Strong Endorsement, Well Done!

My daughter was accepted to 9 out of the 10 schools she applied to, including her dream institution, Stanford, where she’ll start this fall (2021). We chose to work with Solomon because she was attending a large public high school with skilled but overburdened guidance counselors. Our collaboration with Cathleen Sheils was outstandingshe truly merits a perfect score. We began working with Cathleen when my daughter was a freshman, and it turned out to be our best decision. Why start in freshman year? We realized that the college application process is a journey focused on building a comprehensive “resume.” Cathleen advised us on which courses, extracurricular activities, and summer programs would most effectively differentiate her college applications. For instance, my daughter was keen on joining a prestigious research program during her sophomore summer. Initially, my husband and I were reluctant to let her participate, but after Cathleen explained its benefits for her applications, we agreed, and she was accepted. In her Stanford acceptance letter, the admissions officer specifically mentioned her research experience. Additionally, my daughter wrote all her essays herself, with Cathleen providing constructive critiques. This was particularly important to us given the recent college application scandals. Knowing that her applications were entirely her own work and that she was accepted based on her merits is very reassuring. I can’t say enough good things about Cathleen; she was instrumental in guiding us through the complex college application process.