About Us
Helping students and schools for over 30 years.
Hilary has helped hundreds of students through the process of preparing and planning for, and transitioning to, education beyond high school
Hilary believes that, in today’s world, all students can, and should, seek a path through post-secondary education that suits their own needs and goals. There is no best timeline, best experience or best path.
Many Paths
More and more often, students are taking longer to get through a bachelor’s degree than the standard four years of the 20th century. (The current average graduating age in the US is 27!) Sometimes this is because they have pursued a co-op (work experience program with several work terms) or an independent experience abroad to build cultural understanding, or added skills-oriented micro-credentials to their degree. Or, they sometimes begin with an Associate’s degree or shorter applied skills program, and then move on to a Bachelor’s degree. Others take a Gap year to reflect, explore options, or gain maturity and improved focus before starting on the educational journey. All of these routes can make sense when rooted in the student’s life experience and goals.
Asking the right questions
Families may see post-secondary education as a time for personal growth for their child before they become truly independent adults, or as the best means of finding a life purpose, or as a direct route to employment, or a combination of these.
Asking the important questions, and identifying these, the family’s aims, is where the process should begin.
Hilary brings expertise and experience to help you find the path for you
Hilary started her career in university admission and counselling at James Madison University (VA) in 1993, where she earned her Master’s degree in Counselling: Student Personnel Administration in 1994. Prior to that, she earned a B.A. in Psychology at Ithaca College in New York.
Since then, her 30 year career has taken her to Associate Director of Admission at a U.S. private liberal arts college, Dean of Enrollment Management at an independent university preparatory boarding school (U.S.) and both Director of Admission and Director of University Counselling at an independent university preparatory school (Canada). In these roles, Hilary has advised students on all aspects of the admission process, from both sides of the desk
Hilary has also presented at professional conferences, such as the American College Personnel Association, the National Association of College Admission Counsellors, the Independent Educational Consultants Association and others, networked with thousands of admission representatives from colleges all over the United States, Canada, the U.K. and beyond, and visited well over 300 campuses to learn about their unique programs, environments and opportunities for students.
HIGHLIGHTS
Master’s Degree on Counselling: Student Personnel Administration-James Madison University
B.A. in Psychology at Ithaca College in New York
Associate Director of Admission at a U.S. private liberal arts college
Dean of Enrollment Management at an independent university preparatory boarding school (U.S.)
Director of Admission and Director of University Counselling at an independent university preparatory day school (Canada)
Inside Experience
In her work with schools, Hilary has created systems for academic advisors and counsellors to follow, and developed resources, such as handbooks, presentations, workshops and how-to guides for educating families about their many options and opportunities, and the ways to access those. These cover the topics of self-assessment and personal and career exploration, understanding the range of academic programs of study, applying to elite universities, creating a list of affordable options, accessing financial aid, how to share your story through admission interviews and essays, and other application pieces – all of the concepts incorporated into her consulting work with students.
Hilary is a member of the U.S. associations: NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counsellors, Int ACAC (International Association of College Admission Counsellors) and IECA (the Independent Educational Consultants Association), Professional Member
Our Approach
Hilary’s aim in working with any student is that they complete the process having generated excellent admission offers for themselves from carefully selected institutions. She prides herself on the exceptional university graduation rate of her students, reflecting a thorough process and selection of an excellent fit in their university choice.
Goals
Communication
Minimize the stress and confusion inherent in this process through regular communication, access to a wealth of resources, clear timelines and guidelines.
Planning
Offer a structured, step-by-step process and advising for the student, guiding them through specific requirements and tasks.
Support
Support the parents as they move through the stages of planning with their child. Offer an “open door” for families to discuss their unique challenges and questions along the way.
Successful outcomes
Students
The student is invested in the process and begins to take the lead in making decisions about their future.
Parents
Parents are optimally involved and in a better position to support their child, equipped with resources and tools and an “objective outsider’s” guidance
Admissions
Admission offers from well-researched schools that are an excellent fit for the student and offer affordable options.
The very idea of applying to college had always terrified me: it seemed to be riddled with ambiguities and intricate jargon, designed to ensnare us all in endless confusion. Yet, at the same time, nothing excited me more than the prospect of starting the new chapter of my life on a college campus.For the longest time, I had been researching different universities and comparing their relative merits, but every single time I opened up an actual application form my courage failed me and I balked, feeling like I could never navigate this treacherous paperwork–and in any case, what could I ever say about myself that would set me apart from the thousands of other students who were vying for admission to the same program? I feel very privileged that I was fortunate enough to have had Hilary’s patience and expertise at this crucial juncture. Her calm demeanor and down-to earth conversations about my future goals were essential to establishing my confidence in the face of the college application process, and to this day
I am grateful to her for helping me to experience an amazing post-secondary education.
– Lisabelle, Stanford (CA)
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