Welcome to Authentic Applicant! My name is Katherine Schoppel, and I'm so happy you are here. As my company name suggests, I help students present their most authentic (and thus most attractive) selves to the colleges of their dreams.

Since 1999, I’ve taught literature and writing to juniors and seniors. The last 23 years have been spent at a Blue Ribbon school, the number one school in my state that is within the top 300 schools in the country. I teach all types of learners: some need more scaffolding in reading and writing, while others excel in my AP literature course.

For the last 15 years, I've run a center wherein I guide students through the college essay, supplements, and activities section of the Common App. Working with students in this capacity, and being privy to the success they experience and the pride they feel is deeply gratifying.  The college essay course I soon started quickly became very popular, with private sessions selling out within a couple of days. In response, I created Authentic Applicant, a more accessible digital course that helps students attain that elusive yet incredibly satisfying balance: holistic applications that impress today's admissions officers while also honoring, protecting, and revealing the student's sense of self.  Since then, I've worked with students from all around the country, and of differing backgrounds. However, one thing unites my various clients: they all feel best when they are empowered with the confidence and understanding needed to navigate (and, dare I say ENJOY) this process.