Applying this approach to my college counseling practice has proven very successful, especially as I bear witness to the learning and exploring that comes from the task of finding the right college fit. A sophomore will have different priorities than a senior; a college list crafted in the middle of junior year typically evolves into something different by the beginning of senior year. I not only understand that, but I revel in it, because it means that kids are engaged in the work of determining what they really need. In other words, I see my role as that of guide: I support kids as they discern for themselves what they want in their educations; I walk with them as they articulate those values in their college applications.

I see this work as two sides of the same coin: For parents, I am the manager who monitors the application process, the editor who reads the essays with a critical eye, and the expert who stays up-to-date with current admissions trends so that they don’t have to. For students, I am the advisor who knows them well, the specialist with a deep familiarity about a wide range of colleges, the assistant who counsels them in research approaches, and the cheerleader and honest broker who will support them as they put together a holistic application package. While I know that the entire process can be daunting, and maybe a little fraught, I am the partner that families need as they navigate the complexities of the college application landscape.