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Brenda Shepherd

Owner & College Consultant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been guiding students and their families through the college application process since 2009. I started by volunteering and co-leading the Winter Park High School College & Career Center before establishing myself professionally in 2014. It is a tremendous privilege to work with high school students with varied interests and backgrounds.

 

I graduated from Duke University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, double-majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. In addition to my early career as an engineer and my longtime volunteer leadership, I served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Duke and am a Leadership Orange (OCPS) graduate.

 

I am also a wife and a parent, so I experienced firsthand the college tour road trips, the extensive financial aid forms, and the long wait until April 1 for decisions! My two sons graciously endured having a mom who meticulously researched everything. Jake is a graduate of Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama. Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Rice University, and received a prestigious national fellowship from the US Department of Energy for graduate studies.

 

As a proud member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), I adhere strictly to the IECA’s Principles of Good Practice and HECA's Standards and Ethics Statement. I stay current by visiting college campuses, attending conferences, participating in continuing education, avidly reading, joining online forums, following social media, and listening to podcasts. I also keep in touch with former students, who eagerly share their college experiences.

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Pilar Brooks

Writing Specialist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Did you ever notice that many of the admissions officers you see are in their mid-20's? They are oftentimes the first readers of applications, and therefore, it's valuable for our students to get writing feedback from the Gen Z professional perspective.)

 

I’m Pilar, a current graduate student in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage program at UCLA and an alumna of Rollins College. Between graduate and undergraduate applications, I’ve been through the college admissions process three times, and I still remember every triumph and tribulation. I’m a first-generation college graduate, raised by my mother and grandmother. My mother never finished college, and my grandmother never had the opportunity to go at all. While both of them were incredibly determined to support me in furthering my education, we often look back now on how much we wish we’d had an instruction manual for the entire process. I’m thrilled to be able to use the knowledge I gained through research and networking, the support of my professors, and simple trial and error to help other students get through the admissions process and find their own career paths.

 

In addition to undergraduate and graduate school admissions, I also applied for an open research grant through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and was named a Semifinalist for my research proposal. I have held paid internship positions at a range of competitive institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Getty Research Institute, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (you may have seen me on your tv screen at the 2024 Academy Awards for five whole seconds). I also have experience writing in a range of contexts, from published academic research to creating artist’s books. Carving out such a niche path was never easy, but that has made it all the more rewarding.

Our Mission, Vision & Values

. . . Provide experienced and personalized college planning and application services to a wide range of families in our community, by offering affordable individualized plans as well as all-inclusive services.

. . . Inspire reflection, exploration, independence, confidence, and direction with an honest and informed approach.

. . . Be forward-thinking with knowledge of trends, innovations, and initiatives in higher education.

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