How to get a personalized college application experience that keeps you ahead of schedule, reduces stress, and actually works for your teen
Two high-school seniors, good friends from a competitive college-prep high school outside of Chicago, came to me for help a year apart. They were very much alike, these two young people. Both had stellar grades and top test scores, both were deeply involved in extracurricular activities, and both — as high-achieving seniors are — were filled with ambitious dreams for their futures as they applied to top-tier colleges.
But there was a difference. One of the students received $30K in merit awards, acceptance letters from 4 of the 12 schools he applied to, and was left with a short list of safety schools to choose from. The other received over $250K in financial aid offers and an acceptance letter to her #1 choice school in Boston.
What made the difference?
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in college application outcomes? It isn’t native intelligence or test scores or the length of their activity list. It isn’t that one student is more driven and hardworking. It isn’t even how early you start preparing or how many test prep classes you take, although all of these things can be factors.
The difference? One student did my Complete Your Essay in a Single Weekend workshop and then went at it on his own from there, tapping in a few times to his high school’s college admissions counselor — who was supporting 316 other seniors as well. He submitted his application to his #1 choice school in the final 5 minutes before the Early Action deadline closed. Whew.
The other student and her parents worked with me to create a complete game plan for all 5 areas of the college application process. She too completed the essay weekend workshop. Then she partnered with me to write each of her 20+ supplemental and honors college essays. Every application was submitted weeks ahead of the Early Action deadlines. Her package was cohesive, strategic, and created from a place of calm.
It’s the difference between realizing — after it’s too late — that there was a better way all along…and being the parent who gives their teen every advantage from the start.
Your teen is missing out on major opportunities
(and they might never know it)
Which schools will offer your teen a full ride based on test scores and GPA alone? (They’re out there, I promise! But I bet they’re not on your list.)
The most important factor to consider if your teen is pre-med? (It’s not about getting into the most prestigious school… and it can save you hundreds of thousands in tuition.)
Where to apply so your child lands the best internships with Fortune 50 companies? (It’s not Harvard or Wharton or Stanford… In fact, it’s a school you’ve probably never considered!)
Which state schools you should NEVER apply to? (It’ll cost you a fortune… and it’ll be harder for your teen to get established after graduation.)
That pledging to a sorority costs about $10,000 extra per year? (Unless you happen to know which college houses the most affordable sorority chapters in America…)
Which schools base admissions and scholarship awards on a predictable formula – so you can know UP FRONT whether your teen will get in and how much aid they’ll receive?
Which “test-optional” schools are REALLY test-optional? (Lots of colleges say they are – but, for most, an application without test scores is more likely to trigger a rejection.)
The #1 factor that determines post-graduation success? (It’s got nothing to do with how prestigious a school is…)
There’s a lot of information out there about college admissions – college guides, social media, discussion forums, and, of course, the college’s own website.
All that information is important…
…but none of it is complete.
And the information that REALLY matters is often unpublished, hidden, or hard to find.
That means you and your teen are making critical decisions without knowing all the options.
For example, do you know –
The answers to these questions are not public knowledge. In fact, most parents and applicants never realize that these are questions they should be asking!
That’s where I come in…
I’m Christy Sharafinski. I’m a college admissions strategist with more than a decade of experience.
I learned the ropes working with one of the most renowned admissions specialists in the US — plus I helped my six (6!) children find, apply for, and finance their ideal college experiences.
Over the years, I’ve developed, tested, and refined a way to help families navigate the application process with more confidence and ease — and with much, much less stress.
I’ll tell you more about this process in a bit —
But first I want to tell you a bit more about what professional admission strategists do — and why you should consider working with one (even if it’s not me!)…
Applying to the right schools maximizes your teen’s chances of admission and financial awards. And it sets them up for success during AND after their college years.
But very few people will know which under-the-radar schools might be absolutely perfect for your teen.
