I have been a college admissions professional for 29 years. There has not been one day that I have not thoroughly enjoyed working with students on the admissions process. Where a student attends college has a major impact on his/her life--the people you meet, the networking opportunities, the influence of mentors, the opportunities at the college location, etc. I have always felt that college admissions consulting is a very serious and important profession.
I have spent a great deal of my college admissions consulting in high schools. I worked for several years at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton, Massachusetts, as the senior college admissions counselor. Eventually, I wanted to become a Director of Guidance, so I worked for the Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Somerville, Massachusetts, school systems in that capacity. This allowed me to have a broader influence on all of the students as they prepared to make many of life's decisions. My next position allowed me to work in the superintendent's central office as the Director of Student Services for the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, Groton, MA, where I supervised guidance, counseling, psychology, special education, health services and testing. During my years in Groton, I also served for three years as an Elementary School Principal.
For the past 21 years, I have worked as an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School Counseling programs at Salem State College and Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. I have had the opportunity to train career and college admissions counselors in both programs by teaching the course, Career Education and Development: Information, Planning and Placement. Both of these courses are required to complete the Degree of Master of Education in Secondary School Counseling at both colleges and to receive counselor certification. Also, I conduct groups for Interns and supervise them at their many school sites in the Metro Boston area.
I have been successful working with students to complete their application packets properly and professionally. My skills assisting students with their essays have paid off mass dividends for the students. I spend time role-playing college admissions and information interviews; students have indicated that they feel this skill has assisted them greatly with developing strong relationships with admissions representatives. I also discuss strategies with students on how to market themselves effectively so they have the best shot at their first choice for college. I present these strategies both individually to students and to students and their parents in large groups by conducting seminars in the Metro Boston area. In June, I had the opportunity to present these skills at seminars at Merrimack College and Brandeis University. I have had great success counseling students who have been accepted to Ivy League Colleges and some of the finest liberal arts schools in the country. I particularly enjoy working with students who have learning disabilities so that they are accepted into appropriate college programs. My experience also includes assisting students with applications to international colleges.
One of my greatest accomplishments which I am most proud of is Co-Authoring the book, 101 Ways to Become the Perfect College Applicant. This book is being published by Simon and Schuster. The book will be available in bookstores in October 2005.