Fit Centric
College Counseling
Who I Am
I have two decades of experience inspiring people to find the right fit.
I spent 10 years at the helm of the college counseling program at The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW), one of the nation’s leading progressive independent secondary schools.
Prior to that, I was the Associate Director of Admission & Enrollment Management at the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
And to start my career, I spent six years as an admission officer at Tufts.
I’ve physically visited well over 100 colleges in my life. I have been a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, and the Boston Independent Schools College Counselors Association. I have presented at national industry conferences, been quoted in Boston Magazine, and have sat on admission advisory boards at Ithaca and Mount Holyoke.
I am a proud and loyal graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. It was a very fabulous fit.
What Matters Most
Fit for the student is what matters most.
I downplay college rankings and lament America’s obsession with selectivity for its own sake.
I do not believe that the most selective college a student can get into is necessarily the right fit.
I do not overly rely on notions of prestige in this process.
I support stress reduction, mindfulness, self-care and a broad, balanced perspective.
I believe that helping you discover a great fit for yourself comes from getting to know you well - and my approach is rooted in relationships.
I aim to connect authentically with all of the students and parents with whom I work, and I bring my vast experience, personality, wit and style to everything I do.
I always tell the truth, even if it is very hard to hear. I am a straight shooter, and I don't sugarcoat things. Sometimes it's the job of a good consultant to point at the elephant in the room - and I do so without hesitation when needed.
I talk openly about money and value, and I am happy to help families think about how this process intersects with their financial lives - both now and down the road.
The college experience can be profound, empowering, fun and fabulous - and I love spending my time helping young people get there.
The Work I Do
The Longitudinal Relationship
Start to finish. Soup to nuts.
This is for students and parents who want an experienced and fun guide to help them navigate the whole process; I can help you understand the landscape, select and visit schools, diagnose fit, shape and craft essays, prepare for interviews, submit applications, and ultimately: select a fabulous place to call home.
Generally, it's best to begin this type of relationship in the fall or winter of junior year and continue it until graduation - though we can begin this relationship at any point.
The Audit
I will meet with students and parents and conduct a thorough review of all of the elements of the process - academic records, completed application(s), writing, and the full list of schools to which the student intends to apply. I will give candid, thoughtful feedback, make suggestions for improvement, or as sometimes is the case: congratulate you on a job well done and give you the all clear.
This generally takes about two and a half hours (90 minutes with the student, and 60 minutes with the parents).
This can also be tailored to individual needs (ie: just list review and interview preparation).
Other Helpful Details
I work on Zoom or in person (within 10 miles or so of Lexington, MA).
I bill hourly. This ensures that you get what you pay for, and don’t end up paying for more than you need.
I believe that junior year (or the summer before) is generally the right time to begin work with students - this allows them to focus on life and school and just being happy and young. I also believe this is best for their authentic and healthy development. However, I am happy to meet with the parents of sophomores (without their children!) to help with academic planning and to outline and answer questions about the upcoming college process. I am also happy to “pre-sign” sophomore families to ensure that they are able to work with me in the future.
Generally, I only work with students who attend public high schools.
I have significant and robust experience working with enrolled college students (and their parents) who may wish to explore transferring to another institution.