All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome here. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Maddox, Yale University
“Shannon was a lifesaver. She made me feel so seen in every single one of our meetings since the very beginning, and I wouldn’t be sitting in the chair I’m currently in at Yale if it wasn’t for her. I couldn’t be happier to be the mentee to someone so outstanding, hardworking, and passionate about helping students coming from non-traditional backgrounds.”
Megan, CU Boulder
“Before working with you, I was intimidated by all of the opportunities and the fear of not finding the right fit that met all of my criteria. My favorite part was all of the support I received and encouragement. You made an extremely daunting process seem much more manageable by breaking it down into smaller parts which helped me compartmentalize and juggle all of it instead of feeling overwhelmed. Your energy and positivity are contagious! I have learned so much about myself and what I truly want out of my college experience. Working with you was such a pleasure and I don't know how I could've gotten through it without you.”
Anna, University of Miami
“I enjoyed how Shannon kept me on track and made sure I was keeping up with deadlines because as a senior the last thing you want to do are your college essays. I also enjoyed the amazing website she had because it allowed me to find all the information I needed about each college and keep track of my progress. She will allow you to be independent and write whatever you choose rather than craft your work for you, so you need to come in having a strong sense of what is most important to you to write about. She will suggest many schools for you and can let you know about places you wouldn't have considered prior. She will set very reasonable expectations for you which will help with the stress of acceptances.”
Elizabeth, University of Arizona Honors
“I liked how kind and patient you were. You answered all of my questions and made me feel really supported throughout the whole process. I think writing the essays and thinking about what type of school I'd be happiest at helped me discover new things about myself and also made me a better writer. Ms. Bergeron is really nice and will always be there to help you every step of the way! She breaks up the whole application process into smaller pieces so it doesn't get too overwhelming.”
Ronak, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
“I think the part of college applications that I was most worried about was the pacing. Since I had never gone through the process before, I wasn't sure of everything that would need to be done, so I wasn't sure how early to start working and what to prioritize. My favorite part of working with you was how you tolerated my work ethic, even if it didn't perfectly match up with yours. It allowed me to do what worked best for me, working through applications at my pace.”
Maya, Northwestern University
“Shannon was so helpful in making the chaos of the college application process manageable. One of the hardest parts of my application process was just making a plan, but when I met with Shannon she was able to help me figure out a plan that made the whole process so much less stressful. Throughout everything, Shannon was incredibly considerate and responsive, and just so generous with her time. She not only helped me figure out what types of schools and programs I wanted to apply for, but also helped me set personal deadlines for every step in my application, from filling out forms to writing essays, which really made my end goals seem more reachable. I’m so thankful to have had her support in everything!”
Jake, Carnegie Mellon University
“I initially approached college admissions with a lot of cynicism. There are easily over 1,000 schools to choose from in the States alone and I thought that I might miss some great fits just because I wouldn't be aware of them. I also was greatly annoyed with the prospect of writing so many essays on a list of 10-15 schools when I really was only interested in 2-3. Working with Shannon was immensely helpful in just sparing me mental energy when it came to managing the size of the task at hand. Having someone to set a pace for you, and help break the task down into pieces that can be done in one sitting was a great way to navigate the admissions process, and the external assistance in planning was a great insurance to get everything done on time.
She was also quite helpful in figuring out what macro ideas and life experiences to include in essays, and how to convey a sense of who you are whilst addressing the prompt. It was good to have someone to suggest schools to look into when I had no real idea where I wanted to go, or what I cared about in a school other than rigor and prestige. Going through this process with Shannon showed me that there's always more routes out there than you're really considering, and some of them may actually suit you quite well.”
Elizabeth, Boston College
“At first, starting out the college admissions process was very daunting to me. There were so many schools to choose from and I had no clue where to start. Having Ms. Bergeron in my corner helped me navigate what institutions were a great fit for me. With her help, I could display my story to cater to each university and understand where I could see myself thriving.
Also, with Ms.Bergeron's suggestions, I could easily add new schools to my list that already fit my requirements. Looking back I could not have done it without her guidance. Ms. Bergeron truly cares for her students and I couldn’t recommend her more to anyone in the college admissions process.”
Melissa, UC Irvine
“I liked that I was able to explore a lot of different paths and you gave me the flexibility to change my mind and offered alternative ideas that I would have a hard time coming up with on my own. I never felt stressed about the application process because you made the path to get there and my to do list effortless. I was way ahead of my peers and I feel like I applied to so many great colleges due to your caring and smart direction which led me to select a college that was perfect for me.”
Abby, Emory University
“I love that in addition to excellent specific college related advice, Ms. Bergeron could also somehow pinpoint exactly how I was feeling and give me either a needed pep talk or firm (yet kind) reality check. Ms. Bergeron genuinely cares about your wellbeing and knows when to push and when to let you take the reins. Not only did the admissions process run smoothly, but I now feel prepared to navigate future big decisions that require careful preparation.
