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This week’s column:

10 Aug What does “Fit” really mean?

Posted at 04:19h in College Search

It’s the buzzword you keep hearing. It’s the question you keep asking – “Is this college a good fit?” But what does “fit” really mean? I break the fit concept into three major areas: social, academic and financial. (academic and social fit will be covered next...

03 Aug Saying Goodbye: The Dinner, The Drive and The Departure

Posted at 11:57h in Parenting

Even the savvy parents who managed to get through the entire college admissions process intact have a difficult time on the day of departure. Emotions are raw for everyone with parents lamenting that their baby’s leaving the nest and freshmen traveling moment to moment between...

NEW! What The College Admissions Scam Doesn't Show
Mar. 19, 2019

Last week, the Department of Justice charged 50 people in schemes to pay for positions for their children at top universities across the country. It was called the, “largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted,” but it doesn’t paint the whole picture.
LISTEN NOW

College Admissions Season
Sept. 20, 2018

The college admissions process has become ever-more tricky and as high schoolers and parents try to navigate this important process, we’ve enlisted some help. On the next Charlotte Talks, two college admissions experts alert us to the pitfalls and give us a look at best practices for applying to college.
LISTEN NOW

Applying To College And Picking The Right
Sept. 1, 2016

LISTEN NOW

Student Debt
May 12, 2016: LISTEN NOW

College Decisions, College Admissions
Feb 26, 2014: LISTEN NOW

Lee Bierer – College Admissions Strategies

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College Admissions Strategies is written by Lee Bierer, an Independent College Admissions Counselor and the author of the weekly Countdown to College column in the Charlotte Observer that is syndicated across the country.
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Testimonials

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“The best outcome was that someone other than my daughters’ parents was keeping her focused and enforcing deadlines. We knew there would be much more strife if we tried to handle it ourselves.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Brainstorming ideas about colleges to consider and helping clarify the student’s thinking. The best of all was steering her to summer programs that actually ended up changing her life. The whole process is daunting for parents and students who have not gone through this before. In the complicated world of deadlines, you are the lifeline. That you are professional, very well versed in the topic and make students feel empowered to do these things. You are also so good with helping them write the essays. One of the main things is that you are a caring adult who is focusing on helping them problem solve…not a parent or grandparent who always seems to be “on them” about something. I think that you do a good job of making the time meaningful yet not stressful for the student.”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I can say that this past year was a lot easier because you took over the college search/application process. Also, your help with identifying essay topics and editing were INVALUABLE. You helped me get my things organized and in on time and that was so overwhelming at first. I recommend your services to other students because our college guidance is rubbish and you actually care about my essays.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would tell other people that you can help find the right college, organize deadlines, proofread papers, and help to double check all applications. These are all very comforting during the application period. Your knowledge, experience and professionalism was a big plus. Keeping my daughter on track with dates, her responsibilities, etc. was highly valuable. You gave us confidence that we were doing all we could to reach goals. You helped the most during the essay writing process. The best part of working with you was your editing in a timely fashion.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Your help with the essays and reviewing interview skills was most helpful. The detailed comments and your specific examples were the best. I would recommend your services. You were painfully honest and it helped her get a better understanding of what was expected of her. Originally, she blew through her essays and thought they were good enough and you helped her see how superficially they were written. I would tell them not to expect empty promises from you. You definitely tell them the truth, no matter how brutal.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You took over and did a job that was beginning to create stress and conflict between my daughter and me. Your expertise on unfamiliar ground and excellent organizational skills were invaluable. Your matter-of-fact personality and “no beating around the bush” directness are just what she needed to keep her on her toes. Once we got the process rolling, I rarely felt the need to check up on her to see that she was keeping up with deadlines. I would recommend you to a family that is unfamiliar with the college search and application process because I think that you are very knowledgeable in both. You ask the right questions to pinpoint what the client is looking for (in schools and service needed). You have the right amount of authority to get things done without being intimidating. You are professional and organized and you obviously know your stuff. I would tell them to be prepared to let go of a certain amount of involvement with their child’s application process and let you (and the student) get the work done. This, to me, was the most valuable part of our collaboration. You saved us a lot of time and definitely kept the ball rolling. Your style was a perfect match for our needs and we look forward to working with you again with daughter #2.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would tell other people that you can help find the right college, organize deadlines, proofread papers, and help to double check all applications. These are all very comforting during the application period.Your knowledge, experience and professionalism was a big plus. Keeping my daughter on track with dates, her responsibilities, etc. was highly valuable. You gave us confidence that we were doing all we could to reach goals.”

