The search for the right college can be a stressful time for both student and parent.

I have lived through it, so I know exactly how stressful this process can be.

It takes a fair amount of time, effort, and scheduling.  Add in schoolwork, working parents, teenage angst, and it’s a lot for a family to juggle. 

Creating the list of possible colleges, the visits to schools, the tours, the common application process, can be an overwhelming time, and for some families, it is a good idea to bring in a third party to help navigate these very important steps.  A third party can take some of the pressure off of the parent-child relationship and prevent a potential family disaster.

Most high schools have courses or guidance programs for seniors to help support them as they write their college Common Application essay.  And some schools don’t. Some high schools lack sufficient staff and support to guide students, particularly those who struggle with writing, through the college admissions process.  This is where I can step in and help individualize instruction to help the young writer find his or her voice, and put his or her best “self” forward on the application.

 

On top of that, most private colleges require students to answer some type of essay question, known commonly as a supplemental writing assignment.  While these are generally short assignments of no more than 250 to 500 words, many students find themselves “hung up” on answering the question, instead of putting their best writing forward.

 

I give students strategies for answering the essay question, but I also show the applicant how to answer it in a way that showcases his or her interests, skills, and his or her best writing style, regardless of the question.

 

I have helped students navigate the Common Application process, keeping students on track with deadlines, keeping them on top of their schools’ guidance departments, and assisting students with the supplemental writing portions that most colleges require.