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♥ Parents Wall of Love ♥
See what parents have to say about working with us — and when you're ready, we'd love to chat.
Joshua, Dad | UC Berkeley
“You MUST do this. You MUST do this with Jamie. You are amazing in so many ways. Like tears-in-our-eyes incredible.”
Melanie, Mom | Colorado State University
“You had such a great rapport with our daughter and helped calm her anxiety and break down the whole process into manageable chunks. Our daughter's exact words about you were ‘always all-around lovely to talk to.’ You kept her accountable, but made the process as enjoyable as possible.
Using a consultant took most of the parent-teen dynamic out of the application process, and really improved our family life. As parents, we could have high-level conversations about what she wanted to study and where she wanted to go, and leave the details to Jamie and our daughter. Many times we would ask our daughter questions about details, and she would say, ‘I already talked about that with Jamie. Don't worry, we've got it covered.’
Because she has worked at the high school and college level, Jamie is a wealth of knowledge about both. She knows people at so many colleges, she knows students who have gone there, and she can answer just about any question. If she doesn't know the answer, she can find it. She even helped our daughter navigate issues at her high school when she didn't know how to get things done with the administration there. Jamie really cared about her and made her feel important, smart and capable. In the end, she got into almost all of the schools she applied to, and Jamie helped her make her final decision, which we are thrilled about!”
Jennifer, Mom | Mt. Holyoke College
“Having you in our corner really helped ease our (my!) anxiety about the application process. It was so helpful to know that I could contact you whenever I had a question, and you would guide us in the right direction. Your help with Lilia's application and essay process was great, and your gentle urgings and reminders were very helpful.”
JoAnne, Mom | University of Colorado at Boulder
“I think our daughter definitely needed the positive guidance that you provided. Our student is obviously a high achiever but as a result can feel overwhelmed at times. Jamie is gifted in her ability to be both an encouraging cheerleader as well as a teacher providing constructive feedback and by wearing both hats at the same time she provided the perfect balance that our daughter needed through the college application process.”
Andreas, Dad | University of Colorado at Boulder
“My favorite part of working together was that we basically didn't work together. It was always you and Erika, not you and us. I am sure that was really helping Erika take charge of her own future instead of just trying to do what she thinks we want her to do. The college application process is so daunting, it's stressful even if you have someone who can guide you through it. I don't even want to think about what it would have been like without.”
Robert, Dad | Texas A&M University
“College admissions are very different than when I went through it. The competitive landscape has changed a lot for the top schools. I think we learned a lot about Dillon through Shannon. We didn't always agree with his desires but Shannon did a great job serving his interest as well as hearing our concerns. Having a third party who knows the schools to discuss with the student can avoid the "parent effect" where they can be more honest without our expectations/biases is very valuable, and being able to assess the student application with the current competition more objectively is very valuable.”
Hillery, Mom | University of Texas
“We couldn’t be more grateful for Shannon’s patient and knowledgeable guidance through the uncharted territory (and perils) of the college admissions process. We started out with our son not having any solid resolution about where he wanted to go, and not only did she help us shape a list that was suited to his strengths and interests, she helped us tailor his CV and his applications to those choices.
Shannon is also an astute and perceptive editor for the essay portion of the process, which was invaluable. She was responsive to our son’s drafts in real time, which allowed me and my husband to step back as she gave our son the feedback he needed to complete his essays in his own voice, while still guiding him to adhere to the prompts and to emphasize what was most relevant to each institution or topic.
When he was hesitant about applying to specific honors programs, she encouraged him to aim high, and he ended up with an acceptance to Plan II Honors at UT and admitted to the major he wanted most. We have no doubt that without Shannon’s help, our son would not have found the perfect fit college, and we know her guidance is what helped him achieve that goal.”
Becca, Mom | University of Texas
“My favorite part of working together was knowing that ANYTHING the process threw our way, I could say to my daughter, "check with Coach B to see what she says about it!" The best part of the experience was gratitude and a still strong relationship with our kiddo! :-)”
Terri, Mom | University of Redlands
“I've never had to go through this before, and there is very little guidance out there. I didn't want to have to fight with my daughter about deadlines and schools, and I'm too busy to keep track of anything myself, so I was thrilled to find Shannon. I loved the fact that I didn't have to worry about deadlines, and that Ashley was learning where she wanted to go to school in a methodical and well-planned manner. Every parent should use a college coach if they can financially manage it.”
