Introducing: The College Application Academy
Introducing: The College Application Academy
Imagine what it will feel like to craft and submit phenomenal college applications with top-notch support — can you see it? This online course gives you the roadmap to get there from point A - Z, with direct support from me every step of the way.
it's time to Level up your admissions experience
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And with the average student-to-college counselor ratio in the United States at a whopping 408:1, students are not getting the support they need.
The good news? You’ve found the place where students and families go to do college admissions differently.
Students in The College Application Academy gain access to my proven, step-by-step blueprint that walks applicants from start to submit of the college application process. They gain direct access to a college admissions pro (me!) and apply to college with strategy and confidence. Think of this course as your own, personal college counselor in your back-pocket. With it, your admissions experience becomes one of unparalleled support, and that's exactly what you and your family deserve.
Applying to college is a big deal.
You don't have to go through this process alone.
Since you're here, you're more than likely feeling...
Since you're here, you're more than likely feeling...
Can you relate?
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this course was created so you can:
Access expert, ivy-league informed guidance on your time
Learn from a clear, couldn’t-be-easier to follow process that walks students through every step of applying to best-fit colleges.
create compelling and authentic applications that rise above the rest
Students craft applications that are an incredible representation of who they are using personal storytelling and strategic writing techniques.
say goodbye to application anxiety
Save hours and days worth of valuable time you'd otherwise spend procrastinating, worrying, googling, and feeling frustrated. Now, you have an expert on your side.
I empower high school juniors and seniors to craft authentic and successful college applications that leap off of the page at their best-fit, top-choice schools.
I worked in the Harvard College Admissions Office for four years reviewing and interviewing hundreds of applicants for admission. I've also earned my master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Harvard University where I did a whole lot of research on college admissions, and have served as a First-Year Academic Advisor at Harvard University, and as Assistant Dean of Academic Advising at UC San Diego.
Now, I'm sharing my knowledge to ensure applicants are equipped to craft college applications as extraordinary as they are and to create an admissions journey that is simplified and stress-free. If you’re looking for accessible and exceptional support, expertise, and encouragement as you and your family step into the next chapter of your life, you’re in the right place!
This course is complete with Bite-sized and Engaging video lessons, detailed workbooks, bonus resources, and direct support with me through bimonthly group office hours. Together we walk from point a to z of the college application process, ensuring students receive the expertise and assistance they deserve.
This comprehensive course can be completed in as little as 6-weeks, and provides all of the tools needed to craft impactful college applications that successfully showcase who students are for their best-fit schools using my proven approaches and techniques — all informed after years of work in selective admissions at Harvard College and from years of guiding students and their families through their college admissions journeys.
The College application academy
introducing...
Stage One
In Stage One students are set up for success. Applicants learn all about college application platforms, the components of a complete application, time management tactics, how to get and keep application materials organized from start to submit, and walk through some major goal setting and vision casting exercises that provide students with the clarity needed to dive into their college admissions journey.
Let's take a look inside:
Stage Two
In Stage Two students dig into some major details! Applicants learn how to build their own, personalized balanced college list, how and why to make the most of college visits while avoiding burnout, how to expertly navigate today's standardized testing landscape, and how to ensure letters of recommendation sing their praises and strengthen their college applications.
Stage Three
In Stage Three students learn all about early admissions strategy and how to ensure they use their "early card" to the best of their advantage. They'll understand how to submit transcripts, secondary school reports and more to the colleges on their list, and how to elevate their activities and achievements — just by the way they write about them. Students will also learn how and when to effectively use the additional information section.
Stage Four
Get ready to ace those essays. In Stage Four students receive my top tips for a standout personal statement, the do's and don'ts for common supplemental essay prompts, and access to "essays that worked" examples from former students admitted to top choice schools. Worries about writing college essays — how to start them, how to decide what to even write about, and how to be sure they stand out will be addressed in great detail.
Stage Five
In Stage Five students consider the final details through reviewing my top tips for highly successful college admissions interviews, how and when to utilize the "upload" tool in their applicant status portals effectively, and how to craft letters of continued interest if a deferral or waitlist decision is received.
Pre-formatted balanced College List Spreadsheet & comparison chart
Comprehensive college Visit WOrksheets
done-for-you resume and email templates
And if that's not enough, students receive a bunch of bonus resources to ensure their admissions journey is smooth sailing.
to name just a few...
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The results you could have too:
How does this sound?
Get clear on your goals and Identify multiple, fantastic best-fit colleges that are tailor-made for you
create compelling applications that rise above the rest by identifying distinct strengths and values with expert support
learn how to write college essays with strategy — everyone has a unique and valuable story to tell, and we'll uncover yours
take back your time — no more scouring Reddit threads, blogs, and youtube videos for tips and tricks and feeling completely overwhelmed. You've got a professional on your side now
kick self-doubt and application anxiety to the curb — the college application process is now one full of clarity and confidence
START NOW
Every month, ten students dive into The College Application Academy. The number is capped to ensure everyone gets the support they need and deserve.
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Once enrolled, students gain access to dripped, buildable video content, workbooks, bonus resources, and of course, to direct support with me in our bimonthly group Office Hours.
Say yes to your spot
Now for the fun part — with access to expert advice and guidance, students uncover their distinct narratives and learn how to put together top-notch applications with support every step of the way.
Ready, Set, Start
How it works
Bonus!
Also waiting for you inside The College Application Academy...
Examples of awesome essays that worked from students I've worked with that were admitted to top-choice colleges. I've color-coded and broken down their structure so they can be referenced as you learn how to identify and share your story.
Say yes to a college application experience full of clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Enrollment is open now for the next cohort of The College Application Academy! Fill out your information in this form, and I’ll be in touch with you to confirm if you have made it in while spaces remain for this month's intake of students.