The secret world of college admissions
Admissions strategists also know what admissions officers are looking for in an essay. (Something most high school English teachers don’t know.)
They know how to help your teen produce an authentic essay that showcases what makes them special — and why they will be an asset to whatever school they attend.
And they help with supplemental essays, scholarship essays, and pulling together a first-rate activities list.
Your teen’s guidance counselor almost certainly does not have this specialized, insider knowledge – much less have time to sit with your teen and make sure they’re aware of ALL the different opportunities and possibilities that are open to them.
But you know who does?
Professional admissions strategists.
These folks spend years amassing this insider knowledge.
They cultivate a network of admissions and financial aid contacts who can provide behind-the-scenes insights available nowhere else.
They get to know which colleges offer hidden advantages, overlooked scholarships, unexpected savings, and surprising professional opportunities.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
And most importantly… they share the context and insights your teen needs to make the best choices for themselves and their future.
“But can’t we do this ourselves?”
I work with lots of motivated students and proactive parents who are accustomed to handling things like college applications on their own.
Can your teen apply on their own? Absolutely!
But should they?
I say no – and here’s why:
You don’t know what you don’t know.
Without expert guidance, your teen is almost certainly leaving money (and some exciting opportunities) on the table.
College admissions have changed. Everything from the SATs to the application to the way admissions officers evaluate applications has changed in the last 20 years. Even if you attended college in the US, you can’t rely on your experience of the process to guide you and your teen well today.
You may be missing key context about how college admissions work today.
First-generation college students can face a built-in disadvantage. If your teen will be the first in your family to attend college, they may be missing important contextual knowledge that other students take for granted. And they may miss out on valuable opportunities as a result.
The U.S. university system is VERY different than that of most other countries. If you were educated outside the US, much of your own experience won’t be relevant to the American context – and may even steer your teen in the wrong direction.
A great essay will make your teen’s application stand out like nothing else. But students are not taught to do this kind of writing. And admissions officers can spot an essay that’s had too much help from mom or dad in a heartbeat. (More on the essay in a little bit…)
Most students submit lackluster essays – even with parental or teacher help.
The right suggestion could put your student on the fast track to an acceptance letter, help them land a big scholarship, clue them into their ideal college, or help them get a foot in the door for a valuable internship, a lucrative job, or the graduate program of their dreams.
The return on professional admissions assistance can be astronomical.
But the BIGGEST reason you should consider working with an admissions strategist is this:
Your teen isn’t just competing against kids with perfect test scores and a schedule packed with show-stopping extracurriculars…
Your teen is competing against students who have had professional help to prepare their applications.
And that’s a big, hairy deal because colleges are more competitive (and expensive) than ever before – and not just elite universities.
Your teen must prepare the best application possible – and they should take advantage of every opportunity for a leg up in the admissions process, in scholarship competitions, AND in their future career.
Among other things, that means applying for the schools, programs, and opportunities where your teen has a built-in advantage – i.e., the programs that actively look for students like yours.
Good admissions strategists can help your teen maximize their odds of success wherever they choose to apply – and they will often turn up opportunities that you would never have found on your own.
It’s not enough to know where to look for these opportunities.
Your teen must also submit an application that makes them STAND OUT.
A whopping 70% or more of the applicants for any given school have roughly the same grades, test scores, and academic rigor. On paper, they’re basically twins.
So what sets YOUR teen apart when there are limited spaces?
Their Personal Statement.
An exceptional Personal Statement is non-negotiable
Your teen’s Personal Statement can determine where they get accepted to college… how much it costs… and perhaps how many years of student loan repayments they have in their future.
That’s a LOT of pressure on one essay.
And that essay is HARD to write. Nearly half of seniors polled say it was the hardest part of their application process.
High school English teaches students to argue, analyze, and inform. Not reveal. Your teen hasn’t been taught how to turn the lens on themselves as they craft a compelling and personal essay that reveals their deepest story. Teachers don’t know how to help (they haven’t been taught either!), and guidance counselors are too busy to assist.