Courtney, Mom | Carleton College
“I wanted to hire a consultant to make sure that my student's wishes and priorities and interests were reflected and supported during the process and that she made decisions and choices that were best for her. I wanted to be sure that she wasn't steamrolled by parental interests that may not have been in line with what she wanted for herself. The only daunting part was weeding through so many acceptances in so little time!
You were always available for my student for whatever she needed whenever she needed it. I loved that you kept her on track every step of the way, and that we weren't the ones having to manage this process. I loved that you were a calm, reassuring, easy-going presence during this process. Getting accepted to 7 out of 10 schools in any year, but especially in this challenging year, feels like a huge accomplishment. I don't think we could have asked for better results.”
Ute, Mom | Trinity University
“We went to school in Germany and had no idea about ANY of it. We were completely hands off and if we had any questions we were able to ask them. We never had to nag the boys. Also, the schools Shannon picked out with the boys were perfect for them. Shannon has so much experience. She knows the best colleges for each individual child. She keeps the kids on track. We were not involved in the process at all. When I listen to my other friends who did it themselves, sheesh... not worth it. Never do this process yourself! You will regret it and your children will hate you :)”
Amy, Mom | Columbia University Science Po program
“Your advice on widening Peyton's pool of schools was priceless. She was entirely focused on the top tier with only one backup. Your suggestions not only gave her more of a cushion but also the acceptances took out the sting of some of the rejections!
Peyton was hesitant to use a consultant and the fact that you so quickly earned her trust and respect is a testament to how good you are at what you do. Your calm and patient advice and counsel was exactly what she needed and really lessened Peyton's anxiety about the process. Shannon, we cannot thank you enough for your assistance.
We could step back and encourage and support Peyton through the process without being in the middle of it and without overstepping our bounds. She wanted to do it all herself but having you to guide her and as a backstop gave us the assurance we needed. Even with a self-starter who was steeped in the process, your guidance was invaluable. Peyton was willing to take direction and guidance from you that she would have (probably) resented taking from us.”
Lisa, Mom | Emerson College
“I am hypervigilant and knew I'd drive Max (and myself) insane without outside assistance on timing and deadlines above all. Having you there to keep the process on track was a healthy choice for all of us. Honestly, our favorite part was how little we (Mark and I) actually did work together with you, not because we didn't enjoy you and your insights, but because working together let us exit a lot of the process and leave that to you and Max, and that was good for him and for us.
Working with Shannon allows parents to step back and give their kids an opportunity to develop self-awareness and agency in a process that can be overwhelming without guidance. Shannon helped my son navigate the process while also empowering him to feel in control of his choices and better aware of the experience he hoped to get from college.”
Brian, Dad | University of Chicago
“I highly recommend Shannon Bergeron to prospective college students and their families for a variety of reasons. Shannon was very helpful in our daughter’s college application process in many areas, and acted as an experienced guide to shepherd us through the endeavor.
She provided tools and testing to help our daughter evaluate her interests, strengths, and weaknesses. She recommended colleges and universities that aligned our daughter’s passions, academic goals, and career objectives, and provided insider information only available to a seasoned veteran, which was immensely helpful to us in evaluating the caliber and tenor of the institutions under consideration. And she provided the project management perspective necessary to keep the entire exercise on track, with reminders and suggestions, helpful hints and tips, in addition to reading every word of the application materials themselves.
But perhaps more importantly, Shannon held my hand as the parent, looking over my shoulder, providing reassurance, and allowing me to relax and enjoy the process, knowing I was in the calm and capable hands of a true college planning professional. Ultimately our daughter was successful in obtaining admission to her first-choice school, due in no small part to the advice and guidance we received from Shannon Bergeron. Thank you so much!”
Gena, Mom | Vanderbilt University
“‘I’ve got it under control,’ is one of the scariest sentences in the English language. But coming from a student working under Shannon’s guidance, the sentiment is easier to trust. Shannon’s years of experience as a high school counselor provide a wonderful foundation for any college search, but what makes her special is her insights into the particular dynamics of the individual student. She and my son interacted so easily and fluidly, he never resisted meeting with her.
He might have resisted writing the essays but not working on them with Shannon. She understood that he was the kind of student who needed every last minute to perfect his writing, and her confidence in his process gave him the space and time he needed to do his best work. Her up-to-the moment expertise, organizational skills, and tools kept a complicated experience on track, and on time.
