Frequently Asked Questions

What are your qualifications?

I have more than 35 years of experience as a consultant in educational publishing and 8 years of experience coaching students through the college application process. I have also worked as a high school counselor at a small private school and given workshops on a wide-variety of applications. In these roles, I've helped students gain admission to elite schools and win full ride and full tuition scholarships (see lists of schools and scholarships below). I've also visited many college campuses across the United States and abroad. My knowledge of hidden gem schools and merit scholarships allows me to guide families through the deluge of college marketing materials to find the best-fit program for each student.

What is unique about your professional experience?

My professional experiences in education and publishing enable me to effectively and efficiently guide students through the writing and application process. As a professional writer and educational consultant, I have written more than 200 standardized test prep books, more than 100 articles exposing students to career paths, and thousands of pages of instructional materials promoting literacy and other academic skills. 

I've worked extensively in the fields of literacy and STEM and have conceived and designed innovative programs, including an engineering mentoring program for Grades 3–8 and alternative assessment tools for students with disabilities and non-native speakers of English.

How do you keep students on track? 

I meet with students one-on-one either in person or virtually. Together, we break tasks down into small, manageable steps with deadlines. Students leave each session with a list of actions to take on their own. The first thing we do at the next session is review progress on the action list.

 

How often do you meet with students? 

Frequency of sessions depends on the student and the level of support they need. Typically, I find meeting once per week with juniors and seniors efficient. Some students need more or less frequent sessions. I’m available via text, email, and phone, as needed. During school holidays or crunch periods, some students benefit from a short burst of 2 or more sessions per week.
 

Who do students actually work with?

Me! I work personally with each student. I work with a small number of students so that I have the availability to meet their needs. I do not outsource coaching to other counselors or tutors.

 

What do you mean by essay coaching?

I meet students where they are. Typically, we analyze writing prompts and brainstorm topics first. I review and provide feedback on as many drafts as needed until students feel confident and satisfied with each piece of writing.

I do not write essays for students, although together we can work through writing challenges. I can be available for open office hours where students can find a calm and judgement-free space to work on essays. 

Using my professional writing and pedagogical experience, I’ve coached many students through writing and polishing the materials required for college admissions, competitive scholarships and fellowships, and admission to graduate school, professional school, and other programs that require high-stakes essays, video scripts, résumés, and letters of interest.


Do you guarantee that my student will be admitted to their first-choice program or receive a generous scholarship?

No one can guarantee end results in this ever-changing system. I give students the tools and time to put forth their best effort and help them navigate the options to 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. I guide the process and provide the information so your family can make the most informed decisions.

Together, we can reduce the stress associated with high-stakes deadlines and decisions. I help students brainstorm, organize, and craft authentic essays and applications that they can be proud of.

College Acceptances

Where have your students gained admission?

Baylor University

Bradley University

Cambridge University, postgraduate program

Carthage College

Clarkson University

Colby College

Colorado School of Mines

Cornell College

Cornell University

Drexel University

Endicott College

Fort Lewis College

Georgetown Law School

Hanover College

Hollins University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Kettering University

King’s College, London, postgraduate program

Kingston University, London, postgraduate program

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Mount Holyoke College

New York University Law School

Northeastern University

Rice University

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Smith College

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX

Stevens Institute of Technology

Syracuse University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

Texas State University

Texas Tech University

Trinity University, San Antonio, TX

University of Alabama, Huntsville

University College London, master’s program

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

University of Houston

University of Notre Dame 

University of St. Thomas–Minnesota

University of Texas at Arlington

University of Texas at Austin Aerospace Engineering 

University of Texas at Austin Law School

University of Texas at Austin Mechanical Engineering

University of Texas at Austin Plan II Honors

University of Texas at Dallas

University of Tulsa

Valparaiso University

Villanova University

Washington University

Washington University Law School

Widener University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

York College of Pennsylvania

What scholarships have your students been awarded?

