Question 1

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

I currently offer comprehensive college application services for students at various stages of their academic journeys. At its core, the college application process is a reflection of growth. The key question we must ask ourselves then is: How can we develop meaningfully as students and individuals?

For 9th and 10th graders, my focus is on strategic planning—helping students navigate their high school years by identifying opportunities that allow them to explore academic interests, engage with personal passions, and build essential life skills. The goal is not just to craft a compelling and authentic application down the road but, more importantly, to ensure a fulfilling, enjoyable, and impactful high school experience.

For 11th and 12th graders, I guide students through the critical components of the college application process, including researching schools, building balanced college lists, brainstorming and refining essays, discussing major selection strategy,  completing application forms, assessing decisions, and more. My goal is to help students put their best foot forward and maximize their chances of admission.

For community college students seeking to transfer, I offer the same tailored support as I do for high school upperclassmen—essay editing, application guidance, and strategic planning to ensure a smooth and successful application process.

Question 2

How do I know if we're the right fit to work together?

Accepted Answer

I love working with students who are highly motivated and eager to make the most of their educational journey. Your GPA matters less to me than your willingness to invest your best effort. Are you curious, conversational, and open-minded? If so, we will be a great match!

On average, I work with students for 9 months or longer, taking the time to fully understand them, their lives, and their goals. This deeper connection allows us to craft more compelling and authentic applications that are clearer, more comprehensive reflections of who they truly are. Plus, it makes the process more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved!

I, unfortunately, cannot promise or guarantee admission to everyone's dream school. Instead, I take a practical, positive approach, navigating the system’s (occasionally unpredictable and unfair) complexities with strategy and perspective.

Success, to me, is not necessarily defined by a student earning admission to the most highly selective school, but rather, earning admission to a school they love that brings them closer to leading lives of meaning, joy, and financial independence.

No matter the outcome, I want you to feel proud of the application you put together and more confident in your capabilities. Let’s work together to navigate this exciting milestone as best we can. My promise is to empower you every step of the way in hopes that you discover your full potential and a path you’re excited to follow.

Cheers to your journey ahead!

Question 3

Okay, I want to work together! How do we do that?

Accepted Answer

The first step will be reaching out via the inquiry form on the website or by emailing me at hello@summitcollegejourney.com. From there, I will send you an intake form to gather more information, and we will schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation.

If we mutually decide to embark on this journey together, we will schedule our first official 1:1 session!

Question 4

Can I work with you in person?

Accepted Answer

Summit College Consulting is nearly 100% virtual*, ensuring families have the flexibility and convenience to meet with me from anywhere in the world. I am proud to share that the relationships I cultivate with students and their families transcend screens because they are rooted in personalized support, genuine care, and a deep commitment to students' long-term success.

*Families in Orange County may have the option to meet in-person, depending on convenience. Inquire for more details.

Question 5

When should we begin working on the college application process?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, it is important to recognize that the college application process is a marathon, not a sprint! Every step a student takes—whether engaging in community service as a freshman, enrolling in a community college class as a sophomore, or exploring a college campus as a junior—is a step in the right direction by improving their capabilities, confidence, or clarity for the road ahead.

That being said, the earlier a student starts in their high school journey, the more prepared they can be. This is because they have the opportunity to get a clearer understanding of the road ahead, discover passions, dive deeper into interests, develop skills, and expose themselves to more substantive experiences that lead to meaningful growth—the litmus test of any strong college application. Ultimately, time is the greatest asset any student has in this process.

The more "active" phase of the college application process begins February of Junior year. Once fall semester grades are finalized, providing the most up-to-date data to help determine where schools fall within a student’s profile, we begin researching colleges and crafting their school list. By May, after AP exams, the list is ideally well-refined, though adjustments may still be made. This allows us to shift focus to essays and application forms.

This proactive approach achieves two key goals: minimizing student workload when senior year begins and meeting as many Early Action deadlines as possible.

Question 6

How often should we be scheduling sessions?

Accepted Answer

It depends; a student's grade level, goals, work ethic, and personal preferences all inform my recommendation for how often we meet. We will continue to check in throughout the student's journey so that every family's needs are being met in a way that is comfortable for them. I recognize that this process is an investment, and I will work with families to ensure budgets are honored so that we can make the most of our time together!

Question 7

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

To make billing easy and transparent, I securely store a credit card on file through Square. I personally process payment on the day of each session based on the scheduled time (for example, $175 for a one-hour session), and you’ll receive a receipt by email right away.

Question 8

Do you offer subscriptions or packages?

Accepted Answer

No, I operate solely on an hourly basis—you only pay for the time you need.

Before becoming a college admissions consultant, I worked as the Director of Development for the Freedom Writers Foundation, an education equity nonprofit. My time there instilled in me the value of making higher education more accessible to everyone.

My dynamic pricing model increase the access families have to my services and give them the freedom to choose how I engage with their journey. I believe that strategy and support should not be locked behind steep paywalls!

Frequently Asked Questions