Frequently Asked Questions

The earlier the better, but it's never too late.

I begin my mentorship of Comprehensive Package teens in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade so we can build a thoughtful roadmap, uncover what genuinely excites your teen, find meaningful ways to deepen those interests, create a balanced college list, and navigate every step of the application process together.

For seniors, my Application Review and Interview Prep services are a wonderful way to work together to double-check that your application is as authentically compelling as it can be.

Both, but in different ways.

My primary relationship is always with your child.

As parents, you will receive regular updates and summaries after every meeting, and I'm available for parent check-ins throughout the process.

This is your teen’s process, and I make sure they feel that every step of the way.

It depends on your teen, their grade level and the service you choose.

Comprehensive Package teens typically meet quarterly in 9th and 10th grade, monthly in 11th grade, and weekly during the summer before senior year and through the fall application season. As the process intensifies, so does my support. All of my Comprehensive Package teens will have their Common App completed before they start their senior year.

For Application Review and Interview Prep, we meet once. From there, your teen is welcome to take my feedback and work independently — or we can continue working together on an hourly basis if additional support would be helpful.

Both. I'm based in Fairfield County, CT and happy to meet in person with local families at their homes or at a local coffee shop. For families further afield — whether across the country or around the world — I work seamlessly via Zoom.

My Comprehensive Package spots for the Class of 2027 are full. I am accepting Application Review and Interview Prep clients from that class, and have a limited number of spots available for the Classes of 2028, 2029, and 2030. As I work with a very small number of students each year, early outreach is always recommended.

The best place to start is a complimentary :30-minute intro call, which is a chance to talk through your family's goals and explore whether we might be a good match. You may book that conversation here.

A few things make my work feel distinct:

Over the past seven admissions cycles, I've read thousands of applications for UVA, Williams, QuestBridge, Whitman, The Hotchkiss School, and The Gates Scholarship. That range (large research universities, small liberal arts colleges, elite boarding schools, and highly competitive scholarship programs) means I have first-hand knowledge of how admissions offices make decisions.

I work with a very small number of teens each year by design. Every family gets my personal attention, a strategy built entirely around their teen, and a long-term partner who genuinely cares about the outcome for your family.

I believe this process should feel empowering and fun for your teen. Some counselors will plant seeds of insecurity to convince you to work with them. That’s not me. I balance being very honest with your teen with making sure this is a positive process for them. When decisions roll in, I want your teen to reflect and feel proud of the work they put in to finding an awesome spot to spend the next four years growing academically and socially.

I always recommend that prospective families meet with a few college consultants before choosing who you want to work alongside. This is a long-term relationship, and you want to feel genuinely excited about and comfortable with the person guiding your family through one of the most significant journeys you'll take together. The right personality fit matters as much as the credentials.

No. And I wouldn't want to. Your student's essays need to sound like them, not like me. (Unless that college is looking for a witty, 50-something…)

What I do is help your teen brainstorm and uncover the stories that best show who they are: their values, their growth, the things that make them them.

I provide detailed feedback at every stage, but every word on the page stays theirs. The work belongs to your teen; my job is to make sure it authentically shines.

No. Just like you wouldn’t hire a ceramics teacher to be your math tutor (unless, of course, they also expertly taught math), you want a specialist in standardized test prep to do this tutoring.

I'm happy to refer my clients to excellent local and online resources.

When it comes to standardized testing, what I do offer is help map out an optimal testing strategy and timeline, so your teen knows when to test, how many times, and how to approach the process strategically.

No, and anyone who does offer a guarantee isn't being honest with you.

What I can guarantee is that your teen will put their very best, most authentic application forward.

I have no special relationships with admissions offices and would never claim otherwise.

I guarantee to bring expertise, strategy, and genuine care to this process, and to help your teen find a college home where they will thrive.

Ridgeline College Consulting is a boutique, premium practice, and my pricing reflects the depth of attention, expertise, and care that each mentored family receives.

I work with a very small number of families each year by design, which means I am fully invested in each teen's success in a way that simply isn't possible at scale.

College counseling is a meaningful investment, and I want every family to feel confident that I am the right personality and experience fit for their needs and goals. For that reason, I offer complimentary :30 minute introductory meetings before we make a mutual decision to work together.

The Comprehensive Package is a multi-year partnership beginning in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. It is a long-term relationship with you and your teen from the beginning of college prep through your teen's commitment to a college.

Application Review and Interview Prep are designed for families navigating the process independently who would like the benefit of my expertise at a specific moment (usually Fall of 12th grade). Both of these options are contained, single-session engagements. Depending upon my availabilty, families may have the option to continue working together on an hourly basis if additional support would be helpful and my schedule allows.