Personalized College Counseling, Grounded in Real Admissions Experience

 

Choosing the right college, and getting in, is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes. It is also one of the most confusing. The admissions landscape has shifted dramatically in the last decade. Test-optional policies, holistic review, shifting financial aid formulas, new application platforms, and an ever-growing list of "what really matters" advice that often contradicts itself can leave families overwhelmed before the process even begins.You deserve a guide who has actually sat on the other side of the desk.

 

Nearly 20 years of working with students shape every conversation I have with families today. As a former admission officer, I read thousands of applications at institutions including the University of Cincinnati, the University of South Carolina, and UC Berkeley. I know what readers look for, how decisions actually get made, and where strong applications can be overlooked. I have seen what works from inside the room. I know how to translate admissions strategy into practical, week by week steps that families can actually follow.

 

As a Certified Educational Planner (CEP), I hold one of the most rigorous credentials in independent college counseling. The designation is earned through years of experience, peer review, and demonstrated expertise. I also hold a Ph.D. in leadership and served on the executive board of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling. This combination of admissions experience, secondary school counseling experience, and ongoing professional engagement informs every plan I build for a student.

 

How I Help Students

College counseling is not one size fits all. Some families want a partner from freshman year through senior decisions. Others want targeted help on a single piece of the puzzle. I work with both. My work with students includes:

 

• Self-discovery and direction. Interest, personality, and career inventories that help students understand who they are before deciding where they are going.

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• College list development. Building a balanced list of academic, financial, and personal fit schools, anchored in real data about admissions and outcomes.

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• Application strategy. Timelines, deadlines, early decision and early action calculus, application platforms, and the order of operations that prevents senior year chaos.

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• Essay coaching. Brainstorming, drafting, and revising the personal statement and supplemental essays so students sound like themselves, only sharper.

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• Activities and resume development. Helping students articulate what they have actually done in ways that resonate with admissions readers.

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• Testing strategy. When and whether to test, how to interpret scores, and how to position results for the schools on a student's list.

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• Financial aid and scholarships. Understanding FAFSA, CSS Profile, net price calculators, merit aid strategy, and how to compare offers.

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• Interview preparation. Coaching for alumni interviews, scholarship interviews, and college fairs.

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• Decision support. Comparing offers, weighing financial aid packages, and making a confident final choice.