MY APPROACH
A skilled college consultant can help you organize the process, keep a balanced perspective, turn the journey into a learning opportunity, and maximize your chances for a strong outcome.
Foster independence, initiative, insight, and impact
I believe the college search is a chance for students to discover who they are, how they learn best, which environments offer the optimal degree of challenge, which kinds of experiences they value, and what their goals and preferences are, both in and outside the classroom. We approach this adventure as partners. I am an adviser and mentor, providing my expertise and empowering my students to take initiative. Early on, we will discuss academic and extracurricular areas in which you are genuinely interested. We will explore possible ways for you to deepen your involvement and impact during high school. By focusing on areas that are meaningful –– rather than simply doing activities you may not care about in hopes that they will “get you into college” –– you can set yourself up well for the college process while also growing as a person. Students often become more independent and self-directed through this process — and that initiative not only shows in applications and interviews but also provides excellent preparation for college life.
Find best-fit colleges
Each student learns differently and has unique preferences, interests, and talents. I suggest colleges I think offer the best academic, social, and financial fit for each student and at which they would feel confident engaging fully. I will encourage you to look beyond the small list of schools you may know, and to approach this process with a sense of adventure, researching and comparing each college’s academic strengths, ​special programs, and unique opportunities for mentorship and other experiences you care most about. Finding the right fit can increase the likelihood that you will seek out rewarding experiences during college that will broaden your horizons and prepare you for life after college. As you visit colleges, explore different academic settings and social scenes, and learn about unique programs and opportunities, we will update your college list until it feels right and is strategically balanced. College is a big investment, and being an informed consumer may help you choose wisely.
Manage the process and minimize stress
Applying to college can seem overwhelming, and tension can overshadow this wonderful adventure. I will help you navigate the process in an organized, strategic way so you can plan ahead, meet deadlines, and position yourself well from the beginning. If you have a circumstance you are concerned about, I will advise and troubleshoot with you. I have found that parents and students, bombarded by myths and social media posts by well-meaning friends and family, can maintain a calm, balanced perspective when the process is organized and they have accurate information. In addition to being a skilled myth-buster, I use a variety of tools to help you manage your college process.
Communicate unique traits strategically and authentically
By starting to work with students as early as their sophomore or junior year of high school, I develop a strong sense over time of each student’s unique qualities, preferences, strengths, values, and goals. By the time students need to put their experiences into words in applications, I usually know them well enough to guide them in writing interesting, compelling essays that authentically convey their special traits and insights to admissions committees. We approach the application strategically so that all parts work together to tell a complete story. We brainstorm essay topics thoroughly, discuss possible editorial approaches for grabbing the reader’s attention, and students learn the art of editing and revising in order to communicate clearly and genuinely. As students write their own essays, it is rewarding to see their unique voices emerge.
When to begin
I typically start to work with students between fall of grade 10 and fall of grade 11. In order to provide personal attention, I limit the number of students I work with during each admissions cycle. If space permits, I sometimes take on additional students later in grade 11 as well as transfer applicants.
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Depending on my availability, I am happy to have an initial meeting or two on an hourly basis as early as grade 9 to answer questions about course selection, possible ways to deepen engagement in particular extracurricular or academic areas of interest, or to provide an overview of the college search and application process.
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