I've been working with Sara Denaro to help guide my son through the college application process,…read moreand I honestly don't know how I would have managed without her support. From building a smart college list to helping him brainstorm and polish his essays, she has been organized, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable every step of the way. My son feels more confident and less overwhelmed, and it's been a huge relief for me as a parent to know that he's in such capable hands. Sara has a great way of balancing honest feedback with positivity, and brings out my son's authentic voice in his writing--something I really appreciate. If you're looking for someone who is experienced, responsive, and genuinely invested in your child's success, I highly recommend Sara Denaro. This has been one of the best decisions I've made during the high school years!

Sara has been an incredible support for my four kids during the college application process. She…read morehas a unique ability to meet each kid where they are and provide personalized help in the areas they need most. All of my kids have talked about how easy it was to work with her and how much confidence they gained in navigating the process. As a parent, Sara's guidance has been an absolute godsend. Knowing she was there to help my kids every step of the way made the entire experience so much smoother and less stressful for all. I cannot recommend Sara enough to anyone looking for expert, compassionate help with college applications!

Ok, now for a real review. We found Sandy very late in our son Alex's high school career, the…read moresummer before his senior year. It was becoming apparent that our high school counselor was not able to help Alex other than to suggest schools he had no interest in. Perhaps the counselors are spread to thin to provide the individual attention we hoped he would get. Alex wanted to apply to a top tier school, Stanford was his dream school. The essays were our primary concern and Alex was having trouble putting his life into 500 words. I found Sandy online, spoke with her and immediately felt at ease. Sandy was was very busy but she made time to meet with my wife, Alex and me. My wife asked very pointed questions about her process and we left feeling very comfortable with her response. Alex met with her once a week for a few months and with her guidance wrote wonderful essays. Alex was admitted to the Stanford class of 2022 a few days ago. I cannot thank Sandy enough. I wish we would have found her Alex's freshman year, or even while he was in middle school. Her experience and knowledge were invaluable.

From the owner: Comprehensive College Admissions Services including…read more.. Individual meetings with students Personalized account with Custom College Planner, a unique organizational tool used in the college search and application process College essay guidance, brainstorming and editing College Essay Workshops Review of prior academic accomplishments Advice on course selection Recommendations for extracurricular involvement Standardized testing recommendations Personality and Learning Styles Survey YouScience aptitude and interest assessment to find a personalized career path College Readiness assessment Advice on researching colleges Guidance in building a list of "Best Fit" colleges, based on Academic, Social and Financial Fit Advice on making successful college visits Advice on creating a high school resume Advice and practice for college interviews Education and advice on college financing and affordability Finding the best financial fit for families Assistance with application timing and process Financial aid and award package analysis College success and transition support

From the moment we met Sandie, she separated out all the issues (which schools were better for my…read moredaughter's intended major, scholarships, how/when to apply, assistance with essays, etc.) like a pro. She was able to serve as the all-important non-parent sounding board. She turned an overwhelming process into a manageable one. As a result, my daughter is very happy with all her choices and we are thrilled.

From the owner: Ravinia College Consultants (RCC) was founded by Sandra Gilbert and Pat Cannon, professional high…read moreschool and college counselors in the Chicagoland area. Our private college consultant team consists of certified counselors who have worked in high school and college settings to help students matriculate to a college or university that is the right fit. RCC was founded on the premise that each student and family is unique. That is why we customize our services to meet your needs. With counselors who collectively have over 50 years of direct counseling experience and have visited over 150 colleges and universities, RCC's services cover each aspect of college counseling. Our goal is to help families navigate the college process in a healthy, manageable way. Services span all college related topics, from academic and personal preparation to the application process...

I worked with Stefan on test prep; he was outstanding. The 1.5hr sessions FLEW BY!…read more Stefan is so fun and passionate about test taking strategies. He is so knowledgeable and is someone I wish I would have found earlier in my application journey. I am so grateful for his support! I loved having the whiteboard and he always sends the PDF of the notes that you cover in class. Stefan makes everything super easy to understand and very accessible. If you don't understand it, he will try to flip the concept on its head and reteach it to you. He is super patient! This has been my favorite test prep experience. I have tried it all - Manhattan Prep and other test prep companies. I only wish I found him sooner.

