Today the college application process can seem overwhelming, stressful and all-consuming. On the contrary, I believe the journey to college should be an exciting time for self-discovery! I help students identify and research strong matches across a number of different criteria important to them. I work closely with each individual student to assess their strengths, identify opportunities, create a balanced college list and craft a seamless story throughout their application. With three years’ admissions experience at Stanford University and two years’ experience working directly with students, I’ve come to see the admissions process from both sides of the desk.

Colleen McDonough received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from The University of Michigan. She worked for a number of years in strategy and corporate development at software startups and brand marketing at consumer products companies such as Pepsi-Cola, Pillsbury and Mattel. After raising two fantastic kids, Colleen cast about for another career and found her true calling in college admissions. Leveraging her marketing expertise, she works closely with students to craft their unique story, which she uses to her students’ advantage in helping them create their personal narrative. And this distinction is often the difference between an admit or deny decision. At the end of this journey, my students find a college where they will thrive.