During the whole college admissions process, it can often feel like a reduction of your personality into an application that a school either rejects or accepts. Ms. Bergeron makes the experience interpersonal and tailored to you. That importance cannot be overstated. After a roller coaster of decision making, I truly feel like I am at a place where I am happy and pleased with my decision and research process.”
Peyton, Columbia Sciences Po
“I was very anxious for the college admissions process - I had a strange high school experience with 3 different high schools, many extracurriculars, etc. and I really had no idea where I was qualified to apply to or what was a safety/match/reach. You really clarified everything for me and helped me build a balanced list with great schools in each category.
I loved how your feedback was always constructive and maintained the original voice and idea of my essay while still improving it a lot! I also appreciate how everything was very flexible - working with you really taught me to work hard and only stress about what I can control! Shannon will show you how to present yourself and your personal narrative in an authentic, confident and cohesive way to colleges.”
Dawson, Brown University
“The biggest difficulty for me was that I wasn’t sure where to start. I didn’t know where I wanted to live, what type of school I wanted to go to, or what I wanted to study. I loved how organized and focused our meetings felt. Having a clear idea of what I should be working on at any point helped give some structure to what could have been a really overwhelming process.
I have a tendency to second-guess myself and overthink every decision. The college application process has taught me to trust myself and play into my strengths.”
Kayla, Northeastern University
“At times during this process, I could be very dramatic or over the top about college and all of the different stressors that were occurring during this time. My favorite thing about working with Shannon was her ability to apply logic to my situation and bring me back down to Earth. Every time I was freaking out, I just hopped on a call with her and she talked me through the situation. I truly don't know how I would've kept my sanity without her.
There are so many different ways to get to your dream school. I was quite disappointed with some of my results, but Shannon helped me to be confident in all of the schools I applied to so that I was ultimately happy going anywhere I was accepted. If you are unsure about college, unsure about your career, unsure about the application process, or even if you just want someone to talk to about this crazy time in your life, Shannon is an amazing resource to help.”
Sarah, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
“I walked into the college application process completely clueless, and Ms. Bergeron was an amazing guide. She never failed to be available, to edit essays, and to make sure I was getting everything done. Applying for colleges was really tricky and there are so many components that having someone so knowledgeable and experienced really let me focus on essays or applications instead of worrying about score reports or missing scholarship deadlines. She was a great essay editor and always gave really crucial feedback that steered me in the right direction or even told me I was going in the completely wrong direction. During the process, MIT became my dream school, and I’m so grateful for the guidance that made my college application process as stress-free and positive as it was. Thanks, Ms. B!”
Gracie, Northeastern University
“Because I had no idea what I wanted to study, I felt like I would have a very hard time picking schools to apply to, and I was overwhelmed with all my options because almost every school I looked at seemed great. I was also just worried about staying on top of all the logistical things like teacher recs, report cards, financial aid documents, etc. But my favorite part about working together was the instant feedback and help I received, whether with my essays, colleges to research, or any other concerns I was feeling about my senior year.
Staying on top of things and being organized really helps to tone down the frenzy. I would say that the one-on-one attention that comes with having a counselor who has the time to know you more personally than a school counselor with hundreds of students is completely worth it. Shannon was able to guide me and she was always there to give me feedback on every one of my essays (which was a lot!).”
Patrick, Brown University, PLME
“At some points during junior year, the college application process can look like a complicated and intimidating mess. You have no idea where to begin, much less where you will end up. I knew I would need a lot of help navigating this challenge which loomed over my naïve junior self. After trying many different companies and counselors, Ms. Bergeron entered my college process like a godsend. Her deep knowledge of the search and application process as well as unbelievable organization kept me on track to focus on showing off the best me I could possibly be. Even when I needed extra attention, Ms. Bergeron was always flexible and happy to help. From editing essays to helping me look over my options, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without her help.”
Anna, CU Boulder
“I want to thank you a million times over for what you have done for me and my family. Your guidance and knowledge helped me through the application process, but your kindness is what I will take with me after high school. I thank you not only for the work you have put in to help me to CU Boulder, but also for your hand in my own personal growth. I so appreciate your generous support and welcoming presence throughout this entire process and am excited that my younger sibling will have this same, wonderful adult to lean on in the coming years.”
Mia, University of Texas - Plan II/Journalism
“I was overwhelmed by the college application process. Ms. Bergeron helped me formulate my college list by talking me through what I was really looking for in a college, and not necessarily what my parents and others were expecting of me. I didn't have a stellar GPA or ACT score, but she always spoke as if these things didn't solely define me. She encouraged me to apply to several reach schools, noting that my resume and involvement in community service would help my application stand out from the crowd. One of those reaches was the Plan II Honors program at the University of Texas at Austin. Thanks to her guidance, I will not only be attending my dream school but have the comfort of knowing that this decision was mine to make, and that she knows I made the right one.”
Jane, University of Redlands