Plus, college essay prompts ask high school students for a level of reflection and introspection that’s more developmentally appropriate for a 25-year-old!
Students struggle with the Personal Statement. Some procrastinate for months. Others dash it off without nearly enough editing—just to escape the pressure they’re feeling. Some get anxious or avoidant or depressed. And still others melt down during every writing session.
In the end, most students don’t do a particularly good job with their essays.
And that’s great news for you and your teen!
The Personal Statement is the BEST place for your teen to differentiate themselves from the mass of other applications that colleges receive.
But chances are they will need professional help to do so.
Studies show that students who have help from someone knowledgeable about the admissions process are more likely to get admitted AND get offered better financial awards.
In part, that’s because these students get more guidance about what their essay should say (or not) – and more help uncovering and shaping the stories that will set them apart from other applicants.
But it’s also because these students often spend more time on – and do many more drafts of – their Personal Statement. So the final piece is as strong and polished as it can be.
Your teen may need to write DOZENS of essays
The Common Application was intended to streamline the college applications process. And it did – kind of.
But now, instead of writing a different Personal Statement for each school they apply for, students write one essay for the Common App – and then a slew of other supplemental and scholarship essays for each school they apply to.
That means that once your teen has nailed their Personal Statement, they may still need to write a dozen (or more!) additional essays.
Every one of those essays will affect where your teen is accepted, how much financial support they receive, and what opportunities are available to them.
What kinds of opportunities require more essays?
Think honors programs, special dorms, priority registration, research programs, summer programs, special advisors, and dozens of other school-specific programs that might be exactly what your teen wants and needs. These opportunities often require additional essays from students – or are offered based on the essays they have already submitted.
These essays require as much care and attention as the Personal Statement – and your teen will often be working on several essays simultaneously.
It’s a lot to manage – and by the time they get started on these additional essays, students are often sick and tired of the whole application process (or deep in senior year activities).
That’s why it helps to have a knowledgeable professional on your team – one who can help your teen stay on track, motivated, and producing admissions and scholarship-worthy essays right down to the finish line.
Don’t forget the Activities List!
Unfortunately, there’s still MORE to the application process – even after all those supplemental essays.
The Activities List is a key element of the Common Application – and it’s one that students and parents almost always misunderstand.
Done right, the Activities List is an opportunity for students to showcase their interests and demonstrate the kind of leadership, ideas, and energy they will bring to their future campus.
Done wrong (and most fall into this category), the Activities List reads like a generic job description.
To make the Activities List stand out, your teen must understand what admissions officers are looking for – AND how to pack the most compelling information into a very small space.
That’s another reason why it helps to work with a professional strategist – one who knows how to help your teen present themselves in the best possible light.
If you want to give your teen the best advantage, then you need a strategist who knows the admissions process inside and out
Tap into opportunities that they would have otherwise missed…
Write a Personal Statement that showcases their unique story, strengths, and personality — and makes admissions officers sit up and take notice…
Produce dozens of supplemental essays to the same level of quality…
Craft an Activities List that highlights what makes your teen different (and why they’ll be an asset to any campus)…
And complete their applications on time, with minimum stress and maximum confidence.
It’s one thing to find someone to help with your teen’s essay…
…but it’s much harder to find someone to help them…
Without structure and guidance, the application process can be overwhelming for parents and students alike.
That’s why I created a program that gives students all the personalized support they need to
find the schools and opportunities that are best for them, and
submit standout applications that maximize their chances of getting in and getting funding.
INTRODUCING
The All-Access Pass
The All-Access Pass one-on-one coaching program enables your teen to maximize their odds of success at every stage
of the application process.
It includes:
LIST REVAMP
A review of your teen’s college list – plus advice about overlooked gems that might be ideal for their strengths and interests…because you can’t get deals if you don’t apply from the start!
