Testimonials

You are the essay whisperer… You brought out (our son’s) voice.   You should feel so proud of your skills in getting a stressed out, blocked kid who had lost his confidence to write. Your assistance has been priceless. I whole-heartedly endorse you. I’m ready to shout your praises from a mountaintop.~Amazing Mom of  two Smokey Hill IB students who are now graduates of the University of Chicago and Emory

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YOU ARE MY FAVORITE PERSON EVER, KAREN!!~email from future famous person

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We are really looking forward to seeing you! You are always a ray of sunshine ☀️.  ~made my day to get this unexpected confirmation for a meeting with mom and daughter (who look like twins)

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Tears in my eyes, gratitude in my bones, happiness in my heart…. blessed you are in my family’s life. ~Facebook post from one of those moms who is rock solid and steadfast and strong and who gives way more than she asks in return

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KAREN!! IM GOING TO GO HERE!!! I LOVE IT   ~text message from my AMAZING student whom I’ve loved for 4 years when she was at admitted students day at my own alma mater… FIGHT FIGHT BLUE DEVILS!!

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I know!!! We are over the moon happy for him!!!!! He almost cried when he found out. I actually had to log on. I think he was too scared. I’m so grateful for all of your hard work, Karen. And not just that but your kindness and compassion. You were the perfect person to shepherd (sweet son) through this process. And I would think that regardless of the results.

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I just wanted to quickly thank you for honoring all of the moving parts in our family!!! That must be hard to do and fun to do at the same time. (My husband and I) are both different and similar at the same time.  We ALL appreciate you and your wisdom more than you could ever know.  You make this process seem fun.  ❤️❤️ Have a great weekend!!   ~such a nice spur of the moment email from one of my great moms 

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You truly are more than a college counselor for our family. You are an angel!

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Karen, it’s FUN to do the essay!! ~ cute student

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Karen,

Thank you so much for your kind words.  You are such a sweet and genuine person. I  thank God every day that you came into our lives. I am eternally grateful. THANK YOU for supporting us in the good times and the bad.

You are a true inspiration to (our daughter), she LOVES you so much. Every time I pick her up from your house, I can see how excited and pumped she is.

She raves about your cooking esp. the zucchini bread .  She learns so much from you, and we feel how you are taking care of her.  I have no words to thank you for your guidance.

Just praying the next 2 years, she can do her best and get into a college of her dreams where she can be happy. ( of course, with your help and guidance )

Thank you for all you do Karen. YOU ROCK!!!!   ~email from a mom of two of the kindest students I know (I’m not mentioning how outstanding they both are, because their kindness is what I remember most.)

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Karen, I can’t wait for our meeting tomorrow!  ~from a junior who’s been with me for a little over a year. OK, this just makes me so happy! It reminds me of how each student is precious, and how each interaction I have with a student, or anyone for that matter, can be impactful. This one email me inspires me just to always be as nice and open as I can. 

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I love you Karen Herbst♥️
You are THE coolest, kindest, smartest person. You are so funny and sweet. I am so blessed to have you in my life. ~ text message that was there when I woke up. If I had a favorite mom…… 

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Hi Karen!!! I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello and I miss you! Again huge thank you for all you did to get me where I am. I am so incredibly happy and there is no way I could’ve done any of this without you GO ZAGS!!…text message I  got out of the blue from one of my students who is studying psychology at Gonzaga

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Admission Intuition Success Story: “(Daughter) did CPR/chest compressions on a woman in dire straits yesterday, and it saved her! (Daughter) said it was the scariest and most exhilarating thing she has ever done. She’s loves the ER. Fast pace, different issues, lots of learning. It was YOUR idea for her to go into nursing all those years ago!” ~ wonderful text message out of the blue from mom of one my students who is about to graduate from nursing school at Texas Christian University

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Karen, Thank you so much for understanding. I love you already and I’ll see you September 3rd. Have an amazing weekend and I can’t wait to talk with you!” ~from my new student who is a little sibling after I assured her it was no big deal that she forgot her first meeting… now you see why I love my job

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“whatever the decision is i just want to say thank you for being SO amazing and positive and helpful throughout this whole process i can’t imagine getting through it without you  I LOVE YOU YOURE THE BEST” ~ text message from a rock star who was about to get some long awaited admissions results

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“Karen, this is not just about getting into college. It’s so important what you do and how you guided her and were there for her. I told all my friends how much she trusts you and how you have helped us in ways that go way beyond the fact that she got into her college. It’s so much more, and I don’t know how to thank you for being her second mom.” ~sweet message from a mom whose daughter beat the odds and is going to Harvard

