College Smart Advising

Services Provided

My goal, as an independent counselor, is to tailor my support to the individual students and parents. In order to ensure that each student receives the support they need, families can either choose a comprehensive package of services designed to meet all of their college planning needs or contract for hourly assistance focusing on just one aspect of college planning and applications.
In order to provide the best support to my students, I cap each graduating class at fifteen comprehensive students. I will take a small number of hourly students if I if I am able to do so without impacting the service I provide to my comprehensive clients. Packages range from $500 up to $5500.
I have limited availability for the Class of 2022.

Early High School Self-Exploration and Career Interests

During middle school and the first few years of high school, a student should focus on developing their interests (both academic and extra-curricular) without being overly concerned about positioning themselves for college admissions. At the same time, these years form the foundation for demonstrating the necessary leadership, intellectual curiosity, and academic skills needed to succeed.

I work with students and their families during their Freshman or Sophomore year to:
• Create a strategic four-year plan for high school courses, balancing rigor and allowing time to pursue extra-curricular opportunities
• Develop an initial schedule for testing, including the PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and Advanced Placement Exams
• Select summer programs, internships, or other experiences, to advance the student’s areas of interest
• Begin exploring student strengths and how they might lead to possible majors, careers, and campuses
• Perform an in-depth assessment of the student’s personal pursuits and academic abilities including the personality (MBTI) assessment “Do What You Are”
Please let me know if you would like to schedule a Getting to Know You meeting to learn more about the services I provide. I look forward to talking with you!

Comprehensive – Up to 15 college applications

Review student records, plan high school courses, develop summer plans, research colleges, prepare for college visits and college fairs, plan for the SAT/ACT exams, develop a balanced college list, determine early decision/early action strategies (if applicable), brainstorm essay topics, draft and revise essays, review applications and essays prior to submission, prepare for interviews, navigate financial aid applications, evaluate admissions offers, and make the final college choice.

Comprehensive Plus – More than 15 college applications/Specialized applications

For students who are completing more than 15 separate applications, applying to specialized programs (such as Service Academies, Film, Art School, Joint BA/MD, etc…) and time-intensive scholarships (such as NCAA and ROTC programs), this package is designed to take these unique students from start to finish in the high school planning and college application process.

College List and Essay Support

All essay packages include a review of your current college list to ensure you have a balanced (in terms of both cost and likelihood of admissions) college list.
• Personal Statement package: Brainstorm and 2 revisions for CA Personal Statement (650 words)
• UC PIQ package: Brainstorm and 2 revisions for 4 UC Personal Insight Questions (350 words ea)
• Three essay package: Common App Personal Statement plus two CA Supplemental Essays
• Five essay package: Common App Personal Statement plus 4 UC PIQs

Hourly Support

All hourly support packages include a review of the current college list to ensure students have a balanced college list (in terms of cost and likelihood of admissions). This can take up to 3-4 hours. You will be billed for direct time spent in meetings and time spent behind the scenes editing, conducting research, and preparing for meetings.
• Explore majors and careers, includes YOU Science Career Interest Survey (approx. 4 hours)
• Brainstorm and create a resume or Activity List (approx. 3 hours)
• Establish a strategy and timeline for college applications (approx. 2 hours)
• Review main application essays (hourly)
• Review Common Application, other application, scholarship, or financial aid submissions (hourly)
• Prep for college interviews and mock interview with alumni interviewer (approx. 2 hours)