College Application Advising

A stellar college application is the foundation of admissions success. Strong essays don’t work without the basis of a detailed, well-strategized application. It’s crucial to give colleges the most well-rounded and complete view of you possible, so they understand that you will be a successful, engaged student who will contribute in the classroom and on campus. We’ll work together to use every part of the application to your advantage.

I’ll guide you through the Common Application and college-specific applications like the University of California or MIT. I’ll help you:

  • Highlight, define, and quantify your extracurricular activities.
  • Emphasize your academic rigor and grades.
  • Choose which awards and honors to feature.
  • Provide other information unique to your situation.
  • Figure out the shifting SAT/ACT policies, plan your test-taking timeline, and arrange test preparation resources or tutoring.
  • Strategize your personal recommendations.
  • Prepare for college interviews.

“Lisa possesses a remarkable gift for illuminating the vision that I struggled to articulate. She skillfully helped me to translate those ideas into words that were authentic and captured what I felt.”

–Porter, United States Air Force Academy

Lisa’s college counseling helped me immeasurably during my application process, and I was accepted into my first-choice school. She makes it much less stressful by creating a dialogue-based atmosphere. We began each session by chatting: what I liked about each college, what I thought my essays and application could look like, and what else was going on in my life. Through these conversations, we both got a sense of what I was looking for, and what kind of application and essays I needed to get there. From this starting point, Lisa used her expertise in writing to guide me through crafting a strong application and excellent essays. College applications are one of the most stressful things in life, but Lisa made them seem like a fun conversation topic! I would highly recommend Lisa’s services to anyone looking to create a great application and to feel confident about every aspect of the process, from choosing a list of schools to pressing that submit button!

—Sophie, Amherst College

FAQ

NO! I find that it is common for students to misunderstand this crucial section of their college applications—and it’s common for people to underestimate themselves. Activities can mean a wide range of things, from sports and community service to jobs and passion projects. What matters is that we highlight YOU on the application. Have you held a job while attending school? Taken on family responsibilities? Taught yourself a skill or an academic subject? Are you passionate about a hobby or an interest? Let’s talk about what you’ve accomplished, and then we’ll work together to feature what is unique about you.

That’s great! With limited room on the application, there is a definite strategy to the honors and activities sections. I’ll help you order, quantify, and explain your activities to best highlight your accomplishments and showcase your abilities. We’ll use every bit of room available on the application to give admissions the fullest, clearest picture of you possible!

I understand that everyone’s path is different. I work with students with all kinds of backgrounds, challenges, experiences, and goals. I tailor everything to the individual student, so we’ll collaborate to tell your story in the way that is best for you.

Test optional. Test required. Test blind. College testing requirements vary widely and shift frequently, but keeping track of that is my problem, so let’s take the stress out of testing for you. I’ll help you determine what you need to apply to your targeted college list and which tests you should take and when. We’ll build test preparation into your schedule and timeline, and I’ll point you toward study resources and tutoring help if needed. (If you need help with grammar and punctuation, I can teach you that myself!)

As a former investigative journalist, I’ve conducted a lot of interviews, and I’ve asked a lot of questions. I’ve also coached, taught, mentored, and hired young people throughout my career. So, preparing students for interviews—for graduate school, medical school, college, or even jobs—is a specialty of mine. We’ll determine what you want to highlight, create your “elevator pitch,” and prepare you for any curveballs that might come along. Preparation is key to feeling comfortable and conveying your best self. I’ll teach you some interview tips that will be beneficial to you now and throughout your academic and professional career.