High School Preparedness

The high school years can be a hectic time. Are you asking yourself: “Is this high school the right fit?” “How do I get my student on the right track to manage the demands of multiple challenging classes?” “What is the right number of extracurriculars?” “When should my student start to think about community service involvement?” “My student wants to apply to highly selective colleges - what is the best way for them to prepare?”

We help your student gain control over their work/study habits and find focused activities and community service opportunities that speak to their interests and strengths.  We also help them navigate the application process for private secondary schools, prepare for work opportunities, create compelling college essays, and excel in their interviews.

Our students go on to maximize their high school experience so they have the best opportunity to get into the college of their choice.

 

Services

Academic Success and Extracurricular Counseling

  • Organization & time management skill improvement

  • Work/study habits improvement

  • Navigating ways to get help in academic subjects

  • Determining and implementing community service projects

  • Vocabulary expansion

  • Identifying appropriate contests, scholarships, extracurricular, employment and summer activities

  • Academic tutoring*

Writing Coaching

  • Writing instruction across the curriculum including brainstorming, prewriting, editing and writing narrative and expository pieces

College Counseling

  • Review standardized test options and strategies

  • ACT/SAT prep*

  • Assistance in the college application process including brainstorming and editing essays and formulating an activity list

  • Interview prep for college admissions

Career Counseling

  • Resume writing for jobs and internships

  • Creation and/or editing of LinkedIn profile

  • Interview prep for internships

 

* We partner with excellent outside resources who provide this service.

Reviews

 

Community Service

“Ellen provided exemplary work with my daughter. The informational and effective guidance you provided with her community service project related to suicide prevention was instrumental in her success, two years in a row!"

— Laura, Farmington, CT

College Applications

“I hired Cynthia in 2014 and again in 2016 to assist my daughter and son with college applications and essays. It was the best money I ever spent! Cynthia easily relates to both genders and my kids enjoyed working with her one-on-one throughout the entire college application process. Cynthia is smart, flexible, and really takes an interest in your kids' future. I would definitely recommend hiring her to assist your kids with the college application process.”

— Cyndi, Farmington, CT

 

College Essays

"We are so pleased with the assistance Cynthia gave our children in the college essay writing process. She was the added step that kept them on task, helped to organize their thoughts and act as an equal sounding board when they crafted their essays. She provided excellent support throughout - from discussing topic ideas to providing a second set of eyes on grammar and spelling. Both my son and daughter loved working with her and felt she was a tremendous help in their journey. She is an absolute pleasure to work with and we were very happy with the end product." 

— Denise, Avon, CT

College Essays

"We have had two of our daughters work with Cynthia on college essays, including supplemental requirements. Each of them came away from her sessions feeling confident in the overall plan of attack. Cynthia creates a manageable set of steps and schedules for writing a compelling, eye-catching series of essays. And, my wife and I were very thankful for Cynthia's scheduling flexibility and willingness to meet at our home."

— Chris, Avon, CT

Organization Skills and Community Service

"Ellen is a highly energetic college counselor. Her enthusiasm motivates students to do their very best. She listens to them and sees their potential while understanding the college application process in all aspects. Ellen has already helped our son on getting better organized with his studies and time management. She is currently working with him on test taking strategies and is helping him plan and execute his community service project. Our son returns from his meetings with Ellen with renewed energy and focus. We highly recommend her services."

— Sarah, Storrs, CT

Community Service

“Ellen was fantastic in helping our daughter brainstorm ideas for a meaningful community service project and in coaching her on how to best implement her ideas. While my daughter had always participated in volunteer activities through our church, this project allowed her to develop leadership and collaboration skills. Ellen helped her take a small idea and develop it into a project with a big impact in our community. Our daughter raised over $10,000 in just two years for a cause that was really important to her.”

— Sylvia, Farmington, CT