Everyone
has a path.
Ascent is a college essay writing course designed by MFA-trained writer, author, and private educator Jade Ethan. Offered in three “paths”, Ascent provides an on-ramp to the college essay for all kinds of students, from the left-brained “doer” who freezes at the sight of the blank page, to the wandering artist, to the class clown who’s never picked up a pen and beyond.
Quick and dirty, this back passage up the mountain will get us to the peak in record time, but not without a few scuffs and scratches. Designed for the student who just needs a couple tips or the one who forgot they had to actually write this thing!
This path is designed for the doer, for the student who knows how high the climb is and is ready for the challenge. The Straight and Narrow leads us straight from base camp to the peak, no dilly dallying, looking at the stars, or anything of the sort.
Lush and winding, this path to the college essay is for the student who needs a little more time to sort through what they want to say, who has the vision but doesn’t know how to put pen to paper, or the student who just loves a scenic route.
Which will you take?
DESIGNED
TO MEET YOU
WHERE YOU ARE.
Rather than approaching the college essay through a series of cookie cutter worksheets, Ascent offers a custom path for every student, whether you’re the type of applicant who wants to tinker over every word, the type of applicant who needs a little structure and a little wiggle room, or the type of applicant who forgot you had to write an essay for this thing.
What makes Ascent different from other college essay coaching is twofold: (1) the expertise of MFA-trained author, artist, and educator Jade Ethan and (2) weekly lesson plans customized to student interests, goals, and community experiences. There’s a core rhythm that stays consistent across every student’s essay, but the details of each lesson and the homework assigned week to week are shaped student to student.
Attentive, consistent, and responsive teaching: that’s the value Jade brings to every student.
TESTIMONIALS
“With Jade, I wrote an essay that got me into John’s Hopkins.”
- Eleanor C., former student“Jade has been a pleasure to collaborate with on the Left Blank MFA reading series this year. They were reliable, responsive, and detail-oriented in all of their communications with our office staff. I highly recommend them!”
- Rosa E Beltrán, CalArts School of Critical StudiesWant to be my next testimonial? Sign up for Ascent’s inaugural cohort and receive a testimonial discount today!
I am now accepting students for the 2026-27 application cycle! I have packages available for the following paths:
The Wanderer’s Path
The Straight and Narrow
The Shortcut
To book, please reach out using this form or the following contact information:
email: jadeethan@proton.me
updated 7/23/26