It's time to Level up your admissions experience
How long do students have access to this course?
Students enrolled in The College Application Academy have access to all of the course content and to the bimonthly group Office Hours until the end of January 2026! This ensures you have all of the support needed to create and submit compelling applications for each of the colleges on your list and by their deadlines for Fall 2026 admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m a junior, can’t I just wait until my senior year to start thinking about my college applications?
The second semester of your junior year is the best time to dive into your college applications. It’s really important to remember that the admissions process is more than just filling out your application and writing essays. There is strategy to consider from the moment you start getting organized - from learning how to build a balanced college list, planning college visits, thinking about early admission strategy, requesting letters of recommendation, the list goes on! Starting this course will help ensure that your college applications are creative and compelling, and that you get the support you deserve.
I'm a parent and I love that you hold Office Hours for questions every other week. Can I join too? -
To ensure Office Hours remain student-centric and that each student is able to ask their questions and get the support they need, Office Hours are for the applicants only! I absolutely encourage you to speak to your student and share your questions with them so when they join the next Office Hours session they can share these questions!
How long does this course take to complete?
This course can be successfully completed in as little as 6 weeks - but I always encourage students and their families to enroll sooner when possible to allow for plenty of time to complete the lessons in this course AND to give them as much access to me and the group bimonthly office hours as possible. Attending these isn't required to successfully complete the course, but they're enormously helpful, and the sooner you have access, the more value packed this course is!
Ok, I'm ready to purchase The College Application Academy! What's next?
I'm so glad you asked! The next step here is to submit an interest form (button below!) so I can check to see if there is space in this month's cohort. Soon after submitting your information, you'll hear from me and if there's a space available, you'll have a window of time to enroll! Once you're enrolled, you'll be able to dive into the course and start attending Office Hours.
Can I just google this stuff? I've seen some information on blogs, on Instagram and Facebook, etc.
You could! But this course will save you hundreds of hours trying to research how to best fill out applications, write essays, and meet your deadlines. You won’t have to try to figure out whose advice to listen to (there is a whole lot of incorrect advice out there!) and you won’t waste hours of valuable time drafting mediocre essays that don’t feel like an awesome representation of who you are. You aren’t meant to go through this important process on your own, and this course will save you time and a whole lot of anxiety while ensuring your applications are as incredible as you are. You’re worth this investment in yourself.
What's the best time to purchase The College Application Academy?
Ideally, anywhere between the start of the second semester of junior year to November of senior year. Any earlier and students won't quite have all of the information they need to dig into the content, and any later application deadlines will start to close.
I'm Ready
I'm here to help students navigate the college admissions process with ease and confidence, helping them to identify their strengths and to authentically craft their stories into brilliant applications that allow them to leap off the page in the committee room at best match schools.
It’s time to say goodbye to college ranking websites and application anxiety and to say hello to the beginning of an empowering and expansive admissions experience that is brimming with opportunity — and I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
You're more prepared to jump into the college application process than you think you are. But if you're anything like me, you need help to make your super powers shine.
you're in the right place.
"We were feeling so anxious about the process of applying to college - this course is the how-to map we needed!"
"Our daughter is a junior, and we knew we wanted more support as she started the college admissions process. From the first lesson, our daughter's stress about applying to college started to disappear. It's been awesome watching her get confident about what she wants in a college, how to share about everything she has to offer, AND to see how much she's learning about college application strategy in general. I wish I had this course when I was applying to college!"
Julie - THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ACADEMY, Parent 2024
"Mary breaks down every step your teen needs to know when it comes to applying to college, and she does it with warmth and clarity."
"Our family was feeling completely overwhelmed at the thought of our first child applying to college. We had no idea where to even begin! We knew we wanted help from someone who had worked in college admissions extensively, and Mary's resume is that and more. The amount of information in this course is incredible, and Mary makes it all digestible and approachable."
Alexandra - The College Application academy, Parent 2024
"I was feeling really nervous about applying to college, but with this course and Mary, I have help every step of the way."
"I feel like I have my own private college counselor and admissions cheerleader! I love that if I ever have a question about one of the lessons, I can meet with Mary during Office Hours whenever I need to. The lessons are really easy to follow, and I'm making serious progress on my college apps!"
Olivia, Student in The college application academy, 2024
SUCCESS STORIES
this could be you...
Applying to college has become a source of stress in your household, and you're looking for a solution that is highly strategic, thorough, and engaging.
You know strategic college applications are a requirement for being admitted to top choice, best-fit colleges, but getting started is feeling really hard and you want a pro on your side.
Parents: You want these applications done — and you're looking for an expert who has extensive experience working in selective college admissions to help guide your teenager every step of the way.
Students: Your days are so busy with classes, homework, and all your extracurriculars. You're overwhelmed, and want a trusted roadmap to take you from start to submit.
You want to learn how to confidently share your personal and distinct story with top choice colleges - let's ace those essays!
The College Application Academy is *perfect* for you if...
ENROLL NOW
You're looking for personal support with access to an expert through every step of applying to college, without the price tag of a 1:1 college consultant.
You're ready to say goodbye to application anxiety and hello to an application experience full of confidence and clarity.
ENROLL NOW
The College Application Academy includes everything students need to create highly compelling applications with unparalleled support.
Just imagine what it will feel like to craft and submit phenomenal college applications with strategy - can you see it? This course gives you the roadmap to get there, one that has guided students and families just like yours to gain admission to their top choice schools.
Applying to college doesn’t have to be stressful and overwhelming. My 10+ years of experience working in selective admissions and advising have led to my empathy-driven and ivy league informed approach to guiding high school students and their families through the college admissions process, infusing their journeys with ease, confidence, and strategy.
get on the list