Shannon is bi-generational, speaking easily the language of both parent and student, and she is a good listener. When I needed advice or reassurance, Shannon was completely agreeable to conversation and had good suggestions. In addition to providing terrific guidance, Shannon was open to exploring unusual paths and possibilities. In the end, my son had several very different and excellent offers to choose among. True to his nature, took his time to make a decision, weighing every option and refusing to act prematurely. The outcome was exactly right, and I credit Shannon and her faith in my son.”
Cara, Mom | University of Colorado Boulder and Sarah Lawrence College
“We truly relied on Shannon to be our steadfast guide through the murky and otherwise-overwhelming process of selecting and applying to colleges. In terms of developing a “final list”, Shannon was instrumental in helping our daughter choose colleges that were excellent matches FOR HER – all six of the schools would have been a good fit, even if they offered different experiences.
Shannon is such a warm and genuine soul; she quickly became as much “family friend” as she was “college counselor.” There’s so much to learn about today’s college application landscape – and Shannon patiently answered countless questions from us. She is quick to respond to emails and phone calls, and my daughter felt very comfortable texting her when she had an “urgent” question.
Really, we can’t say enough good things about Shannon, and are thrilled to be working with her again as we enter Round 2 with our second child!”
Eileen, Mom | Whitman College
“I could not overstate the relief I felt after meeting with Shannon the first time. Her warm, friendly demeanor and easy accessibility made it easy for my daughter and me to trust her right away. My daughter was able to work through her resistance and quickly start making progress.
As a parent, I was confident that Shannon was working toward my daughter’s best interest. I would have never imagined not reviewing the applications before submittal, but by the end of it I knew that Shannon helped her put her best foot forward and write in her own voice. That allowed me to stay emotionally present and connected with my senior during a particularly stressful time — priceless.”
Lex, Mom | Scripps College
“My daughter worked with Shannon Bergeron this year. Shannon is the founder of Core College Consulting and a previous LASA counselor and parent. I cannot say enough positive things about the experience. She truly understands the school and the experience the students have at LASA.
Her process focuses on who the student is and then supports them moving through the process authentically, so that they stay anchored and aligned throughout — invaluable during the intensity that is the reality of the experience these days. She's not a babysitter and won't task master your child through the process. But she will be there as a sane voice and a solid support throughout the process. I cannot recommend her highly enough — but I also know she fills up very fast. When I recommended her to a few folks this year, she was already booked.”
Ellen, Mom | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
“After working with a different service for my older child which offered "more" products, I really liked that you got to know Aviva and were able to find schools that suited her needs. That was a real struggle with our prior service and yet I think Aviva was the far more difficult client. She's not able to articulate what she wants and it is hard to get her to do what she needs to do because she doesn't want to do it. Aviva did not apply to a "reach" school but the schools suited Aviva.
And the amount of merit aid she was awarded I think is the true testament to your hard work. I was very worried that she wouldn't be able to afford her favorite school and it was clear that she could when she was accepted. The advice on negotiating with schools on finances saved a lot of money. But I would be remiss if I failed to mention that you are a LASA expert. It's hard for outsiders to understand how different that school is.”
Cybele, Mom | University of Texas
“We chose to work with Shannon to reduce the stress on our parent-student relationship :) And to leverage the ready-expertise of someone who 1) knew the school culture we were coming from in LASA 2) knew the application process and what was entailed, and 3) had realistic recommendations for targets and outcomes.
Our favorite part was having someone extremely smart and organized to lean on, not to mention a mom who has been through the process and understands the frustrations of working w/ a less than enthusiastic kid.
My advice? It's never too early to start, and it's a luxury not to have to go through it alone. VERY high ROI for the cost. You will get amazing support and also experienced, pragmatic advice.”
Ginger, Mom | Northeastern University
“We felt we needed someone to help guide our daughter through the process. I had a good experience with Shannon, but more importantly my daughter had a great experience and she was not only a college consultant, but also someone to help balance the ups and downs of applying to college.
We hired Shannon a month before the world shut down due to COVID. She quickly adjusted to online help and this did not impact her responsiveness to our daughter. I liked her process and making sure our daughter knew the deadlines. Shannon was very attentive to our daughter's needs. I like that she used a portal to keep track of everything. She read every essay and provided needed feedback. I would recommend Shannon for college consulting.”
Vanessa, Mom | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
“College applications require a lot of work, and expertise. Some people love doing that themselves, and some need a little encouragement. I think my son felt overwhelmed by the options and needed someone to guide him towards the best options, and still let him choose. It makes the end of high school a pleasant experience for you and your child instead of a nagging experience!”
