped other students gain admission to top-tier colleges of their choice.
Our 4-session workshop series empowers you to:
  • Decide on your ideal major
  • Craft an authentic, standout essay that highlights your interests, personality, and purpose
  • Most importantly, we'll help you gain tools to reduce stress and approach applications with excitement, not dread.
Reserve My Spot
The uncomfortable truth about college
35%
Students regret their major
Leading to a less fun time in college, wasted tuition, and lost opportunities
65%
Most graduates work in careers unrelated to their major
Years of education that could've helped set you up better in the future
60%
Many of the jobs today didn’t exist 80 years ago.
The job market is evolving faster than ever, so students need to be interested to constantly learn and adapt
The problem with the traditional path
The traditional path isn't working. As a student, you are pushed to make lifelong decisions based on outdated advice that ignores who you truly are, as well as the rapidly changing job market.
Instead of preparing for jobs that might not exist when you graduate, learn to focus on your unique strengths and design for flexibility in an evolving world.
Perhaps, you know exactly what you want but need help crafting your story. Maybe you're choosing between two completely different careers - engineering or medicine, OR psychology or political science. Perhaps, you have no idea.
We will meet you where you are, helping you gain confidence in your choice, narrow down your options or come up with the ideal major from scratch.
A 4-Session workshop that changes everything
Four weekly 90-minute sessions designed to transform your college application journey, led by Stanford graduates who care.
1
Session 1: Start with why
Challenge assumptions about college, explore up-to-date career possibilities, and take control of your decisions.
You'll feel the relief of having a decision beyond "because I'm supposed to" or "because I don't know what else to do."
2
Session 2: Build your Self-Knowledge Resume & practice storytelling skills
Discover your unique strengths, interests, and personality traits.
Create a Self-Knowledge Resume that becomes your compass for your major selection and application essays.
Begin outlining an essay that reflects your newfound self-knowledge. Learn how to write creative & competitive essays.
3
Session 3: Bring it all together
Lock in your major choice with confidence and draft a college essay that actually sounds like YOU—not only what you think admissions officers want to hear.
We'll connect you with at least one person who has attended your dream university or has completed your intended major.
4
Session 4: Complete your essay
Polish your essay, build a future-ready mindset, and learn how to find the right resources when you need them most.
We'll equip you with tools and resources to write your supplements and confidently complete your essays.
Move forward with greater clarity and confidence in your applications and yourself.
Small, interactive cohorts mean you won't get lost in the crowd. We know you're busy and need to use your time wisely. You'll walk away with tangible results and the confidence to move forward.
“Each time she finished a session, she seemed lighter and more confident.” – Parent of admitted student
Meet Your Expert Coaches
Halle Payne
Halle has spent four years supporting competitive college applicants across the U.S., helping students nab admission to Ivy League and top-tier U.S. colleges, as well as full financial aid packages and merit scholarships.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford in Symbolic Systems (Computer Science, Philosophy, and Psychology), she now works as a college essay coach, writer, & songwriter, recently recording a 20-track album!
Most of all, she cares deeply about helping her students' personality, passions, and insights shine through in their own voice. Her favorite feedback to receive is that her students seem far less stressed about the college admissions process, and even excited to work on their essays, because those essays now truly reflect their strengths and stories, empowering them with newfound self-awareness, agency, and confidence.
Dina Al-Alami
Dina is an ICF-certified career coach and founder of Major Confusions, a career wellness studio dedicated to creating a healthier world, where career well-being is taken seriously.
Dina completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering at Stanford University. She spent her career building software products in health tech and biotech—from seed-stage startups to IPOs, while training in coaching at the University of Cambridge. After a great deal of self-reflection, she built up the courage to pivot into her areas of interest: healthcare, education and coaching.
Now, she helps impact-driven professionals “undo” early career choices and realign toward paths that fit their strengths, curiosities, and the evolving world of work. Her clients include leaders at Google, Apple, IKEA, and Miro, as well as mission-driven startups. She also coaches students and alumni from top universities including Oxford, Imperial, and Stanford, where she is a designated alumni coach.
What our students and their parents say
"Halle changed the trajectory of my daughter's life by helping her explore and understand how to write about herself. This acceptance means the world to us because they meet 100% of our financial needs. So yeah, if you were ever wondering if your services pay for themselves... the answer is clearly yes." - Parent of Admitted student
Halle is a Rockstar! Halle coached my daughter to express her ideas in a mature way, but still staying true to my daughter’s voice and experiences. She didn’t take over the writing, but rather guided the process. — Parent of Admitted Student
“This is GREAT, thank you VERY much for your support of Grace. Each time she finishes a session she seems "lighter". She is uplifted by your support :)”
— Parent of admitted student
"Four months after my work with Dina, I find myself in a fulfilling job that aligns to my values, provides a sense of purpose, and supports a balanced life."
— Uni graduate student
Dina asked thoughtful questions that allowed me gain clarity on what I want to study. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a coach who listens and guides with care.
— Student
Why parents choose this program
The hidden cost of an undirected college path? Years spent in their children's 20s and 30s switching jobs, paying for alternative degrees and certifications, and struggling with stress and confusion.
Maximize the ROI on your student's tuition
College is one of the biggest investments a family can make, in both time and money. Yet too often, students arrive on campus without a clear sense of direction.
We know that some detours are part of the journey, but predictable, costly detours can be minimized through coaching and guidance.
An investment of $500 today can safeguard against up to $450,000 tomorrow in tuition, underutilised time, and unnecessary career pivots.
Clarity, confidence, calm
Students gain clear direction and confidence, leading to fewer arguments about application stress, majors, or "what's next."
Parents report students feeling "calmer" and "happier" working on their college applications.
Peace of mind for everyone.
Optimized for tangible results
We know students don't have a lot of time. We've optimized for tangible outcomes: a clearer path and a completed college essay draft giving them a significant head start on their college journey.
Connection & attention
Cohorts are capped at 8 students to ensure individual attention making every session highly impactful. Students feel that they are not alone in this significant time in their lives.

