Frequently Asked Questions:

The college process is a fantastic educational endeavor that is outwardly and inwardly directed. As students gather information to learn about campus cultures, academic and extracurricular offerings, student populations, and geographic settings, they simultaneously discover things about themselves: what they value, the kind of community they wish to join, what career they may aspire to have, the kind of person they wish to be, and how they want to improve the world. College counseling is decidedly not about helping students shape or mold themselves into whatever colleges are looking for. Though wanting to be wanted is natural and understandable, such an approach can become an unhealthy pursuit, as admission to any college cannot be guaranteed. Also, such institutional priorities are inherently unknowable. Therefore, my work with students has always been about helping them discover who they are and what they want, out of college and out of life. From this perspective, the college search becomes about helping students find the colleges that provide the environment and programming that will enable them to thrive and flourish.

The determining factor is the student's maturity. Most students will be ready to begin considering college midway through 10th grade. As explained in the Recommended Timeline, this is because the initiation of standardized test preparation has shifted to the spring of 10th grade from the fall of 11th grade.

Each student will respond to the fear and anxiety that the college process can elicit differently. Some will retreat and disengage, while others will dive in and want to meet frequently. And there are students who must watch their friends in the grade above go to prom and be celebrated at graduation before they are ready to commit to their college process. These reactions are completely natural and normal; none is a sign that something is wrong. However, what distinguishes applying to college from high school assignments is that students cannot ask for an extension; application deadlines are firm and inflexible. So, staying on top of things is paramount. Regardless of how a student responds to the pressures of the college process, they (and you, as their parent or guardian) will receive clear and timely communications that identify the focus at each stage of the process and what must be done by when. If you decide to hire me, the questionnaires you and your child will be asked to complete will help me learn about and understand your family, and, most critically, your child. When students see that I am interested in who they are and what they do, they become motivated to do the work asked of them. For this reason, I always make sure to ask about a game, play, concert or other activity that students participate in. Moreover, by establishing an atmosphere in which students feel comfortable making mistakes, a critical condition for learning, they will see that with dedicated effort, they can produce an application that tells their story to the colleges in the best way possible. I value advising and mentoring students and learning about who they are as individuals.

Applying to college is akin to taking another high school class. And just as each student and their family is different, so too will be the amount of assistance they require. Therefore, I offer inclusive packages and hour-long sessions, which can be bundled. Students needing full support may require up to 30 hours of meetings to complete their applications, and the packages are priced accordingly. I am confident that I offer solutions that will work with your family's budget.