1. What are the benefits do you think in getting a consultant to help with college applications? Are there any negatives?

The benefit of private college counseling is the attention and experience of the consultant. We work with a relatively small group of students each year. High school guidance counselors can recommend colleges and outline the process for families, but they're not going to take the time that we do to help students with their essays and interview skills. We are with the students every step: from forming a tailored college list to the moment they press send on the applications. Even after submitting applications, students and parents often come to us for advice.

We're available 24/7, and we mean that.  A few years ago, a family hired us on Christmas Eve. They were going away for Christmas break and they wanted their son's essays completed that same day.  So we spent Christmas Eve completing ten applications. He got into his first choice and was thrilled.  It's usually not that extreme, but that gives you an idea of our dedication and level of service.

If there's one negative, it's the "churn" of the college application process itself.  Students sometimes feel like they're "selling" or marketing themselves. But students feel a lot better when they realize the process is really about articulating their authentic selves, including any and all quirks. The essays are an incredible opportunity for students to be honest and original. 

2. Tell me about any personal success stories you might want to share…

We've had a lot of success stories. One of the things that drives us crazy is when school counselors dissuade a student from applying to a particular college. Ostensibly they’re doing this with the student’s best interests in mind, but the reality is that sometimes counselors are doing this in order to manage applications and acceptances at that particular high school. We’ve had clients who have been told by their counselors not to apply to certain schools. And yet we may see something in a student that we think fits a certain college, and so we tell them to go for it! We don’t allow students to “settle” according to other people's expectations. We aim high, and we really work for it.

It's worth noting that many of our SAT/ACT clients stay with us to work on their college applications. It's great because we've already established camaraderie, and we're always thinking about community service or club activities and essay ideas that would be perfect for them.

3. What is the range of colleges to which your students have been accepted?

Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Cal Berkeley, Penn, Dartmouth, Duke, NYU, Middlebury, Amherst, Boston College, Babson, Villanova, Fordham, Notre Dame, UNC Chapel Hill, Tulane, Loyola, University of Colorado, University of Florida, Wesleyan, Fairfield…and more. 

4. Absolutely anything else you want to add, this is the wild card question -- anything we forgot to ask?

One of the biggest misconceptions by students/parents is that students need to appear as superheroes who participate in every activity under the sun. The reality is that colleges are the 'Super Man' and 'Wonder Woman' who want to fill their classes with specific niches or “superpowers.” For example, colleges want their “engineering kid” who started a Legos Club to help get younger local students started in STEM; Colleges want the "organ donation club kid" who not only got new high school drivers to sign up as donors, but also helped start chapters of the club at other high schools; Colleges want the "entrepreneurial kid" whose idea for a product/service has a very cool charitable aspect to it.

Obviously, the earlier a student gets started with his or her “thing,” the better. This way the student can really make an impact, demonstrating consistency and leadership along the way. One of the great things about our consulting is that we get to know our students really well, and so we’re able to help identify and cultivate the “thing” that will help distinguish them not only in their activities but also for their personal statements. We really enjoy getting to know our students, including the passions, talents and quirks that make them unique and make for great essays and commentary throughout their applications.