A Tribute to Cathleen Sheils

Writing this review for our Admissions Counselor, Cathleen Sheils, brings me great joy. For the past two and a half years, Cathleen has been an invaluable source of knowledge and support for both me and my children.When our family embarked on the college admissions process with Cathleen, we didnt fully grasp how much my children would need to stand out to secure a place at competitive colleges. Initially, I thought our collaboration with Cathleen and Solomon would mainly involve assistance with essay writing, application reviews, and selecting activities. However, our experience with Cathleen went far beyond these tasks!Cathleen began by encouraging my children to craft a personal narrative about their future aspirations. She emphasized that identifying the “right” college starts with establishing a unique personal position that reflects who they are individually. This process was challenging for both of them, and I witnessed moments of frustration as they had to reevaluate some of their initial assumptions. Defining their narratives required deep introspection, extensive writing, and discipline. Cathleen was straightforward about their responsibilities and decisions, which I believe is one of her strongest qualities as a counselor. She instills the message that without upfront effort, competing at higher levels isnt feasible.Throughout the entire journey, Cathleen remained by our side. She guided us in selecting internships and refining applications for demanding summer programs aimed at developing my children as researchers and contributors beyond high school. Cathleen held high expectations, and because she trusted in their abilities, my children rose to the occasion. By the time they were ready to submit their applications, Cathleen ensured that both of them presented the most competitive portfolios they could achieve.As my children prepare to start college, I feel a mix of emotions about our time with Cathleen coming to an end. She has been a fantastic advocate for my children, pushing them to grow in ways that will benefit them throughout their undergraduate years and beyond. We are deeply thankful for Cathleen and our experience with Solomon!