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Truly, we can’t thank you enough for all you did for our daughter!  Our gift was simply a small token of our appreciation. You made this process so much easier and less stressful for her. She absolutely loves you and can’t say enough positive things about you.  As we all know, it is a hard time in these teens lives and a very difficult process! The fact that she got through it all smiling, was calm (for the most part) and was so successful in her acceptances is all due to you! I know you love your job and these kids and it shows – you truly are gifted at what you do! We are so thrilled that we found you and are excited we still have (sister 2) & (sister 3) to go through the process so we will continue to work with you. ~email from a mom whose daughter is headed off to Ann Arbor to study at the U of M

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Thank you for supporting me, teaching me, being firm with me, and being my friend. Someday I hope to see you in person again (hopefully we won’t have to wear masks), and I am really looking forward to it. I do not know where I would be, just in life, if I had not met you, and I am thankful I do not have to think about that. You are a light in the darkness, and also one of the absolute funniest human beings I have ever met. ~ sweet thank you note from my favorite film maker who is heading to Dartmouth

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Thanks for being my Yoda during my college search! And thanks for believing that I could get into Vandy because without you I don’t know where I’d be! Merry Christmas, Second Mom~from just the cutest student ever on her way to Nashville

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I just wanted to let you know that I ended up finishing my semester with all As!! We were talking about it in our last meeting, and I thought you would like to know. Thank you for telling me I could do it and being overwhelming supportive, it really helped. I thought about that conversation at least once a day during finals week and it paid off! I am so appreciative of having you in my life, and I cannot wait until our next meeting! I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!~email from my sweet full IB student (who’s on his way to being a Valedictorian) I’m so lucky to know these kids

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Karen,

I just want to thank you!  You can’t imagine how much you are doing for (our daughter) by just being you!

She comes home from meetings with you feeling so good about herself and the college process.  She called me and her dad (who is traveling) last night so excited to talk about your meeting.

(She) always says how much it means to her how you really get to know these kids as individuals and where they are likely to flourish in college and how much you just care about the kids themselves!

You have a special gift and we are very grateful that you are working with (our daughter) during this important time in her life!!! Thank you!  ~from awesome mom of a high school senior with oodles of colleges from which to choose

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I think you’ve profoundly impacted (our daughter’s) life by making these opportunities possible for her. I wouldn’t have thought that 5 years ago. I’m deeply grateful to you. From the heart….~ from a most generous dad whose lovely daughter beat the odds in regular decision and is heading off to Duke. 

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Karen!!!!!!!

We’re so excited. It feels great to have a decision and to see how her hard work paid off. I keep thinking of when we went to Engineering Day. She was so happy and excited and couldn’t stop saying how much she loved it. It made me anxious because I knew just how hard it was to get in, and I worried about her being disappointed.We trusted you when you said she should absolutely go for it. Now it fills me with joy thinking of her bubbling over with excitement as we walked around campus that day! Thank you so much for all of your incredible help. My complete faith in you made it so easy for me to stay hands off and just be encouraging, not managing. That had incredible value to our relationship. It was so telling the she wanted to FaceTime you right away. She knew how much you really cared. I am incredibly grateful that we found you and not just because she got in. You’re truly the best! ~Text message from the mother of the newest Duke Blue Devil (!) Fight Blue Devils!

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Thank you, Karen ~ I mean some people are more effusive than others

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Karen Dear!!!!!  We did it!  (2nd choice school) is giving her 20K!!!  Thank you so much for guiding me in what to say! You are wise beyond your age! You are my guru!!! We were humble and we were nice (and we begged!)  Just need to hear from (1st choice school) now, but she will go to (2nd choice school) if (1st choice school) doesn’t come through.  Love you! ~Lovely mother who could have my job if she wanted it

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Karen, we wanted to give you an update on (our daughter.) She has just begun her freshman year at Stanford, and she’s loving it! Working with you was the best decision, a tremendous blessing!!  We just want to Thank You again for playing such a critical role in the whole process– for your outstanding professionalism, promptly answering our emails, answering phone calls, and for all your support in every aspect of (our daughter’s) high school life.  We know your insightful comments on the essays and essay topics through all of the numerous brainstorming sessions brought out (daughter’s) authenticity. Your intuitive intelligence allowed you to know right away how  (our daughter) should present herself in the best possible light. Thank you for being there every step of the way, mentoring our daughter. But most of all, thank you for caring! You are our lifelong friend.~Very special parents who could teach us all some lessons on being good people and good parents

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Thank you so much. I am so grateful to you. I have never met a more responsive professional. I only hope I am not over-tapping you. ~Mom and Dad, social worker and Rabbi, who never once over-tapped me and whose daughter is going to change the world

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Thank you for loving my daughter, thank you for having so much expertise that I don’t have, thank you for sending my baby home with a huge smile on her face (that was NOT quite there before she came to meet with you this morning!!!), thank you for your ability to cut to the chase and evaluate things incisively, thanks for even looking like you are having FUN!!!  -Mother of a creative and unique Whitman student!!!

