College Consulting Workshops

Stephen Polozie

Emily’s program was incredibly helpful. The college process is stressful for everybody, but this program made it much easier to understand. Our family feels a lot better now about the next steps.

Workshops & Events

Common Application Bootcamp (5-Day Workshop)
August 15th - August 19th, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Get a headstart on your college application process and finish your Common Application (including essay!) before your senior year. Your instructor, Emily Nevinger, has more than 15 years of admissions experience with highly selective colleges and will work with you to prepare a comprehensive and compelling Common Application that can be used to apply to nearly 1,000 colleges and universities! Use the link above to create an account to register. 
Register Now

Emily's Office Hours

Navigating the college admissions process can be daunting, especially if this is your first time, or even if it has been a few years. Join Emily Nevinger, Allendale Columbia School’s College Advising Consultant, for an informal chat about AC’s student-centered approach to the college search process. Emily will answer your questions about timelines, college applications, financial aid, and more. 

>> Schedule an Appointment 

Workshop Recordings

List of 2 items.

  • College Admission Testing 101

    College admission testing can be one of the most bewildering aspects of the college search and application process. Familiarizing yourself with the key players (i.e. SAT, ACT, TOEFL for international students and SAT Subject Tests) and making an educated, and realistic, game plan are keys to success. Join AC College Consulting and Chariot Learning, as we provide an overview of the many tests used in the college admission process.

  • Knowledge for College

    Join AC’s College Counseling team and college admission counselors representing Boston University, SUNY Geneseo, and St. Lawrence University at our “Knowledge for College” workshop! Designed for students/families in grades 6-10, the program provides an overview of the college search and application process, as well as the College Counseling and College Consulting programs offered by AC.

Previously Held Workshops

List of 10 items.

  • Behind the Scenes of College Application Review

    This workshop has already occurred.
    What happens to your college application after you click Submit? With 15 years of experience in selective college admissions, Emily Nevinger, AC’s College Advising Consultant, will lead a mock admissions committee for three hopeful college applicants.  As a committee, we will read and discuss the applicants, highlighting which qualifications admission counselors are likely to find most significant (or not!). Attendees will leave the workshop with a greater understanding of how admission counselors review applications, providing students and families with valuable insight on what matters most to colleges. This mini-workshop is free, open to the public, and provides a preview of AC College Consulting’s regular workshop offerings.
  • Planning Ahead: Standardized Tests, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Join Emily Nevinger, AC’s College Advising Consultant, in this interactive workshop ideal for all students and families nearing the college application process. Emily will offer suggestions on testing strategies that work best for your student, the ideal time to take the SAT or ACT, and whether “test optional” schools should be on your radar. Additionally, Emily will provide tips for navigating the financial aid and scholarship processes, a topic all families should consider as they build their college lists.  Attendees will leave with an understanding of how to best position themselves for success based on their particular needs.
  • Creating an Authentic, Well-Rounded Application

    This workshop has already occurred.
    What types of classes, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters make a college application stand out? This workshop is designed for students early in their high school careers, when there is time to discover and build a strong foundation for students’ academic and extracurricular interests and to establish meaningful connections with faculty. With 15 years of experience in selective college admissions, Emily Nevinger, Allendale Columbia School’s College Advising Consultant, will share tips on creating a well-rounded application. Hint: colleges know when applicants are genuinely engaged versus padding their resumes! Students and families will learn where to invest their energy and what matters most to colleges.
  • Teacher Recommendations: How to Impact Your College Applications

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Teacher recommendation letters impact admission decisions, especially at highly-selective colleges. Emily will share details on what colleges seek from letters of recommendation. Additionally, Emily will offer tips on which teachers to ask for letters and how to ensure they highlight your strengths. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how they can make the most of their teacher recommendation letters. This workshop is ideal for 11th and 12th grade students and parents.
  • Making the Most of Your College Visits

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Beyond the campus tour, what else should students do and be sure to ask during a college visit? With 15 years of experience in selective college admissions, Emily Nevinger, AC’s College Advising Consultant, will advise families on planning, attending, and following up after a college visit. Emily will provide sample itineraries and suggest off-the-beaten-path ideas for getting a true sense of the campus and student culture. Students and families will have a better sense of what to look for during their college visits, ultimately helping them narrow down their potential list of colleges. This mini-workshop is free, open to the public, and provides a preview of AC College Consulting’s regular workshop offerings.
  • 3-Day Intensive College Essay Writing Workshop

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Looking for more intensive help with your personal statement? AC’s College Advising Consultant Emily Nevinger will team up with fellow college admissions specialist Jori Cincotta for a 3-day workshop on the college essay. Emily and Jori will help students brainstorm essay topics, share examples of essays and formats that resonate with admission counselors, and provide feedback on outlines and drafts of personal statements. Additionally, we will guide students with their activities resumes and provide a template for requesting teacher recommendation letters. Students will leave the workshop with first drafts of their personal statements and receive post-workshop feedback on their second drafts.
  • Finding your Voice: Personal Statement, Supplemental Essays, and Common Application

    This workshop has already occurred.
    What makes a college application essay stand out from the thousands of others? With 15 years of experience in selective college admissions, Emily Nevinger, AC’s College Advising Consultant, will share tips on writing the personal statement and college-specific supplemental essays. For example, what topics are admission counselors tired of seeing, and how can students ensure their personalities leap from the page? Emily will also provide an overview and advice on completing the Common Application. Students and families will learn how to choose the right topic and how to catch the eyes of admission committees.
  • Choosing a Path: Hot Jobs, Career Inventories, & What to Look for in a College

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Join 15-year college admissions veteran, Emily Nevinger, for this fun and interactive mini-workshop ideal for students and families just beginning the college search process. This free event is open to the public and provides a preview of AC College Consulting’s regular workshop offerings.
    After a brief overview of “hot jobs,” we will complete a career inventory to determine which college majors could be a good fit for the student. We will then use this knowledge to personalize the college search, focusing on academic, personal, and financial factors students should consider. Students and families will learn how to sort through the vast array of options and choose a path that best fits their needs.
  • AC College Consulting: Hot Jobs, Career Inventories, and What to Look for in a College

    This workshop has already occurred.
    Join Emily Nevinger, Allendale Columbia School’s College Advising Consultant, in this fun and interactive workshop ideal for students and families just beginning the college search process. After a brief overview of “hot jobs,” we will complete a career inventory to determine which college majors could be a good fit for the student. We will then use this knowledge to personalize the college search, focusing on academic, personal, and financial factors students should consider. Ms. Nevinger will offer insider tips for the college campus visit and how best to utilize a college counselor. Students and families will learn how to sort through the vast array of options and choose a path that best fits their needs.
  • AC College Consulting: Creating an Authentic, Well-Rounded Application

    This workshop has already occurred.
    What types of classes, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters make a college application stand out? This workshop is designed for students early in their high school careers, when there is time to discover and build a strong foundations for students’ academic and extracurricular interests and to establish meaningful connections with faculty. With 15 years of experience in selective college admissions, Emily Nevinger, Allendale Columbia School’s College Advising Consultant, will share tips on creating a well-rounded application. Hint: colleges know when applicants are genuinely engaged versus padding their resumes! Students and families will learn where to invest their energy and what matters most to colleges.
At Allendale Columbia, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students in nursery through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence.