The Changing Landscape of College Admissions
Planning ahead, being prepared and casting a wide net are the most important considerations when beginning the college admissions journey. With Emily as your guide, you can count on honest, straightforward advice and reliable support for the best possible result. Emily believes the college admissions process almost always works out in the best interest of the student. What students can do to simplify the process is construct a strong foundation, benefit from Emily’s experience building the perfect list of schools for each student’s unique interests and goals, and allow her to help you stay on top of the many details and elements necessary for a positive outcome. The college admissions process is more competitive than ever, especially in a test-optional landscape post-COVID. Navigate it more successfully with Emily’s assistance, counsel, and support.
How Emily Can Help:
Emily can provide guidance on almost every aspect of the college admissions process. She has worked with every kind of student, from the most enthusiastic to the most reluctant, and everyone in between!
About Emily:
You will not find a more accessible Independent Educational Consultant anywhere. Emily is readily available to students and families throughout the process. Regular check-ins and monthly college admissions news updates keep families aware of trends and changes. Her depth of knowledge on schools both familiar and previously unknown will make building a list more manageable especially in the increasingly competitive universe of admissions.
Athena Outcomes:
Athena students have been admitted to more than 300 college and universities, both here and abroad. A balanced list with plenty of highly likely admits assures students will have choices and options.
Testimonials
SAVED OUR RELATIONSHIP
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
SAVED OUR RELATIONSHIP
“Emily saved our relationship with our daughter during the college application process. She was the point person, and we never had to ask our daughter how it was going. Emily was on it and every deadline was met, her essays were great and all we had to do was break out the Champagne when our daughter got into her ED school. Oh and she BCCed us along the way so we knew where she was in the process!”
J.L., NY
worth every dollar!
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
SAVED OUR RELATIONSHIP
“Our son’s academic and social challenges and a disciplinary measure at the beginning of high school made putting together a college essay scary. Emily was able to find schools that had solid graduation rates but were also accessible to a lower GPA student. No drama, no fireworks, just a sensible thoughtful process that led to the best possible place for him to prepare for a career and grow up. Worth every dollar!”
T.R., NJ
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
“My son is a reluctant writer and always had trouble when faced with a blank page. Emily found three great ideas based on his responses to her questionnaire and got him fired up about writing his essay. Best of all, he was done with all the writing for his applications by the time I started senior year, thanks to Emily’s responsiveness and patience, and submitted all his apps with weeks to spare.”
S.R., NY
EMILY HELPED US REALIZE...
EMILY HELPED US REALIZE...
THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS & IDEAS
“...that good grades and test scores were not enough to earn a spot at his top choice. We learned this early on and were able to find, with Emily’s help, things that made him a desirable candidate. We didn’t know how many ways a student can show talent and passion. We also learned that a backup plan is essential when seeking admission to the most competitive schools and Emily helped us hone our list and make sure our son would have choices.”
R.S., CT
EMIILY SAVED THE DAY
EMILY HELPED US REALIZE...
EMILY WAS PROFESSIONAL
“We came to Emily a week before our son’s Early Decision application was due, Emily sorted out his Common App, edited his essay, made sure we submitted scores only where they would benefit his profile, and updated his Naviance page. While we wish he had done everything himself, Emily saved the day and was worth every penny.”
B.R., NY
EMILY WAS PROFESSIONAL
EMILY HELPED US REALIZE...
EMILY WAS PROFESSIONAL
“Emily helped us after we used another advisor who was often unresponsive and expensive. Emily was professional, exact, concise and helped my son polish his essay in one meeting and we believe helped him to get him into his first choice school. In hindsight, we should have used Emily for the whole college application process as her insight is invaluable in finding the perfect fit. Her essay help is without question amazing and offers the best bang for the buck!”
J.B., NY
ASSURED TIMELY SUBMISSION
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
"As an international applicant, our daughter was nervous about the entire application process. Emily provided the hand-holding she needed, kept her on a schedule to assure timely submission of all the materials and even suggested a few schools that our school counselor was unfamiliar with. Our daughter was admitted to every single school to which she applied, earned generous merit awards at several and just started her first year at her first choice school!”
E. W., China
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
"Our daughter was so confused about how to apply without test scores after not reaching her testing goals. Emily’s research and excellent editing skills helped us re-evaluate our list and help her find schools that are authentically test optional reducing her anxiety significantly. She is thrilled with her admissions results.”
L.R., CT
out-of-the-box thinkinG
helped us decode Test Optional admissions
out-of-the-box thinkinG
“I lost months of school when I was hospitalized with a complex medical issue. Emily helped me find ways to make the most of my down time by encouraging me to start a business, found a small non-profit, and learn to code via free classes online. I was able to fill the holes in my resume with meaningful activities I loved. Her out-of-the-box thinking is unmatched.”
Z.B., MA
Why Hire an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC)?
People often ask why they should consider hiring an outside professional when they have a high school counselor. High school counselors can be incredibly helpful, but they wear many hats. They may have to provide support for hundreds of students, juggle multiple responsibilities, and have administrative tasks to complete too. An IEC with deep experience and professional associations to continually learn about changes and trends in admissions is focused on list-building, finding the right fit, and helping students write essays and build profiles that stand out in a sea of similar students. We also attend conferences, visit dozens of schools every year via tours or independently, and can call on a vast network of colleagues and their shared knowledge to help our students. Many of us focus exclusively on college admissions. The best IECs don't view their work as a side hustle or try to be all things to all students. Many of us refer students with specific needs to other professionals. We don't do test prep or academic tutoring. We support our students from the start of high school through the purchase of those weird extra-long sheets all college mattresses require! The best IECs are committed to ethical advising, meeting our students' needs and can be an invaluable resource for families.
