Question 1

Why use a college counselor?

Accepted Answer

College counselors are professional partners for those seeking additional expertise in all aspects of the college planning and application process and objectivity in reviewing their applicant.

I strive to be a partner, sounding board, second set of eyes, and discerning reviewer of the many application components, as well as the subtle and subjective decisions along the path of college and graduate school preparation.

Question 2

What sets you apart?

Accepted Answer

I pride myself on my two decades of experience, affordability, responsiveness, and happy clients. 
 
I am not interested in limiting my help to high-achieving, Ivy-bound clientele. I am also not guiding my students toward a 100% acceptance rate. College admissions is not a sport and there is no admissions scorecard. It is okay to reach, with the understanding that highly selective schools are also highly rejective schools. Balance is key and ensures a high degree of success.
 
I am 100% responsive by phone and text, days, nights and weekends– put simply, my working hours are my students’ working hours. 
 
There are many gifted professionals serving aspiring college students in various ways. I appreciate and learn from them, and willingly share my strengths in counselor forums and professional organizations. If I am not the best counselor for your student or family, I will happily recommend my college counseling friends and colleagues.

Question 3

What is the "Common App"?

Accepted Answer

Common App is the abbreviated name for the Common Application, the company that offers the online platform through which students may apply to up to 20 of the 1000+ member schools. The Common Application site offers a wealth of information about the application process, as well as help sections for every possible technical question or concern along the way.

Question 4

What does it mean to apply EARLY? (And is it right for me?)

Accepted Answer

Universities offer a variety of application timelines that vary by school, and sometimes change from year to year. It is very important to familiarize yourself with details, restrictions, and consequences as you weigh the potential pros and cons of each format for each school on your list. We will discuss the pros/cons in detail when we meet!

These are generalized descriptions - always refer to a university's admissions website for specific details for that school and year.

Early Action (EA)			
This is an opportunity to apply early in the admissions cycle (deadlines are usually mid-October-November) and to receive an early admissions decision (usually by mid-February). Accepted students have until May 1 to make a decision to enroll and are under no obligation to do so.

Early Decision I* (ED I)		
This is an opportunity to apply early in the admissons cycle (deadlines are usually mid-October-November) if you have clearly defined a first-choice school. You, your counselor, and a parent/guardian sign a binding application agreement that if you are accepted, you will attend that university and withdraw all other applications. If your application is deferred to another timeline for further review, the binding agreement is no longer in effect.

Early Decision II* (ED II)
This is an opportunity to apply in the middle of the admissions cycle (deadlines are December-January) if you have clearly defined a first-choice school since the ED I deadline passed. You, your counselor, and a parent/guardian sign a binding application agreement that if you are accepted, you will attend that university and withdraw all other applications. If your application is deferred to another timeline for further review, the binding agreement is no longer in effect.

This can be an attractive option for students whose first-choice school has emerged later in the search or for those who did not receive a favorable decision from their ED I application and always had a clear second-choice.

Restrictive Early Action* (REA)| Single-Choice Early Action* (SCEA)
This is an opportunity to apply early in the admissions cycle (deadlines are usually mid-October-November) if you have clearly defined a first-choice school and do not wish to apply early to another university. You will receive an earlier admissions decision (usually by mid-December). If offered admission, you have until May 1 to make a decision to enroll and are under no obligation to do so.

Rules and restrictions are specific and vary widely by school. Most often, restrictions prohibit a student from applying to certain other schools in an early action format, and prohibit applying in a binding early decision format anywhere.

Regular Decision  (RD)
This is an opportunity to apply in the middle of the admissions cycle (usually January 1) and receive an admissions decision in mid-late spring. It is important to note the effect any early decision and early action admissions cycles have on the regular decision applicant pool. If schools offer several early formats, they have already fulfilled a percentage of their enrollment target, making regular decision more competitive.

Regular decision can be attractive for students who discovered a school later in the college search or have reconsidered earlier preferences.

Rolling Admission
This is an opportunity to apply anytime during a long application window (usually August-May). Universities review applications as they receive them and send decisions on a rolling basis.

*Indicates an application format that is restrictive in some way(s).

Question 5

What does test-optional mean?

Accepted Answer

A test-optional university application is one that does not require, but will still consider, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of students’ applications.
 
A test-blind university application is one that does not see or consider standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) in their review of any students’ applications.
 
A test-required university application is one that requires standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) for an application to be considered complete and ready for admissions review. 
 
Whether test-optional or test-required, a strong standardized test score will typically serve to enhance a student’s holistic review. A weaker standardized test score could make a student less competitive for admission.

Question 6

What is a good GPA?

Accepted Answer

GPA means nothing without considering the context of a school’s grading scale and curriculum options. There are 0-100 scales, A-F scales, 4.0 point, 5.0 point, and 10 point scales, just to name a few. 
 
Students’ GPAs are considered in context. Sometimes, admissions offices recalculate a student’s GPA to standardize GPA review internally.

Question 7

How many AP classes/extracurriculars/service projects do colleges want applicants to have?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question is rooted in the fact that colleges do not “want” or require a prescribed list of specific classes or activities. 
 
Driven by the institutional priorities each university's leadership sets forth, “colleges” (via admissions officers who review applications)  seek communities of students who will thrive, be curious, and grow in alignment with their university’s mission, environment, and practices. 
 
Successful college applicants are informed consumers; they approach the college process realistically, seeking data and understanding over marketing and hearsay.

Question 8

When is best to enlist your help?

Accepted Answer

I am always happy to join a student’s journey wherever they are on their college planning path.
 
There are many benefits to learning and tackling college planning early, so students can avoid unintended consequences. I regularly meet with 9th and 10th grade families who are curious and interested in a longer term approach.
 
The realities of busy lives mean that many students are not ready to mentally engage in the details of college planning until junior or early senior year. 
 
The individualized attention I give each and every student allows us to create a timeline that feels more manageable and less overwhelming.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS... Answered!