Hilary Sullivan, Affirm Educational Planning

College Spotlight 💡 Tulane University

Located in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, Tulane University offers a distinctive blend of rigorous academics, research, and community engagement within one of the most culturally dynamic cities in the country.

Why Students Choose Tulane

Tulane attracts students who are intellectually curious and socially engaged. With strong programs in business, public health, architecture, political science, and the sciences, the university combines a research-driven environment with a commitment to real-world application. Its mid-sized campus allows for both academic depth and a vibrant student experience.

Academic Experience

Tulane’s curriculum encourages students to think broadly and apply their learning in meaningful ways. A hallmark of the Tulane experience is its public service requirement, making it one of the first universities in the country to integrate service learning into the core undergraduate experience. Students engage in coursework that connects academic study with community impact, fostering both intellectual and civic development.

Campus & Culture

New Orleans plays a central role in shaping the student experience. The city offers unparalleled opportunities in internships, research, arts, healthcare, and public policy, allowing students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Tulane’s campus culture balances academic rigor with a strong sense of community, school spirit, and engagement.

Outcomes & Opportunities

Tulane graduates benefit from a strong alumni network and access to opportunities across industries. The university’s emphasis on research, internships, and service helps students build both professional skills and a broader understanding of their fields. Programs in public health, business, and the sciences are particularly well-regarded for preparing students for careers and graduate study.

Tulane can be an excellent fit for students seeking a research university experience with a strong emphasis on service, engagement, and applied learning. It appeals to those who want to combine academic ambition with meaningful involvement in the world around them.

www.tulane.edu.com

As the school year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to recognize the exceptional effort, growth, and perseverance my students demonstrated throughout this pivotal time in their college journey. I'm honored to be part of your college admissions process, one that’s as much about thoughtful preparation as it is about personal clarity. Take a well-earned breath. Celebrate the wins, reflect on the journey, and enjoy the summer ahead!

Affirm is proud to share that our Class of ’26 will be matriculating at the following colleges and universities:

Boston College (2)
Florida State University
Southern Methodist University
SMU Cox School of Business
University of Florida
University of Michigan
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Honors College
University of Notre Dame
The University of the South
University of Tampa
University of Wisconsin-Madison

While Affirm’s Class of ’27 is full, there are 3 spots available for the Class of ’28 and 8 available for the Class of ’29. I limit class sizes to 12 students to offer top boutique service to each of my clients.

www.affirm.edu

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our country. Their courage and commitment are a lasting reminder of the values we carry forward.

May we take time to reflect with gratitude and intention, and to honor their legacy in meaningful ways.

Wishing you a peaceful and reflective Memorial Day.

One question families often overlook ➡️ does listing a major on your application actually limit your options? The answer varies widely by school.

At many liberal arts colleges, students are admitted to the college and declare a major later making the choice less critical. However, at larger universities, especially those with competitive programs like engineering, business, or nursing, your intended major can significantly impact admissions decisions.

Some schools allow alternate majors and will consider them; others admit directly into specific programs, making it essential to understand the structure before applying.

For students who are undecided, schools that offer flexibility in declaring a major can provide valuable room to explore, an important factor when building a thoughtful college list.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

I currently have a few spots left for the Class of 2028 and am actively onboarding students in the Class of 2029. Beginning June 1, I’ll welcome Affirm’s Class of 2030. My work with younger students is centered on establishing a strong and intentional foundation well in advance of the college admissions process.

Together, we take a strategic approach to academic planning, extracurricular engagement, and long-term preparation, including the development of a personalized standardized testing timeline.

A key area of focus is community engagement, prioritizing depth, consistency, and opportunities for leadership. When aligned with strong academics, these experiences often help students discover genuine interests, shape potential academic pathways, and reflect the initiative and character that resonate in the admissions process.

www.affirmedu.com

I feel very fortunate to partner with families as they navigate the college admissions journey. Thoughtful feedback like this is always appreciated and serves as a meaningful reminder of the relationships built throughout the process! Thank you!

"Working with Hilary was one of the best decisions we made as parents during the college application process. Sofia's mother and I are both immigrants who did not go to college in the USA. So we have very limited experience into the college admission process. This was something that created a lot of anxiety, as we also did not know how much time we could dedicate given we both work full time jobs. From the moment we started, it was clear that Hilary is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also deeply invested in the success and well‑being of the students she works with. She was also very patient with Sofia's mother and I!

