“You are easy to work with, knowledgeable, organized and honest. Overall it was a great experience.”
— dad of a 2012 graduate
“Thank you Lee! I don't know what I can say to you......you make every essay so much better and we are so grateful to you! “Thanks so much. We will keep you posted. Couldn’t have made it this far without your help!”
— mom of a 2012 graduate
“This is a difficult and stressful process. You simplified it as best as could be expected.”
— mom of a 2012 graduate
“I think the most important part of your help was with the essays. Many of my daughter’s friends applied to the same schools with pretty much the same grades and activities but a lot of them were deferred. I think the essays are what broke the ties and got her accepted.”
— mom of a 2011 graduate
“The best part for us was the essay editing. The quality of our end products would have never been the same had we not gone through the editing process with you.” The end product is well worth the time and money. It kept us on top of deadlines and your writing is obviously outstanding and creative.”
— mom of a 2012 graduate
"Given the apathy and incompetence which pervades high school guidance counseling departments, students will almost certainly miss opportunities if they fail to be proactive early in the college application process. Lee was instrumental in evaluating colleges well-suited to my son, and in positioning his applications for maximum appeal. My sole regret is not contacting her earlier. It is a mistake I will not repeat with my younger son."
— Parent of a 2008 graduate
"The services you provided met my expectations 100%. Applying to college was something I had been dreading and meeting with you assured me that it is really not that hard. By doing the match meter and college evaluations I was able to get a better feel for the school I wanted. Our meetings kept me on track for deciding where I was going to apply. After every meeting you would send me a meeting report which was extremely helpful because it kept me organized with deadlines to keep me moving along. Getting help with essays was another great thing about meeting with you because you took the time to listen and really try your best to make sure my essay was the best possible. I have a lot of younger friends who are just as scared as I was about applying to college. I think my friends would benefit by your guidance on the entire college process."
— 2008 graduate
“You were able to inform and educate us about the entire process from early on. We’d absolutely recommend your services because you can help pinpoint the weakness of each student. I would tell others that you are meticulous and are very knowledgeable about college, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, etc. You know how to highlight the individual student. It is a very stressful process and you made it as tolerable as possible.”
— dad of a 2011 graduate
“It was just what we needed and expected. We wanted you to keep our son on task, which you did. In addition, your essay editing was good. The essays truly reflected him. You pulled his own thoughts out of him, I could tell they were his thoughts, not yours. Your report after you and he met was great. It let me know what you accomplished in your meeting and what tasks and by whom were required for the coming week. We were not making any headway in keeping him on task and it was very frustrating to us that he seemed so disorganized, so your help alleviated the frustration and possible (probable!) arguments. I am very likely to recommend you because you filled our immediate need. When I called you, I was in a near-panic mode and you were able to work with our son right away and I felt totally comfortable with you and knew you to be competent.”
— Mom of a 2008 graduate
“I can't thank you enough for your assistance the last two years. My wife made the comment this weekend that our son seemed to have his ducks in a row with the college application process (after she heard that some friends of ours were scrambling to get apps out this past week). So I take that as...... Thanks to Lee for making my son "have his ducks in a row".
— dad of a 2011 graduate
“Lee - we have one extremely excited high school senior. His breathless phone call to me Friday evening about his acceptance at Chapel Hill is something I will never forget. Thank you for all of your fine coaching that got him there. We’re all thrilled with the outcome! We’re so grateful for the guidance and assistance you gave him.”
— mom of a 2011 graduate
• “Yes…I felt you had great insight into the application process itself and the essays… I think they have to go into the relationship knowing they will still be doing their work…this is a support and guidance position and it kept me on the railroad tracks but it was up to me to read, ask questions and figure things out. I think you are very knowledgeable about the overall process and very professional.”
— dad of a 2012 graduate
"We felt it was a very valuable use of our money. You were very responsive to our son. Your follow-through was great. Your detailed Meeting Reports were a fabulous part of the service because it allowed us as parents to stay informed but not have to manage the process and the best part was that it kept him on task."
— Parents of 2008 graduate
"Hi Mrs. B!
We just culminated the signing celebration at our house – complete with cork popping and hunting. I wanted to again thank you for introducing me the fine institution that is Rhodes College in the final stretch of my time working with you. I have already highly recommended your services and will be looking forward to your visit to campus next year! Forever grateful,"
— 2008 Graduate
"I particularly liked your grasp of “facts” about the sometimes intimidating application process. Also, I believe that your fees are reasonable. I don’t really have any negatives. You have been helpful and flexible. And, also very importantly, you spent the time necessary with our son to achieve objectives."
— Dad of a 2008 graduate
Comments about “Countdown to College” column
“This is a great column! You are such a good writer and you bring the topics of your columns to life.” – High School Guidance Counselor
Comments from Lee Bierer’s
College Admissions Workshops
“Incredibly useful and provocative information. You even motivated my son!”
“The time flew by. You made it very entertaining and informative.”
“This seminar should be required of all parents, students, and educators.”
