Uncommon Scribe

Uncommon Essays for Uncommon Students

Mattias, The Uncommon Scribe

Hello! I’m Mattias (he/him), the Uncommon Scribe.  I work with uncommon students to write their unforgettably uncommon college essays, including common app, school specific, supplemental, short and portfolio essays.  Wherever you find yourself in your college essay process, I can help.

I have a bachelor’s degree from Yale in Comparative Literature and a graduate degree in Learning and Mind Science. I have been the Executive Director and sat on the boards of educational non-profits and foundations. Most importantly, I’ve worked with ‘different’ students for 25 years and have helped them write 100s of essays. My own children are among these ‘different learners’ and I’m proud to say that I helped them get into their top choice schools. I am also a practitioner of mindfulness meditation and a photography gear-head. Check out the rest of this website and book a consultation to learn more about how we can work together!

Headshot of Mattias Sparrow, the Uncommon Scribe

  • “Kevin was desperate. He was so anxious that I could hear his foot tapping from the kitchen! In tears, he finally asked for help. Thank goodness Mattias was there to guide him.”

    Chris W. - Parent

  • "My essay was about my Grandmother. When I showed it to my Dad, he cried. My dad never cries but he said he was moved because in my essay he could see her in me."

    Bella P. - Student

  • "The essays Mattias is able to pull from his students are astounding in their honesty, craft, and personal resonance. I don't know how he does it."

    Christine S. - College Coach

  • “Mattias was amazing with our son, Akshay. He’s shy and rarely smiles but you should have seen him beaming when he got into Cal Poly!”

    Amita D. - Parent

  • "I was like, I have no idea how I'm going to do this. I feel ashamed. I'm going to fail. I wasn't planning on being a writer so I never focused on it. I was spinning! Mattias spent the time learning about me. He listened to the playlist I shared with him. He followed the insta accounts I recommended. He cared."

    Olivia M. - Student

  • "I work with many different students on their whole college application process. When a student is having difficulties with their essays and can't get past a road block, I send them to Mattias. No matter who they are, Mattias is able to help them. I have only heard deep sighs of relief and rave reviews."

    Susan G. - College Counselor

  • “Olivia is dyslexic and had a tough time keeping up in High School. We tried three other college essay tutors but none of them knew how to get her past her fear of writing. In three sessions, Mattias had her writing up a storm. He also helped her create her portfolio. She got into her favorite art school!”

    Tom and Linda H. - Parents

  • "I was freaking out. I had something in my head but I couldn't put it into words. Mattias listened. He was calm. He took the words in my head and helped me turn them into paragraphs and, after a 6-month struggle, I had an essay that was really me!"

    Tom Z. - Student