Peace of Mind
My goal is to avoid the panic often associated with high-stakes deadlines. Whether it’s helping a student brainstorm, organize, and craft an authentic essay and college application or figuring out where and how to apply to college, I aim to keep the process on track and stress-free.
There are many school options and paths. I help students find a college that's right for them at a price that's right for their family. Two important steps in the process include matching goals and family finances to schools and then creating compelling and competitive applications.
My Family's Story
I've learned a lot since our first child started applying to colleges. Today, two of our children have completed undergraduate and graduate degrees; our youngest child is pursuing an undergraduate degree. We are fortunate to have paid $0 in tuition!
Our children have also studied abroad a cumulative of 6 years, all on full merit scholarships. Our family has been very successful at chasing merit and I've helped other families do the same.
Whether your child is interested in pursuing scholarships or admission to a best-fit school, we can develop a strategy that works for your family and budget. Once in college, we can work on gaining the experiences needed to pursue graduate school or a career after graduation.
My Education & Experience
I am a professional writer with more than 35 years of publishing experience. My degrees are in Linguistics (MA, University of Texas at Austin) and Biochemistry (BS, University of Dallas). I also completed courses toward an MBA and Texas Alternative Teacher Certification. I've worked with all the major publishers, including National Geographic, Elsevier, and Pearson, and most of the U.S. State Departments of Education. I created an engineering career exploration program for Grades 3–8 and have developed and written math and science standardized tests for different US states.
“Utilizing Francine's services I was awarded $15,000 in scholarship funds my senior year of college. Francine's guidance ensured my application not only fulfilled all criteria but also stood out for its strength and coherence. She exceeded expectations curating a list of scholarships based on my profile. This was a huge advantage as the online scholarship scene is vast and often overwhelming. I highly recommend Francine to any student seeking to maximize their scholarship potential."
—Senior engineering student, Clarkson University
Services at a Glance
I help you cope with the stress of applying to college, a scholarship, or a new job. My goal is to avoid the panic associated with high-stakes deadlines. I aim to keep the process on track and stress-free. Together, we will find the path that best suits you.
1-on-1 College Advising
From brainstorming where to apply to accepting an offer, I work with you every step of the way.
Essay Coaching
I support you in brainstorming, outlining, revising, and polishing your writing, so that your voice and your ideas are clearly presented in an engaging essay.
Selecting a List of Colleges
to Apply to
Your college list determines your outcomes, whether it's admission to specialty programs or offers of generous scholarships. Together, we develop a list and strategies that match your goals.
A list of college acceptances and scholarships awarded to past students can be found in the FAQ.
Résumé and
Cover Letter Reviews
I support you in creating job application materials tailored to your goals and opportunities. A list of internship offers to past students is in the FAQ.
"Francine helped me revise my cv which got me two internships and ultimately landed me my current job upon graduation. I couldn't rate the service highly enough."
—Vincent C., Architectural Engineer, London, England
Planning Summer and
Extracurricular Activities
Before you even begin applying to colleges, we work together to choose opportunities that develop the skills, acquire the experiences, and gain the confidence that can help you determine the path that's best for you.
College, Grad School, and
Scholarship Applications
Together, we can tackle any application so you put your best foot forward every time.
"Francine's feedback on my essay was constructive and insightful, providing an objective perspective that was instrumental in refining my writing to meet word and character limits while still enhancing its overall clarity."
—Liz, engineering student
“I am incredibly grateful for all Ms. Francine’s help and support. Her words gave me hope in moments of frustration and guidance in moments I felt lost."
—Belinda R., Student at the University of Texas at Austin