2017 April 1, 2019

Dear Lee,
I realized that I never actually thanked you for everything you’ve done to help me succeed. The college application process is very overwhelming and I would have never been able to complete it all on time without your organization and dedication. You gave me the opportunity to explore colleges and opportunities that I would have never found on my own. Not only that, but you also taught me the importance of meeting deadlines, completing quality work, and caring about my overall education. These habits will without a doubt follow me throughout college and hopefully throughout my life. Thank you for showing me what it takes to unlock my potential and reach whatever goal I set for myself. Before I began working with you, I only completed the minimum work required to get by. I didn’t not care about my education at all, and had no desire to pursue knowledge. After completing this process, I’ve realized the importance of these things, along with hard work, and the effects have been very visible. My grades and attitude have changed tremendously. I am very grateful that you showed me what it takes to be an all-around better student. Thank you very much for your help, strict requirements and deadlines, and leniency with me as we ventured through the college admissions process.

Dad of a 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“I particularly liked your grasp of “facts” about the sometimes intimidating application process. Also, I believe that your fees are reasonable. I don’t really have any negatives. You have been helpful and flexible. And, also very importantly, you spent the time necessary with our son to achieve objectives.”

2016 April 1, 2019

That this process is multi-faceted and complex and Lee helped educate us and lead us through the minefield and we could not have done it without her. The essay help was amazing! The applications are overwhelming and I could not have gotten through seven of them by myself or with my child!

2008 Graduate June 29, 2015

“Hi Mrs. B!
We just culminated the signing celebration at our house – complete with cork popping and hunting. I wanted to again thank you for introducing me the fine institution that is Rhodes College in the final stretch of my time working with you. I have already highly recommended your services and will be looking forward to your visit to campus next year! Forever grateful,”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You helped me so much and made my process to applying to college so much easier. I have told you this before, I couldn’t have done it without you. I do tell other people that I could have not done it without you. You assisted me with every aspect of the process and I really do appreciate it.”

Parent of 2007 graduate June 29, 2015

“The best part of having Lee Bierer help our family was seeing how the general stress and tension left our home as she worked with our daughter. There was a sense that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, answers to all the questions, and a clear course to plot. Getting us out of the middle reunited us with our daughter emotionally, so we could enjoy all the positive emotion surrounding the future of college!”

mom of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“Lee – we have one extremely excited high school senior. His breathless phone call to me Friday evening about his acceptance at Chapel Hill is something I will never forget. Thank you for all of your fine coaching that got him there. We’re all thrilled with the outcome! We’re so grateful for the guidance and assistance you gave him.”

mom of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“Yes, the scholarship offers alone have paid for CAS over and over again. The appointments are always very business-like and professional, work is started immediately! I tell people that this is a great service for kids. With so little help from guidance offices in the larger public schools, this service allowed us to carefully plan our college admissions process and approach it from a well-researched, factual basis. We were given realistic advice about colleges and the admission process. The organization and planning you provided gave us plenty of time to carefully complete all aspects of the college admissions process. As a result of working with you, my child had many, many options and choices to make. The careful planning and exploration of colleges allowed my son to have the wonderful problem of too many good colleges to choose from.”

This week’s column:

10 Aug What does “Fit” really mean?

03 Aug Saying Goodbye: The Dinner, The Drive and The Departure

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

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This week’s column:

10 Aug What does “Fit” really mean?

03 Aug Saying Goodbye: The Dinner, The Drive and The Departure

Student | Parent Login

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Follow us on Facebook

Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book