college admissions consulting
what is your true north?
It's a privilege to encourage students to take charge of their educational journeys, helping them explore, develop, and achieve their goals. There is nothing more exciting than being a guide as students imagine their future. I make the college admissions process organized, manageable, and approach it with joy and excitement. Having an experienced guide can bring calm, optimism, and clarity.
Hi, I'm Kristin. My students call me "Mrs. B".
I am a College Counselor and mom to four kids who are currently in college. I truly love helping high school students understand who they are, and how they can portray their most authentic selves in their applications. Nothing is more satisfying than celebrating a sensational essay, an acceptance into a desired school, and a happy parent at the end of this process.
My business is called True North because “When you find your True North, you discover your authentic self. It's a combination of your purpose and your beliefs. You decide what you value most in life and put that at the forefront. Once you're aware of this inner sense, you're one step closer to answering your calling. Your True North is unique to you.”
I love working with high school students to find their “best fit” college.
challenges you and your student might be facing:
Complex Admissions Criteria
College admissions have become more multi-faceted, with schools considering not just grades and scores.
Increased Competition
As more students apply to selective and elite colleges, the admissions process has become more competitive.
Time Constraints on Families
The college application process is often stressful and time consuming for both busy students and working parents.
“From the very beginning you took the time to understand my child’s strengths, aspirations, and goals, offering personalized advice that was both insightful and strategic.”
Your thorough knowledge of the admissions landscape made all the difference. You were always accessible, responsive, and proactive in addressing every question or concern we had along the way.
Parent of a 2025 Senior
Do you need a guide to find your True North in college admissions?
personalized Guidance on the College Admissions Process
Let's understand admissions criteria, help students highlight their strengths, and present a cohesive application.
Stress Relief and peace of mind
Manage any at home tensions by having a dedicated counselor as a point person for the process with your student.
laying a foundation for College Admissions Success
Present the strongest possible application and ensure everything is submitted accurately and on time.
Personalized College Consulting can help.
College Admissions Support
services
My services center around packages that support rising Juniors and Seniors in any stage of their process, from polishing essays to full college list building and strategic planning. I specialize in encouraging students to take charge of their educational journeys, helping them explore, develop, and achieve their goals. I design personalized advising plans and support families in navigating the complexities of college admissions.
Comprehensive College Counseling
For Classes of 2026 & 2027
Full-service college planning to help students navigate the entire application process with ease. My support includes:
High School & Testing Strategy
- Academic planning & activities review
- Testing strategy & prep options
Making the Most of Your Summers
- Guidance on summer programs & opportunities
- Career assessments to explore potential paths
Building the Right College List
- A personalized college list tailored to academic, social, and financial needs
- Behind-the-scenes research & communication
- Tips on researching colleges & planning visits
Application Guidance (Up to 10 Schools)
- Clear timelines & requirements for each application
- Strategy for Early Action/Early Decision plans
- Brainstorming & review of required essays
- Help writing strong activity descriptions
- Resume development
- Final application review before submission
Interviews & Final Decisions
- Interview preparation
- Waitlist guidance & final decision support
Parent Communication & Software Tools
- Email updates & access to student portal
- Use of College Planner Pro / Custom College Plan software & Prompt for essay management
Additional Info:
- If more than 35 hours are needed, extra time can be purchased in 5-hour increments.
- The **UC & CA State University** applications each count as one, no matter how many campuses are selected.
- Students can apply to more than 10 schools for an additional fee, based on the number of required essays.
I’m here to make college applications as smooth and stress-free as possible! 🎓✨
- Help filling out financial aid forms (e.g., FASFA, CSS) or financial advice
- Writing or submitting application materials on behalf of the student
- SAT or ACT prep classes
Senior Rush Package
For (rising) Seniors, designed to support you from June after Junior year to May of Senior Year
Available now for seniors beginning college planning in late May to late July before senior year, on a space available basis.
Up to 20 hours
Focused support to create strong applications, which may include:
High School Academic Record & Activities Review
Creation of or rounding out to create a Balanced, Customized College List with a range of admission selectivity that fit academic, social, and financial criteria
Instruction on researching colleges to quickly finalize list
Application Timelines and Requirements-up to **8 applications
Strategy for Early Action/Early Decision Application Plans-if timeline permits
Brainstorm for & review of required essays
Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions
Final detailed review of student’s application(s) prior to submission
Interview Preparation
Waitlist and Final College Decision Guidance
Communication with parents-meeting summaries and emails
Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro and essay management software, Prompt
*If hours exceed 20, additional hours can be purchased in 5-hour increments.
**The UC & CA State University applications each count as 1, no matter how many campuses are selected on each of those applications Student may apply to more than 8 colleges for an additional fee per college, determined by number of required essays.
- Help filling out financial aid forms (e.g., FASFA, CSS) or financial advice
- Writing or submitting application materials on behalf of the student
- SAT or ACT prep classes
Seniors who need an assist
Designed to support Seniors who need application review or essay help
Available starting August 1 until Sept. 15
*Up to 10 hours
If you are a rising Senior in need of college planning support, this package offers focused guidance including:
Application Timelines and Requirements-Common Application, UC, CA State University Applications
Brainstorming exercises & review of essays
Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions
Detailed review of application(s) prior to submitting
Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro & essay management software, Prompt
*If more time is needed, additional time can be purchased in 5 hour increments for this package, on a space available basis.
