Cornelia Wels-Maug

Application & Essay Coach

With a deep passion for storytelling, Cornelia brings a human-centered lens to her work—whether she's highlighting how medical technology has transformed individual lives or helping students tell their own powerful stories in college essays. Throughout her international career in journalism, Cornelia has honed the art of uncovering and sharing personal case studies that reveal the real-world impact of innovation—an experience that now informs her work with students as she helps them articulate the moments that best reflect their promise, growth, and potential.

Having lived and worked in the U.S., Europe, and Australia, Cornelia has a unique ability to connect with students from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds. Today, she uses these skills to help students kindle their spirit of self-exploration, innate curiosity and love of learning—qualities that shine through in standout college applications and beyond.

Education

Master of Economics, Frankfurt University, Germany

Intermediate Diploma, German Language and Literature, University of Mainz, Germany

Graduate, "Walking the Wildwoods", a three-year storytelling class with Shonaleigh Cumbers,
UK Deputy National Storytelling Laureate

Certificate: Public Relations Communications

Highlights

  • Deep expertise in every stage of the writing process—from brainstorming and structuring ideas to crafting persuasive arguments, refining language, and polishing final drafts.

  • Trained with a master storyteller in the art of weaving layered, meaningful narratives—an experience that now informs her ability to help students craft essays with depth, cohesion, and lasting emotional resonance—connecting personal themes in subtle, powerful ways.

  • Skilled at helping students overcome writer’s block and express their ideas with confidence.

  • Nearly a decade of experience in a creative writing group, fostering a strong foundation in narrative craft and storytelling.

  • Accomplished in coaching students to discover and develop their unique voice; including those for whom English is not their native language.

  • Founded student newspapers both in high school and at university, demonstrating initiative and a lifelong passion for writing and communication.

  • World language skills: German and French.