"Rejected By Your Dream Colleges? It's not you, it's them! Here's why."
I'm going to try to make you feel better. It might not work. Yet. But no matter what the college decision is, you're going to be okay....
Mar 29, 20232 min read
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Imagine a coach who transforms the writing process into a journey of self-discovery and creative expression.
I turn the daunting college application process into a journey of self-discovery.
We showcase the whole student, intellect and personality.
With insider knowledge and a personal touch, I guide your child to their dream college,
blending strategy with compassion and humor.
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Consultant and
Essay Coach
Personal Narrative
Specialist
What if your child felt more confident and more empowered
in their ability to present their academic story
that application readers immediately
see their value and intellectual curiosity?
What if instead of feeling stressed during the application process,
there was ease?
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​​​​​​​My research-based instruction works in just this way.
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With a rich educational background,
including degrees from Smith College and Harvard University, and experience as a Fulbright Exchange teacher to England,
I bring a wealth of knowledge and
empathy to my coaching.
Writing Competitions
A former AP English Language and Composition teacher, Kristie has helped students win writing competitions, from the
CT Shoreline Heads of English Department contest to the IMPAC CT
State Universities Young Writers Competition.
Kristie’s unique approach, empowers students
to silence their inner critics and unleash their
authentic voices.
Fostering a supportive
and inspiring environment, Kristie empowers students
to develop their authentic voices and achieve recognition, exposure, and competition success.
Her commitment to excellence and passion
for storytelling
make her coaching invaluable for aspiring writers.
College Counseling and Essay Coaching
I help students gr. 9-12
design a cohesive application narrative,
from art school to the Ivy League,
incorporating academic goals,
personal values, and character traits.
Mentored by the former
director of admissions for Cornell,
my research-based process
empowers students,
and teaches how to craft life experiences
into a compelling application
while reducing stress.
I know what admissions readers look for.
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No more procrastinating.
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No more frustration.
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No more pain.
Short Term Essay Editing
For those who prefer more independence
or have an impending deadline,
I offer editing packages without face to face
or Zoom time.
These are intended to
polish essays before submission.
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Fresh eyes.​​
Students Accepted to
Harvard, Princeton, Yale
Columbia, UPenn, MIT
Dartmouth, Brown
UK: Cambridge, Trinity
CalTech
Johns Hopkins, Rice
University of Michigan
Georgetown, Swarthmore
Smith, Wellesley
Carleton, Middlebury
Wesleyan, Emory
Tufts, USC, UVA
Macalester, Bucknell
UCONN, Colorado College
University of Florida
Georgia Tech, NYU
UMASS, Brandeis
Boston College, Clark
Boston University
Emerson, Fordham
George Washington, WPI
SUNY Stonybrook
SUNY New Paltz, Tulane
Northeastern, Penn State
Michigan State
Indiana University: Kelley School of Business,
Wheaton, Ole Miss, LSU
U Illinois Chicago
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It's not just about getting the application done.
It's about empowerment.
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College Counseling and Essay Coaching Services
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It’s not just about getting the application done.
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It's about setting them up for the future they want.
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It's about empowering them throughout the college and
graduate school years and career beyond.
Having strong writing skills and an ease in communicating ideas
will give a competitive advantage.
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And who doesn't want that?
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To hear the rest of my 10 minute talk, go here:
Kristie approaches her students with a wonderful combination of respect, empathy, humor, and honesty. She sets a high bar which her students meet with great enthusiasm.
Truly the mark of a gifted educator.
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I was so fortunate to have Kristie guide both of my daughters as they worked to create narratives that allowed them to get noticed. She took the time to learn each one's strengths not only as a student but as an individual. It was such a proud moment when their essays received compliments during
college interviews.
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Verna, parent
Parent Testimonials
What I really appreciated was that you diffused the apprehension about starting the essay opening with discussion that made my student realize that they did in fact have something to say.
You helped reveal the writer’s voice rather than let than let them obsess about what they need to write to get accepted.
I also loved the way you sometimes suggested that there might be a better way to convey a feeling or sentiment and you prompted them to offer other words to replace what might be a weak passage.
In the end, the writing was original, authentic, and well received. And being that both student and parent were on our last nerve, you preserved our relationship and let me just be Mom while you got to be my friend, the writing coach.
I’m eternally grateful.
Shelley, parent
What we’ll do together
From brainstorming to outlining, from choosing the right structure to multiple drafts that refine, I provide support, expertise, resources, and scheduled accountability.
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Clients will:
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Complete a series of brainstorming exercises designed to reveal
values, traits, and essential self. This prewriting makes choosing topics far easier and results in more engaging and compelling topics that stand out.
