Customized coaching for high school students preparing for college and college students preparing for a career.
College advising.
The college application process can feel overwhelming and complicated. We get to know students and then bring our knowledge of them together with our up-to-date understanding of the admissions landscape, specific colleges, and relevant research tools to develop a smart and individualized application plan.
Our comprehensive approach engages students in all four steps of the college search and application process outlined below. However, we meet students where they are, and can customize our coaching according to their appetite and interests, and we are happy to work with families to implement an optimal arrangement.
01—Assessing
Through conversations and aptitude and preference assessments, we take our time getting to know students. This mutual investment of time and energy serves as a solid foundation for our working relationship, making every step of the college search and application process more effective.
The knowledge we gain as we get to know students helps us provide individualized advice on college list building, essays, and application strategy. When relevant, we weigh in on course selection, standardized testing, or summer experiences.
02—List Building
We work with students to get beyond the rankings, community pressures, and other external forces to help them build a balanced list of colleges that is well-suited to their interests and preferences—ultimately developing a list not just of good schools but good schools for them.
As list building progresses, we also provide guidance on college visits, interviews, standardized testing, and more.
03—Completing the Application
We support students throughout the process of completing their application. We help them get an early start on the essay and express themselves in an authentic way that preserves their voice and brings their best self to the page. We also do a deep dive with students on their activities list and supplemental essays, ensuring all the components are working together to tell their story in the most effective way.
As the application process gets underway, we provide whatever guidance the student needs on application strategy: which schools to submit applications to and whether to apply early decision, early action, or regular decision.
04—Deciding
When it comes time for students to decide where to attend, the assessment work we have done provides a framework that can be revisited for decision-making. We encourage them to revisit their needs, interests, and goals and consider any changes over the course of the application process.
For some students, deciding which school to attend is the easiest part of the process, for others, this phase requires more consideration: finances, curricular offerings, and a shift in family circumstances can all play a role. This step can be complicated by deferrals and wait lists, and we advise on these circumstances, too.
Beyond College.
Where are you headed?
Whether you are a college student looking for an internship or full-time job or a recent college graduate navigating a career shift, change can be daunting. We will work with you to figure out what you want to do and the most productive way to go about doing it. We take your goals into consideration and then help you develop and fine-tune the tools to accomplish these goals. We offer support with the following:
an effective career search strategy
an impactful resume
a well-written cover letter
interview skills
a smart social media plan
Our work arrangements are flexible, service-driven, and client-focused. We can work with you on one area of your search, meeting just a few times to address a targeted need or goal. Or we can engage with you for a specified period of time during which we meet regularly to make sure you are supported throughout your internship or full-time job search.
“I started working with Julie on resume/career advice the summer before my junior year. I’d been applying for internships and not landing any interviews and didn’t know why. Julie looked at my resume and worked with me on content and formatting to match the types of internships I was applying for. Additionally, we talked about what I was looking for in a career long term and the steps I could take to get there. She directed me to resources I hadn’t known to utilize at my school and helped me find actionable steps I could take to work toward career goals.
Two internships and a full-time offer later, I am incredibly grateful for the advice, hype, and confidence Julie provided. I knew (and know!) I could always turn to her with a question about a resume, offer negotiations, or what I want my future to look like. ”