Frequently Asked Questions
Navigating college admissions can be complex and overwhelming. A college counselor provides personalized, expert guidance tailored to your student’s unique strengths, interests, and goals. Unlike generic resources, I offer strategic insight, accountability, and emotional support—helping students craft authentic applications, uncover the right-fit schools, and approach the process with confidence.
It’s never too early to start exploring interests and strengths, but most students begin the college admissions process in earnest during 10th or 11th grade. That’s when course selection, extracurricular involvement, and testing timelines start to matter more.
While each college is different, most consider a mix of academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and sometimes demonstrated interest. Ultimately, schools are looking for students who are a strong fit for their academic and campus community.
Very. But colleges care less about how many activities you’re in and more about what you’ve done with them. Depth, leadership, and a sense of impact matter more than a long list of clubs. Colleges want to see how students spend their time outside the classroom and what excites them.
Strong essays are personal, reflective, and authentic. Admissions officers want to hear your voice and understand how you think. A compelling story that reveals character or growth is more powerful than a list of accomplishments.
“Fit” includes academic, social, geographic, and financial factors. Students should consider things like campus size, available majors, student vibe, support services, cost, and location. A good fit is where a student can thrive—not just get in.
Most students apply to between 8–12 schools, including a mix of reach, match, and likely options. The right number depends on the student’s goals, needs, and how selective the schools are. Balance is key.
It depends on the number and type of colleges a student applies to—but many students write 8 to 15 essays, sometimes more. In addition to the main personal statement (for the Common App or Coalition App), most colleges have their own supplemental essays asking questions like “Why this college?” or “Describe a community you belong to.” Some highly selective schools may ask for 4–6 additional prompts each.
Planning ahead and reusing or tweaking well-crafted responses (when appropriate) can make the process much more manageable.
Some colleges track how engaged a student is—things like visiting campus, attending info sessions, or opening emails. This is called demonstrated interest, and at certain schools, it can subtly influence admissions decisions.
Early Decision (ED) is binding—you agree to attend if admitted.
Early Action (EA) is non-binding—you apply early but don’t have to commit.
Regular Decision (RD) follows the traditional timeline and offers the most flexibility.
Some schools also offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which limits where else you can apply early.
Many colleges are test-optional, meaning students aren’t required to submit scores—but strong test results can still strengthen an application. The decision to submit scores should depend on a student’s testing history and the admissions policies of their target schools.
While school counselors do valuable work, they often have limited time for in-depth, personalized guidance. I provide one-on-one support every step of the way—from building a thoughtful college list to developing a strong application strategy and writing standout essays.
Families appreciate having an expert to keep students organized and motivated, while reducing stress and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Hiring a college consultant can also lead to better admissions and scholarship outcomes, and help avoid costly mistakes like choosing the wrong-fit school.
I bring nearly 15 years of experience both leading college counseling programs in high schools and reading applications for a selective university. This dual perspective allows me to offer students nuanced strategies that balance authenticity with competitive edge. I’m not just an advisor—I’m a mentor, advocate, and ally through every step.
I work with a wide range of students—from high achievers aiming for highly selective schools to students who need more support identifying good-fit options. I’ve also worked extensively with first-generation college applicants and students whose families are new to the U.S. admissions process.
Every student is unique, with different passions, strengths, and aspirations. I begin by getting to know each student deeply—academically, personally, and socially—to develop a personalized college admissions strategy. This plan highlights their strengths, aligns with their goals, and accounts for their individual circumstances. My tailored approach ensures that no student gets one-size-fits-all advice but rather strategic support that fits their distinct journey.
Most families start working with me sometime between 9th and 11th grade, depending on their goals. That said, I regularly help rising seniors through the full application process on a condensed timeline. It’s never too early—or too late—to reach out.
I offer a range of packages to meet different needs and timelines. Some families want comprehensive support starting in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, while others come to me in senior year for help with college list development, application strategy, or essay writing.
My packages are designed to be flexible, including:
Hourly support for families who want targeted guidance
A 20-hour or 30-hour package for students who need help with specific aspects of the process
An unlimited package for those who want full support from start to finish
During your consultation, we’ll talk through your goals and I’ll recommend a package that fits your student’s needs.
Meeting frequency depends on the student’s timeline and needs. I typically meet with my sophomores and juniors once a month and meet with my seniors biweekly. I am always available for timely questions and guidance between sessions.
