Testimonials

I am so happy to be a student at Vassar! Thank you so much for recommending this beautiful college to me and for all your help with the application process. I couldn’t have gotten here without you!

Current student, Vassar College, NY

Thank you so much for giving me advice on where and how I should apply to college, helping me to edit my college essays, and answering all my questions! You were a great help in navigating me through this complicated process and I could not have done it without you! I’m very excited to be pursuing my dreams at UC Berkeley!

Current student, UC Berkeley

Ellen and I had shared our perspectives on the role of college in the lives of today's young adults, and I had observed her sensitivity to the individual needs of each student in taking that next step towards adulthood. So, I trusted her to work with each of my two independent-minded children during the college application process. Ellen used her knowledge of the variety of college experiences in high quality but lesser known colleges to broaden my children's options.

She also supported each of my children in bridging the gaps between their understanding of the essay prompts (e.g. just express your personal feelings) and what college admissions officers sought to discern about them (e.g. does this student have the maturity to make use of the college experience we offer and then 'give back' to society). The process of writing a college essay was, in itself, a learning experience that enabled each of my children to better understand their goals through their college experience.

A fellow educator, Seattle, WA; parent of:

Alumnus: BA, Reed College, OR

MA, Harvard University

Alumna: BA, MA, Louisiana State University

(full scholarship in music performance)