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)