OPPORTUNITY MAP
Personalized advice and guidance to ensure that your teen doesn’t overlook a single opportunity for an easier acceptance, a bigger financial aid package, or their desired campus experience
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Individual counseling on early action, early decision, when (and how) to ask for letters of recommendation, college visits, and any other strategic choices your teen will make
BRAG SHEET BOOST
Hands-on assistance to develop a standout Activities List (your teen and I will write and submit this together, so we know it’s 100% perfect)
AWARDS SHOWCASE
Help completing an awards list (if applicable) that takes full advantage of the available real estate in the application
ESSAY EXCELLENCE
One-on-one help (and unlimited editing) on the Personal Statement – to help your teen find and tell their most compelling story and craft an essay that admissions counselors can’t resist
SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT
Unlimited editing and support on all supplemental essays, honors college essays, and scholarship essays for your teen’s chosen schools
APPLICATION DASHBOARD
A proven system for keeping everything on track and organized – so your teen always knows what’s missing, how to prioritize, and what to work on next
TAILORED GUIDANCE
The entire process is customized to your teen’s needs – so they get guidance, accountability, and support that’s suited to their goals, their personality, and the way their mind works
ONGOING SUPPORT
Access to me at any point in the coming months – because the questions you have now are different than the ones you'll have in a few months
What families have to say about working with Christy
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“She’s an invaluable bridge”
“Finding the right support for my son William’s transfer to a U.S. university really weighed on our family. After one conversation, we knew Christy was the right choice. I can’t imagine having navigated this journey without Christy’s expertise, encouragement, and insightful advice. She’s been an exceptional guide, providing not only educational support but also an invaluable bridge as William prepared to make this major transition halfway across the world.”
– David Schneider, Hong Kong
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“I trusted her 100%”
“Hiring Christy to help my son with the college application process has been a great choice. Having help to customize and personalize the essay and admissions process was exactly what we needed it. Christy is organized, efficient, and very professional. I trusted her 100% and can strongly recommend her!”
-Martina Lohouse, New Jersey
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“That’s exactly what my daughter needed”
“Christy’s process for teasing out the most important things without telling [my daughter] what to write was beautiful. That’s exactly what she needed… Plus, Christy recommended she apply to a college we had never even considered. A year later, my daughter is a freshman there and loving every second of it! ”
-Suzanne Harrison, Washington
One-on-one personalized support
to help your teen SHINE
I specialize in making the college application process exponentially better and easier for parents and students.
I have a wealth of knowledge and experience and some pretty solid processes for making that happen –
– and I promise that I will always see your teen for who they are.
We will make decisions based on what they want and need. I’ll coax out their deepest story and guide them in writing every word of their essays effectively.
If you’ve got an ambitious student applying to competitive schools – we’ll go through 5 to 10 rounds of revisions to make sure their essay stands apart from the competition. Then we’ll get super-strategic about writing supplemental essays and building a stellar application that earns them multiple acceptance letters.
If you’ve got a solid student searching for a good education – we’ll find programs where they’ll shine and opportunities that will set them up for a successful future career.
If you’ve got a laid-back kid who just wants to get in somewhere – we’ll find the colleges where admission (and sometimes financial aid) is almost guaranteed.
If you’ve got a student who’s distracted or disorganized – I’ll help project-manage the entire application process, minimizing stress and maximizing the small wins every step of the way.
And if you have a student with ADHD, a learning difference, or other unique challenge – I’ll tailor their essay-writing and application process to take full advantage of their particular strengths.
The best part?
You don’t ever have to be the taskmaster or the bad guy. And you’ll NEVER have to read your kid’s essay and tell them it’s not (yet) very good. :-)
The All-Access Program is designed to take that weight off your shoulders – while giving your teen the attention and guidance they need to complete their applications with confidence.
I’ll show you how the program works in just a moment… but first I want to share a little bit about who I am – and why I developed this program.