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I cannot believe you helped me through finishing 11 applications in such a short period of time. I cannot thank you enough, without you there is no way I could have finished everything and been so proud of it….Thanks again, I loved working with you.~promising student waiting for admission results

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My husband is very careful where he spends money.  BUT…he said your fee may be the best money we have ever spent  and the value for the investment is huge.  He says you need to raise your fees! ~Mom of a dedicated student who received tons of merit awards and scholarship offers and accepted a full-ride prestigious Stamps Scholarship at Tulane University.

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“Mom, one sec.  I swear I’ll do it in one sec.  I HEARD you.  Pulll—leezzeee just shut my door!!!”~ringing endorsement from my own son

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Thank you so very much, Karen, for your reply to me last night regarding my worries and your supportive email to (son.)  Your commitment to each of us, and to this process, is nothing short of amazing. You are *the* college fairy extraordinaire!! You continue to help us SO MUCH and I am SO grateful. ~Mom of son who is in the thick of college essays and managing tons of AP classes and activities.

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Without you, I would have been lost in a sea of irritatingly identical college pamphlets, extraordinarily stressful testing, and indecision. I appreciate your mind-blowing patience and how you were so sincerely invested in my success. I would have been lost without you! ~Wonderful student enjoying Davidson College

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Karen you have been an indispensable part of our daughter’s college search.  It was a pleasure to work with you. You helped us identify our priorities and find colleges that would be a good match for (daughter.)  You helped her focus on the task ahead of her and helped her take ownership of the process.  You guided us through the maze of deadlines and decisions associated with the college application process, and you were always available to assist us with any and all questions when it came to applications, essays, scholarships, and interviews. The value that we have received from working with you has far exceeded the investment we made in enlisting your services. You found scholarships and aid opportunities that we otherwise would not have been aware.  We can’t thank you enough for you valuable insight and assistance in the college search process. – Parents of student who was an honored scholar Boston University and is now in Harvard Med School

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Karen, Thank you again (and again and again) for everything!  You have been not only a great college counselor, but an amazing role model and such a positive influence in (our daughter’s) life!  We can’t thank you enough! ~Mother of Boettcher Scholarship winner

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We came to see Karen with a difficult situation.  Almost hopeless.  Poor grades, so so motivation, but outsized talent and off the scale intelligence.  What Karen had to say was a tiny bit deflating: bring up the grades, or else no one will accept you this late in the game.  Yet, something about Karen grabbed us.  On her own, she made calls, she did research.  On a quiet Sunday, she called me to report. Her call was quiet, calming, and in no way soliciting.  She was impressed with my son and she wanted me to know there were options – many options.  Her call was an enthusiastic affirmation!  In todays world, everyone wants money; no one understands service and even fewer care.  I can say this with 100% certainty: Karen cares!  That should be her motto.  Moreover, she is intuitive and precise.  She gets it.  Within minutes she had identified every issue there was to know not only about my son, but pretty much every issue in our family that might affect his performance.  I recommend her fully, with two hands, a full heart, and loud clapping! ~Mother of bright student who was still figuring out his path

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You were 100% right about everything!! ~OK, this one just makes me laugh from a mom I deeply admire after her daughter got into her Ivy League school (I love showing this one to my own kids)

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I got in!!  I can’t believe it….         ~text message from my student when he got his Wash U ED acceptance.

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Thinking back to hs, and I’m really grateful for all the care and time you put into my (very messy ) process. I can’t help but appreciate how much work we did together. Your process continues to help me to this day   ~text I got out of the blue from a college junior who I hadn’t talked to in years 

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Karen. Thank you for the constant encouragement you provide to our daughter.  She too is so proud of what she has accomplished with her applications.  She shares with us her status and how she is on top of meeting your deadlines.  You are making this much more than simply a college application process.  Thank you.             ~ email from father who really needs to write a book because he has three amazing, kind-hearted, selfless, and very very different kids (2 are twins) who give me faith in the future

 

 

 

 

 

 


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