My role as your college advisor and counselor is to walk alongside students and families—coaching, mentoring, and guiding you through each step of the college admissions process.
Expectations for Meetings:
After a free initial consultation, we start with a strategy, alignment and goal-setting session that includes the student and parents. After this, I normally work with students one-on-one, whether in-person or virtually. Parents are welcome to join on occasion and may choose their level of communication and involvement (post-meeting updates are the norm).
Depending on your needs and selected package, services may include:
1
College List Curation
We build a thoughtful, balanced college list based on academic fit, personal priorities, and long-term goals, such as college size, location to your home, academics and majors, culture, cost, and extracurricular opportunities. A strategic mix of schools includes:
-
Target Schools (3–5): Admission and academic profile are well-matched
-
Likely Schools (1–3): Profile is above the typical admitted student range
-
Reach + High Reach (2–4): Schools that are more selective, including highly competitive options
2
College Visit Planning
I help you plan in-person and virtual visits to your colleges of choice to get a feel for life on campus in real time.
3
Academic and Extracurricular Planning
This is where we align what you’re doing in high school with who you’re becoming—and where you want to go next.
-
Intentional Course Planning: We build a high school schedule aligned with your strengths and intended major, including AP/IB/Dual Enrollment options that support admissions and may earn transferable credit, saving on tuition and creating room for minors or study abroad
-
Balanced Involvement & Growth Plan: We develop an activity list that reflects impact, initiative, and leadership , as well as explore internships, job shadowing, summer programs, certifications, and meaningful service
4
Career Exploration and Guidance
We uncover your strengths and interests to help you explore meaningful career paths, and align those with smart academic choices.
-
Career Assessment: We use a school-based or the YouScience Aptitude + Interest Assessment (small fee) to identify ideal career directions
-
Major Matchmaking: We connect career goals to college majors using a Major Exploration Worksheet and compare curriculum, career options, job outlook, and earning potential
5
Standardized Testing Strategy
We create a personalized SAT/ACT plan (and/or test-optional strategy) that supports your goals without unnecessary stress.
-
SAT vs. ACT Fit: Together, we determine which test best matches your strengths, and evaluate whether test-optional is a smart choice for you
-
Customized Testing Plan: We work together to build a clear standardized testing timeline with key deadlines, recommend prep resources, and schedule test prep as needed
6
College Resume and Activity List Creation
This is one of the most important parts of the college application, because it’s where colleges learn who you are beyond grades and test scores.
-
Strategic Activity Brainstorm: We work to identify your strongest activities & leadership roles and honors – defining your title and descriptions to what you actually did, adding in dates, hours/week, and weeks/year to show consistency and impact
-
Content That Sounds Like You: We strive to capture what you learned and enjoyed to reveal your character to college admissions
7
College Essay Development
I guide students through a structured, supportive writing process that produces powerful, authentic college essays—never artificial or generic.
-
Essays as “Written Interviews”: Learn what colleges are truly looking for in personal statements and supplemental essays
-
Brainstorming + Story Discovery: We walk through guided exercises to uncover meaningful topics, values, and personal themes
-
Authentic Voice Development: Your student will craft essays that are clear, mature, and memorable, and most importantly, sound like them
-
Draft • Revise • Refine: I provide step-by-step coaching through multiple revisions to strengthen clarity and impact
-
Ethical, Policy-Aware Approach: At MDR College Solutions, we support responsible use of tools (never AI-written essays) while protecting originality
8
Application Support & Post-Submission Guidance
From the Common App through enrollment, MDR College Solutions helps families manage the details, deadlines, and decisions with clarity and confidence.
Holistic Application Review: We will ensure every part of the college application (or Common App) works together to tell a cohesive story. I help your student with the activities, honors, and writing sections, as well as formatting and final checks before submission
Letter of Recommendation Requests: We'll guide your student through selection of two teachers and one outside mentor/coach/supervisor who can highlight their intellectual curiosity, character, and impact
Portal & Records Management: I provide guidance with portals, SRAR/self-reported records, and required follow-up items
Honors College + Scholarships: If your student would like to apply to honors colleges and scholarships, we can support with additional applications, essays, and priority deadlines
Enrollment & Next Steps: MDR College Solutions helps you navigate interviews, financial aid options, housing, and final decision planning