Kimberly, Stepmom | Texas A&M University
“Investing the time to find a college consultant and spending the funds was the best decision we made as parents. It saved us from the direct stress and aggravation of having to manage the actual process ourselves. More importantly, it allowed us to transition our son in working with an expert who afforded him the opportunity to take responsibility for his future and make the decisions he needed to make towards planning his future.
Hiring a neutral third-party expert, especially one who understands the current workings of secondary education, is an invaluable tool. The importance of identifying the "right" college institution, much less the organization required throughout the application process, is something most parents don't understand. Even if parents have the time to manage the application process for their kids, they might be overlooking the fact that the schools being applied do not align with their children's current academic standings, personal style, or future academic goals.”
Traci, Mom | University of Wisconsin, Madison
“Shannon listens to the students and uses engaging methods to help them create goals. While many college counselors offer a structure / plan to complete applications, it's the personalized approach and compassion that Shannon offers her students at the front end which distinguishes her from others.”
Brian, Dad | Northeastern University
“We appreciated the ease of the process since we weren't involved in all the application details. We were able to enjoy the experience more this way -- focusing more on the enjoyable parts of the process such as being a sounding board and cheerleader for Gracie. You made it really easy and Gracie enjoyed working with you. It was also super helpful that you were a LASA college counselor.”
Shannon, Mom | Vanderbilt University
“We felt like our daughter would respond best to advice and assistance from a third party. She needed space to explore her options and possibilities without being limited by our (her parents') admittedly narrow scope of knowledge. I loved that someone knowledgeable was walking her through the application process, making sure that all options were explored and all deadlines were met.”
Leigh, Mom | UCLA
“We wanted to respect Lily's interests and college path as opposed to guiding her where we wanted her to go. It has also been a very long time since we went to college and thought it would benefit Lily a great deal to work with someone who could truly support her through this process.
Our biggest takeaway is respect for you and the process. Lily very much enjoyed working with you and having you as a supporter and guide for her. The commitment is invaluable and gives your child the opportunity to take responsibility for the process along the way.”
Wendy, Mom | Texas Tech University
“Shannon is friendly and helpful and has a wealth of knowledge about the process of applying for college and knew which schools had what our daughter was interested in studying. She also proofread the essays which was a huge help as well. I liked that we started early so that once senior year came around she was well into the process and did not feel rushed or stressed. Also the aptitude tests to help her narrow down what to study were helpful as well.
She gives the students realistic deadlines and understands how busy they are. Shannon is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, she will help your child and you navigate the college app process. She is easy to talk to and answers questions that arise. I felt like we could ask her anything.”
Peter, Dad | Arizona State University, Barrett Honors
“We started to realize how much had changed in the application process since we were in school! With the new processes and managing all the requirements between our work schedule and son's school work/activities, we really wanted someone to help all of us through the process and ensure the best opportunities for our son and that we didn't miss any steps that could impact those opportunities.
Shannon is very down to earth and realistic. She is honest with the student on what she believes may be reach schools, but not deterring them from not pursuing any school. She won't sugar coat anything and give them false expectations, however she is still positive and encouraging.”
Cara, Mom | Rice University
“Gavin would say - and we would agree - that his essays would not have been what they were without your guidance and he firmly believes that is what got him into his dream school - not his grades or scores. We are all so grateful for your help and guidance! (He was also prepared to not get into his dream school, which I think is due to your help in providing a realistic perspective).
Applying to college is nothing like it was when we (the parents of current high school students) applied. Having you involved gave us all complete peace of mind. Your guidance, knowledge, perspective and availability to be a sounding board isn't just valuable for the student - it's valuable for the whole family.”
Cindy, Mom | Colorado State University
“It was very helpful to have outside expertise in selecting schools for consideration. We ended up looking at several schools we would not have otherwise considered. It was helpful to have someone helping keep my son accountable for the application process and deadlines. We also appreciated the feedback on application essays. Shannon is very open, communicative, and accessible; She listens to the individual student/family wants and needs.”
Kimberly, Mom | University of Southern California
“I knew my son would need help organizing and especially hitting the "send" button. Being able to leave that in other capable hands was an investment in my relationship with my son! Shannon's process was straight-forward and answered all my questions. Knowing we had a knowledgeable expert advising during the process (which has changed completely since I was applying to college) was reassuring to all of us.”
Belinda, Mom | Rice University
“We wanted someone else to help with making sure Blake met all of the deadlines. My favorite part was admiring Blake’s independence and the frequency of meetings. It was extremely helpful and took most of the stress out of college applications for our family. I wish we had done this for our other children!”