Frequently Asked Questions About College Admissions

Families come to Atlas when they want thoughtful, individualized guidance through the college admissions process - beyond what is typically available in a school setting.

At Atlas, the focus is not simply on getting students admitted, but on helping them make informed, confident decisions about where they will learn, grow, and thrive. I work directly with students and parents to bring clarity, perspective, and structure to each stage of the process - connecting a student’s academic interests, personal strengths, long-term goals, and family priorities, including cost considerations, with colleges that are truly the right fit.

College is one of the most meaningful investments a family makes. My role is to provide steady, strategic guidance so students and families can navigate admissions with confidence, intention, and a clear sense of direction.

At Atlas, the work begins with the student - not with a checklist or a college list.

Before applications, essays, or timelines, I focus on helping students clarify their interests, strengths, and priorities. That foundation allows every decision that follows - from course planning to college selection to essays - to be intentional and well-informed.

My approach is both human-centered and strategic. I work one-on-one with students and families to bring clarity to the process, align choices with academic goals, family priorities, and admissions context (including cost considerations), and guide each step with purpose rather than pressure.

That clarity allows students to approach applications with a context-driven strategy across a wide range of institutions, including highly selective colleges, without losing sight of fit or long-term outcomes.

Families come to Atlas at many different stages of the college planning process.

I often begin working with families as early as 9th grade to provide consultation around course selection and summer enrichment. Direct, ongoing work with students typically begins in 10th grade, when students are ready to engage more actively in planning.

Starting in 10th grade allows time for thoughtful course choices, meaningful extracurricular involvement, early exploration of interests, and a measured approach to standardized testing, when appropriate - often reducing pressure later in the process. That said, it is absolutely not too late to begin in junior year or as a rising senior. Many students start later and still achieve excellent outcomes.

My role is to meet students and families where they are and provide focused, strategic guidance - whether the timeline is long or compressed.

Choosing the right colleges begins with understanding the student - not rankings or assumptions.

I work with students to clarify their academic interests, learning style, priorities, and goals, then connect those insights to colleges where they are likely to thrive. In developing a college list, I evaluate factors such as academic programs, experiential and hands-on learning opportunities, campus environment, size, location, level of selectivity, admissions context, outcomes, and financial fit, including merit opportunities and overall cost.

The result is a balanced, well-researched list that reflects both aspiration and realism. Students typically apply to a range of colleges they would be genuinely excited to attend and well positioned to succeed at.

My goal is to ensure that every student has multiple strong options at the end of the process - and the confidence to choose among them thoughtfully.

When affordability is an important consideration, it becomes part of the strategy from the beginning - not something addressed at the end.

I work with families to understand their priorities around cost and value, then factor those considerations into college selection and admissions planning early in the process. This may include identifying colleges known for offering merit scholarships, understanding how academic profile and timing influence merit, and distinguishing between published cost and the actual net price families may expect to pay, recognizing that offers can vary widely by institution.

Rather than treating financial aid as something to address after acceptances arrive, I help students build college lists that balance academic fit, outcomes, and affordability - so families are positioned to choose from strong options they can realistically say yes to.

The goal is clarity and confidence: not just an admission, but an outcome that makes sense academically, personally, and financially.

College planning works best as a partnership.

I work directly with students while also collaborating with parents to ensure everyone feels informed, aligned, and confident in the process. Parents are included in key conversations around strategy, timelines, priorities, and decision points, while students are encouraged to take increasing ownership of decisions and responsibilities over time.

This approach supports independence without leaving families out - and helps create a smoother, more thoughtful experience for everyone involved.

Yes. Many students I work with do not fit a single, traditional definition of a “perfect” applicant - and that is often where some of the most thoughtful and well-matched outcomes emerge.

I work with students who may still be clarifying their academic direction, who have uneven transcripts, or who bring strengths that are not always immediately obvious on paper. My role is to help students understand their profile honestly, identify what colleges value in context, and present themselves clearly and authentically.

This includes helping students highlight growth, explain challenges appropriately when needed, and focus on environments where they are well positioned to succeed. A student’s starting point is one part of the story - not the whole picture.

I define success in college admissions as helping students make clear, informed choices about colleges that align with their goals, interests, and priorities - whether that includes highly selective programs or institutions offering exceptional academic, experiential, or financial opportunities. The goal is for students to end the process with strong options and confidence in the path they choose.