Full Ride

Marshall Scholarship, Marshall Commission, UK

Terry Traditional Scholarship, Terry Foundation

Critical Languages Scholarship, US Department of Sate

President Scholar’s Scholarship, Southern Methodist University

University of Notre Dame (merit + need)

Pre-College Programs

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship, US Department of Sate

Future Leaders Exchange Program Scholarship, US Department of Sate

Sea Camp, Texas A&M University at Galveston

Full Tuition

Hunt Leadership Scholarship, Southern Methodist University

Ignite Presidential Fellowship, Clarkson University

Semmes Distinguished Scholars in Science Scholarship +stipend, Trinity University

Harvey Scholars, Colorado School of Mines

Leadership Academy Scholarship, Illinois Institute of Technology

Camras Scholarship, Illinois Institute of Technology

Presidential Research Fellows, York College of Pennsylvania

President’s Honor Scholarship, Texas State University

National Merit Scholarship +President’s Endowed Scholarship, Texas A&M University

Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) +stipend, University of Texas at Dallas

Other Scholarships

Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars, Cornell University

STRIDE Scholarship, Smith College ($20k/year)

Presidential Scholars Program, Colby College ($29k/year)

Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship, Lockheed Martin ($10k/year)

Modern Language Scholarship, Carthage College (80% tuition)

Syracuse Leadership Scholarship, Syracuse University (50% tuition)

Dean’s Scholarship, Texas Christian University ($27k/year)

Merit Scholarship, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ($30k/year)

Trustee Scholarship, Cornell College ($40k/year)

Valparaiso Board of Directions Scholarship, Valparaiso University ($31k/year)

Lee Scholarship Program, Patrick P. Lee Foundation ($15k)

Mount Holyoke Leadership Award, Mount Holyoke College ($20k/year)

Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows, York College of Pennsylvania

Presidential Excellence Scholarship, Bradley University ($40k/year)

Presidential Scholarship + Future Engineer Scholarship, Widener University ($45k/year)

1827 Scholarship, Hanover College ($32k/year)

Merit Scholarship, University of Tulsa ($32k/year)

Academic Merit Scholarship, Milwaukee School of Engineering ($29k/year)

Distinguished Scholarship, Southern Methodist University ($25k/year)

Murchison Scholarship, Trinity University ($29k/year)

Out-of-State Presidential Tuition Scholarship, Fort Lewis College ($10k/year)

Merit + Engineering Scholarship, Texas Tech University ($16k/year)

Out-of-State Merit Scholarship, Colorado School of Mines ($14k/year)

Presidential Achievement Scholarship, Stevens Institute of Technology, ($25k/year)

Hollins Scholar + Presidential Award, Hollins University ($29k/year)

Tower Scholars Program in Public Policy and International Affairs, Southern Methodist University

Girl Scouts Tuition Scholarships

Girl Scouts Destination Scholarship

Finalists 

Forty Acres Scholarship, University of Texas at Austin

National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship, Alternate, US Department of Sate

Noblitt Scholars Program, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Competitive Programs

What selective summer and pre-college opportunities have your students been offered?

Camp Staff, Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies, Capon Bridge, WV

Civil Rights in Capetown Program (Girl Scouts)

Coastal Ecology Sea Camp, University of Texas at Galveston 

Congress Budestag Youth Exchange, U.S. Department of State

Counselor-in-Training, Thinkery Museum, Austin, TX

Delegate, United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, New York City, NY 

German American Partnership Program

Girl Advisory Board, Girl Scouts of Central Texas

Girl Scout Leadership Academy

Girl Scout National conventions (fully funded)

Leadership in the Andes Program (Girl Scouts)

Marine Engineering Sea Camp, University of Texas at Galveston (full ride merit scholarship)

Presenter, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Marseille, France

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Summer Program (full merit tuition scholarship)

Society of Women Engineers Camp, Texas A&M University

Student Conservation Corps & Congress (Sc3), National Conservation Training Center of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NCTC)

Veterinary Medicine Sea Camp, University of Texas at Galveston (full ride merit scholarship)

Volun-Teen, Thinkery Museum, Austin, TX

Youth Leader, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Our Ocean Conference, Bali, Indonesia

Internship Offers

Atlas Consultants

Dallas Zoo

Davies Maguire

Dell

Families in Nature

GE Vernova

Lower Colorado River Authority

Madman EV

Met Office Exeter HQ, England

Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability, City of Dallas

Pratt & Whitney

Richter Undergraduate Research Fellow 

Rolls Royce

Siemens Energy

Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA)

Tesla

Thornton Thomesseti

Trane

Turner Associates

Anything else you’d like to share with prospective families?

I’ve hosted more than 25 exchange students and lived on four continents. I have a masters in theoretical linguistics that includes a minor in reading, and I’ve taught all levels including  English as a Foreign Language at the Moscow State Linguistic University and preschool ESL. I enjoy hiking, learning languages, and traveling. 

 

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