For over three decades, Richard Trenner has devoted his time and energy to one fundamental activity—written communication. The work he loves best? Teaching young students to write essays confidently, efficiently, and successfully, and helping college applicants win admission to the top colleges on their lists.

For nine years, Richard served as a lecturer at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, where he developed and administrated the Writing Center. He also served as a writing instructor in Princeton’s Department of English and Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. In addition, Richard worked as an interviewer and application reviewer in Princeton’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. Before working at Princeton, Richard taught expository and creative writing at Rutgers University.

In addition to his work at WCP, Richard advises academic and research organizations on written communication processes and productivity. He also edits scholarly and scientific manuscripts. For a dozen years, Richard ran the AT&T Bell Laboratories Writing Center and designed and delivered more than 50 writing workshops to Bell Labs scientists and executives. He also organized and ran writing centers at Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Early in his career, he served as managing editor of two weekly newspapers and copy editor for two publishing companies.

“Good writing is good thinking in its clearest, most useful, and most durable form. If you teach a student to think, you’re halfway there.”

In addition to teaching writing to middle and high schoolers and advising college applicants, Richard continues to write fiction, criticism, and journalism (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Princeton Alumni Weekly, and other periodicals). He is also the author of three writing books for AT&T—The Bell Labs Writer, The Bell Labs Editor, and The Bell Labs Style Guide. At present, he is working on a book called Write—a practical guide to writing based on three core ideas: purpose, pattern, and process.

“Thank you does not grasp the appreciation I have for you. I’ve only known you for a six months, yet it feels like you understand who I am and the way I think more than some of my closest friends. That’s part of the reason you are such a phenomenal tutor–you teach with heart and passion and with humanness that seems to be lost these days…. You have motivated me to be the best writer, college applicant, and person I can be. I truly could not get through the craziness that is the application process without you.”

Susanna L., Princeton high school senior who won several academic scholarships and is now attending a “Top 12” university

“Our son got accepted into several colleges. A couple of colleges pointed to his Common App essay in their offer letter…. We truly believe you went above and beyond in helping him perfect his college essays.”

Benedict and Claire, parents of a 2021 Princeton high school graduate

As a writing tutor, Melissa’s main goal is to help students see writing as a communication tool that can be used to develop an academic edge and to express their unique thoughts and ideas. With young students, Melissa works to ensure present levels of proficiency are maintained and developed. With adults, she works to improve and refine writing skills so that professional and personal goals are met.

Melissa also works with college-bound ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders to help them hone the kind of personal writing skills they need to write compelling and memorable college application essays.

“All writing instruction should be personal, designed with the individual student’s needs in mind.”

Melissa is a certified general and special education teacher dedicated to supporting her district’s Child Study and Intervention and Referral Services teams. Melissa’s vast knowledge of special education and learning disabilities make her an excellent resource for students, parents, and colleagues. Melissa’s expertise helps parents decipher IEPs and 504 plans, and she works with families to develop strategic and implementable accommodations. In addition, she excels at approaching learning differences with creative solutions and patience. Melissa’s writing instruction for students with learning differences is tailored specifically for them so she can build on the foundation of their existing strengths.

Also an expert on the impact of psychological trauma on learning and writing, she frequently speaks to educators and parents about the need to incorporate social and emotional learning into all aspects of educational systems. She has also contributed to Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning, authored multiple blog posts about teaching, learning, and health for special education law firms, and presented at statewide conferences on education, communication, and technology.

Melissa is also a talented voice actor who gives voice to key educational projects for the University of Maryland’s Institute for Innovation and Implementation.

“Melissa is an expert at planning lessons that focus on the educational needs of the individual. She provided insightful weekly summaries on my daughter’s progress and well thought out objectives for upcoming lessons.”

Hien O., parent of West Windsor, NJ 5th grader

While at Hamilton, Will also served as a “First-Year Experience Mentor” for Hamilton’s history department, teaching incoming students writing and time management skills. Besides earning the highest GPA among American History students and the highest GPA in Hamilton’s history concentration, Will was awarded Hamilton’s Cunningham Essay Prize for his honors thesis on Abraham Lincoln.

After graduating magna cum laude with honors, Will continued to work with Hamilton professors to craft a comprehensive thesis-writing guide. He also co-authored Hamilton’s “Writing Longer Papers.” At the same time, he created an in-depth guide for Darien, Connecticut’s Historical Society titled “Darien’s Golden Age of Arts & Design” and served as a substitute teacher in the Darien public school system.

“By improving critical thinking and problem solving skills, writing tutoring helps students advance in all subject areas.”

As a Writing Specialist in the University of Chicago’s Humanities Core, Will teaches new college students the ins and outs of academic writing; his seminars cover every part of the writing process, from research, to argumentation, to revision. As a Lector in the University’s Academic & Professional Writing course, he helps undergraduate students develop the writing skills needed to write a B.A. thesis, apply to graduate school, and apply to professional school. During the summer, Will serves as a Writing Instructor for the University’s Academic Achievement Program (CAAP) where he teaches incoming students the basics of college level writing.

“I had to leave school for a year and when I came back, I wasn’t sure I could get through all the writing. But Will was a godsend. He saw what I needed right away and within a few short weeks I was writing independently and getting all As.”

Sabrina, 9th grader, The Hotchkiss School

“Supporting students as they develop self-advocacy skills is a crucial part of the writing process. Embracing a growth mindset means thriving on challenge and perceiving setbacks as a springboard for growth and future success by building resilience.”

While at University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, Elanur was a recipient of the Philadelphia Writing Project’s Literacy Leadership Award and a recipient of a Master’s Thesis Award for her thesis centering on critical transnational pedagogies. She has worked in summer camps and educational settings where she tailors the writing process to each student’s individual learning needs and goals. Currently, she works as a 2nd-3rd grade co-teacher at a private school for students with learning differences where she is committed to guiding student writers to reach their full potential. She is devoted to helping students reach their goals, and her approach to tutoring develops students’ self-esteem by providing an individualized tutoring experience that engages executive function skills with explicit instruction, releasing responsibility and accountability to the student over time by providing opportunities for creative problem solving and flexible thinking.

“My son was extremely pleased with the work he did with Elanur. He appreciated both her insight and guidance in writing his essays from start to finish.”

John, parent of 12th grader, Peoria, IL

After coming to Columbia from the University of Florida, where she received the Outstanding Four Year Scholar award for her original research while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Christina taught undergraduates as an instructor of both composition and literature courses in Columbia’s Core Curriculum.

Now, as a college admissions essay writing specialist and writing tutor, Christina cultivates the writing skills that students need to optimize their college admissions chances and thrive in elite academic environments. She challenges college applicants and writing students to think deeply and perceptively while arming them with the strategies they need to transform their ideas into compelling and well-organized essays.

“What makes college applicants stand out from their competitors? Good writing. Well-written personal statements and supplemental essays are the best way for applicants to distinguish their applications from all the others.” 

“Christina guided my son with warmth and intelligence through all the really difficult parts of writing his college application essays. Her help on the Common App essay was invaluable. She also helped him create an extracurricular capstone project that helped define and represent his character. We can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Karen, mother of NYU freshman