- Help filling out financial aid forms (e.g., FASFA, CSS) or financial advice
- Writing or submitting application materials on behalf of the student
- SAT or ACT prep classes
One Time Strategy Session
60-minute session providing overview of college planning process
- Pre-evaluation assessing every aspect of student's academic and extracurricular profile
- Overview of the college application evaluative process for selective institutions
- Discussion of profile assessment and presentation of strategies that will enhance the competitiveness of student's application
- Identification of other True North services that would be most beneficial based on the initial assessment
*available only during select times of the year
How does this sound?
Let's get
to work
01
My students have been accepted to Top 20 schools and state flagships - I work with all types of high schoolers who want to pursue a path to a postsecondary degree
02
Experience working with a myriad of students in both public and private schools
03
Competitive pricing with proven value and results
04
Reputation for going the extra mile and providing additional touches
05
Niche understanding, including military-connected students and LGBTQ+ student support
HOW WE WORK TOGETHER
no. 01
Consult Call
We have a 30 minute call for introductions. Here is where we see if this is a good fit for both counselor, parents, and student.
no. 02
Onboarding
We do a thorough assessment and determine what tailored approach will be crafted to fit your student and their needs.
no. 03
Get Started
We jump in and begin to tackle manageable chunks of the application process one step at a time. The student receives access to the student portal and we begin our work together.
“The sit-down advising meeting was a great experience.”
It was a strong foundation that allowed us to pivot and apply ED to Northwestern once I knew we could get financial aid. That ED pivot was likely one of the factors of his acceptance.
- Parent of 2025 Senior
“I am incredibly grateful Kristin, for the outstanding support.”
Thanks to Kristin's guidance, my child was accepted to every one of the seven colleges she applied to—an achievement that far exceeded our expectations! We have every confidence we have amazing choices already, so early in the process.
- Parent of 2025 Senior directly admitted to a nursing program
“Mrs. B's thorough knowledge of the admissions landscape made all the difference.”
From the very beginning Kristin took the time to understand my child’s strengths, aspirations, and goals, offering personalized advice that was both insightful and strategic.
- Parent of 2025 Senior accepted ED II to Boston College
“Your attention to detail and thoughtful approach ensured that my child's applications stood out, and we truly believe that support played a key role in securing multiple acceptances.”
You were realistic yet encouraging. You honored my student based on her hard work while also explaining the realities of the college landscape in 2024-2025. You inspired her to reach for top 20 schools while also supplementing her choices with fantastic likely school options. If she didn’t receive the news she wanted, you sent thoughtful emails that immediately built her back up. It was a very positive experience.
- Parent of 2025 Senior
about kristin
meet your college counselor
Are you looking for a counselor who brings structure, connects deeply with students, cheers them on every step of the way, recognizes their incredible potential, and helps them discover amazing opportunities? That’s me!
Here’s the client that is ideal for me: students who are open-minded and ready to communicate, who aren’t afraid to dive in and give their best effort, who are responsive and invested, and parents who are enthusiastic supporters of their journey. Let’s make great things happen together!
i can help because i've been there
I truly understand what it’s like to recently navigate this college process.
I just went through it myself as a parent and working in an independent school as a college counselor. Each year admissions trends change, new trends emerge, and a college's individual popularity ebbs and flows. Having someone on your team to inform, guide and cheer during this transitional time is hugely beneficial. I'd love to partner with your family on this journey.
I have a special heart for working with LGBTQ+ students to find a school where they can feel loved, accepted and celebrated. My family is military-connected and I have niche experience with the unique challenges our military students face. Many have multiple moves and high school transcripts. My 60 minute strategy session is designed for you!
My approach is highly relational!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Why hire an independent Educational consultant (IEC)?
A member of Independent Educational Consultant Association educational consultant spends hours with the applicant and family getting to the heart of the student’s personality, interests, qualifications, and aspirations. A successful admission begins with the consultant learning as much as they can about the student, then works to find the college or university that provides the best environment for the student’s educational, social, professional, and personal growth. It’s not only about being accepted—more importantly, it’s about thriving at the college that is the right fit for you.
An IECA consultant spends 20 percent of their time on the road, meeting with admissions officers, touring campuses, and exploring the campus environment. Therefore, consultants have extensive, firsthand knowledge of colleges and universities, big and small, around the country. This personal insight provides clients with a much deeper understanding than any catalog or website can convey. Because consultants are familiar with a multitude of colleges, they can present applicants with a much wider selection of possibilities and provide vital help in weighing factors such as cost, location, and curriculum.
What does a great INdependent Educational consultant do?
- Provides personalized guidance for your student
- Works together to craft a highly detailed application that capitalizes on all aspects of the student’s high school experience
- Helps with stress relief - you will have a blueprint on how to navigate this process
- Lets you lean into family happiness; I will coach so you don't have to!
- Gives you peace of mind knowing there is an informed and up-to-date counselor who can help you parse college myths from reality
- Provides solid, data-driven advice based on current statistics and admissions trends
- Stays current with attending professional development conferences and college visits