I highly recommend Stefan Maisnier for MBA admissions guidance. When our son decided to pursue his…read moreMBA on a tight timeline, Stefan quickly created a clear, strategic plan. He objectively evaluated our son's strengths and weaknesses, identified gaps--especially in quantitative skills--and worked closely with him to address those areas. Stefan's deep knowledge of admissions and test prep ensured our son targeted schools that fit his profile and goals, and he provided invaluable support throughout the process. Stefan's professionalism and expertise made a real difference for our family. My wife and I would recommend him to anyone seeking high-level, personalized admissions guidance and GMAT prep.

I worked with Tanuja my senior year on college applications, and her help is the best out there! We…read morehad only a certain amount of time to fill out six (lengthy) college apps, and her patience and effectiveness to do this alongside me shows her outstanding commitment to match people to their dream schools. TJ was always a phone call away during the process. She is excellent at goal setting and effectively helping you make connections with institutions that are highly selective colleges/universities. I remember going into the college application process scared; however, after working with TJ, I find it crazy that I ever felt that way. TJ, truly, simples the process, and at the same time, she helps you uncover your interests and passions. I am very glad I worked with her because I love my college and the work I am doing.

From the owner: Innovative College Counseling, LLC is devoted to helping families and students through the college…read moreadmissions process. Each student will work one-on-one with us throughout the entire process. As independent college counselors we will help students discover and share the story that is uniquely theirs. We will work with students to highlight who they are and what they have accomplished in a way that allows admissions officers to understand the perspective and contributions they'll bring to campus, which in turn helps our students stand out. Innovative College Counseling, LLC will simplify the complexities of the college admissions process. This process is overwhelming, so we will assist families through every step, beginning as early as freshman year. We aim to develop a custom plan for each student based on their aspirations. Come see how we can help!

This review is long overdue. I worked with Jody 10 years ago, and the experience still leaves a…read moresour feeling. I would not recommend her to a friend. She exploited my vulnerability, tearing me down instead of building me up. Maybe that approach works for some, but I found it to be rather cruel.

Jody is an excellent executive coach. I attended her Mind-Mastery and Accountability Mirror…read moreworkshops followed by a 6 month-ish coaching engagement. Just the workshops alone made me see and think differently, better. With the personalized sessions, I had Jody in my corner as my coach, cheerleader, and critic (in a good way). And it all made a real difference, not just professionally but also personally. I feel different. And people who know me have commented about that - I'm less stressed, more present. But, if you want empirical data... she does a 360 review with managers/peers/reports at the beginning of the coaching engagement and then at the conclusion, and I can tell you that she helped me move the marker to demonstrate my improvement in my skills including communication, engagement and leadership. All round excellent experience. Thank you Jody!

I can't say enough good things about working with Ian at Hello College. My son has always struggled…read morewith math and was really nervous before the meeting. Ian's warmth and kindness immediately put him at ease. It was such a relief to see my shy kid relax and actually start to feel confident. Ian clearly knows the material, but what stood out even more was the way he connected with my son and explained things in a way that finally made sense. As a parent, I felt truly heard. Ian understood that this wasn't just about math -- it was about my child's confidence and self-esteem. He was honest, caring, and clear in his communication, which made me feel hopeful and reassured that we have a real path forward. I'm so grateful for the experience. What could have been stressful turned into something positive and encouraging, and that's because of Ian. I would wholeheartedly recommend Hello College, especially Ian, to any family looking for not just academic support, but someone who genuinely cares about kids.

Hello College is a great opportunity to help you or your child with ACT and SAT prep and ask any…read morequestions about the college planning process. They offer many services, not just test prep. Jeannine is very helpful and even called me on a Saturday (her day off) and scheduled an ACT prep test for my son. They are experts in college planning and so easy to work with. I recommend them and I am sure I will be using them again in the near future.

Peter and his entire staff goes out of their way to make sure all aspects and understood, and all…read moreT's are crossed and I's are dotted. We have used Collegian Group, for over 20 years, for all our 4 children, with total professionalism and success Hats off a a great consultant Mr Peter Thank you sir B Siegel 3-5-2020

The Collegian Group has been exceptional to work with. They helped guide my twins and myself…read morethrough the college planning process. The Collegian team helped us navigate the very confusing financial process. My only regret is I didn't find out about them sooner since I made some financial mistakes that cost us money from receiving the full aid we were entitled too. I would advise starting the process in freshman year since it is important to plan early. They know ways to say you money and time. They provided my kids with great information which was a great guide in finding a good college fit! I highly recommend the Collegian Group.