What People Are Saying
“We loved having Katie’s help navigating the college process. With our oldest, we really didn’t know what we were doing at all. Katie helped guide him through the entire process, start to finish. She helped him craft a list of schools that were a good fit for him. Then she worked with him to identify the right application strategy for his list of potential schools. He ended up attending his dream school as a result. It was a school that we wouldn’t have really considered and I’m not sure he would have gotten in without Katie’s insight into the college application process.
We also felt like having Katie in the picture really helped protect our parent/child relationship. When Katie gave advice or recommendations about deadlines or essays, she didn’t come off as nagging like we would have. Her input carried more weight with our child than ours did when it came to applying to college. So we were able to take a step back and offer support instead of direction. It made the times we spent with him during junior and senior year more fun and less stressful.”
— Karen, mother of Colin (Boston College)
“Our family was very lucky to have Ms. Ryan as our two children’s counselor for their college applications. She worked both as a college admission officer and college counselor for many years, so her experience is invaluable. She regularly visited so many colleges, large and small, established relationships with so many college admission officers through her visits, that she knows many colleges inside and out. This was very important for us, because we were looking for colleges that would be a great fit for our kids. She is very patient and has great understanding of the parents' wishes and concerns for the college process. Also, she knew the strength of our kids, so she provided wonderful guidance regarding the college lists and strategies for the applications, to maximize the best chance for our kids. I am not sure who was more nervous during the application process, the kids or the parents, but she certainly made this anxious mom calm down, knowing the kids were in good hands and they were guided every step of the way. Ms. Ryan has excellent communication with parents and kids. Both of our kids made it to schools that they are really happy with. Now my son is a practicing dentist and my daughter is in a college that is very selective and also her dream school.
College applications can be stressful with so many decisions to make, but working with Katie, with her incredible knowledge and her confidence, made everyone's life so much easier going through the whole process. We can't thank her enough for her guidance and help!”
— Susan, mother of Kevin (University of the Pacific, Pre-Dental Program) and Heidi (Pomona College)
“Ms. Ryan was my high school advisor and college counselor (2001-2004). As my advisor, Ms. Ryan provided me with the support I needed in my adolescence. She was one teacher I could fully trust because she genuinely cared about my success and well-being. I felt safe sharing with her my thoughts and concerns. As a college counselor, Ms. Ryan guided me through the application process in a way that was not daunting or intimidating. I have fond memories of touring colleges with her and sharing with her good news of my admissions results. Now, twenty years later, I’m still incredibly grateful for Ms. Ryan’s guidance and support, for shaping me to be who I am today. She has been one of the most important mentors of my life.”
— Jieun (Stanford BS '08, PhD '14)
“I would not have gotten into my dream school without Katie Ryan. She laid out exactly what I needed to do during my time in high school to make me into the student I needed to be to get accepted to my college of choice. I wasn't as academically gifted as other students at my school but she maximized my potential and helped me achieve the critical things I needed to do to get admitted.
As a person, Katie is kind, positive, friendly and treats everyone like they are special. She genuinely cares about her job and the students she works with. I can't imagine what a better college counselor would be like. I recommend Katie to every student or parent that wants help getting into college.”
— Collin (University of Oregon)