Writing the Common Application and supplement essays is often a source of tension and anxiety for both parents and students. This presentation will provide you with the tools to calmly and confidently write distinctive and compelling college essays.

Choosing a Common App essay topic need not be stressful – it can actually be a thoughtful and enjoyable process! We will apply brainstorming strategies I have used over the past decade to prompt personal reflections and insights, ultimately leading to an authentic and moving essay. We will also examine various writing strategies to ensure your essay is captivating and engaging.

With so much focus on the Common App essay, the supplements are often given short shrift; however, these essays give you the opportunity to tailor your pitch to each college. Researching the school’s academic strengths, extracurricular activities, specific professors in subject areas of interest, overseas opportunities, etc. and then connecting that information to your own areas of interest and experience is critical to demonstrating a “good fit”.

Students can expect to leave this example-filled session empowered with the enthusiasm and tools to write outstanding college essays.

There will be time for questions and answers throughout and after the presentation. Audience participation is welcomed and encouraged! Face masks are required of all participants. 

Presenter, Renate Gundermann grew up in Carlisle and attended Concord Academy and Concord-Carlisle High School. She graduated cum laude in English from Harvard and had a finance career in Boston before returning to her love of English. She then completed her master’s degree and taught English for a decade at Hanover High School in New Hampshire. A writing specialist, she led the English Department in restructuring the senior writing class to include in-depth guidance on writing the Common Application essay and college-specific supplements. While at HHS, she counseled hundreds of students and helped them make their college essays powerful and captivating.

In order to work solely on a one-on-one basis with college applicants, Renate founded Barrett’s Mill Consulting upon her return to Concord, MA. Renate can be reached at barrettsmillconsulting@gmail.com or through her website, Barrettsmillconsulting.com.