Hi, I’m Sheri Anderson.
I’m the wife of a military veteran, a mother of three children, and a writing coach for students applying to undergraduate and graduate programs. I love adventures, beaches, deep snow, surprises, and, yes, of course, words. I’m a southern girl who’s lived many places, and I now call beautiful northern Colorado my home — it’s seriously wonderful.
I’m a freelance copywriter and former college writing instructor, and I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in teaching writing.
When my eldest daughter was applying to colleges, I realized how overwhelming the essay portion of the college application can be.
No matter how strong their writing skills, most students aren’t sure what to write for their college application essay. They’re confused about what to say. And they feel the pressure to write something thoughtful and unique, knowing this one essay will be read by every college acceptance board. Students are often left floundering, paralyzed by indecision.
This makes the college application process so much more stressful than it needs be - for both students and their parents.
I started coaching my daughter through the process, using the same methods I used in my classroom and student conferences to help young writers. My daughter’s essay started taking shape. Then her friends found out, and I coached them, and finally, I ended up coaching friends of friends as they applied to college, to grad school, and for scholarships.
It was magical. It was everything I loved about teaching college writing, without the endless grading and after-hour staff meetings. And my clients did exceptionally well as they launched into their next phase.
And my daughter? She ended up on a generous scholarship at a university that’s perfect for her.
That’s how Furthermore College Essay Coaching began. I’m grateful to get to spend my days doing what I love most, and I’m so glad you’ve found me. Read on to see how Furthermore can help you write an essay for your next chapter.
So what does a
writing coach do?
Working with a writing coach is probably unlike any other writing experience you’ve had. I’m less like a teacher and more like a guide.
My job is to come alongside you at every step of the writing process. As you plan, as you write, and as you edit, I’m here to offer guidance.
Why does that makes a difference? Because when it comes to your college application essay, EVERYTHING matters.
You need more than a last-minute proofreader to double-check your comma usage. What you say & how you say it can make all the difference in your application’s likelihood of acceptance.
But you probably already knew that. That’s what makes writing it so overwhelming... and what brought you here, I’d guess.
Since every element of your college application essay is crucial, I come alongside you through EVERY step of the essay-writing process.
In a series of one-on-one zoom meetings (or in person meetings, if you’re local), I coach you through each step of the writing process.
I’ll explain what does (and doesn’t) work to get the attention of colleges.
Then, I’ll help you figure out what it is about you that makes you shine.
We’ll come up with a plan for what you want your essay to say.
I’ll give you feedback as you write.
Finally, we’ll revise your essay until it shines.
You’ll come away with a college application essay that is compelling, interesting, and totally you. And you’ll leave feeling empowered as a writer, with a better understanding of how to write future essays.
If it sounds pretty darn
do-able, it’s because it is.
I mean, it’s still work, and it’s still writing. But I’ll break the essay-writing process into small, manageable steps for you, and I’ll cheer for you like crazy all the way.
Our zoom sessions will never feel like English class, I promise. Our time together will be focused but fun.
And if you put in the work, you’ll walk away with a strong, beautiful essay that tells your story well.
I work with students locally and across the United States, thanks to the ease of face-to-face online meetings. My coaching sessions fill up quickly. Message me today, and we’ll get started.
I’d love to help you write an essay that takes you further, and does more in the world, than you ever dreamed.
VALUES
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People matter.
It’s important to me that you feel seen and heard in our meetings. This is your story to tell. I want to listen well and help you tell your story in the best way possible.
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Kindness matters.
You’ll never come away from our sessions feeling lousy about your writing abilities. I promise. I want you to leave each session feeling seen and empowered. I expect you to treat me with the same respect. This makes our meetings 125% more fun, I guarantee.
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Honesty is our favorite.
I’m your coach, but I’m not the author here. I’ll be with you every step of the way, I’ll offer tips and tricks, I’ll brainstorm with you, and I’ll help you edit the heck out of your essay, but I never write your essay for you. As for you, I want your writing to be 100% you. I promise that being authentically you is far more convincing than pretending to be someone else on paper.
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Work Hard.
I promise to teach you everything I know about writing a compelling essay, and to give you my full attention during our coaching sessions. In exchange, you’ll put in the work, too. That looks like doing the work on time and arriving at each of your coaching sessions on time.
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Own it all.
Own your wins, and also own your failures. Essay writing is an exercise in radical honesty, and this is part of that. If you’re stuck, terrified, or running behind, tell me. I can only help you figure out how to get moving if I know that you’re stuck!
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Having fun is fun.
This isn’t a classroom, and it definitely isn’t a board meeting. You’ll dread this if you’re nervous that there’s a right or wrong thing to say or write (and it won’t be so fun for me, either). We’ll work hard, but I like to keep things lighthearted most of the time. Writing is easier if you’re having fun.
Why we’re called “Further.more.”
In writing, the word “furthermore” is an “and also” statement. It signals to your reader that you’ve been saying something important, but now you have something new, of equal importance, to share.
Whether you’re applying to college as a high school student, or applying to graduate school as an adult, your application’s essay is your “furthermore.”
You’ve already done some amazing things, yet there are far more ahead of you. How you word this “furthermore” statement helps determine where you’ll go and what you’ll do. I want to help you go farther, and do more in the world, than you ever dreamed possible.
See? Go farther, and do more.
further+more. That’s my dream for you.
Together, let’s craft a “furthermore” that represents your journey — where you’ve been, and what’s yet to come —
-Sheri
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, English, with a Writing Minor, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida
Master of Arts, English Rhetoric and Composition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado