Jane K. McGuire College Counseling

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United States
Charlottesville, VA
Jane K. McGuire College Counseling

Personalized guidance and support during the college process, from high school planning and the coll

My background in admissions at the University of Virginia and years of experience as a counselor in an independent school have given me a unique perspective on the college admission process. I’ve seen it from all sides and understand how to best appeal to the institutional needs of colleges. If you’re concerned about how a student might capitalize on his/her strengths and passions on an application, my perspective will be invaluable to you. Individualized consulting can include the following:

High School Planning: How to capitalize on strengths, compensate for flaws, and build the most appealing academic and extracurricular resume. College Search: How to identify a successful list of schools best suited to a student's talents and interests. Application: Negotiating the complex process of completing multiple applications to highlight a student's achievements and potential. Essays: Capturing and articulating a student's voice and vision in compelling essays which can make the difference in the admission decision. Strategizing Along the Way: Guiding students and parents to make the best decisions along the path to college to maximize opportunities, talents and timing. For more information, please see my website or call me directly.

10/07/2018

Having read literally thousands of college essays over the course of my career, I agree with much of what follows. I'd also add that many students find the essay writing process excruciating because of too much advice from too many advisors. You know what they say about too many cooks? The same is true with essays. My favorite part of the college process is working closely with students to help them capture their vision and voice in compelling essays.

The paradox of the overzealous editing of the college essay by many helicopter parents is that they don’t know what a college essay is really about.

09/21/2018

An interesting look at an internal tension driving the admissions game....

Stanford's recent decision not to publicize its undergraduate admit rate is an empty gesture that will have no effect on the process or applicants' approach to it.

09/03/2018

I can't begin to say how many students have apologized to me for the lack of leadership or "star" quality in their applications. Yet some of the most thoughtful and compelling applications I've read -- both as an independent counselor and an admissions professional -- have been written by more introverted students. We are not all natural leaders, but we all have talents and experiences to contribute. Knowing your values and your value can help you capture your voice in your application.

Social media make it seem as if meaningful lives are the extraordinary and attention-grabbing ones. That’s rarely the case.

08/05/2018

An interesting take on finding a school where you'll flourish...

Being an outsider can cause culture shock. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

08/02/2018

Working with an independent counselor can help students assert themselves in the college process -- it can help parents take a step back and encourage students to become more independent.

Being admitted to college doesn’t mean a student is ready for it. Parents can encourage kids to step up their levels of personal responsibility while still in high school.

04/30/2018

Looks like the beginning of an interesting discussion about the forces driving college admissions...

Readers continue their conversation with James Fallows

04/17/2018

As a former teacher, I couldn't agree more with this!

We need an education system that teaches students to be thinkers, not standardized test takers.

04/05/2018

Virginia residents can qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges in fourteen states which participate in the Southern Regional Education Board's exchange IF they pursue majors which are NOT offered in Virginia colleges.

Students can save thousands in out-of-state tuition by participating in a regional exchange program.

03/27/2018

Some helpful information about the difference between the SAT and the ACT. I'd probably try each exam once.

Timing differences between the math sections on the two tests are just one factor to consider.

03/26/2018

It's so easy to lose perspective about the college process. I think we all feel this way at times!

“Have you guys made your list yet?” everyone asks. I hate this question. “We” aren’t going to college; my daughter is.

03/23/2018

An interesting essay demonstrating an interesting phenomenon: the obsession with attending an Ivy League college -- regardless of whether it's the best fit for a student -- can create a sense of inferiority among students attending a "lesser" Ivy.

Penn might not be “the best” school in the Ivy League, but let me pose an important question: why does it matter? And why does it hurt our egos so much? Four years go by too quickly to walk around with chips on our shoulders.

Address

Charlottesville, VA

Telephone

+14349810267

Website

http://www.janekmcguire.com/

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