Sometime after watching Friends in the dorm, but before streaming Ted Lasso in quarantine, the college admissions process changed completely. The details didn’t seem important until 8th grade turned to 9th and the college talk grew more prevalent in the parent chats. I figured it was time to do what I do best - research. I found a whole new vocabulary - institutional priorities, demonstrated interest, restricted early action, hooks, yield, enrollment management, holistic review - as well as increased selectivity, changing admissions policies, and a lack of clarity around what it will actually cost. It’s no wonder we feel the college stress mounting by junior year.
I built a career designing strategic research to help companies make better business decisions - initially at IBM Corporate Headquarters and most recently in my own boutique firm. So when I began the research to untangle college admissions, I realized my skill set had the potential to level the playing field for students and families.
I am an Independent Educational Consultant. Families engage me to enhance, not replace, the school counselor. Much like a position coach, therapist, or private tutor, I give highly personalized guidance in my specialty area. I meet families individually on key topics like college affordability, admissions trends & implications, college criteria and application timelines. But mostly I meet one-on-one with students, working through a curriculum of assessments, college research, the essay program, and weekly meetings senior year until everything is submitted. The personalized guidance and structured plan reduces stress between students and parents in the fleeting months of high school.
Staying current is imperative in this dynamic environment. For me, nothing is more informative and energizing than getting on campus. I logged 40 unique visits in the past 18 months, ranging from Harvard to University of Oregon, developing actionable admissions intelligence like how Admissions Officers review files and perceive fit, campus culture, student support, and unique opportunities.
As we close out the 2024 cycle, we continue to see fluctuating admissions practices (end of affirmative action, reconsidering legacy admissions), increasing applications / declining acceptance, standardized testing changes (testing policies, digital & adaptive administration), and the FAFSA debacle’s ripple effect on waitlist movement.
As a first-generation college student, education changed my life. I would be honored to share what I’ve learned to help students in our community along their own paths. I can do college planning, so you can do more of life together.
Book a complimentary intro session and learn more about Aletta at CollegeRangefinder.com