The College Entrance Specialist

The College Entrance Specialist I became very intrigued with how to market products at Harvard Business School. I noted that the "clear admits" were chosen from the first category.

I began my consulting as a Harvard interviewer and now a college consultant of 30 years with the knowledge of how to "package" my student's special strengths so they stand out from their competition. Later, I thought my interests could best be utilized by working in advertising, which I did on both the account management and creative sides- mainly with package goods. The translation to students wa

s easy, especially since I was meeting and evaluating Harvard applicants while working in advertising. When we presented our students to the Harvard Dean of Admissions, and the other Admissions Interviewers, it was striking how some students were presented with their outstanding qualities and supporting examples, while others just ran down a laundry list. This realization prompted me to use this kind of format, which I had seen work so effectively in promoting one student over another, into my work as a college consultant. This summary and presentation of a student's most outstanding qualities/character traits also forms the basis of how I feel the college personal statement essays should be constructed. After 10 years of college counseling with students, I expanded my focus to grad school preparation. Many of my students who worked with me to get into college, wanted help getting into business, law and other grad school areas. So many of the effective self-promotion techniques, which worked so well in college prep, my students adapted to their grad school presentation with great success. Currently I do a mix of college counseling as well as grad school counseling.

11/19/2021

If any current or former students, please give your appraisal of my work with you.

Thanks,

Alexandra

07/10/2021

I would like to make an important suggestion about your college essays. There are suggestions being made to high school Juniors and Seniors that what they need to do to have a great essay is "make it creative", "make the essay about anything you wish and then have a surprise ending that reveals why you should be accepted". This is SO WRONG!! Your job as a college applicant is to SELL WHO YOU ARE AS AN APPLICANT! Creativity is NOT the most important element in your college essay. It is who you are as a person and then as a student. You need to use your "Who Am I" which I have covered in many posts--that's what Admissions officers are looking for and will help them make a decision about whether or not you are who they are looking for--that's how to become that person!

03/22/2021

How can a high school senior make the most of college choices during this pandemic?

First off--no SATs or ACTs required,(most colleges are test optional) so your high school grades are it as for the numbers. Look for one thing that stands out about you as a person--describe that quality--then locate it in an incident which you describe fully--give lots of details. It needs to be something you are very proud of, and hopefully it is impressive--that becomes your Personal Statement Essay.

Make sure you are able to visit the school before you choose it--get a sense of the kinds of kids who attend(many are open now). As the months go by, and the vaccinations increase, more and more schools will open.

Most important thing you can do in preparation--study and improve your average. Grades and essays are the two very significant items that should be on your college prep agenda.

09/14/2020

During this coronavirus season, there is a tremendous tole being taken by not only high school but also college students. Should I take a "gap" year, not apply this year, try to get admitted to colleges which have in-person teaching or play it safe with remote learning?

Who knows what is best for each individual? Will you get a "financial break" if the college is going remote? Will you get a better deal if you just pay the tuition, which places the school above the price. This choice may show you are really excited about attending that college.

These are the kinds of questions my students are currently dealing with, and I'm doing my best to advice them on. If I can help you make some choices, get in touch.

05/19/2020

For more information about The College Entrance Specialist--please go to my web site.

05/16/2020

The Coronavirus has hit everywhere-- Even in College Admissions!
Who will help you with college admissions?
I will!

05/16/2020

ALL COLLEGE COUNSELORS AREN'T CREATED EQUAL!

Google gave a listing of the kinds of questions college counselors deal with--those questions are not the focus of my work. Their questions presume that it's a "buyers market"when it is not.

Getting into a good college today(even more so because of this virus) is the challenge. It's a "sellers market", so instead of the usual questions like what was a popular event on campus this year?, what are the students like at that college?, it's what do you have to sell a college that is more significant than any other applicant?

The major question I ask a new student is how will you get into these desirable colleges? that's my focus and I speak in terms of how you can sell yourself? The "Who Am I?" is key--what do you have that is your distinguishing quality which makes your connection with Admissions?

This is what you need to know, and I can help you find your quality.

02/20/2020

During this Christmas holiday, I heard from a girl who came to me for college counseling 16 years ago. She has a 21/2 yr. old daughter and wondered if she could bring her over to see me. This is what she said. "you had such valuable advice for me when I was in high school, and know the process so well, I figured perhaps you would be able to guide me in some ways with my little girl".

Wow that was a first, and made me feel as though what I do has a lasting impression--yeah, help somebody in high school get into college, but figuring out how to guide your little kids about how to get into nursery school. Now that's a challenge!!

01/23/2020

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS DISAPOINTMENT!

This year was not the best year for college admissions! Many have thought that the college admissions scam had a lot to do with the many rejections and deferrals. I am one who believes this. For many years colleges seemed to be choosing students holistically(taking into consideration who a student was, rather than how high his or her numbers were). This year numbers seemed to rule--whether it was the grades in freshman or sophomore years or the first try on the SAT or ACT especially if a student applied to a school which did not super-score.

So what have we learned from this year's admission's results? Work hard to get top grades from freshman year onward and don't take an SAT or ACT until you can get at least a 33 three times in a row on practice tests.

BE PREPARED!!

07/19/2019

Did you know that I offer a brief (15-30 minute) complimentary consultation to get to know each other a bit and see if we are a good fit to work together?

Interested? Private message me here.
Please spread the word.

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Bronxville, NY
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+19147930347

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