The college process is about getting accepted— but it’s also about growing into someone ready to choose well.
Once clarity begins to form, families often want to understand what this work actually looks like in practice.
This page isn’t about deciding whether to work together—it’s about seeing how a relationship-driven approach to college admissions unfolds over time.
From early reflection through application and decision-making — this steady guidance and trust shapes the process for both students and parents.
And if you haven’t yet taken time to get oriented to how I approach this work, you may want to Start Here.
Orientation
Slow down. Step back. Establish a true starting point.
Most teenagers struggle because they’ve never been given the language or guidance to understand themselves outside of expectations.
In this phase, we help your teen:
notice the themes and turning points already shaping their life.
separate external expectations from internal direction.
understand the difference between achievement and meaning.
see college as a choice that reflects who they are becoming — not who they’re supposed to be.
Outcome:
A sense of direction, reduced pressure, and a story that feels like theirs — not a résumé.
2. Coherence
Connect the dots. Make meaning from experience.
Teenagers have experiences but rarely the tools to interpret them. Without coherence, decisions feel random, confusing, and anxious.
In this phase, we help them:
recognize the values that are evident just underneath their choices.
understand why certain environments energize or deplete them.
identify patterns that point toward majors and future paths.
align academic and extracurricular decisions with their evolving direction.
Outcome:
Clarity replaces comparison. Decisions feel inevitable instead of pressured.
3. Expression
When a student understands themselves, essays stop feeling like tasks.
They become clearer about who they are and where they’re headed.
We guide teens to:
express insight through essays, interviews, and applications.
write from emotional truth — not performance.
articulate a narrative that feels coherent, human, and unmistakably their own.
show colleges who they’ve become.
Outcome:
Applications that read like identity — not marketing.
4. Launch
Move forward with confidence, not correction.
Students complete applications, make choices, and prepare for the transition.
We help them:
make decisions based on their values and that they can stand behind.
choose colleges aligned with who they are and how they learn.
build emotional readiness for independence.
step into adulthood with clarity, confidence, and belonging.
Outcome:
A student who is not just admitted — but prepared.
These conversations are pressure-free and designed to help families determine whether deeper, ongoing coaching support is the right fit.