Hilary guided Sofia through every phase of the process. Over time, we saw Sofia grow not only as an applicant, but in confidence and self‑belief.

Just as importantly, Hilary gave us tremendous peace of mind as parents. Hilary’s calm, thoughtful approach made the entire experience more positive for our whole family. She encouraged us to start the process earlier than we thought and that showed to be a great strategy so my daughter could improve her chances through picking the right extra curricular activities.

The results exceeded our hopes. Sofia was accepted to multiple schools she had set her heart on, including University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Michigan, and we truly believe Hilary’s guidance played a key role in those outcomes. We thank Hilary for her mentorship, strategy, organization, and emotional support. Hilary is exceptional and we recommend her without hesitation." - Parent of a High School Graduate, Class of '26

www.affirmedu.com

Honors colleges remain one of the most underutilized tools in a thoughtful college search yet they can offer a compelling academic experience within a larger university setting.

At their best, these programs provide small, discussion-based classes, faculty mentorship, priority registration, and research opportunities, all within the resources of a public university often at a significantly lower cost than comparable private institutions.

What’s important to understand is that honors programs vary widely. Some are large and structured with defined curricula, while others are highly selective, offering individualized, tutorial-style learning.

For students considering a larger university, honors colleges can meaningfully enhance the experience, creating a more personalized academic environment within a broader campus community.
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I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

Using Data Thoughtfully in the College Search

One of the most valuable steps early in the college search process is understanding how a student’s academic profile compares to those of admitted students. Data such as acceptance rates and middle 50% SAT/ACT ranges, drawn from sources like the Common Data Set, can provide important context that rankings alone often miss.

What many families don't realize is how much this information should shape a college list before applications are written. The same academic profile may be a reach at one school, a target at another, and well above average elsewhere, where it may also open the door to meaningful merit scholarship opportunities.

A note of nuance ➡️ with the change of many college's test-optional policies, published score ranges often reflect only a portion of admitted students. These figures are best viewed as directional, not absolute but when used thoughtfully, they remain one of the most practical tools in building a balanced and strategic college list.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

College Spotlight 💡 Loyola University New Orleans

Located in the vibrant Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans along St. Charles Avenue, Loyola University New Orleans offers a distinctive blend of Jesuit, liberal arts education and experiential learning, all set within one of the most culturally rich cities in the country.

Why Students Choose Loyola New Orleans:

Students are often drawn to Loyola for its strong sense of community, personalized academic experience, and values-based education rooted in the Jesuit tradition. With a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 13:1 and a high percentage of faculty holding terminal degrees, students benefit from close mentorship and meaningful classroom engagement.

The university offers nearly 100 academic programs across disciplines including business, communications, sciences, and the arts, allowing students to pursue both depth and interdisciplinary exploration.

Academic Experience:

Loyola emphasizes learning that extends beyond the classroom. Its curriculum encourages students to think critically, communicate effectively, and connect their studies to real-world applications. Programs in areas like computer science, biology, and business provide practical skill-building alongside a liberal arts foundation.

For students interested in engineering, Loyola offers a pre-engineering pathway through physics, where students complete foundational coursework before transferring to partner institutions to complete their engineering degree, earning a Loyola degree along the way.

Campus & Culture:

What truly distinguishes Loyola is its setting. New Orleans becomes an extension of the classroom, offering opportunities in internships, service learning, music, culture, and community engagement. The Jesuit emphasis on reflection and service is woven into both academic and student life, encouraging students to think not only about what they will do, but why it matters.

Outcomes & Opportunities:

Loyola graduates are known for their strong communication skills, ethical grounding, and adaptability ... qualities that translate well across industries. The university’s emphasis on experiential learning, internships, and community engagement helps students build both professional readiness and a broader perspective.

Loyola New Orleans can be an excellent fit for students seeking a thoughtful, personalized academic environment within a dynamic and culturally rich setting. It appeals to students who value close faculty relationships, interdisciplinary learning, and a college experience that integrates intellectual growth with purpose.

https://www.loyno.edu/

As AP exams continue, students are shifting from learning new material to refining how they demonstrate what they know. At this stage, success is not just about content mastery, it’s about understanding how to perform on the exam.

A focused strategy can make a meaningful difference:

• Take a timed practice exam to build stamina and pacing
• Review scoring rubrics and student samples to understand how points are earned
• Prioritize areas of strength and turn them into consistent, reliable performance

The goal is to walk into the testing room prepared, calm, and confident, ready to demonstrate their knowledge with clarity and intention.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com