FAQs

Parents  •  High School Students  •  College Students & Recent Grads

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for High School Students

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How can you help me? What do you mean by positioning? I’m so busy with my schoolwork, sports, and other activities. Why add this obligation to my already overwhelming schedule? Getting into college is very competitive these days. It makes me so nervous I don’t want to think about it until I absolutely have to! Why do I need an outside service when my high school has assigned me a guidance counselor to help with my college applications? Why can’t I just use my high school software and research colleges on the internet, on my own? My relationship with my parents is already strained, because all they want to talk about is college! How can working with a consultant make it better? “Marketing myself” sounds a little phony… So if I just show up for these sessions, you’ll get me into the college of my choice? If I say I’m going to a consultant, they might think that you’re writing my essays for me. When is the best time to start? How often do I have to meet with you? Where are your sessions held? Is it possible for you to come to our house? We don't live in your area. Can I still use your services? I think I might need a resume to help me apply to summer internships too. How are you sure you can help me?

1) How can you help me?

I can help you understand yourself a little better, so you can create the college experience you really want! Then I can help you uniquely position yourself in your application materials, especially essays, resumes and interviews, to communicate how your key strengths and passions fit with the needs, values and culture of each college.

2) What do you mean by positioning?

Think of a baseball shortstop - he plays a specific position. To join a team, the most valuable information he can give about himself is his position. It is more useful than saying, "I'm a baseball player," or a "good athlete."

With college, you need to communicate what sets you apart. "Stats" (SAT or GPA) give general data. They are the foundation of the application (like a shortstop saying "I'm a good athlete"). Stats signal the admissions people to read on. But stats are only the first cut. Beyond stats, colleges need more specific information about what you have to offer! Positioning makes you stand out from the crowd.

3) I’m so busy with my schoolwork, sports, and other activities. Why add this obligation to my already overwhelming schedule?

You are busy. You are probably too busy to even think! So how can you be expected to be ready to apply to college?

If you start early, you only need to meet with me once a month. This fits into your busy schedule in a natural, painless way. It gives you “permission” to pause and reflect, to figure out what you want, and what you uniquely have to offer to colleges.

4) Getting into college is very competitive these days. It makes me so nervous I don’t want to think about it until I absolutely have to!

Yes, anxiety can breed procrastination, because we all try to put off unpleasant experiences. If it is broken down into small steps, meeting once a month, it does not become overwhelming!

5) Why do I need an outside service when my high school has assigned me a guidance counselor to help with my college applications?

Your guidance department offers valuable assistance: make use of their resources! They provide access to applicant-college matching software, information fairs and admission road shows. They help you develop college lists and application timetables, and process recommendations and transcripts. But they may not have the staff to give you one-on-on time that can help you figure out what you are looking for, and how you can best position yourself to a college.

6) Why can’t I just use my high school software and research colleges on the internet, on my own?

You can—and should! But internet research is only the beginning. Working with an insightful coach can help you by integrating facts and stats with who you really are.

And why should the college process be an intimidating struggle, hunched over a computer screen? A mentor can help guide you in a relaxed process where you are learning about what you want and what you uniquely have to offer colleges. This can lead you to a more authentic choice and place you in a stronger position to be accepted.

7) My relationship with my parents is already strained, because all they want to talk about is college! How can working with a consultant make it better?

The college process is stressful for both parents and students. Having an outside resource as a third party sounding board can help alleviate tension. Your parents can have confidence that there is a plan going forward, so they will not feel compelled to hover and micro manage. You can feel a greater sense of ownership and control in applying, getting accepted and deciding on the college that suits you best.

8) “Marketing myself” sounds a little phony…

Knowing yourself, your unique strengths, and learning how to communicate those qualities in an authentic way is what I call effectively “marketing yourself.” It’s honest and it’s real. It helps the college know what you’re truly about and why they should want you in their student body. It can result in a great match between you and the school where you will spend four of the most pivotal years of your life. There’s nothing phony about that!

9) So if I just show up for these sessions, you’ll get me into the college of my choice?

You know better than that! You get out of it only what you put into it. This process requires thinking, looking within, writing, and personal commitment. Between sessions, I ask you to prepare an assignment that will lead you to the next step in the process.

I can help you to put your best foot forward in the application, but at the end of the day, no one can promise to control the outcome. I could never give you a guarantee, but if you put enthusiastic effort into the process, you can enhance your chances of finding and being accepted at your best-fit college.

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10) If I say I’m going to an outside service, they might think that you’re writing my essays for me.

No way! You’ll find out pretty soon that it is you who will have the authorship for this work. This is about discovering the unique you and communicating who you are. This is about finding your own voice, and using it. My added value is helping you find that voice. It would be counterproductive to that process if it became my voice, besides being unethical! No, I’ve already gone to college, and a few grad schools. It’s your turn.

11) When is the best time to start?

The ideal time is winter of junior year. This is close enough to application time so that you will be able to start thinking about your future, but early enough to make that will positively impact your acceptability to colleges.

It is not too late to start fall of senior year, but more frequent and intensive sessions will be needed to keep you on track for application deadlines.

12) How often do I have to meet with you?

I offer three different programs, detailed in the Packages & Rates section.  The first package, SENIOR YEAR EXPRESS, starts August of senior year, with 10 one hour sessions meeting biweekly. The second, JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR BASIC, starts January of junior year, with 15 sessions. Sessions would be once a month Jan-Jun and biweekly Aug-Nov, with July off. The third, JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR INTENSIVE, starts January of junior year, with 18 sessions. Sessions would be biweekly Jan-Nov, with July off.

13) Where are your sessions held?

Unless otherwise arranged, all sessions will be conducted at my office, conveniently located off I-287 in Basking Ridge/New Vernon, NJ. For details, see Location & Directions. The kick-off session will include both you and your parent, only student from then on. However, your parents are welcome to join in at the beginning or end of the session for an update.

14) Is it possible for you to come to our house?

Yes, I can come to your house or to a mutually agreed-upon public place that has WiFi.

15) We don't live in your area. Can I still use your services?

Of course! We can arrange a program using online conferencing, teleconferencing and email.

16) I think I might need a resume to help me apply to summer internships too.

If we are already working together on your college application, we probably only need another hour for this, because it involves shifts of emphasis on material that you have already generated.

17) How are you sure you can help me?

I have helped numerous students in NY and NJ with resumes, college and graduate school applications. You are welcome to read testimonials from these students!