Your Path to a Great Fit College Begins Here
Thinking ahead to college applications?
Tell a clear story in your own authentic voice.
Explore activities and interests, identify and develop leadership opportunities, plan summer enrichments, build a great-fit college list, and craft stand-out essays you’ll look back on with pride.
Packages & Programs
The Novel
Comprehensive Advising Package (up to 50 hours)
Narrative-Based College Planning with Full Application and Essay Support
Ready to chart your path? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
Step by step guidance with an emphasis on recognizing, developing and nurturing a compelling narrative throughline. For 8th – 11th grade students who may apply to competitive colleges and honors programs, or plan to compete for institutional scholarships. Includes comprehensive roadmapping with an emphasis on in-context curriculum enhancement, support of unique interests and talents, development of leadership with quantifiable impact, and an innovative, balanced college list. Covers the Common Application (personal essay and supplementals), the University of California application, stand-alone applications, and college-specific merit aid applications. Robust application and writing support, with close attention to writing skills and overall college readiness.
Includes 10th grade onboarding into College Planner Pro.
The Short Story
College Planning, Essay and Application Support
Basic Advising Package (up to 20 hours)
Recommended for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who are looking to develop a balanced list of in-state and out-of-state colleges. Includes application roadmapping that emphasizes leadership and unique areas of interest. Common Application and personal essay development and support, with additional support for key supplementals and University of California Personal Insight Questions.
Includes onboarding into College Planner Pro.
Ready to chart your path? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
The Flash Fiction
A La Carte Advising Package
(Summer/Fall Seniors Only)
10 hours advising
Ready to chart your path? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
This limited advising package is ideal for self-directed students who have their own college list but would like additional guidance before applying to a balanced combination of in-state and out of state Common Application schools. Support for all components of the Common Application, including key supplementals.
If your college list includes University of California schools, which require a separate application, please select The Short Story Package or (for essay review only) the UC “Short Takes” option.
Includes onboarding into College Planner Pro.
Short Takes
If you are considering a Short Take, you have probably met me at your school or library, or else been referred through a friend. You may book a Short Take package without booking an Initial Consult.
Choose your package, read and agree to the client agreement, schedule the first appointment, and then purchase. Your second appointment will be scheduled at the end of our first meeting.
Consult your family calendar before scheduling. While I try to accommodate requests for changes, rescheduling is not guaranteed as major deadlines approach.
Common App Personal Essay Support
Meeting One (60 minutes): Brainstorming & feedback on essay starts or one completed draft. Generative writing prompts as needed. Students will leave with a clear sense of direction. 60 minutes
Meeting Two (60 minutes): Feedback on the revised personal essay draft. Discussion of supplemental essay approaches (as time permits).
UC Personal Insight Questions Support
Meeting One (60 minutes): Brainstorming and/or feedback on essay starts or drafts. Generative writing prompts as needed. Students will leave with a clear sense of direction.
Meeting Two (60 minutes): Feedback on revised essays. Advising on activities list as time permits.
The Supplemental: Additional Essay Support
Ideal for students writing essays for scholarships and honors programs, or demanding supplemental essays for competitive colleges.
Meeting One (60 minutes): Discussion of 3-5 prompts; evaluation of starts and drafts. Brainstorming, personalized writing prompts.
Meeting Two (60 minutes): Feedback on revisions. Additional strategies and support (as time permits.)
Testimonials
What Others Are Saying...
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start the college application process?
Ideally, the process begins with a conversation at the end of 9th grade. Based on that conversation and the student’s goals, we’ll decide on appropriate support and establish an advising cadence. The earlier we start, the more comprehensive our approach can be.
How do your services differ from what school counselors offer?
School counselors provide valuable resources but often manage hundreds of students. I offer personalized, one-on-one attention focused exclusively on your student’s unique goals and needs.
Do you ever write essays for your students?
No. To do so would be unethical. And admissions officers are experts at spotting inauthentic writing, whether generated by AI or a “helpful” parent. As a former English professor and a New York Times Bestselling author, my role is to offer you the tools and support you need to write original essays that genuinely represent your experiences and accomplishments while meeting application requirements.
Do you guarantee admission to specific colleges?
No ethical college advisor or practice can guarantee admissions outcomes. I follow the guidelines set by the Independent Educational Consultant Association, and my families agree to follow them as well: IECA Best Practices. What I do guarantee is a process that helps you present your authentic self effectively, make informed decisions, and develop valuable skills that benefit you regardless of where you ultimately enroll.
How many colleges should I apply to?
In one case, 6 applications will be plenty; in another, 10 are not enough. I’ll help your student develop a strategic list of 5-15 schools tailored to their specific goals, preferences, and profile.
Do you help students find and apply for scholarships?
Sometimes. My students have been the recipients of multiple scholarships and opportunities, including:
- CBYX Scholarship for study abroad/gap year in Germany
- Lorraine David Scholarship from the Erie Education Foundation
- Denver Excelsior Scholarship
- Green and Gold Scholarship (CSU)
- Bank of America Student Leaders Program
- Coca-Cola Scholarship
- Gore Scholarship (Wichita State)
- University of Missouri/Kansas City Trustees’ Scholarship
- University of Kansas SELF Engineering Leadership Fellowship
- Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship (CBYE)
Do you help students get merit aid?
Yes, if I have worked with those students to build an appropriate college list.
Do you help students get need-based aid?
Yes, if I have worked with these students to build an appropriate college list.
Why do you set caps on the number of hours for your packages?
I cap my package hours for two reasons. The first is that it motivates students to work efficiently and independently, meet their task deadlines, and adhere to the college list and application plan we’ve agreed on. The second is that it keeps my prices affordable and fair. If I offer unlimited hours, some students will not meet task deadlines, knowing they can always schedule more time. The result is that I have to charge more for each package, with the organized students subsidizing those that require more hours.
Package students who would like to purchase additional time will always be accommodated.
Do you specialize in advising any particular type of student, such as engineers or creative writers, or sending students to any particular college or university?
I’ve advised future chemical and environmental engineers, mechanical and aerospace engineers, economists, video game designers, creative writers, historians, speech pathologists, nurses, entrepreneurs, teachers, philosophers, social workers, scientists, one botanist, veterinarians, physicians, and many students who plan to matriculate undeclared in order to continue exploring their options and interests.
Are there any students you do not advise?
I do not advise portfolio students–other than creative writers–though I am happy to offer referrals. I advise student athletes on their essays only, with permission and in partnership with their athletic advisors.
What if your packages are too expensive for me? Do you ever offer discounts?
I offer spring and fall pro bono workshops, including application boot camps, drop-in help, and essay writing workshops, through multiple libraries in Weld and Boulder Counties. If you don’t see me on the calendar, call your teen librarian and ask them to invite me! Your student’s guidance counselor, librarian or English teacher can also invite me to your high school. I volunteer regularly at Niwot High School, mentor student-led College Planning and Application clubs, and I love speaking to small groups such as robotics teams and school PTAs.
Together we have celebrated admissions to a wide range of colleges and universities.
