Tags
College selection Application guidance Essay review Financial Aid advising Graduate school advising Athletics Visual and performing arts
Biography
In high school I had to find my own way to college without the help of family or counselors. Fortunately, I applied to Mount Holyoke College and received the financial aid I needed. As the first in my family to attend college--not to mention moving north from Florida for the first time--I faced a number of challenges academically and socially. This experience motivated me to help others understand how to navigate the complexities of college preparation and the application process.
After graduate school I worked as an editor in a series of major publishing houses. My sons' progress through high school revived my interest in college admissions, and I was able to work as the director of the college resource center at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati for about four years. After my husband's job took us to the West Coast, I went into practice as an independent educational consultant (in 2009).
I continue to work as a volunteer with underrepresented students when possible, especially through Peer Forward, Scholar Match, and Matriculate. In my work as a college adviser I serve families of all kinds and students of all interests, especially through virtual platforms.
It is a great pleasure to see students learn how to advocate for themselves and begin to function as adults, and I hope I play a part in helping them figure out where they want to go in life and how to take steps toward getting there.
Experience
Owner
Northwest College Search
September 2009 - present
I work with students and families to identify their needs, select appropriate high school courses and summer activities, plan for testing, develop a college list, refine all aspects of college applications (including essays and activities resumes), understand and apply for financial aid, and make final decisions.
To stay current, I travel to about 25 college campuses a year and attend one or two national professional meetings. I also maintain an extensive personal library for reference.
Skills: Listening, analyzing, writing, speaking, researching
Associate Editor, Music and Dance
Encyclopaedia Britannica
August 2006 - July 2008
Supervised all articles on music and dance for Britannica; wrote biographies and obituaries as needed; edited large portions of the Book of the Year.
Skills: Extremely careful reading and writing, communication, collaboration in groups
Director, College Resource Center
School for Creative and Performing Arts
November 2001 - November 2004
Operated resource center for all students. Hosted college reps, conducted essay workshops, organized and chaired college information nights, administered special ACT testing and PSAT testing.
Skills: Organization, advising, collaboration, research, communication, listening
Education
New York University
Master's Degree
Completed coursework and orals for Ph.D. in historical musicology. I received a schoolwide graduate teaching award from NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Skills: research, writing, presentation, German, French
Mount Holyoke College
Bachelor's Degree
Music major, history concentration at a top women's college in Massachusetts. I actually started piano lessons in college and was the first recipient of a department award for students who began their studies in college.
Skills: Adaptability, communication, analysis
Other
Certifications
Certified Educational Planner
American Institute of Certified Educational Planners
January 2013 - January 2023
Volunteer
Director of College Coaching, Daemen Workshop; College Coach, 5 workshops; Writing Coach, 3 workshops
Peer Forward (College Summit) (Education)
July 2011 - present
Every summer I travel to help out at a College Summit workshop. I have been to University of California Berkeley (3 times), Nova Southeastern University (2 times), Redlands University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Florida International University, and Daemen College. At Daemen in 2017 I supervised the team of College Coaches. Peer Forward (formerly College Summit) is dedicated to helping students influence their high school peers in raising the rate of college-going in their schools. The summer workshops train teams of four or eight students and an adviser from the participating high schools around the country.
College fair counseling table
National Association for College Admissions Counseling, Pacific Northwest Association for College Admissions Counseling (Education)
November 2011 - present
I help anyone who comes to the table with whatever questions they might have. Speed counseling!
