A woman smiling and holding a pennant that reads 'Stress-Free College Admissions'.

We've Got This!

College admissions guidance and support services

I’m a glass-half-full person who believes in supporting the emotional and academic needs of my students as they make choices about college. I’m here to reassure you, parents and students alike, that it’s all going to be ok. We’ve got this.

A woman sitting at a wooden table writing in a notebook with a pen, wearing a sleeveless striped top and jewelry, with a coffee mug and a closed spiral notebook on the table.

My sole focus is A successful college application

Imagine having your own personal guidance counselor and writing tutor who can also help you navigate disagreements about college.

That’s what students and families can expect when working with me.

I genuinely love working with teenagers and walking with them through the transition from high school to college. It’s such an important time of life, but it’s one that often causes disagreements between students and parents. What sets me apart is my ability to dial down the drama and anxiety while nurturing reasonable, realistic conversations.

Minimalist globe and stand icon

Personal Attention

comprehensive college admissions packages

When you choose my Comprehensive College Admissions Package, you can expect one-on-one attention that is tailored to your child and your family’s specific needs.

  • Students will have a nearly-complete Common Application before the first day of their senior year, and a fully complete application before October 1 of their senior year.

    I encourage families to begin working with me during the winter or early spring of their sophomore year. While I accept rising juniors as clients, each class year cohort is limited in order to give each student adequate attention.

    I am committed to being available to students and parents and offer a flexible meeting schedule that accommodates students’ needs. I understand that my clients are busy teenagers, so I am available on weekends, afternoons, and evenings.

    Meetings with Buffalo-based clients are held at my office in Snyder. For clients outside of Western New York, meetings are held over Zoom.

  • Leslie and Janet have worked extensively with me to learn the ins and outs of the college admissions process. Their combination of structured, clear organization and professional writing experience ensures your application is in good hands.

    Leslie will create a student’s timeline, school list, and complete all aspects of the Profile, Family, Education, Testing and Activities section of the Common Application, including Activities section edits. Leslie has an extensive background in communications and is mom to three teenagers. She has a degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and has worked in multiple positions in college-level, higher education.

    Janet brings her uniquely insightful understanding of the writing process to help students craft essays that get the attention of college admissions committees. Janet is a tenured English professor and head of the Honors Program at Canisius University, and the author of two novels. She has a degree in English from Canisius University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Notre Dame. 

    The three of us meet weekly to debrief about the families they’re working with. I perform a final read of every complete application and essay.

Minimalist line drawing of a plant with two leaves.

Room to Grow

Early Start Meetings for 8th and 9th Graders

While I don’t advocate rushing the process, sometimes it helps to have a meeting toward the end of 8th grade or sometime during the 9th grade year to build a clear, calm and informed foundation for high school. Students who meet with me as 8th or 9th graders are automatically accepted into my Comprehensive College Admissions package for their class year cohort.

  • While each student is different, these are the topics I typically address: 

    Transcript assessment and course selection assistance. I point out areas of strength and weakness in a student’s transcript. I come up with a two-, three-, or four-year course plan that is right for the student and will garner maximum attention from colleges.

    Standardized test planning. The world of standardized testing can be confusing, and I find that families often get mixed messages. I create a realistic, practical test calendar for my students and connect them with appropriate preparation resources.

    Evaluation of extracurricular activities. Should a student strive to be “well-rounded” or commit his time to a few important activities? I answer this question, and help students hone in on their true passions. I look for areas of strength and weakness in a student’s outside-of-school activities. I make creative suggestions about how a student can expand upon their interests and develop a resume that is full of meaningful work. I use my extensive network to connect students with potential volunteer placements at local non-profits. I also work with students on applications to summer programs at Roswell Park, ECMC, and universities. I have a Studio Art background and frequently help student-artists put together portfolios.

    Preliminary school list. Based on early scores from tests like PSAT, Pre-ACT, and SAT, the students’ transcript and families’ financial expectations, I create a list of schools to use as a basis for visits.

Line drawing of a notebook with a spiral binding and a pen writing on a page.

Write Well

Ad Hoc college Essay Analysis and Editing

I see the college application process as holistic. My goal is to understand a student as a person, not just a series of accolades, activities and awards. While I prioritize working with my Comprehensive Package students, Janet McNally and I both occasionally offer limited essay-only services priced at an hourly rate as our availability permits. 

Line drawing of a human brain.

Create Space

Personalized Gap Year Planning

Invariably, my students say their most meaningful experiences happen outside the classroom. Nearly all of my favorite college essays are about events that led to a deeper understanding of the self and the world—and these events typically happen during volunteer work, internships, paid jobs, or non-academic life experiences. A gap year creates space for more of these events. Using resources from the Gap Year Association as well as my local knowledge, I can help students and families plan meaningful, memorable gap years.

Outline icon of a graduation cap with a tassel.

Step Forward

Graduate School Applications

I feel like a proud mom when students come back to me at the end of their college careers to work on their graduate school applications! 

I help students with law school personal statements, essays for Doctor of Psychology programs, graduate Physician Assistant applications, and medical school applications. In addition to extensive writing support and preparing CVs, I help students practice interviews and make decisions about right-fit graduate programs. 

The majority of this work happens over Zoom, as students are typically meeting with me from their college dorm rooms.

Let's Do This!

Let’s go through the college admissions process together

Fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch with additional information and a link you can use to schedule your call. I look forward to talking with you and your student.