“As a parent, you worry how much to get involved. I don’t wanna tell her it’s not good, so you relieved me of that burden for sure.”
Suzanne Harrison
This is a vulnerable time for your teen
As a mother of six, I know first-hand how hard it is to deal with the procrastination, anxiety, and perfectionism that often come with the college application process.
But I also know how rewarding it is to see your teen find their footing, tell their story, and launch themselves successfully into a new and exciting stage in their lives.
Students in the throes of college applications are in a vulnerable space. They’re on the cusp of a big life change, beginning to cross from childhood to adulthood. They need lots of guidance and support… but they’re also beginning to make major decisions about their own lives.
All this vulnerability gets stirred up by the application process – and especially that darned essay! Students are forced to think long and seriously about who they are, what they have to offer, and what they want for their future.
It’s a challenge, for sure – and one that students handle with varying degrees of grace. But I consider it a privilege to be a part of that journey.
In fact, I love it!
Over the years, I’ve coached more than 300 students on how to express their unique genius and make the choices (and write the essays!) that will set them on the path to future success.
I have a huge heart for young people. And my ability to connect with them might just be *my* unique genius.
How it feels to work with Christy
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“I didn’t really know how to help our son with writing guidance around the essay. The peace of mind from Christy’s help was the best part of the process.”
– Oby O’Bryan, North Carolina
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“Christy does an amazing job getting to know your child and guides them in creating a masterpiece they will be proud to share!”
– Jennifer Lefebvre, North Carolina
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"I appreciate the fact that you're REALLY good at what you do. My son didn’t make it easy on you, but his essay was completed on time and as promised.”
– Adam J. Antoszewski, Florida
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“First, Christy worked with our top-of-her-class daughter. Two years later, she helped our son who has severe ADHD and dyslexia. She met each of them where they were. We’re so happy to have found her.”
– Cyndi Pettit, Colorado
300 +
10 +
years
students
and hundreds of acceptance letters and scholarships
I didn’t start out knowing the best way to navigate the application process.
On my own maiden voyage, even the sheer number of college choices was overwhelming. Plus there were college visits, crafting the Personal Statement, managing dozens of supplemental essays, and staying on top of looming deadlines.
I was trying to guide and support my oldest son, keep up at work, and manage the rest of my crew. And it was all too much.
So I started looking for professional help – and ended up getting hired by a nationally renowned college planner.
More than a decade later, I’m captaining my own ship.
I’m known as the “secret weapon” behind the families of over 300 students who have been accepted to colleges across the US and Canada – including Villanova, Northwestern, the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Clemson, Purdue, San Diego State University, the University of Alabama, the University of Illinois - Chicago, and many, many others…
Many of my students received generous financial awards as well.
“I enjoyed the extra support as a parent, knowing that there was someone else to help my son and to give him an outside perspective on what colleges wanted and how he could present himself in his application.”
- Diana Sherblom
Everything your teen needs to submit an outstanding application
My apprenticeship with the college planner gave me a lot of the experience and insider knowledge I needed to start helping my own clients right away.
But I wasn’t satisfied. So I doubled down on the process, on best practices, and on meeting the critical needs of my students at every stage of the application process.
To start, I looked at what all the best essays and Activities Lists have in common… and I simplified everything so that I could teach it equally well to my students who are at the top of their class, somewhere in the middle, and to those with learning differences.
Then I turned my attention to the rest of the application process. I set up systems to help students keep track of their application deadlines, their essays, and their revisions.
I experimented with different ways of working together – until I understood the most efficient way to give students just what they need to build a dynamite school list, write stellar essays, hit their deadlines, and get one-on-one feedback and support at every stage.
And through it all, I’ve built up a national network of admissions professionals – from admissions officers at various schools to specialists in medical school and graduate school applications to financial aid and scholarship advisors – who keep me clued into hidden opportunities and loopholes that most college-bound students never learn about.