A path with tangible outcomes
A personalized Self-Knowledge Resume
Your compass for the future.
Uncover your natural talents, genuine curiosities, and future-fit skills through proven exercises and guided self-reflection activities.
Through proven exercises and guided reflection, you will leave with a Self-Knowledge Resume — a practical compass for choosing majors, shaping essays, and navigating career decisions with confidence.
A clear and confident major decision
Make an informed decision about your major/minor that aligns with who you are while maximizing flexibility for an evolving job market.
The result: excitement about your path and peace of mind for parents investing in tuition.
A completed draft of their standout college essay
By the end of the workshop, you will have a polished essay draft that sounds authentically like you. Even if you still don't know what that is.
Along the way, you'll gain storytelling skills and tools that you can apply independently to supplemental essays, with the option for more tailored 1:1 support.
Ready to design your university life?
The Details
  • Investment: $500 for 4 weekly sessions (90 minutes each)
  • Limited: Only 8 students per cohort
  • Bonus: Bring a friend and you BOTH get $100 dollars off
  • First cohort: Saturdays in September/October.

    September 6th, 13th, 20th & October 4th
    8am PST / 11am EST/ 4pm GMT / 6pm Amman time
  • Second cohort: The October schedule to be determined based on your feedback. Fill out the form, and let us know your preferred times.
Worried about cost? We believe in making coaching accessible. Reach out and we'll find a way that works for you.
Take the first step
You're standing at a crossroads. One path leads to following the crowd and hoping it works out. The other leads to intentionally designing a university experience that fits you.
Which will you choose?
Investment Options: Choose Your Path
We offer flexible program options to fit your needs and budget, ensuring every student has the opportunity to design their ideal university journey.
Compass: $500
Solid Foundation
Core Group Workshop Series
The foundational experience for initial exploration and essay draft completion.
  • 4 weekly group sessions (90 minutes each)
  • Essential tools for self-discovery
  • Completion of a Self-Knowledge Resume & Workbook
  • Learn to use AI tools to expand your career knowledge and preparation vs. generic essay creation.
Best for students looking for structure, accountability, and a strong base.
Navigator: $1000
Guided Track
+2 Individual Coaching Sessions
A balanced option combining group learning with focused individual attention.
  • Everything in the Core Group Workshop Series
  • Two 1:1 coaching sessions for detailed essay reviews, personalized edits, and clarification of major questions
  • Tailored support to help students deepen their self-knowledge and refine their application materials

Best for students who want both community and customized guidance.
Pathfinder: $1400
All-in Support
+4 Individual Coaching Sessions
Our most comprehensive package, offering extensive personalized guidance.
  • Everything in the Core Group Workshop Series
  • Four 1:1 coaching sessions to support students from outline to polished final draft
  • Individualized coaching to clarify confusions, strengthen the Self-Knowledge Resume, and prepare essays and supplements with confidence
Best for students seeking a highly personalized process from start to finish.