increase your chance of admission to your top choice college
About Me
My Approach
My Approach
Kathleen Cantillon
- Oak Park Resident & Mom
- Professional writer and editor
- Over 20 years of experience in PR & marketing persuading folks to buy things & support issues
- I learned how to draw kids/teens out as a camp counselor and have been doing it ever since
- Teens won’t open up to their parents the same way
- I have a journalism degree fr
Kathleen Cantillon
- Oak Park Resident & Mom
- Professional writer and editor
- Over 20 years of experience in PR & marketing persuading folks to buy things & support issues
- I learned how to draw kids/teens out as a camp counselor and have been doing it ever since
- Teens won’t open up to their parents the same way
- I have a journalism degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism
- I have a Master’s degree from Harvard
- I know what elite schools are looking for in an essay
My Approach
My Approach
My Approach
1:1 Guidance Provided
- 1st meeting: Brainstorm - Help student identify what is authentic, unique and interesting about them and how it sets them apart
- 2nd meeting: After topic is chosen, create outline for essay and identify details, proof points & anecdotes to tell a story that resonates with Admissions.
- 3rd meeting: After student submits
1:1 Guidance Provided
- 1st meeting: Brainstorm - Help student identify what is authentic, unique and interesting about them and how it sets them apart
- 2nd meeting: After topic is chosen, create outline for essay and identify details, proof points & anecdotes to tell a story that resonates with Admissions.
- 3rd meeting: After student submits first draft, discuss what works and what needs improvement.
- 4th meeting: If needed, discuss second draft and what is needed to get to final.
- Final meeting: Review final draft and make final edits and suggestions
*Meetings can be in-person or online with at least 1 in-person session required
My Services
My Approach
My Services
Personal Essay for Common App, Supplemental Essays & Scholarships
- Brainstorming what is unique about you to set you apart from other applicants
- Picking a topic/prompt that best showcases your uniqueness and/or provides an opportunity to fill in any gaps in your application - Personal Essay
- Supplemental Essays - Discuss the overall value
Personal Essay for Common App, Supplemental Essays & Scholarships
- Brainstorming what is unique about you to set you apart from other applicants
- Picking a topic/prompt that best showcases your uniqueness and/or provides an opportunity to fill in any gaps in your application - Personal Essay
- Supplemental Essays - Discuss the overall values/philosophy of the school & help student identify
- how they align with the school’s values
- the impact they can make on the school environment and academics
- who they hope to become & how the school will help get you there
- Telling your story –What qualities to “show “ about yourself in your essay
- What to avoid –Appropriate tone/voice
- Organizing/formatting your story
- Communicating clearly and effectively
- Editing your story