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Identify the story to tell that showcases best and highlights authenticity
and genius.​​
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Essay Coaching
1:1 ​
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I offer 1:1 consulting tailored to each student's needs in order to ensure that the Common App personal statement, list of activities, additional information, and all supplementals convey the unique attributes, skills, and insights a student offers a campus. We also can address resumes, scholarship, and continued interest or wait-list letters.​
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How It Works
Packages vary depending upon need and at what stage in the process a client is (what they have drafted or need developed).
Pacing is often determined by a combination of deadlines and student effort.
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I offer a range of services from one-off reviews of written work to my most comprehensive service, a developmental, strategic, and longer term partnership.
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The Blog
My Book Pick Of The Month
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
by Alix E. Harrow.
"A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through . . ."
If you need to escape, this is the book.
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In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.
Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger.
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family story
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memoir
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personal essay
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short story
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text book
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novel
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article
Start, and finish, that
Whether just starting out or
already published, I'll provide the
right conditions under which
you can not only write
but get writing done!
Who is the course for?
You have always wanted to write but haven't
You feel like you don't have the time but you do
You're ready for a new way because the old way wasn't working
Maybe you've started an outline
Had a few false starts
Started a draft but you didn't know how to structure it
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You don't know what to do so you stop
You ask yourself, what if someone reads it?
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These actions, inactions, and thoughts are normal.
The same fears, doubts, and challenges are faced by all writers.
Maybe the only difference between them and you is that they didn't go it alone.
They found help. Community.
Accountability. Feedback.
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Writer's Mind and Environment
Think less.
Write more. Work with your brain and surroundings instead of against them
Outlines, Frameworks, Plans
Produce a plan for your work which enables you to take your reader from
A to Z
Craft
Learn techniques and tools for titling, editing, revising, and making your prose polished
Publication Path
Be a writer who is read, whether by family, friends, in blogs, on websites, in books, or elsewhere.
What you get
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Weekly Live Sessions
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Video lessons
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Slideshow tutorials
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Course Workbook
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Tip Sheets​
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FB Community
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Online Support
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Positive Feedback
Self-paced
How This Works
As I develop this course, I will ask you for feedback on how to improve it.
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In exchange for the course, you agree to write a testimonial for me to use in future promotions or on my website. That's it.
Sneak Peek at What's in the Course
I’m a paragraph. Double click here or click Edit Text to add some text of your own or to change the font. This is the place for you to tell your site visitors a little bit about you and your services.
Register Today
"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life."
About Me
WRITING COACH, COLLEGE ESSAY COACH,
EDITOR, AUTHOR, WORKSHOP LEADER,
RETREAT HOST, SPEAKER
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I've lived in NY, CT and MA for the past thirty years,
always teaching. It's what I do. I love to help writers craft their work
into authentic pieces noted for clear voice and strong technique.
I am caring, kind, and pretty funny. My mother and friends say so.
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Most recently, I co-founded Yes, And...Creativity Coaching. Yes, And... offers an online workshop series aimed at fostering joy, play, and creativity while generating positive change in the world.
I just published my book Writing Happily: Restoring Joy to Your Writing Practice and am currently working on a memoir..
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The Big Bio
Kristie Schmidt has offered writing coaching, and specifically coaching on college essays and resumes, for nearly three decades. She teaches workshops and works one-on-one with writers of all kinds to help them achieve their goals. Primarily, Ms. Schmidt is known for preserving voice in her editing process and for strengthening craft and technique.
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Most recently, Kristie launched Yes, And. . . Creativity Coaching, a collaboration with her Smith College classmate Lisa Kramer, Ph.D. Yes, And . . . offers an online workshop series aimed at fostering personal joy, play, and creativity while creating positive change in the world
Formerly a public high school English teacher, she taught AP English Language and Composition and specializes in the crafting of nonfiction works. She also taught Creative Writing, Introduction to Media, World Literature, Sports Literature, and Detective Fiction for many years. She has delivered multiple presentations on literacy, writing, and course design as professional development to colleagues and conference attendees.
Kristie was a Fulbright Exchange teacher to England (Gosport) from 1996-97, participated in the National Writing Project, and is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard University.
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Kristie lives with her cats, Yoda and Lucy, is an accomplished flute player who spent a summer training at Tanglewood, and a gardener. Her interests include American Sign Language and travel, to date 18 countries, most recently to Portugal's the Azores prior to lockdown.
The Gateless Method
The Gateless methodology helps you write easily in a safe, criticism-free, judgment-free environment. It releases your creative genius in a deceptively simple but powerful way.
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Created by Fulbright scholar, novelist, and developmental editor Suzanne Kingsbury, this technique was originally developed to help writers push through creative blocks, but has been adapted beyond writing alone. Gateless is key to achieving the flow state in any discipline.
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I’ve used Gateless writing with students for years, and just finished my training as a Certified Gateless Instructor and Facilitator. I cannot wait for you to experience it!
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