Why do I need an expert admissions consultant?
Most students and their families, no matter how well-intentioned, are too close to the process of applying to college to see clearly and objectively. Working with a professional consultant who does not have a personal stake in the process yet still bears your best interests in mind will help you put your strengths as well as weaknesses in perspective, take some of the pressure off you and your family, and give you the reassurance of knowing that an experienced consultant will be with you every step of the way as you craft your best possible application.
Wouldn't I receive the same help from my high school guidance counselor?
No. Even at elite college preparatory schools, guidance counselors have a demanding case load and may not have the time to focus on the minute details of your application or do line-by-line essay editing. Additionally, my experience as an admissions officer will provide highly individualized advice and assistance that may not available at your school.
I don't want my essay to look like it was professionally edited. Will it still look like my own work?
Absolutely. As an experienced composition instructor and editor, I specialize in working with students through multiple drafts and revisions until, in responding to and addressing my comments, they craft an essay that is uniquely theirs, written in their own distinctive voice.
Will I work with Irena or with someone else?
I do not sub-contract or work with anyone else -- which means that I work directly, one-on-one with students and, where appropriate, with their families, from the first meeting to the moment the last line of the last essay is written, edited, and submitted.
What if I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area? Can I still work with Irena?
Sure. We can conduct our first meeting by conference call and then continue our correspondence by email and telephone, as I do with all my students after the initial meeting.
When should I start?
Depending on your motivation and level of interest in a particular college, as early as ninth grade. At that point, we can schedule an initial consultation and I can make specific follow-up recommendations for course selection, extracurricular activities, and ways of optimizing a student's interests and talents. We will then hold 2-3 follow-up meetings every year to monitor a student's progress. Of course my degree of involvement varies widely from student to student -- some students prefer more long-term, intensive involvement, while for others, essay polishing and editing in November of their senior year is sufficient.
When is it too late to work with an admissions consultant?
Probably when you're being fitted for a cap and gown for your college graduation! In all seriousness, I work with students who have been deferred from the Early Action applicant pool as well with students who have been waitlisted. I also work with currently enrolled college students who are considering transferring to another college or university.
Are parents included?
Absolutely! Parents have known their child the longest and often provide invaluable insights and jumping-off points for a personal essay. I find that the most successful applications result from a team effort, one that incorporates the voices and ideas of the student as well as the parents.
Do you help students with selecting colleges to apply to?
Selecting a college is a deeply personal decision. I encourage all applicants to become as informed as possible about schools that interest them. The more active you are in the search process -- thorough reading, visiting, and conversations with students and faculty at your prospective college or university -- the better your sense of whether that particular school is a good "fit" for you. I can offer assistance with setting realistic goals and helping you determine your chances of being admitted.
Can you help if I have a problem area in my application (such as a failed class or a suspension)?
While it's obviously better not to have problem areas in your application, colleges do take special circumstances into consideration. Although there is no guarantee that it will get you in, I can help you craft a thoughtful, detailed, and carefully-edited essay explaining these circumstances.
