Frequently Asked Questions

What are your general beliefs about the college process?

I believe that:

1. The college process does not need to be a stressful event- early planning and systematic task completion is the key.
2. Students are happiest at a college where they are challenged and can experience academic success, college that feel like “home” (a comfortable environment with peers that can become friends), and a college where they are valued and promoted.
3. There are “good” colleges for every student- from the straight “A” student to the student who consistently earns straight C’s.  Of course, the list of these schools is different.
4. Choosing the right colleges to apply to is surest way to receive financial help for college since ninety percent of the financial help for college comes directly from colleges (either as need aid or merit scholarships).  
5. Every student will get into college.  I have never worked with a student that has not had multiple schools to choose from once they have received their acceptances.

How do your services differ from those of the school guidance counselor?

When I was a school guidance counselor, I explained the "Going to College" process to students in classroom size groups and told students what to do (after all, I had a caseload of 375 students and college was only one of my many duties). 

Now, as a College Consultant, I meet with students and their families in the convenience of their homes and I show them how to complete the college tasks.  I limit my caseload to 30 students per year and I have no other professional duties except college counseling.

What types of services do you offer?

Click on the Services page of this website for services and packages that I offer

What is your experience with colleges?

I have worked for nearly 30 years helping students make their college dreams become a reality.  This was first done in public education as a guidance counselor and then as a college consultant.   My last 7 years in public education was pent as the International Baccalaureate (IB) counselor at Palmer High School where 100% of my students attended college.  

How do you stay current on colleges?

I have visited over 100 college campuses and continue to visit many each year.  I attend college fairs and regularly communicate with college admissions officers.

I am consistently researching colleges, keeping up with admission trends in higher education, reviewing relevant college materials, and keeping active in the field of college counseling.

I belong to the following professional organizations; Colorado Council on High School/College Relations (CCHS/CR), and Rocky Mountain Association of College Admissions Counselor (RMAAC).

I stay in touch with my former students and clients who are attending college for their feedback and advice. 

Do you assure admission to colleges that you recommend?

No. I am a consultant that gives information and advises. I have no influence on college admissions decisions nor can I ethically lobby for your admission. My goal is to find a good college match for my clients and assist them in maximizing their chances of acceptance.

Do you find scholarships for students?

No, I do not specifically find scholarships for students. The truth is that most scholarship and financial aid comes directly from the colleges that accept you as a student. Providing you with a list of colleges that both matches your desires in a college and one where you can be academically successful, can often lead to academic scholarships. I would refer you to www.FastWeb.com or www.salliemae.com for a free list of national type scholarships (over 700,000 on file) and your high school’s guidance office for a list of local scholarships.

What type of student benefits from working with you?

Any student can benefit from our interaction; from the student with straight A grades and 2200 SAT’s to the student with all C grades and average test scores. The student who is excited about college prospects, open to new college ideas, willing to research college choices, and able to accept responsibility in the “Going-to-College” process will benefit most from our interaction.

Students with “special situations,”ie. international students, student athletes, students with special talents, etc., are especially needing my services.  Many times their circumstances require very specific college advising.

Do you provide test preparation, tutoring, or academic coaching?

I do not provide direct test coaching, tutoring, or academic remediation. I am familiar with companies and individuals who provide these services and will gladly refer you to them.

Do you replace the high school counselor in the college process?

I encourage all my students to work closely with their high school guidance counselor, as well as involving their parents in the “Going-to-College” process. My services are intended to compliment the high school guidance counselor, as well as, offer full time energy and knowledge to this important decision process.  Counselors today are thinly stretched with staffings, testing, enormous caseloads, scheduling, etc. College identification/application is simply one of their many duties. My purpose is to solely concentrate on your college needs. I limit my clientele each year and only provide college counseling services.

What factors are most important when choosing a college?

The answer to this question differs from individual to individual. One student may choose college based on a major, while another might choose based on location or sports. My approach is to help my clients to identify the factors unique to them and then match them up with a various colleges that meet their needs. Experience with colleges is essential to make this occur.

Do you write letters of recommendation?

I do not write recommendations. Because my clients pay directly for services, writing of the college recommendation is ethically unwise. I help students to develop a “Recommendation Request Packet” which provides information and background for their recommendation writers- typically the school counselor and teachers.

Do you help students “get into” college?

No one, except the student, can get themselves into a particular college and no one can guarantee college acceptance. I assist students in identifying their desires in a college and then provide then with a list of colleges that might meet their needs. I can assist and guide students through the entire “Going to College” process.

When do your clients typically start using your services?

I prefer to begin working with students in their junior year so that I can set a plan to complete all of the pre-application tasks; testing, college visits, college fairs, etc.  I will accept students into the the fall of their senior year until I reach my yearly limit of clients.  I prefer to start working with students in their junior year so that I can set a plan to complete all of the pre-application tasks; testing, college visits, college fairs, etc.  I will accept students into the fall of their senior year until I meet my yearly limit.

How do I get started with you?

Simply call or email me. If you desire to work with me on an hourly basis, we simply set a meeting time and place. If you are looking at a package deal, I will meet with you for a free initial one-half hour session where I will assess your college needs, explain what I do, and discuss the package plans that I offer.