College planning is most meaningful when it begins with the student—not with rankings, prestige, or someone else's definition of success.
I work with students and families seeking a calm, ethical, and deeply personalized approach to the college process. Together, we explore academic interests, personal priorities, strengths, goals, and the environments in which a student is most likely to learn and thrive.
My goal is not simply to help students gain admission. It is to help them make informed choices and approach the process with greater clarity, confidence, and ownership.
I work especially well with students who:
I work with students from IB, AP, honors, independent, project-based, and other secondary-school programs.
My approach is shaped by decades of classroom teaching, program coordination, and assessment work. I focus on helping students:
I see college guidance as an educational process, not a transactional one.
I also work with students exploring gap years, technical education, apprenticeships, community college, career pathways, and other post-high school options.
Students seeking subject-specific IB support can learn more about IB Academic Guidance and Tutoring.
Begin the Conversation
Families are invited to begin with an introductory conversation to discuss their student's needs, questions, and next steps.
© Copyright Gretchen Nordleaf-Nelson