FAQ
Professional Approach and Ethics
I stay up-to-date through ongoing professional engagement with the college admissions field, including higher education publications, NACAC resources, campus visits, college fairs, and professional conferences.
No. I do not accept compensation, incentives, or referral fees from colleges, test prep providers, or other partners. My recommendations are guided solely by what I believe is in the student’s best interest and align with NACAC’s Principles of Good Practice.
My role is to help students present strong and authentic applications that reflect who they are and what they’re prepared to do at the college level. Admission decisions, however, are made by colleges based on their own priorities, institutional needs, and applicant pools in a given year.
Because of the many variables involved, no independent counselor can guarantee admission or quantify an increase in odds. Many students who are academically admissible and would thrive at a school may still not receive an offer simply due to the level of competition or institutional priorities that are not always transparent to applicants and that vary from year to year.
Because of the many variables involved, no independent counselor can guarantee admission or quantify an increase in odds. Many students who are academically admissible and would thrive at a school may still not receive an offer simply due to the level of competition or institutional priorities that are not always transparent to applicants and that vary from year to year.
Services and Scope
- I offer individualized support across the college admissions process, including:
- Early planning and academic readiness consultation
- Application strategy and support
- College list development and review
- College essay guidance
- Transition to college support
- Transfer student support
I support students with college essays in a collaborative way, tailored to their individual needs. Drawing on my background as a former college literature instructor, I help students develop ideas, clarify their voice, and communicate effectively in writing.
Support may range from full guidance, including brainstorming, drafting, and revision, to focused editing and feedback. I place strong emphasis on storytelling, clarity, and coherence, and I help students consider how each piece of writing contributes to the overall impression created by the application. My role is to help students articulate their ideas clearly and authentically. I do not write essays for students.
Support may range from full guidance, including brainstorming, drafting, and revision, to focused editing and feedback. I place strong emphasis on storytelling, clarity, and coherence, and I help students consider how each piece of writing contributes to the overall impression created by the application. My role is to help students articulate their ideas clearly and authentically. I do not write essays for students.
How We Work Together
My work is tailored to each student. While I bring a clear framework to the admissions process, the level and focus of support vary based on the student’s academic profile, goals, and where they are in the process. Some students work with me throughout the entire application cycle, while others come in for targeted guidance or occasional check-ins.
I help students develop application strategies that are honest and aligned with their genuine academic interests and preparation. I do not advise students to misrepresent their goals, pursue majors they have no real interest in, or construct artificial profiles designed solely to appeal to a particular school.
My role is to help students present who they actually are, identify colleges where they are likely to thrive, and make strategic decisions that support both admission and long-term success. I look at the entire application, from coursework and activities to recommendations and writing, and work with students to make sure these elements come together to present a clear and coherent picture.
My role is to help students present who they actually are, identify colleges where they are likely to thrive, and make strategic decisions that support both admission and long-term success. I look at the entire application, from coursework and activities to recommendations and writing, and work with students to make sure these elements come together to present a clear and coherent picture.
AI tools can be useful for brainstorming, organization, and early exploration, but they cannot replace a student’s own thinking, voice, or writing. I help students understand where AI tools may be appropriate and where they are not, in line with college expectations and ethical guidelines.
Essays and application materials must ultimately reflect the student’s own ideas and work.
Essays and application materials must ultimately reflect the student’s own ideas and work.
A successful partnership depends on open communication and active participation from both students and parents. Students are expected to engage thoughtfully in the process, including researching colleges, attending meetings, completing applications, and writing their own essays.
Parents play an important supporting role by providing encouragement, helping with logistics and deadlines, and staying informed as appropriate. My goal is to work collaboratively with both students and parents while keeping the student at the center of the process.
Parents play an important supporting role by providing encouragement, helping with logistics and deadlines, and staying informed as appropriate. My goal is to work collaboratively with both students and parents while keeping the student at the center of the process.
I provide professional recommendations and candid feedback throughout the process, but final application decisions always remain with the student and family.
Meetings & Communication
Meeting frequency varies based on the student’s needs and stage of the process. Some families prefer a regular meeting time, which often helps with organization and steady progress. Others schedule meetings as needed at key decision points.
Meeting frequency typically increases as application deadlines approach. Most meetings take place on weekday afternoons and evenings. Weekend meetings are limited and typically reserved for one-off situations rather than ongoing scheduling.
Meeting frequency typically increases as application deadlines approach. Most meetings take place on weekday afternoons and evenings. Weekend meetings are limited and typically reserved for one-off situations rather than ongoing scheduling.
Email is the best way to reach me for questions between meetings. Some questions can be answered briefly, while others require review or research and may be better addressed during a scheduled meeting. If a question falls outside the scope of a brief response, I’ll let you know and suggest next steps.
Pricing & Billing
I offer a mix of fixed-fee services, application support packages, and hourly consulting, depending on the type and scope of support a family needs. Pricing details are shared directly after an initial conversation so we can determine the most appropriate level of support.
This depends on how services are structured. For families working within a package, research and communication between meetings are included. For hourly engagements, time spent on research or extended communication outside of scheduled meetings may be billed separately, depending on the scope of the request. I aim to be transparent and will let you know when a question or task requires additional time.