Hallie Bagley is a college admissions essay and application coach. Known for pulling great ideas and information out of her students, she coaches them to write about themselves in authentic and compelling ways. Hallie Gay honed her editing craft at The Paris Review, the famous literary quarterly begun in Paris France in 1953, now in NYC, a magazine that  “hopes to emphasize creative work—fiction and poetry…and to …welcome …the good writers and good poets, the non-drumbeaters and non-axe-grinders. So long as they’re good.”

Growing up in the Bluegrass country of Kentucky, Hallie Gay learned to appreciate the small details: the way a foal nursed its mom in the field, the blueish tint the grass turned in August. Her family raised thoroughbreds for sale and to race and every detail of conformation of the horse and its bloodlines was studied. She learned early to pay attention to the small details which is what makes writing come alive. Small details noticed and described turn an average college admissions essay into one that shines.

Almost like a psychoanalyst she digs beneath your student’s surface to find the hidden gems of ideas that will transform a Common App personal statement. Her intuitive intellect is finely tuned to listen to your student for the beautiful moment or idea underneath their story about an activity. This is a true editor and person full of humanity. Hallie Gay believes in education and knows how to help your child put themselves on paper. She is a sherpa walking your child home to themselves and hopefully to your student’s home away from home, their college

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

I love the newness of traveling and the process of learning about a place. It’s like what I do with students in the college admissions process, learning about that student is like traveling and learning about a new place: the culture, the food, the traditions. Everything that goes into an entity or person being fully itself.

Is traveling something you consider a hobby or a lifestyle? How did you get started?

Traveling is something I consider a hobby. Reading about places is more of a lifestyle but traveling, the act of leaving home and going to a new place is more of a hobby which I try to practice whenever I can.

Do you have any exciting travel dates or itinerary planned for the future?

I have an exciting trip planned to Spain in the next year. It is a train ride and all of our dinners will be prepared mostly on the train. We will have multiple day trips off the train but will always sleep on the train.

What are some travel tips you’d give to an inexperienced traveler?

I’d tell you to read up beforehand. Get a bit familiar with your locale that you are visiting and make a list of things/places you want to visit. Rent books from the library and dig in. Ask friends about their experiences.

Where would you like to go? 

I’d love to visit Morocco and New Zealand. Also Japan.

Where would you like to revisit?

I’d love to revisit England where I spent 9 months in my young adulthood studying Renaissance literature.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I like to travel with someone, that is my preference, but I”m not afraid to travel alone. You meet new people really easily that way.  But I prefer traveling with friends. The giggles get amplified and ideas of what to do grow!

If you could pick the top three places every person should go, what would they be?

Rome, London and NYC. (not terribly original haha)

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I try to travel light more and more. Recently I packed an entire week in one over the shoulder tote. I was so proud of myself.