About Bluegrass Scholars

Bluegrass Scholars empowers first-generation students and families navigating gaps in college knowledge, exposure, and access in the Bluegrass region through structured college advising, scholarship strategy, and family-centered guidance that promotes confidence, persistence, and long-term success.

Admit Bound Academy, our flagship cohort program, supports high school juniors and seniors as they navigate the college admissions and scholarship process.

The Opportunity

Do you have a gift for writing, storytelling, proofreading, or helping someone find the right words?

Bluegrass Scholars is seeking Volunteer Essay Coaches to support Admit Bound Academy Scholars as they develop college personal statements and scholarship essays.

For many students, an essay is one of the few places in the college and scholarship process where they get to tell their story in their own voice. Our volunteers will help students strengthen that story but not write it for them.

Essay Coaches will provide thoughtful, encouraging feedback that helps Scholars communicate their experiences, goals, accomplishments, and aspirations with greater clarity and confidence.

What You'll Do

• Review college personal statements and scholarship essays

• Provide feedback on organization, clarity, grammar, and flow

• Help students strengthen introductions, conclusions, and overall storytelling

• Ask thoughtful questions that help students dig deeper into their experiences

• Help students understand and respond to essay prompts

• Support students through revisions while preserving their authentic voice

• Offer encouragement and constructive feedback throughout the writing process

Who We're Looking For

You do not have to be a professional editor or English teacher to make an impact. This opportunity may be a great fit for:

• Educators and retired educators

• Writers, editors, communications, marketing, or public relations professionals

• College admissions and higher education professionals

• Graduate students and college faculty

• Attorneys and other professionals whose work involves significant writing and editing

• Anyone with strong writing skills and a genuine desire to help young people succeed

Most importantly, we're looking for adults who are patient, encouraging, dependable, and committed to helping students tell their own stories in their own voices.

Time Commitment

We are asking volunteers to commit to approximately one hour per month during the academic year. Volunteer opportunities will take place in person in the Lexington area during designated Admit Bound Academy essay and scholarship support sessions.

Volunteer Requirements

Because volunteers will work directly with high school students, all volunteers must:

• Complete the Bluegrass Scholars volunteer application

• Successfully complete a required background check before their first volunteer session

• Follow Bluegrass Scholars' student safety and confidentiality expectations

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Scholars

• Commit to providing feedback that supports, not replaces, a student's own work