Private Individual College Counseling
The college application process can be very stressful, but it doesn't have to be. With careful planning, good decision-making, and some nurturing handholding, a student can progress through the admissions process with confidence, grounded in a greater understanding of his or her strengths and uniqueness as a candidate. By starting early and working consistently, applications can be completed ahead of time so that schoolwork doesn't suffer and students can fully enjoy senior year.
Complete college planning and application assistance for high school students, Grades 9-12, in the Philadelphia area. Additional assistance programs for boarding school and foreign students elsewhere.
8th, 9th, and 10th Grades
You might wonder why a student should do any college planning in 8th, 9th or 10th grades. The truth is that many decisions that impact college admissions must be made in those three years: choices regarding SAT testing and preparation, course selection, summer activities, and extracurricular focus. By the time I meet students in 11th grade, it is often too late to change direction. I meet with families once in 8th and 9th grades and one or two times in 10th grade to help parents make knowledgeable decisions about school and outside activities.
- Curriculum planning
- Extra-currricular activity planning
- Summer planning
- Standardized test scheduling
- Increased understanding of college application process
11th and 12th Grades
I meet with families to begin the college application process in the beginning of 11th grade. The initial part of the process involves developing a list of target colleges, informed in part by college visits, results of grades and standardized testing, and the student's interest in particular college academic programs. I conduct an interview workshop to prepare students for college interviews and to develop the major themes that will be conveyed in their applications. By the time summer begins before the senior year, the student is working on college essays and filling out applications. My support continues during senior year as communications continue between the student and the colleges.
- Curriculum planning
- Extra-curricular activity planning
- Summer planning
- Standardized test scheduling
- Athletic resumes and cover letters for athletic recruits
- Development of college list and research on college programs
- Interview workshop and practice sessions
- Activities resume
- Essay development and editing
- College application completion and follow up letters
About Estee Pickens
Estee Pickens has been counseling high school students since 2005. She has a BS in Applied Mathematics from Brown University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Operations Research from The University of Pennsylvania. She has been interviewing applicants to Brown University for many years. More importantly Estee loves working with students to assure that their college applications truly reflect who they are. References will be provided upon request.
