While working on the college side of the admissions process, my favorite time of year was interview season. During those 20–30 minute conversations, I would get a chance to see beyond the test scores and meticulously written and edited personal statements. I would learn about the countless “whys” that informed a student’s decision to take a particular class or spend eight hours per week grinding in the pool or on the basketball court. Similarly, I would find myself getting excited to show that there are real people with real feelings trying to find the right students for their institution. Those interviews allowed me to do what I love the most: build relationships. Each conversation gave me a sense of what excited that student and what made them tick.

My goal as an independent college counselor is to combine my passion for building relationships with students’ interests to help them find the right school. I also want to use my 12+ years of selective college admissions experience to help students maximize their chances of getting into that school. That idea of the right school drives my practice and informs the process I go through when working with a student. It all starts with an in-depth conversation about what is essential to each student regarding their college search and beyond. I challenge students to articulate what they expect to get out of their college experience, why those things are important, and how they’ve prepared themselves to be successful.

There is no typical student, college, or university; thus, there should be no standard process for every applicant to follow. Sure, there are timelines and documents that most applicants should be familiar with, but I believe every student deserves the time and attention to make the most informed choice about where they want to go to school. I want to utilize my experience and perspective to give them the best chance to succeed. There’s a wide world of schools out there, and I want to be the one to help you navigate it.

Even if you aren’t applying to the most competitive school, applying to college is a competitive process. And not everyone gets a trophy. I want to get to know you and let you look as good on paper as you are in real life!