College Advisor of New York

09/13/2026

Shen Families! Mark your calendars for this upcoming event!
(ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!)

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE AT THE RIGHT PRICE
(For parents of high school sophomores and juniors)

This class will outline the steps you need to find a best-fit college for your child. Topics covered include: The top five factors colleges look for in applicants; the financial aid process and strategies to reduce college costs; rankings/schmankings: understanding why "fit" is critical; The new world of SAT/ACT optional admissions; how to make the most of college visits; essay and application tips and more!

Families who take the time to educate themselves will experience a smoother, less stressful and less expensive process.

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Please use the link below to register:
https://shenendehowa.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/costoption/class_id/2502

Send a message to learn more

09/08/2026

⭐️ It’s official! ⭐️

⭐️ We moved into our beautiful offices at Pioneer last week. Going forward, all of our student meetings will be held at this location (652 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY). ⭐️

⭐️ Pictured: Dr. Dean, Coach Beth and Coach Kathy checking out one of our new conference room spaces. ⭐️

08/24/2026

Shen Families! Mark your calendars for this upcoming event!

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE AT THE RIGHT PRICE
(For parents of high school sophomores and juniors)

This class will outline the steps you need to find a best-fit college for your child. Topics covered include: The top five factors colleges look for in applicants; the financial aid process and strategies to reduce college costs; rankings/schmankings: understanding why "fit" is critical; The new world of SAT/ACT optional admissions; how to make the most of college visits; essay and application tips and more!

Families who take the time to educate themselves will experience a smoother, less stressful and less expensive process.

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:00pm

Please use the link below to register:

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE AT THE RIGHT PRICE For parents of high school sophomores and juniors This class will outline the steps you need to

08/21/2026

Exciting news for The College Advisor of New York!

Pioneer, a leading financial institution in New York’s Capital Region, acquired The College Advisor of New York earlier this summer. This partnership brings together two organizations with a shared commitment to helping students and families plan confidently for the future. We chose to partner with Pioneer because of their people-first approach and long-standing commitment to helping individuals and families plan for the future. These values align closely with ours. This partnership brings access to additional resources, expertise, and technology that will enhance our family’s college planning experience.

Dr. Dean Skarlis, founder and president of The College Advisor of New York, will lead Pioneer’s newly launched College Advising Division as Vice President of College Advising, and his existing team of experienced advisors will continue delivering tailored college planning guidance to high school students and their parents by integrating the college selection process with financial strategy.

The acquisition of The College Advisor of New York builds on Pioneer’s More Than a Bank® strategy by enhancing its core service offerings beyond traditional financial services and providing clients with access to college planning guidance as part of a broader, customer relationship‑based model.

We are grateful for the trust you place in us to be part of your college journey as we support your family every step of the way.

Pictured:
Dean Skarlis, founder of The College Advisor of New York, left, Pioneer President and CEO Tom Amell, and Chief Human Resources Officer Susan Hollister
(Donna Abbott-Vlahos | Albany Business Review)

07/06/2026

❓ What are the chances!? ❓

Last week, CANY Coach Sue DiBernardo was visiting Charleston, SC with her family, and they went out for dinner. In the same restaurant, they spotted CANY Coach Cassandra Sparks, who lives in the area. It was just a coincidence! Great minds think alike. 🥰

(Pictured below are Sue (left) and Cassandra (right) at the restaurant).

06/29/2026

☀️ Summer break may have started, but we’re still here to help!

☀️ Essay brainstorming
☀️ Application workshops
☀️ Essay editing
☀️ College list updates
☀️ Summer tour advice
☀️ And whatever else our students need!

06/28/2026

🎓 Many of our seniors in the Northeast graduated this weekend. Congratulations to all! Enjoy your celebrations! 🎓

06/20/2026

Our own Dr. Dean is on WGY's “Life Happens Radio” NOW, with former client and local attorney Lou Pierro (and his three kids we helped through the admissions process!).

Listen live at:

Life Happens is a weekly radio program hosted by the attorneys of Pierro, Connor & Strauss that addresses the challenges we all face through all stages of life. We talk about aging as a lifestyle, estate planning and long-term care issues that must be confronted, and the careful planning required to...

06/18/2026

Set your alarm! Our own Dr. Dean will be on WGY's “Life Happens Radio” this Saturday, June 20, from 9 am to 10 am, with former client and local attorney Lou Pierro (and his three kids we helped through the admissions process!).

Listen live at:

Life Happens is a weekly radio program hosted by the attorneys of Pierro, Connor & Strauss that addresses the challenges we all face through all stages of life. We talk about aging as a lifestyle, estate planning and long-term care issues that must be confronted, and the careful planning required to...

06/10/2026

We are sending out another big CANY congratulations to Carson Carrow (pictured below with his mom, Julieann). Carson is a graduate of Voorheesville High School and just completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland. Recently, he worked with CANY once again to apply to graduate programs.

Next, Carson will be attending the University of Wisconsin as a student in the Master of Science in Real Estate program. All the best to you, Carson!