Competition. Hype. Pressure. Anxiety about the future. Where do we even begin?
That's just college admissions nowadays, right? But…does it have to be that way? What if you could turn it around?
Collaboration. Pragmatism. Relief. Excitement about what comes next. We've got this—no problem.
Parents, the choice is yours. You can step back and watch your teenager take ownership of the future. You can rest assured that all your bases are covered, and that the support you're providing will afford your student every opportunity in life. All you need is the right guide.
I can provide that guidance.
In my work with students, I bring to bear three essential things:
1. My own collection of far-ranging experiences in and after college. I have been an artist, an entrepreneur and an educator for more than a decade, and I'll be the first to proclaim from any mountain that "higher education" extends well beyond the four years after high school—it's the journey of a lifetime.
2. My ongoing professional development as an active member of several professional organizations, and my insights into what colleges really offer, garnered through 30+ campuses each year.
3. My sensibilities, communication style, and most importantly, my ability to listen. (Age doesn't hurt, either, as one of the younger professionals in this field.) I connect with teenagers. I hear what they have to say. I know how to reach them. I expect tremendous effort and hard work from my students; in return, I promise clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm and efforts equality herculean as we walk this path together.
One of my biggest struggles throughout the college application process was knowing where I stood. One day I wanted to apply to Harvard, and the next to schools I'd never even heard of. Throughout the process, Nick went beyond the role of a college counselor—he was a friend. He constantly reassured me that I could get into top institutions, and he was right! Without him, I absolutely would not have been able to get into my dream school.
What I particularly liked about Nick's approach to the college application process was that he is both efficient and creative. At every meeting, I would come to him with about ten colleges to go over—that's a 40-page document—and somehow, he got through it in an hour every single time, while still giving useful feedback.
Additionally, his feedback helped me bring my personal statement to the next level. The original draft I was going to submit was based on a metaphor—the advice he gave is something I still remember to this day: "If you can write the same plot without the metaphor, scrap it." After that, all of my essays—not just the personal statement—became so much more efficient and clear.
Throughout the entire college application process, Nick was simultaneously kind, flexible, and made the process fun. I strongly recommend that anyone reading this hire Nick Soper as their college counselor.