Intentional Support for Every Stage of the Process

There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to college admissions. I help families manage the process with confidence and intention. Every student follows a step-by-step plan tailored to their unique goals and needs. My curriculum-based approach is structured, yet personalized because the key to reducing stress in this process is taking action on a thoughtful, well-sequenced plan.

I typically work with Juniors and Seniors on:

  • Building a balanced college list

  • Clarifying interests and goals

  • Developing their application profile

  • Preparing their activity list/resume

  • Staying organized and meeting deadlines

  • Writing authentic essays

  • Navigating financial and merit aid

  • Preparing to make a final decision

My Packages

My services are designed to help you tackle the process with calm confidence so you can enjoy this exciting transition with your child whatever their aspirations.

  • This package includes in-depth guidance at every step — from academic and extracurricular planning to college research, list building, essay development, application strategy, and financial aid review. Students receive frequent one-on-one meetings, personalized timelines, and extensive essay coaching. Parents stay informed, while students take the lead with structure and support.

    Best for students beginning in 11th grade (or earlier) who want full, ongoing support throughout the college admissions process.

  • This package is built around a self-paced curriculum that covers all stages of the college process. Students meet with me at several strategic points for feedback, planning, and accountability. Essay support focuses on teaching a process that can be replicated by the student for subsequent essays (reviews included.) It’s a good fit for families looking for expert guidance without the intensity of ongoing meetings. Students still complete all core tasks with tools, structure, and support when it matters most.

    Designed for independent, motivated students in 11th grade who want a clear path and a few key check-ins to stay on track.

  • This package is built for families who want knowledgeable guidance on the strategy and logistics of the admissions process, but already have an essay coach, teacher, or other advisor supporting their writing. We cover the same full admissions curriculum with an emphasis on making smart choices and executing them on time.

    The heart of this package is list building and planning (plus an on-call expert to answer your questions.) I work with your student to build a realistic, tailored schedule that maps out what needs to happen and when—testing, list development, activities and leadership goals, application requirements, recommendations, and financial/merit aid steps. I help students stay on track to prevent last-minute pileups and missed opportunities.

    If you think your student will need some shepherding and have access to an essay mentor—this package is for you.  Plus, you can add essay reviews later on, schedule permitting.

  • For families seeking focused help on a specific part of the process, such as list building, essay brainstorming and review, application strategy, or major selection. This is best for students or parents who don’t need full advising but want expert insight for critical tasks. Available on a case-by-case basis, time permitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I offer end-to-end college admissions advising, supporting students and families from early planning through final decisions.

    With students, I help with:

    • College fit and direction: clarifying priorities, goals, and what “a good match” actually means

    • Academic planning: course selection and overall academic strategy

    • Extracurricular strategy: choosing and shaping activities that align with the student’s interests and strengths

    • College research and list building: creating a well-balanced list (aspirational / possible / probable) grounded in data and fit

    • Essays: brainstorming, drafting, and refining, all while keeping the student’s voice front and center

    • Applications: building a plan, completing materials, and avoiding last-minute chaos

    • Financial and merit aid navigation: understanding options and deadlines, and submitting strong supporting materials

    • Organization and momentum: tracking deadlines, setting weekly priorities, and reducing stress

    With parents, I provide:

    • Regular updates on where we are in the process

    • A place to ask questions as they come up, so you’re not piecing together advice from friends and forums

    • A calmer home dynamic, because parents don’t have to be the “project manager”

    I’m happy to meet in person, but most families choose Zoom for convenience.

    Whether your student is just getting started or already deep in it, I help them make thoughtful, well-informed decisions and stay on task without it becoming overwhelming.

  • My two packages differ in how much one-on-one support you want—specifically, the number of student meetings and the number of essays I review.

    All packages cover the same curriculum and walk students through the same core steps of the admissions process. The difference is the level of guidance and accountability built in.

    Think of it like a campus tour:

    • Milestones Package = self-guided audio tour
      You get a clear route, key insights at each stop, and strategic check-ins, but it takes more self-motivation and discipline to keep moving and absorb the information on your own.

    • Comprehensive Package = in-person guide
      We cover the same terrain, but it’s more engaging, more personalized, and more responsive to your student’s needs in real time (more meetings and more essay reviews.)

    • Strategic Planning = comprehensive package without the essay reviews

    One important note: the college list-building process is equally robust in all packages. For every student—Milestones, Comprehensive or Strategic Planning—I create highly personalized college lists based on the student’s goals, interests, academic profile, and preferences, so families aren’t relying on generic rankings or secondhand advice.

  • I don’t do cookie-cutter. I won’t pass you on to a junior colleague. I’m available for unlimited check-ins throughout the entire process.

    I take on fewer clients on purpose, so I can adapt my curriculum to each student, not force your child into a one-size-fits-all plan. An Ivy-aspiring student, a recruited athlete, an artist with a portfolio, or a student who needs learning supports all require different timelines, different strategies, and different kinds of coaching.

    I also work with your family to prioritize what matters most to you and build a college strategy that fits—academically, emotionally, and logistically.

    And I support the whole family through an uncertain, high-pressure season. Parents are welcome as partners in this process: I encourage your questions, listen to your insights, and help you stay connected to your student without becoming the “application manager.”

    If I don’t have an answer, I don’t guess. I connect you with trusted experts who do.

  • Families often start out thinking, “We can handle this ourselves.” And for a little while, they can.

    Then reality hits: the process is full of moving parts, unfamiliar terms, and high-stakes choices—testing, course planning, activities, essays, college research, recommendations, deadlines, financial aid, and more. Questions pile up quickly, and it’s hard to know which advice is trustworthy. One neighbor says one thing, a friend says another, and online forums can make everything feel even noisier.

    Meanwhile, school counselors are doing their best—but they rarely have the time or capacity to provide truly individualized, strategy-level guidance for every student.

    So parents end up in an exhausting role they never wanted: project manager. And that dynamic can create tension at home—because no teenager wants their parent running the show.

    That’s where I come in.

    I bring order to the madness: a clear plan, an organized timeline, fact-based information, and calm, rational advice. I help families make confident decisions, reduce stress, and keep the parent-child relationship focused on support—not constant managing.

    If this sounds like you, I can help.

  • "Bernadette is able to take an extremely overwhelming and grueling task and somehow make it approachable for teenagers."

    Laura Q, parent of 2025 grad

  • "Bernadette's process was a great mix of timelines and deadlines, combined with creative and interesting brainstorms, to create an amazing end product that I am very proud of."

    Michael N, 2026 grad

  • "Our in person meetings were always so informative. You always would have the resources available to answer my questions, and great feedback that helped me develop my writing skills, and develop the skill to write about myself.”

    Leo L, 2026 Graduate