How will you help to keep my student on track?
I meet personally and one-on-one with each of my clients through hourly meeting to assign weekly tasks, discuss previous tasks completed, and address any questions or concerns as they arise.
How many times do you meet with each student?
Meeting frequency varies by grade level and by student. I do not limit meetings and will meet with a student (or parents) as many times as needed while under contract. However, on average, I meet with Freshmen and Sophomores at least once per month, Juniors at least twice per month, and Seniors weekly or biweekly (depending on their schedules).
Will my student be meeting with multiple people through your company?
Since I am the professional with all of the expertise, your student and family will be working exclusively with me throughout the duration of the contract. I don't pass my students to other professionals for different parts of the process, which allows for a more streamlined and personal feel to services. My clients have direct access to my cell phone and all services are delivered by me personally. I only accept 10 clients per cohort year in order to remain accessible to each of my clients.
Will you assist my student with the college essay(s)?
Yes! Essays are a very critical component of the college admissions process. I assist my clients with brainstorming topics and reviewing essays to encourage them to write as many drafts as needed in order to submit their best work to each college. I do not write essays on behalf of the student, nor do I insert my voice into the essay. Each essay should be a reflection of the strengths, talents, and interests of the individual students that I work with. This approach is not only the most ethical, but also will produce the highest chance of success for each student, as it aligns with the expectations of colleges and universities.
What qualifications do you have to be a college counselor?
My resume can be found on my LinkedIn page, but I have a diverse range of experience, including working directly with students on college admissions inside a high school for 19 years, and working for a private university's admissions office (the University of San Francisco) for 2 years evaluating incoming freshman applications across the country. I also volunteer my time working for the national organization, ScholarMatch, both advising students from underrepresented populations and serving as a mentor and coach to other college counselors. I am one of 6 Austin counselors who is a Certified Educational Planner, a certification that requires high levels of experience and knowledge. I also pursue leadership in my profession by serving on national committees and boards that I was elected to join, such as the Colleges That Change Lives Board of Directors, the NACAC Ad Hoc Committee on Mental Health and Equity in the Transition to Postsecondary Education, the Kalamazoo Counselor Advisory Board, and the IECA LatinX Affinity Group Chair. I have received awards specific to the quality of the counseling and achievements of my students (as opposed to receiving awards based on business outcomes) from national entities such as the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, the Colleges That Change Lives organization, Texas A&M University, the City of Austin, and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. I am a college consultant who has an extensive background in education and a student-centered approach. This is not just a business to me, it is a calling.
What services are not included in your contract?
Although I will assist students with any college-related task, there are certain items I will not assist with.
Do you offer in-person services?
I am not exaggerating in stating that since the start of the pandemic, my students and families have contracted COVID and have had COVID exposures fairly regularly. Although my students may have to cancel when they are ill, delivering services virtually allows me to stay accessible and available to deliver the highest quality services possible to my clientele. Students have become more accustomed to a virtual world, and even when class instruction is preferred in-person, I have found that students love being able to log in to college counseling meetings from the comfort of their own home. During the school year, I meet with clients in the evenings (my last appointment is at 8pm) and on weekends. Especially for students with hectic schedules (which describes most of my clients), Zoom allows them to more conveniently fit me into their calendars on a regular basis. In order to best serve my clients, all of my services are delivered on a virtual basis.
I meet personally and one-on-one with each of my clients through hourly meeting to assign weekly tasks, discuss previous tasks completed, and address any questions or concerns as they arise.
How many times do you meet with each student?
Meeting frequency varies by grade level and by student. I do not limit meetings and will meet with a student (or parents) as many times as needed while under contract. However, on average, I meet with Freshmen and Sophomores at least once per month, Juniors at least twice per month, and Seniors weekly or biweekly (depending on their schedules).
Will my student be meeting with multiple people through your company?
Since I am the professional with all of the expertise, your student and family will be working exclusively with me throughout the duration of the contract. I don't pass my students to other professionals for different parts of the process, which allows for a more streamlined and personal feel to services. My clients have direct access to my cell phone and all services are delivered by me personally. I only accept 10 clients per cohort year in order to remain accessible to each of my clients.
Will you assist my student with the college essay(s)?
Yes! Essays are a very critical component of the college admissions process. I assist my clients with brainstorming topics and reviewing essays to encourage them to write as many drafts as needed in order to submit their best work to each college. I do not write essays on behalf of the student, nor do I insert my voice into the essay. Each essay should be a reflection of the strengths, talents, and interests of the individual students that I work with. This approach is not only the most ethical, but also will produce the highest chance of success for each student, as it aligns with the expectations of colleges and universities.
What qualifications do you have to be a college counselor?
My resume can be found on my LinkedIn page, but I have a diverse range of experience, including working directly with students on college admissions inside a high school for 19 years, and working for a private university's admissions office (the University of San Francisco) for 2 years evaluating incoming freshman applications across the country. I also volunteer my time working for the national organization, ScholarMatch, both advising students from underrepresented populations and serving as a mentor and coach to other college counselors. I am one of 6 Austin counselors who is a Certified Educational Planner, a certification that requires high levels of experience and knowledge. I also pursue leadership in my profession by serving on national committees and boards that I was elected to join, such as the Colleges That Change Lives Board of Directors, the NACAC Ad Hoc Committee on Mental Health and Equity in the Transition to Postsecondary Education, the Kalamazoo Counselor Advisory Board, and the IECA LatinX Affinity Group Chair. I have received awards specific to the quality of the counseling and achievements of my students (as opposed to receiving awards based on business outcomes) from national entities such as the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, the Colleges That Change Lives organization, Texas A&M University, the City of Austin, and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. I am a college consultant who has an extensive background in education and a student-centered approach. This is not just a business to me, it is a calling.
What services are not included in your contract?
Although I will assist students with any college-related task, there are certain items I will not assist with.
- I am not an academic tutor and will not review coursework for any subject.
- Although I absolutely provide emotional support to both students and parents as we work together throughout the year, and parents have commented that my services were akin to therapy, I am not a licensed therapist and do not provide clinical therapy to my clients.
- I do not provide tutoring for standardized testing. I do provide referrals to highly specialized tutors and testing companies.
- I do not fill out applications, write essays, or complete any part of the application on behalf of the student. I empower my students to complete these steps to the best of their abilities with professional guidance, instilling confidence in them throughout the college planning and admissions journey.
Do you offer in-person services?
I am not exaggerating in stating that since the start of the pandemic, my students and families have contracted COVID and have had COVID exposures fairly regularly. Although my students may have to cancel when they are ill, delivering services virtually allows me to stay accessible and available to deliver the highest quality services possible to my clientele. Students have become more accustomed to a virtual world, and even when class instruction is preferred in-person, I have found that students love being able to log in to college counseling meetings from the comfort of their own home. During the school year, I meet with clients in the evenings (my last appointment is at 8pm) and on weekends. Especially for students with hectic schedules (which describes most of my clients), Zoom allows them to more conveniently fit me into their calendars on a regular basis. In order to best serve my clients, all of my services are delivered on a virtual basis.
Have further questions? Contact me today for more information.