It includes everything your teen needs to submit an outstanding application, write strong essays that earn awards and acceptances, and take advantage of every opportunity available to them.
The All-Access Pass coaching program is the culmination of this experimentation and testing.
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“Christy took a lot of weight off my shoulders. There was so much to do and I just didn't know how to write this kind of essay. She helped me understand what to do next each step of the way. And the way she kept checking in with me helped me get my essay done so much faster than I would have done on my own.”
– Tyler O’Bryan, North Carolina
ATTENDING NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY (GO, PACK!)
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“Christy takes the time to understand your story and makes sure it shines through in your essays. I appreciate how collaborative she was throughout the whole process and would love to work with her again.”
– Rutvik Kulkarni, Texas
ATTENDING KELLOGG BUSINESS SCHOOL, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
My proven system for writing an EPIC essay in a single weekend
The All-Access Pass includes my best-selling “Complete Your Essay in a Single Weekend”workshop, so your teen can get a jump start on writing their standout Personal Statement.
The Personal Statement is a type of writing your teen has probably never done before.
The essay needs to be the deepest story…
told in a way that expresses their unique values…
written in the student’s own voice…
and compelling enough to keep the admissions officer reading
from start to finish.
I call that an “Aligned Essay.”
By breaking it down step-by-step, we can then rebuild the elements of an Aligned Essay into a powerful and complete whole. This is one of the tools that’s helped me effectively support so many seniors and their families.
So, when your teen:
Has the answers they’ve needed…
Receives the help they’ve wanted …
Works with the support they require…
And knows their inmost values…
They really can knock out a fantastic essay in a weekend!
Even better, during this weekend, your teen will learn the skills they’ll need to write the REST of their application essays with total confidence.
Testimonials published by us are independent and genuine. However, they do not represent a guarantee or warranty of similar results.
How it works
Inside the All-Access Pass program, your teens get highly personalized attention alongside a structured but flexible process for completing their applications.
Here’s how it works:
When you first enroll your teen, you’ll complete a short intake form.
1.
We’ll send your teen instructions for getting set up inside our dedicated Slack group.
There, your teen can:
Find useful resources about completing their applications
Access a treasure trove of guides to help with writing their essays
Request edits on all drafts of their Personal Statement or supplemental essays
Ask any questions that come up between our scheduled calls
2.
Next, your teen will book their first coaching session. (Sessions are 45 minutes each and can take place in person or on Zoom.)
We use this session to make sure your teen has all the context and information they need, that they know to take advantage of every opportunity that’s a good fit for them, and that they fully understand what the essay is and how we’ll be working to together over the coming weeks and months.
And I’ll record everything, so they don’t miss a word.
3.
Your teen will populate their dashboard with school lists, deadlines, application requirements, and essay drafts.
I’ll teach your teen to work on the various essays and elements of their application simultaneously, rather than sequentially. This dashboard is how we manage it so they have everything polished, shining, and ready to submit on time (or even early!).
4.
We’ll schedule your teen’s “Complete Your Essay in a Single Weekend” workshop to get a jump start on writing a powerful essay that they’ll be thrilled with. We’ll start with the 3 essential elements of every essay, select their strongest topic, and work together right through to their final word, with revelations about every element that must be included, so they understand the why, as well as the how.
5.
I’ll schedule a second 1:1 session with your teen (120 minutes this time) to nail down their Activities List. We’ll create a polished list that shows who your teen is – and we’ll enter it into the Common App together so we can be sure your teen shows up like a superstar.
6.
All along the way your teen will be polishing their Personal Statement and drafting supplemental essays.
7.
We’ll keep revising and editing until your teen and I are both satisfied that their essays are as strong and compelling as they can be.
8.
Students will submit their applications, supplemental essays, and any other supporting materials as they are completed.
9.
We sit back and wait for the results to roll in! :-)