FAQs
Do we need to hire a college consultant? We have a great school counselor.
1
The high schools in the Bay Area have some of the BEST college counselors. Yet on average, high school students spend 38 minutes of one-on-one time with their counselors on the college admissions process (EdTechDigest). For my Comprehensive Package, I spend approximately 40 hours on each student; about half of that time is face-to-face with the student and the other half is behind-the-scenes. I get to know each student on a personal level, and am able to tailor the admissions process to maximize the opportunities for each individual I work with. Additionally, students who work with an independent college consultant are approximately 3 times more likely to attend a college out of state than students without a consultant (IECA). That is the result of a number of factors, but whether a student is looking for an out-of-state option or something closer to home, I have the time and resources to present a wide variety of schools for each student, exposing them to options they may not have considered.
Do you specialize in any particular type of student?
2
I work with students of all different academic backgrounds, from those who have their sights set on highly selective schools to those who need a school with robust services for students with learning differences. No two students are alike, so I take the time to learn the needs of each particular student. I welcome students of all backgrounds and bring particular care and experience supporting LGBTQ+ students. I often work with athletes and artists, but if your student is looking to be recruited for athletics or apply to schools that require a visual or performing arts portfolio, I am happy to recommend a consultant from my professional network.
When is a good time to start working with a consultant?
3
Each of my packages give an ideal start time, depending on the needs of each student (see Services). If a student is looking for comprehensive support, I recommend starting near the end of sophomore year. At that point, students have some grades under their belt, an idea of what they might be interested in, and the beginnings of an extra-curricular record, all areas we can build upon, yet we still have ample time to proactively shape a college list. However, I understand some families may not need that level of support, so I also offer the College List + Essay Support and Complete Essay Guidance packages for students who are ready to start near the end of their junior year or the summer of senior year.
Do you meet with students in person or virtually?
4
Part of the reason I love doing this work is that I love working with high school students. For students in the East Bay, I prefer to meet in person to really get to know them and build a connection. But I understand many families have geographic or time constraints. So I also am available virtually or a hybrid of in-person and Zoom.