Start by scheduling a consultation. We’ll talk about your student’s needs, goals, and timeline. After that, I’ll recommend a package and we’ll move forward if it feels like a good fit on both sides.
It’s never too early to start exploring interests and strengths, but most students begin the college admissions process in earnest during 10th or 11th grade. That’s when course selection, extracurricular involvement, and testing timelines start to matter more.
While each college is different, most consider a mix of academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and sometimes demonstrated interest. Ultimately, schools are looking for students who are a strong fit for their academic and campus community.
Very. But colleges care less about how many activities you’re in and more about what you’ve done with them. Depth, leadership, and a sense of impact matter more than a long list of clubs. Colleges want to see how students spend their time outside the classroom and what excites them.
Strong essays are personal, reflective, and authentic. Admissions officers want to hear your voice and understand how you think. A compelling story that reveals character or growth is more powerful than a list of accomplishments.
“Fit” includes academic, social, geographic, and financial factors. Students should consider things like campus size, available majors, student vibe, support services, cost, and location. A good fit is where a student can thrive—not just get in.
Most students apply to between 8–12 schools, including a mix of reach, match, and likely options. The right number depends on the student’s goals, needs, and how selective the schools are. Balance is key.
It depends on the number and type of colleges a student applies to—but many students write 8 to 15 essays, sometimes more. In addition to the main personal statement (for the Common App or Coalition App), most colleges have their own supplemental essays asking questions like “Why this college?” or “Describe a community you belong to.” Some highly selective schools may ask for 4–6 additional prompts each.
Planning ahead and reusing or tweaking well-crafted responses (when appropriate) can make the process much more manageable.
Some colleges track how engaged a student is—things like visiting campus, attending info sessions, or opening emails. This is called demonstrated interest, and at certain schools, it can subtly influence admissions decisions.
Early Decision (ED) is binding—you agree to attend if admitted.
Early Action (EA) is non-binding—you apply early but don’t have to commit.
Regular Decision (RD) follows the traditional timeline and offers the most flexibility.
Some schools also offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which limits where else you can apply early.
Many colleges are test-optional, meaning students aren’t required to submit scores—but strong test results can still strengthen an application. The decision to submit scores should depend on a student’s testing history and the admissions policies of their target schools.
While school counselors do valuable work, they often have limited time for in-depth, personalized guidance. I provide one-on-one support every step of the way—from building a thoughtful college list to developing a strong application strategy and writing standout essays.
Families appreciate having an expert to keep students organized and motivated, while reducing stress and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Hiring a college consultant can also lead to better admissions and scholarship outcomes, and help avoid costly mistakes like choosing the wrong-fit school.
I bring nearly 15 years of experience both leading college counseling programs in high schools and reading applications for a selective university. This dual perspective allows me to offer students nuanced strategies that balance authenticity with competitive edge. I’m not just an advisor—I’m a mentor, advocate, and ally through every step.
I work with a wide range of students—from high achievers aiming for highly selective schools to students who need more support identifying good-fit options. I’ve also worked extensively with first-generation college applicants and students whose families are new to the U.S. admissions process.
Every student is unique, with different passions, strengths, and aspirations. I begin by getting to know each student deeply—academically, personally, and socially—to develop a personalized college admissions strategy. This plan highlights their strengths, aligns with their goals, and accounts for their individual circumstances. My tailored approach ensures that no student gets one-size-fits-all advice but rather strategic support that fits their distinct journey.
Most families start working with me sometime between 9th and 11th grade, depending on their goals. That said, I regularly help rising seniors through the full application process on a condensed timeline. It’s never too early—or too late—to reach out.
I offer a range of packages to meet different needs and timelines. Some families want comprehensive support starting in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, while others come to me in senior year for help with college list development, application strategy, or essay writing.
My packages are designed to be flexible, including:
Hourly support for families who want targeted guidance
A 20-hour or 30-hour package for students who need help with specific aspects of the process
An unlimited package for those who want full support from start to finish
During your consultation, we’ll talk through your goals and I’ll recommend a package that fits your student’s needs.
Meeting frequency depends on the student’s timeline and needs. I typically meet with my sophomores and juniors once a month and meet with my seniors biweekly. I am always available for timely questions and guidance between sessions.
Start by scheduling a consultation. We’ll talk about your student’s needs, goals, and timeline. After that, I’ll recommend a package and we’ll move forward if it feels like a good fit on both sides.
