Choosing the ideal college or university is a pivotal decision in your life, and the process of exploring all of your options is one full of excitement, curiosity and challenge. When you add in the complexities of juggling application procedures, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Having access to dedicated, comprehensive and individualized counseling allows you to approach your research, essays, applications and interviews with confidence and clarity, and gives you the power to take control of your future.
I can help you to identify the educational institutions that will help you to grow, thrive and succeed, providing the resources and advice necessary to make assured, informed decisions.
Choosing the ideal college or university can be a pivotal decision in your life, and the process of exploring all of your options is one full of excitement, curiosity and challenge. When you add in the complexities of juggling application procedures, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
More than 500+ our client has proven
Over the past fifteen years, working in top-tier international schools in America, Asia and Europe, I have helped guide students from a variety of backgrounds to realize their academic and personal aspirations, navigating them through the intricacies of the college application process.
My professional journey encompasses volunteer work, school counseling and support, and networking with admission officers from colleges and universities around the world, which has included visiting over 200 institutions. All of this affords me a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of college admissions. I hold Master’s degrees in both Psychology and Education, and maintain up-to-date professional memberships, including with both NACAC and IACAC. I have also served on the IACAC Communications Committee.
I have worked as Head of Counseling at several Tier 1 international schools and, for the past five years, have been a mentor to other counselors.
I remain dedicated to staying well-informed about the ever-evolving landscape of global higher education, ensuring that the counsel I provide is tailored to support the needs of each family.
Here is an overview of why you might want to hire an IEC, and a good article from Forbes.
Below are some of the reasons for working with an IEC:
Personalized Guidance: In the US, many schools average with a student to counselor ratio of 400:1, with just 38 minutes of dedicated time to meetings about college. In many other countries, the concept of university guidance is still developing. Unlike school counselors, who might have hundreds of students to assist, an IEC can offer one-on-one attention tailored to the student’s unique strengths, interests, and goals. As a former school counselor, I decided to move to IEC so I can best serve the students and families I work with by dedicating my time and attention solely to them.
Expertise and Experience: I visit 20 – 30 colleges each year, and completed over 200 visits to date. As I have personally visited institutions across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe and Asia, I am able to recommend the most appropriate options for students to evaluate. This personalized approach is one that is superior to relying on online algorithms (such as you will find on College Board Big Future among many others) that develop a college list based on generics like campus location and test scores, and national rankings that don’t take into consideration personal factors and unique circumstances and preferences that directly impact a student’s college experience. I attend conferences where I connect with the admission representatives and stay on top of trends in higher education and admission. I understand what colleges and universities are looking for and how decisions are made, and can provide tips and strategies to enhance chances for admission.
Stress Reduction: The college application process can be overwhelming for both students and parents. Sometimes, conversations around this topic can be a major source or stress and conflict for families. This is normal, and I see it often. I can help calm things down, reduce college-conversation conflict, and preserve family life by acting as a mediator and project manager. I can help manage deadlines, organize application materials, and provide a structured timeline, reducing the stress and anxiety associated with the process.
Essay Assistance: Crafting a compelling personal statement and supplemental essays is crucial. An IEC can help brainstorm topics, provide feedback on drafts, and ensure that the essays reflect the student’s voice and effectively convey your story.
Support for Unique Circumstances: Students with special circumstances, such as learning disabilities, athletic recruitment, or a non-traditional educational background, or those who are looking to transfer from college can benefit from the specialized knowledge of an IEC to address their specific needs.
With so many independent advisors practicing worldwide, it’s important to know that not all counselors have the same level of experience or qualifications. Since 2012, I have been committed to facilitating a personalized match between a student and their future college or university. A combination of specific training, experience in the field, and cultural knowledge from living in different countries and working with international, transient families allows me to recommend colleges best suited to the strengths and interests of the student.
Ideally, we should start meeting while you are in Grade 9 or Grade 10. That helps you better understand what you need to do early on and gives you a framework for understanding the college admission process. I really believe that early involvement increases knowledge and decreases stress for families.
Grade 11 is when the college search begins in earnest, so this is a good time to start the process. Some students wait until Grade 12 to seek help with their applications, but this is a very late start and creates more work for you. I strongly recommend starting to work with me prior to the senior year.
I know how busy you can be, so my meeting schedule is designed to be flexible and accommodating. I plan to have at least one family meeting and two student meetings in 10th grade. In 11th grade, we start regular monthly meetings in November. As you progress to 12th grade, we’ll meet bi-weekly with you during the summer before senior year until your applications are completed in the fall. I continue to support students throughout the fall and into the spring with interview coaching, updating colleges, talking through admissions offers and making the final decision.
While a lot of my students do also apply to highly selective colleges, I work with students from a range of backgrounds. My role is to provide you with a college list that is balanced and offer guidance and knowledge on different options available so that you can make an informed decision that is best for you.
I will support you no matter what your background is.
I uphold all standards set forth by NACAC’s Statement of Good Practices as well as IECA’s Principles of Good Practice.
I do not guarantee admittance to a particular college or university, nor do I accept compensation from colleges or third parties. By working with me, you will work with a college and university admissions expert who has achieved the profession’s most rigorous educational standards and adheres to a strict code of ethics. Guarantees would be a violation of this gold standard.
Whether you are just getting started and looking to understand your options, or you have a clear goal in mind and are in need of a comprehensive plan of support, I can help to maximise your chances of success. As an independent counselor, my greatest value lies in providing individualized solutions and support. Your journey will be shaped by the regions you are keen to explore, but every session is bespoke and tailored to your needs. I also offer an hourly rate, if you are looking to fine-tune individual aspects of your application. Reach out today to book a free consultation to discuss how I can support you.
If you are interested in finding out more,
reach out to ask questions or set up an initial call.
If you are interested in finding out more, reach out to ask questions or set up an initial call.
contact@coopersinternational.com
If you are interested in finding out more,
reach out to ask questions or set up an initial call.
contact@coopersinternational.com
If you are interested in finding out more, reach out to ask questions or set up an initial call.
contact@coopersinternational.com