Our 10 Guiding Principles

Over the past 25 years, we’ve observed the exponential growth 

of the independent college counselor. While we have observed some students getting good advice at the hands of some independent counselors, we have also, in our opinion, witnessed an industry with an ugly side. We’ve seen and heard of counselors who provide advice that is either outdated, incorrect,  or pedestrian. We have also unfortunately observed counselors with questionable ethical practices, who perpetuate anxiety through the college process, and whose pricing structures 

are often exorbitant. At Sensible College Counseling, we behave with the highest level of personal and professional class, 

integrity and honesty. 

The best college counseling professionals engage in both active and reflective listening. It is our belief that our best counseling  can only occur after we fully understand and are empathetic to  the needs and wants of our clients. This occurs with thoughtful and engaging listening practices.

There is a tremendous amount of data, research, and statistics surrounding all aspects of college admissions. We absorb this data by reading studies, position papers, published research, and annual reports, such as NACAC’s State of College Admissions. We use real data points to support our counseling interactions. 

There is a popular idiom with many college advisors that parents should take a “back seat” with regard to the college admissions process and let their children “drive the bus.” You can see and hear this mantra repeated in many publications and presentations. We respectfully disagree here. We believe there is a proper role for the parent in the process and it’s not in the back seat. Asking parents to take a back seat in the process is not only poor advice, it contradicts everything known about adolescent development.

As a practice we stress, teach and encourage a positive and optimistic mindset throughout the college admissions process. Students who approach the process this way will be better off come decision time. 

 We value, cherish, and respect the advice our students get from their respective high school counselors.

One will often hear how stressful the college admissions process is for students. At Sensible College Counseling, we believe that there is another way. We believe if the process is approached, 

on the front end, in a reasonable, rational, and positive manner 

it can be a wonderful growing experience for students and 

their parents. It may be stressful for students, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

In appreciation of the service our military veterans have provided to our country, Sensible College Counseling currently provides pro bono college counseling services to veterans in and around the Summit, NJ area. 

At Sensible College Counseling we are creative, innovative, and progressive thinkers when it comes to the college admissions process. 

Sensible College Counseling understands that the college admissions process must be highly individualized. Every student is different. Every family is different. And every situation is different. We tailor our counseling and advice to each individual student. This is not one-size-fits-all.