30 Years of experience helping students navigate college admissions and being the change agent in 3 different college admissions offices.
I’ve been involved in college admissions in some capacity since 1992, when I was asked by the Director of Admissions at the (now) Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University to call and congratulate the newly admitted students. I was “paid” in pizza and a free long-distance phone call home to my family in Tacoma, WA. (Don’t judge, back in the early 90’s it cost a lot of money to call home, ok, yeah, I’m old.)
The first 13 years of my career were spent on the college side, where I developed enrollment marketing materials, conducted auditions, recruited students nationally and internationally, and managed multi-million-dollar financial aid budgets. In 2011, I switched sides to create the college advising program at The Chicago High School for the Arts, Chicago’s first public high school specializing in performing and visual arts. College App Study Hall was born out of a desire to help more students (both in the arts and outside the arts) navigate the current college admissions landscape, including arts auditions and portfolios, and make the process manageable for students and families. I’ve had the opportunity to work with families across the US, serving athletes, engineers, actors, musicians, visual artists, English majors, and a wide range of other majors. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to learn something awesome about every student I’ve worked with.
On Instagram and TikTok, I try to comment on college most days. Now, after 30 years in this field, I know I want students to be successful, parents to feel less stressed, and colleges to do things better and kinder. I estimate that I’ve worked with almost 2,000 families since I began this work officially in 1995. I’m hoping I can help you, too.
Contact
➤ LOCATION: Chicago, IL
☎ CONTACT: heather@collegeappstudyhall.com
(312)576-6744
Areas of Expertise
Generating the College List
College research should ideally begin during the junior year so that students and families can visit schools, research audition and admission requirements, and have time to hone in on the schools that are the best fit. Ideally students should start with 20-30 schools to research and be ready to apply to 7-10 by the beginning of senior year. After I get to know you (or your student) a bit, I can suggest a list of schools that are a good fit. Arts schools vary wildly, and just because they offer dance, doesn’t mean they offer great ballet training. I can help you figure this out.
Generating the College List - For non-Arts students too!
I’ve been lucky to work with many types of students, and while I have a background in the arts, I’ve helped students find their best fits for all kinds of majors - physics, neuroscience, mechanical engineering, English, early childhood education and even food science! I would be happy to help you (or your student) find the best fit and navigate the college admissions process!
Financial Aid package analysis
You’ve been accepted. GREAT! Now, how are you going to pay for it? Understanding college financial aid packages is much easier if you have someone who has been the one awarding them. I’ll be happy to go through all financial aid offers with you so that you understand what the college is asking you to pay. I’ll also provide assistance in negotiating the award, which is something you should always try to do, if the college allows it. It never hurts to ask!
Application completion
Once you know where you are applying to college, I can help you with a strategy of how to apply. Sometimes it’s as easy as going by deadlines, sometimes it is not. Regardless, you’ll have a plan in place and support as you complete the applications on time, accurately, and with an expert supporting you and answering your questions. Students are driving the application bus, but I’ll be your GPS to help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls. This results in authentic college applications that allow the student’s particular brand of awesome to shine through.
Support for Parents and Students
This is a big deal. Your child is going to college. It can be a bumpy transition for students and families to navigate. It really will all be ok. I’m looking for a college path that is a win-win for families and students.
I’ve worked with hundreds of students and families in my private practice, in my work at ChiArts and in my roles at Roosevelt University, The Longy School of Music and Southern Methodist University. This can be a daunting process. I can talk it through with you and your child to find a great college that is a fit academically, culturally and financially.
Scholarship research/FAFSA and CSS Profile Help
Scholarships are vital and necessary. But there are so many sites and confusing applications. The best scholarships are ones that come directly from the college. I can help you figure out which schools award based on merit and which ones only award need. Understanding this difference is crucial to an accurate college list.
Completing the FAFSA and the CSS Profile can be confusing for parents and students. I can walk you through the process and answer any questions you have as you’re working through the forms. From what assets colleges are looking at to how student earnings are looked at, I can help you with both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. It will be easier than you think!
Organizing College Visits
Every year I get to visit different colleges and take the tour. I can help you put together a great college visit trip, including the best times to go. Scheduling a college visit isn’t difficult, but you do want to get everything you can out of the experience. I can help you figure out the right time of year to go, and what key questions to ask.
Audition / Portfolio preparation
With over 30 years involved in collegiate arts admissions, I’ve been fortunate to work with professional artists at the highest level. Whether its former Broadway theatrical professionals to current members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or faculty at prestigious Visual Arts schools, I can connect you to teachers and coaches who can get you (or your portfolio) ready for your audition or interview.
“Our higher education system is one of the things that makes America exceptional. There’s no place else that has the assets we do when it comes to higher education. People from all over the world aspire to come here and study here. And that is a good thing. ”