How do you know your student is applying to the right schools?

Your student may have strong grades. You may have researched colleges, visited campuses and built a list that feels reasonable.

But is it the right list for your student?

A strong academic record does not automatically create a strong college strategy. The right list considers academic performance and rigor, intended major, career direction, activities, interests, campus preferences, financial parameters - and how your student actually fits the colleges under consideration.

Every school should earn its place on the list.

My College Consultant is designed for families who need expert strategy about where a student should apply, but do not need ongoing counseling, weekly meetings or application management. I evaluate the whole student and translate that information into a practical, individualized Custom College Strategy Report.

CUSTOM COLLEGE STRATEGY REPORT

Student Assessment & Admissions Positioning

A comprehensive review of academics, rigor, grade trajectory, activities, leadership, employment and family responsibilities, strengths, interests, intended majors, career interests, admissions competitiveness and distinguishing factors.

Customized College List

A strategically balanced portfolio of colleges selected for this student - typically 10 - 12 schools across Reach, Target and Likely categories.

School-by-School Strategy

For each recommended school: academic fit, major strategy, career fit, admissions positioning, application round, demonstrated interest and financial fit.

Application Positioning

Guidance on the themes, strengths and experiences the application should emphasize so the student's story is coherent across the application.

Strategic Recommendations

The strongest overall fits, best academic and career fits, financial-value opportunities, reaches worth the application, schools to reconsider, overlooked options, application-round strategy and the priorities I would focus on next.

How It Works

1. Purchase the Custom College Strategy Report.

2. Complete the comprehensive student and family intake.

3. I conduct the analysis and college research.

4. Receive your individualized strategy report within approximately 10 business days.

A Cautionary tale...

A family came to me after their student - who had a 4.3 weighted GPA - was denied admission to nearly every college on their list. They were understandably stunned. Their student was accomplished. The grades were excellent. And the family believed they had built a reasonable college list. But a strong academic record had given them confidence in a list that was not as strategically balanced as they thought. The problem wasn't the student.  The problem was the list. By the time the family understood that, the applications had already been submitted. That is why the Custom College Strategy Report begins with the student - not a generic ranking, acceptance-rate chart, or list of familiar college names.

Don't let a strong student apply to the wrong schools.

Before your student submits applications, make sure the list reflects the same level of thought and strategy that went into building the academic record.

Credentials

• Certificate in College Advising from Columbia University
• Duke University Alumni Interviewer for over a decade
• College Fair Coordinator, Montgomery County, MD Public Schools
• DC area native familiar with local public, independent and religious high schools
• Graduate of Maret School, Duke University and UNC School of Law
• Successful student admissions: Yale, MIT, Morehouse, Spelman, NYU, Northwestern, University of Richmond