How I Can Help

I offer a highly-individualized approach to the college and school planning process, personally guiding students through their entire college admission journey. Working closely with each student, I help families reduce anxiety as they navigate the complexities of college admissions and find the "right fit" college - where students will thrive academically, socially, and affordably.

Student Aptitude
& Career Exploration

When it comes to making decisions about your future, choosing the right career path can be a daunting task. Unfortunately, many high schools lack the resources to support students in this area. It's critical to take the time to explore your interests and abilities before committing to higher education.

I use personality assessments and evaluative technologies to provide students with valuable insights into the career options that best suit their specific skill sets. The resulting data allows students to explore multiple career options, including information about typical workdays, educational requirements, job prospects, and expected salaries. Armed with this knowledge, students are better informed to make wise decisions about extracurricular activities, financial planning, high school externships, and college choices.

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Strategic Curriculum Planning

Developing a well-crafted curriculum plan is crucial for a student, regardless of whether they start high school classes in middle school or later. While the admissions evaluation mainly focuses on the student's transcript, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every student has a unique academic history and learning style. I will assess the student's school profile and available courses for their foundational learning, appropriate rigor, and success. We will consider AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, Honors, and Vocational opportunities to create a customized plan that aligns with the student's interests, career aspirations, and academic readiness.

Standardize Test Prep Strategy

"Scores Open Doors" - but Which test should you take? Which schools accept a superscore? What is test-optional/test-blind/test-preferred? How do I know if I should submit scores?

While many schools are now test-optional, understanding how and when to make that decision is a complex equation. Many schools still require scores, and in others, a score will make an application more competitive.

I'll help evaluate which test is best for your learning style, how to make a test prep plan, whether to prep for NMSQT, and when to begin formal admissions testing.

Extracurricular Planning

A student's free time is an indicator of what's important to the student. Colleges are building communities, and they'll want to know how you'll fit into theirs! We'll discuss extracurricular activities, volunteer and paid work, hobbies, and social balance.

But which activities are meaningful? Should you join all of those clubs? Is it better to be well-rounded, or "pointy"? In what ways are you choosing to demonstrate your interest in not only your career interests but the world around you? What does "leadership" look like? Should you do a "passion project" or participate in a research opportunity? What about summer programs?

We'll look at all of the unique, effective, balanced, and FUN ways you can explore the things you're interested in while in high school, with a keen focus on balance, because balance matters!

The GREAT College List

Creating a balanced college list means including best-fit schools with varying selectivity - a list where every school is one the student would be happy attending.

Using interviews, online preference assessments, proprietary software, and personal knowledge of each school, we'll look at three key elements:

Academic Fit & Educational Culture: It’s more than just GPA and SAT/ACT scores!
Social & Campus Culture: How do you find out what life on campus is like?
Financial Fit: We'll look at your personalized budget and determine the cost of each school (including merit scholarships) BEFORE you apply.

Financial Literacy for College

Before a student makes any large financial decision – or legally-binding agreement to borrow money – it’s important to learn how it all works. 2/3rds of all college students do NOT pay the price listed in the college’s published Cost of Attendance estimates.

How do I find grants, scholarships, and merit aid? How does Bright Futures or Florida Pre-Paid figure into everything? Should I take loans? If so, how do I know if I'm borrowing "too much"?

Knowledge is power. Keeping your student on solid ground is the first step in "adulting". Empowering students with Financial Literacy BEFORE they go to college is an important part of their financial success.

Application Process Management

30 years ago, the college application process was simpler: a double-sided, one-page application, a 350-word essay, a couple of teacher recommendations, a small application fee, and a stamp. Today, students complete either the Common App or the school's online application, write an average of 10 essays, send scores to some schools (and not to others), submit portfolios, websites, and other supporting documents, pay hundreds of dollars in application fees, open and complete secondary portals for every school, fill out FAFSA and CSS. All while trying to positively impact "demonstrated interest" for colleges that track prospective student engagement. It's A LOT.

I'll help you understand what to do, how to do it, and when to do it - for a successful, manageable approach to applying to colleges.

Essay Coaching

With a sharp turn toward holistic admissions, essays are more important than ever before. And while students have written plenty of essays for school, it's the rare student that is ready to write the reflective, narrative form required of most college essays.

Using College Essay Guy (CEG) and other curricula, we'll reflect on "what makes you - YOU" and find the natural way for a student to communicate their unique personality in writing.

Whether it's the personal statement, supplemental essays, honors college applications, or scholarship essays, I can help you share your unique voice - resulting in authentic applications that earn admission.

Resume & Leadership
Development

Your resume gives teachers and counselors a framework for their letters of recommendation, provides ready-made list of talking points for interviews, and is required for scholarships, internships, and employment opportunities. Does your resume tell your unique story and impact on your community?

Where do you find leadership opportunities beyond just holding titles in clubs? How do you leverage those opportunities into bigger responsibilities?

I’ll lead you through how to focus your leadership opportunities, experiences, and activities through the lens of your personal values and brand - helping you communicate what you've learned from those experiences and why you're a great fit student.

Interview Prep

Although very few schools conduct student interviews, it's critical that you understand how to best leverage these opportunities, Although sometimes these interviews are conducted by alumni, that doesn't mean you should treat them less seriously.

Interviews are an opportunity to communicate your values, interests, and personality, and also an opportunity to learn more about your targeted schools. What questions should you absolutely be asking of an alumni? Of an admissions rep? Of a department chair?

Being ready for an interview means lower anxiety, less stress, and a more valuable experience.

Offer Review &
Financial Appeals

Congrats! You're in!

The offer letters sent when you're admitted can be confusing, misleading, and difficult to interpret correctly. I can help you decode what each offer actually says.

But how do you know if you got the most competitive offer available from each school? What if your financial circumstances have changed and you need to appeal?

I'll help you make "dollars and sense" of negotiating the price you pay for college, can ensure you understand the offer and can assist with appeals when warranted.

Deferrals & Waitlist Guidance

The dreaded waitlist.

Or a deferral. Now what?

I can guide you on what steps to take (or not take) next. I can teach how to craft a compelling letter of continued interest, whether to request a change of admission term for a greater chance of admission, and whether the school will accept new test scores, additional recommendations, or supporting documents.

I can also help guide you on how to move forward while in the "waiting space" so as not to lose opportunities and schools that have already issued an invitation. Deferrals and waitlists can be emotionally difficult spaces, but together we can chart the right path out of the uncertain waters.