About Me
I am a graduate of Tufts University, served on the Timberlane Regional School Board for six years, and was chairman for two years. I am passionate about education, and have always advocated for strong academics in the public school system in order to prepare students for college. I believe that many students underestimate the college admissions process, and work with them to market themselves in their best light by sharing underutilized strategies that help them distinguish themselves amidst thousands of applicants. I enjoy working with young people enormously, and take great pride in helping them realize their full potential in the college application process. With my guidance, students have great success in finding and applying to colleges that are a wonderful academic, social, and financial fit, and have been accepted to many varied institutions across the country.
I work out of my home in Danville, NH, but my students live all across the US, as I work entirely over Zoom. Most students work with me from sophomore or junior year until their applications are submitted. I highly encourage students to begin our work together earlier in their academic career, which helps them to set the stage for a more successful and streamlined application process later.
I am member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). I visit dozens of colleges per year and attend as well as present at national conferences. I also founded, chair, and moderate a consortium of 38 college counselors who meet weekly to challenge and learn from each other. Due to a vast network of colleagues, I have enormous resources to tap into when necessary.
In addition to working one-on-one with students, I speak extensively on the topic of college admissions, both in the corporate world as well as to parents and students locally and nationally. I also mentor new college counselors and teach in the Professional Program in College Admissions Consulting at the University of California, Berkeley Extension.
Publications
Speaking Engagements
IECA National Conference
Spring 2024
My friend and colleague, Elise Rowley, and I presented our educational session, "The Activities List in Admissions Review" to a full crowd, standing room only, at the IECA national conference in Connecticut. Our panel of admissions officers from Villanova, Vanderbilt, and Skidmore offered some candid opinions on how they consider extracurriculars in the admissions process.
IECA National Conference
Fall 2023
I was excited to present an educational session: Let it Be: Words of Wisdom on Essays from Admissions Officers, with my friend and colleague, Kim Barber, at IECA's Fall Conference, with panel members from Boston College, University of Richmond, and Franklin & Marshall College. The room was packed!
IECA National Conference
Spring 2023
I was thrilled to present a session at the recent IECA conference in Seattle on the role recommendations play in college admissions. Panelists from Boston College, University of Rochester, Tufts University, and Pomona College were candid, articulate, and absolutely wonderful, graciously taking many questions from the audience.
College Savings Foundation
I was very excited to be in New Orleans at the College Savings Foundation conference. I was invited to speak to the attendees on Pricing Trends in Higher Education: how they're affecting families and the choices they make because of them.
New England Association for College Admission Counselors Annual Meeting and Conference
I was thrilled to present at the New England Association for College Admission Counselors (NEACAC) Annual Meeting and Conference at Saint Michael's College in Vermont. I shared some tips and strategies with high school counselors and college admissions officers on how to get started as an independent counselor.
Steenson College Coaching scholarship
I was delighted to present the first annual Steenson College Coaching scholarship to Timberlane Regional High School graduating senior, Cody Burt!
