Frequently Asked Questions - Spark Your College Story

Getting Started

1. When should we start working with a college counselor?

The ideal time to begin is during the spring of sophomore year, which gives us enough time to develop a comprehensive two-year strategy. However, we can provide valuable support at any stage, including senior year for students who need focused application assistance. Starting earlier allows us to influence course selection, extracurricular planning, and test preparation timelines.

2. What does a college counselor actually do?

A college counselor provides personalized guidance through every aspect of the college admissions process, from building a balanced college list to crafting compelling essays and preparing for interviews. We help students identify their strengths, develop their unique story, and present themselves authentically to admissions committees. Beyond logistics, we serve as strategic advisors, organizational coaches, and supportive mentors throughout this transformative journey.

3. How is working with you different from using my school counselor?

School counselors are a valuable resource, but typically manage 300-500 students and focus primarily on ensuring graduation requirements are met. As private college counselors, we work with a limited roster of 15-20 students at a time, allowing for weekly check-ins, personalized strategy, and dedicated attention to each student's unique goals. We work together with your school counselor as complementary partners in your student's success.Anonymous Data Collection and Use

4. Is it too late to hire a college counselor if my child is already a senior?

It's not too late—many families start senior year and we can still make a significant impact on application quality and college list strategy. We'll focus intensively on essay development, activity list optimization, and ensuring all application components showcase your student's strengths. While starting earlier is ideal, senior year support can be the difference between good applications and exceptional ones.

5. Do we really need a college counselor, or can we do this ourselves?

Many families successfully navigate the process independently, and we’re always honest about whether our services will add significant value for your specific situation. A college counselor is most beneficial for families targeting competitive schools, students who need organizational support, or parents who want expert guidance to reduce stress and maximize opportunities. If you have time to thoroughly research the process and your student is self-motivated, you may be able to DIY successfully.

Services & Pricing

6. How much does college counseling cost?

Our comprehensive packages range from $3,500 to $8,500 depending on when you start and the level of support needed. We also offer à-la-carte services like essay coaching or SAT/ACT prep for families who only need targeted help. We are transparent about pricing during our free consultation and can discuss payment plans if helpful.

7. What's included in your college counseling packages?

Our packages include personalized college list development, application strategy, essay brainstorming and editing, activity list optimization, interview preparation, and ongoing support throughout the application process. You'll receive regular check-ins (weekly during peak season), email access for quick questions, and timeline management to keep everything on track. Each package is customized to your student's grade level and specific needs.

8. Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans to make our services accessible to more families. We can structure payments monthly or by milestone, and we’re happy to work with you to find an arrangement that fits your budget. Reach out during our free consultation to discuss options.

9. Can we just get help with essays instead of the full package?

Absolutely—our à-la-carte essay coaching service is perfect for families who only need writing support. We offer brainstorming sessions, structural guidance, and multiple rounds of editing to help students craft compelling personal statements and supplemental essays. This is ideal for organized students who have their college list and timeline managed but want expert feedback on their writing.

10. What are your SAT and ACT Blitz courses and how are they different from private tutoring?

The SAT Blitz and the ACT Blitz are our 6-session intensive group courses that combine expert test-taking strategies, practice sessions, and collaborative learning in a focused format. Each course is more affordable than private tutoring while still maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention. For students who prefer one-on-one support or have very specific score goals, we also offer private SAT or ACT tutoring sessions.

Process & Timeline

11. How often will we meet with you?

Meeting frequency depends on your package and where you are in the process, but typically ranges from bi-weekly to weekly sessions. During application season (September-December of senior year), we may increase to weekly check-ins to ensure everything stays on track. Between sessions, we are always available via email or brief Zoom calls for quick questions and timely feedback.

12. Do you work with students virtually or only in-person?

We offer both in-person sessions for families in the Darien, Greenwich, and Fairfield County area, as well as virtual sessions for families throughout Connecticut and beyond. Virtual meetings via Zoom work seamlessly for college counseling, allowing us to share screens, review documents in real-time, and maintain the same personalized support. Many of our clients do a combination of both based on their schedules.

13. What's the timeline for the college application process?

The intensive application period runs from August through January of senior year, but the groundwork begins much earlier with testing (sophomore/junior year), extracurricular development (9th-11th grade), and college research (junior year). Early Decision/Early Action applications are typically due November 1st, with Regular Decision deadlines in early January. I help families create a customized timeline based on their specific situation and goals.

