Ask the College Counselor

College admissions shouldn‘t feel like a mystery or a battle. For many families, the transition from high school to college is overwhelming, emotionally charged, and filled with conflicting advice. Ask The College Counselor cuts through the noise with clarity, compassion, and decades of expertise. Written by an extremely experienced and trusted expert, this guide helps parents understand what really matters in college admissions, and what doesn‘t. Rather than chasing rankings or prestige, this book reframes college as a developmental milestone: a time for students to grow into independent, self-aware adults who can advocate for themselves and make informed choices. Inside, parents will learn: How to help your child choose colleges based on fit, values, learning style, and budget How admissions essays, recommendations, and school reports/recommendations really work behind the scenes Why rankings, prestige myths, and misinformation often derail otherwise strong applications How to support your teen without micromanaging or increasing stress What a private college advisor actually does, and how that role differs from a school counselor When (and if) hiring a private advisor makes sense for your family The book is organized in an easy-to-follow Q&A format, addressing the exact questions parents ask most, about timelines, testing, essays, finances, early decision, and more. A dedicated section speaks directly to students, offering practical and emotional guidance for one of the most intimidating writing tasks they‘ll face: the college admissions essay. Above all, Ask the College Counselor is not about "getting into the best school." It‘s about helping young people find the right school, and enter adulthood with confidence, resilience, and self-knowledge. Whether your child is just beginning high school or deep into applications, this book will help you replace anxiety with clarity and turn a stressful process into a meaningful one. Start the college journey with clarity, confidence, and perspective. Begin with Ask the College Counselor.