Helping Students Successfully Navigate the College Process
"My goal is to assist students as they identify and matriculate at colleges that are the best fit for them."
Helen Montague
Testimonials
I just wanted to reach out and let you know I completed my first year at Boston College. I really want to thank you for aiding me with my college process. I absolutely LOVE Boston College and couldn’t see myself anywhere else. While it wasn’t my top choice, I have found my people and adore being close to Boston. I am really not sure if I would have selected BC or even gotten in without your help. So, I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me make one of the best decisions of my life!!!
Will B.
"Helen is a terrific resource for students and parents in all stages of the college search. She readily shares information, guidance and direction in a straightforward way for all generations to digest and to comprehend. With her help, our son was able to prepare where needed, focus his search to realistic institutions and put the effort into the process whole heartedly."
Eddie R.
Terri L.
Fatou S.
Phases and Services
The college process is a time of self evaluation and self actualization for students. It's a time where they have the opportunity to assess their skills, interests, and talents, as well as to explore their challenges and values. Assisting students to identify what they like and dislike, what they need to support their academic success, and helping them to move forward in reaching their educational goals is the essence of Helen’s work with students.
Evaluation Phase
Helen works with students one-on-one in the evaluation phase to help them better understand their strengths, challenges, interests, priorities, and goals. As well, this phase often uncovers aspects of themselves that may well be important in the college process. To aid in this process Helen uses quantitative and qualitative research methods she has developed over her 30 years as a college counselor. This step serves as a springboard for the research and investigation necessary for college exploration.
Exploration Phase
Exploring all the possibilities for college is illuminating and exciting, but can sometimes be confusing as well. Helen works with students to not only identify those colleges that meet their criteria, but also to expand their thinking and options as possibilities for admission. Students then explore these colleges via the internet, guide books, and campus visits, discussing thoughts and observations with Helen along the way. From this process comes a tighter, more focused list of colleges to pursue. As they move to the application process, this list may evolve.
Application Phase
It is essential that each student submits a clear, concise, and positive application to their chosen college or university. It’s also important that each application (common application, coalition application, or a school’s own application) presents the student in their best possible light, and includes not only academic information, but also their extracurricular activities, special interests, and unique circumstances.
Helen works one-on-one with each of her clients to make sure they present themselves in the best way possible.
Essay Phase
Helen has a particular skill in helping students write their college essays in a voice that reflects who they are and what makes them unique. She has the ability to read an essay with the mindset of a college admission officer while working one-on-one with her clients to draw them out and help capture what makes them special.
This is extremely valuable in helping them introduce themselves in their own voice, articulate the fit between themselves and the institution, and insure the strongest essay possible.
Financial Phase
When needed, navigating your way through the financial aid process and the requisite deadlines requires the help of someone who has the experience of having done it many, many times. Helen helps students and families to investigate financing options and requirements, including need-based funding, merit based funding, and independent scholarships.
Enrollment Phase
Once admission decisions are received, Helen helps students and families weigh the options available to assess which opportunities will afford the best education, the most rewarding experience, and the greatest fit for the student while balanced with the financial realities of the family.
Helen works with students one-on-one in the evaluation phase to help them better understand their strengths, challenges, interests, priorities, and goals. As well, this phase often uncovers aspects of themselves that may well be important in the college process. To aid in this process Helen uses quantitative and qualitative research methods she has developed over her 30 years as a college counselor. This step serves as a springboard for the research and investigation necessary for college exploration.
Exploring all the possibilities for college is illuminating and exciting, but can sometime be confusing as well. Helen works with students to not only identify those colleges that meet their criteria, but also to expand their thinking and options as possibilities for admission. Students then explore these colleges via the internet, guide books, and campus visits, discussing thoughts and observations with Helen along the way. From this process comes a tighter, more focused list of colleges to pursue. As they move to the application process, this list may evolve.
It is essential that each student submits a clear, concise, and positive application to their chosen college or university. It’s also important that each application (common application, coalition application, or a school’s own application) presents the student in their best possible light, and includes not only academic information, but also their extracurricular activities, special interests, and unique circumstances. Helen works one-on-one with each of her clients to make sure they present themselves in the best way possible.
Helen has a particular skill in helping students write their college essays in a voice that reflects who they are and what makes them unique. Her ability to read an essay with the mindset of a college admission officer while working one-on-one with her clients to draw them out and help capture what makes them special. This is extremely valuable in helping them introduce themselves in their own voice, articulate the fit between themselves and the institution, and insure the strongest essay possible.
When needed, navigating your way through the financial aid process and the requisite deadlines requires the help of someone who has the experience of having done it many, many times. Helen helps students and families to investigate financing options and requirements, including need based funding, merit based funding, and independent scholarships.
Once admission decisions are received, Helen helps students and families weigh the options available to assess which opportunities will afford the best education, the most rewarding experience, and the greatest fit for the student while balanced with the financial realities of the family.