14. Will you write my child's essays for them?

No. Ethical college counseling means we guide students to write their own authentic essays, not write essays for them. We help brainstorm topics, provide structural feedback, ask probing questions to draw out deeper insights, and edit for clarity and impact. The final essay must be 100% the student's own voice and work, which is both an ethical requirement and what makes applications successful.

15. How many colleges should my child apply to?

Most students apply to 8-12 colleges, with a balanced list of 2-3 reach schools, 4-6 target schools, and 2-3 safety schools. The exact number depends on factors like whether they're applying Early Decision, their geographic flexibility, and their academic profile. We'll work together to build a strategic list that maximizes opportunities while staying manageable.

Results & Outcomes

16. What are your students' acceptance rates?

While outcomes vary based on each student's individual profile, our students consistently gain acceptance to their target schools with a very high rate of successful placements. We've helped students get into institutions including Yale, MIT, Stanford, and many other top-tier universities. Most importantly, our students end up at schools where they thrive—the right fit matters more than the brand name.

17. Can you guarantee my child will get into a specific school?

No ethical college counselor can guarantee admission to any specific college, as admissions decisions involve many factors outside our control. What we can guarantee is that we'll craft the strongest possible application that authentically represents your student's achievements and potential. Our goal is to maximize opportunities and ensure your student ends up at a school where they'll be happy and successful.

18. Do you help with scholarship and financial aid applications?

Yes, we provide guidance on scholarship searches, financial aid timelines, and FAFSA/CSS Profile completion. While we are not financial aid specialists, we help families understand the financial aid landscape and can refer you to specialists for complex situations. We incorporate financial considerations into college list development to ensure affordability is part of the equation.

19. What makes your students' applications stand out?

Our students stand out because we invest time in authentic self-discovery and strategic storytelling rather than trying to manufacture impressive résumés. We identify each student's unique "spark"—whether it's an intellectual passion, creative talent, or leadership journey—and build a cohesive narrative throughout their application. Strong applications feel genuine, specific, and memorable rather than generic and formulaic.

20. Do you work with students targeting Ivy League schools?

Yes, we work with students across the full spectrum of college selectivity, including those aiming for Ivy League and other highly competitive schools. For these applications, we focus intensively on differentiation, authentic passion demonstration, and flawless execution across all application components. We bring realistic perspectives about these schools' extremely low acceptance rates while helping students put their best foot forward.

Working Together

21. How many students do you work with at once?

We intentionally limit our active roster to 15-20 students to ensure every family receives personalized attention and responsive support. This allows us to know each student deeply, maintain regular communication, and provide same-day or next-day email responses. Unlike larger firms where you might work with multiple counselors, you'll work exclusively with me throughout your entire journey.

22. What's your background and what qualifies you to be a college counselor?

I hold a PhD, have a professional teaching background, and worked as a journalist before dedicating myself to college counseling. My unique combination of educational expertise, writing skills, and understanding of how to craft compelling narratives helps students present their best selves. I'm passionate about education and have personally guided hundreds of students through this process with successful outcomes.

23. How involved will my parents need to be in the process?

Parent involvement varies by family, but we recommend a balanced approach where parents are informed partners without micromanaging. Parents typically attend initial planning sessions, college list discussions, and major milestone meetings, while students drive the day-to-day work. We help facilitate healthy communication between parents and students and can navigate family dynamics to reduce stress for everyone.

24. What if my child isn't very motivated or struggles with organization?

These are exactly the students who benefit most from structured college counseling support— we provide accountability, break overwhelming tasks into manageable steps, and help students build organizational skills they'll use beyond college applications. We establish realistic timelines, celebrate small wins, and work with each student's natural working style rather than against it. Many parents find that having an outside expert reduces family conflict and actually increases student engagement.

25. How do I know if Spark Your College Story is the right fit for our family?

The best way to determine fit is to schedule a free consultation where we can discuss your student's goals, your family's needs, and my approach. You'll get a sense of my personality, teaching style, and whether we click—chemistry and trust are essential in this partnership. I'm always honest about whether I think I can add significant value, and I want you to feel completely confident in your decision.

Last Updated: February 2026