StepAhead College Advising

Experienced. Approachable. Methodical.

Experience You Can Trust

The college admissions process is complicated and often stressful for high school students and their families. I founded StepAhead College Advising to educate and guide families through this process. By knowing what to expect at every step in the process, you can be confident your applications will be complete and submitted on time.

Professional Background: I have worked full-time in college admissions counseling for ten years, both as an Independent College Consultant and as a High School-based College Counselor. I am a member of several professional organizations, which ensures I adhere to the highest professional standards. 

  • National Association of College Admissions Counselors

  • Higher Education Consultants Association

  • Rocky Mountain Association for College Admissions Counseling

  • Colorado College Consultants

Industry Expertise: The world of college admissions has changed a lot in the past several years. Each year, I  attend conferences and closely follow the industry news to stay current on the latest trends in college admissions. I personally visit several colleges each year, including large public universities and small private colleges, where I meet with admissions officers, talk to current students and gain insight into each college’s  unique programs and culture. I bring this information back to the students and families I work with to help them make informed decisions about where to apply and how a college might be a good fit for them.

Know What to Expect

I guide students through a clearly defined process Reflect - Explore - Apply - Decide. Students and families know what to expect at each step and can be confident that their applications will be complete and submitted on time.

Student-Centered:  Every student begins this process at a different place and I meet each student where they are and help them navigate their own unique path.

My favorite part of this work is being able to form connections with students and to share in their personal growth journey as they move from a high school student to a young adult.

Family Partnership: While this is the student’s journey, parents play a critical support role. In addition to ensuring parents are kept in the loop throughout the process, I also offer family education sessions to keep everyone informed of the latest trends in college admissions.

  • Interest & Skills Assessments: By using a series of interest and skill assessments, I help students to identify the type of college and learning environment that best suits them, as well as potential majors and/or career paths.

    Academic & Activity Advising: Throughout high school, I advise students on course selection and activity choices to best prepare them for college. Involvement in activities and academics can help students figure out what they might want to study/pursue after high school. 

    In addition, activities and academics are an important aspect of college admissions decisions. Understanding what a student chose to do with his/her free time and what impact they had on their community, helps colleges appreciate the impact and involvement the student might have on their college campus. Understanding what courses a student chose to take and how they challenged themselves academically helps colleges see how a student might academically engage at college.  

  • Research College Options: I research college options that might be a good fit for the student. More importantly, I teach students how to conduct this research themselves. Only the student can truly answer the question “Why do I want to apply to this college?”

    College Visits: I encourage students to visit colleges so they can develop their own sense of what they need from their future college experience. I offer students tips on how to effectively conduct college visits.

    College List: At the end of the EXPLORE phase, students will have a balanced list of colleges that fit their interests and needs.

  • Application Roadmap: I provide a customized roadmap for each student that includes all application requirements, essays prompts, and completion dates. This roadmap helps students to stay on track throughout the application process. Knowing they have a plan helps reduce the anxiety associated with the unknown.

    Standardized Tests: The role of standardized testing has changed a lot over the past few years, as colleges either moved away from testing all together, created an optional path for scores, or returned to requiring testing as part of the admissions process. In addition, the actual tests themselves have changed in format (now digital) and in administration (adaptive SAT and revised ACT). I help students and families understand the current testing landscape and advise on the timeline to take the test. 

    College Essays: A student’s college essay is their opportunity to share their story with college admissions, to help colleges see them for the unique individual they are beyond their GPA, courses, and test scores. I help students brainstorm topics and provide advice on their essays. However, the writing and voice of each essay remains the student’s own work. 

    Activities & Academics Sections: The information presented in the Academic History and Activities Sections of your college application is important to colleges as they weigh their admissions decisions. As such, I advise students on how to best showcase themselves in the Academic History & Activities Sections of their applications.

  • Financial Aid/Acceptance Comparisons: Following admissions decisions, I can help families understand and compare financial aid letters as part of their decision process. 

    Choosing Your College: I am happy to review all admissions decisions with students and families so they can make an informed decision regarding which college to attend.

Testimonials

  • Throughout my high school experience, Kathleen always served as an exceptionally helpful resource, and put great care into everything that she did for me and my peers. I am so grateful for her wonderful advice and mentorship, which has continued to serve me well throughout college.

    Adelyn C., University of Pennsylania

  • Kathleen is an invaluable resource as a college counselor, not only because of her expertise, but also because of her constant enthusiasm and encouragement. From the beginning of my college application process to the end, I was grateful for Kathleen's knowledge and commitment, her unique ability to understand students' interests and priorities, and her limitless energy get to know each of her students and provided personalized guidance.

    Lauren W., Tufts University

  • Kathleen had a genuine desire to help me get into a top university and pursue my passion rather than a major that I would not enjoy. She was always eager to help me with anything I needed, which meant a lot to me and encouraged me to keep going.

    Piotr G., Berklee College of Music

Contact Us

Please contact me for a free 30-minute consultation to see if I might be a good fit for your family.