Testimonials

Options for College is happy to share references and recommendations based on the service you are interested in. Here you will find excerpts from our references, recommendations, and feedback from:

Families
Students
Professionals

Families

You won him over from the outset. You were clearly there for HIM and he valued your insights and your support. You allowed us to step out of the picture and we found that he actually came to us for advice. Our fear of arguing with him over college applications was eliminated. -- Parent in NY

You made a point of getting to know our son individually, working with him to define his goals, talents and achievements. I sensed from the beginning that he was very comfortable with you and both our son and we were amazed when we reviewed the resume highlighting accomplishments, all of which were true but would not have been showcased without your input. Our son began to see himself in a different light. -- Parent in NJ

From our first telephone conversation, Keith was interested in my son and his potential… it is my opinion that he is the epitome of what a college counselor should be. I recommend Keith whole heartedly to anyone who is about to embark on the college admissions process. -- Remote service parent, LA

I knew that my daughter’s application process was in the hands of a real professional from the minute I met Jessica, a Counselor at Options for College. She thoroughly and systematically analyzed our situations and advised us on our options. She was successfully able to draw out my daughter’s best potential in support of this target, not an easy task when you consider that my daughter was already overloaded with school and community work. [Ms. Brauser] underlines the value of getting a real professional behind your aspiring college student. -- Parent in NY

You were exactly what my son needed to give him motivation and inspiration to complete the application process. You provided him with the perfect amount of guidance enabling him to gather his thoughts, use and highlight his skills, and, at the same time, keep him organized. -- Parent in MA

Applying as a transfer student was a new experience and uncharted territory. . . you explained the process in great detail and really counseled us about the right fit. Importantly, you helped us understand the right way to emphasize strengths in ways that made him stand out from other applicants, and resonate with what admissions official look for in transfer applicants. . . we had a tremendously positive experience, and ended up with many great choices. . . I am a big fan!
-- Parent of transfer student, NY

We are confident that it was your professional knowledge of the admissions process that was key in getting him his early admittance. We would like to thank you for your constant support, patience, and professionalism through these past months. -- Parent in MA

[Our son] was very serious about wanting to do his applications without parental interference. The Options for College staff were sensitive to this, took time to understood who he was, and respected his wish to be treated as an adult. They [Jessica and our son] formed a mutually respectful team that worked together to provide guidance and support without ever making him feel that he wasn’t in control of the process. In doing this, his anxiety was kept to a minimum, and he really looked forward to his meetings. They actively helped him take the college application process into his own hands and to be responsible for his applications. -- Parent in NY

You were responsive by e-mail and telephone and the follow-up was immediate. We were very proud to share with you the numerous schools that accepted our son and I must note that we were also surprised regarding the three schools that, unsolicited, offered significant scholarships.
-- Parent in MA

Without Mr. Berman’s help our son would never have got acceptance by early decision in a highly selective program in an Ivy League college. We cannot praise Mr. Berman enough and thank him for all his help. We will definitely use his services for our second child. -- Parent in NJ

You spent a significant amount of time culling responses from our son, without spoon-feeding a prepared but unauthentic answer. -- Parent in NJ

Keith provided our daughter the guidance that she needed in selecting a school. Over numerous phone calls, meetings and e-mails he took the time to understand her as a person -- her strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. The individual attention and intimate knowledge of the schools and admission process lead to the final acceptance of her application. We would have been lost and unable to navigate through this stressful process without Keith’s help. -- Remote service parent, CA

What a great experience!  He was accepted Early Decision to his top school. He took ownership over his responsibility and gloried in his acceptance. -- Parent in NY

[Our son] certainly got into some great schools, which in our opinion was a direct result of working with you. This turned out to be a tremendously competitive year for college admissions. While a vast majority of his friends had to "settle" for the particular school they will attend, [our son] was able to choose from a list of highly regarded institutions. Thanks to your guidance, whatever choice he makes over the next few days will reward him with the opportunity for a first rate education. -- Parent in MA

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Students

I really couldn't have been accepted to Wharton without you. I'm happy not only because of the achievements we've made with college, but the amount that I have learned from you in other ways. . . You helped me develop a style of writing that I am proud of. . . you are able to make the people around you feel so great. Always positive, and always with confidence, you made me feel like I had a realistic chance of being accepted the whole way through. Your energy inspires me. Every time I speak to you or read an email of yours, I feel like I could take on anything. That positive attitude is something I try to emulate and inject in my daily routine. . . You really prepared me for college in the complete sense. You helped me get admitted, but you also helped me reflect on myself and my strengths, to focus on what I am interested in and apply myself to the fullest extent. Thanks for everything, I really appreciate it all. I am so happy that the result was positive, but had the contrary been true, my words would still apply. -- Student in NY

You were always accessible when I had questions and had no problem staying late if a meeting called for it. -- Student in MA

However, the most fulfilling part of the experience was being able to open my acceptance letter into the college of my choice. In the end all of my hard work, and your helpful advice and leadership paid off.
-- Student in MA

My counselor was someone you could trust and didn't have to hide anything from, therefore making the process a lot smoother. I could call him whenever I needed to and would get my questions answered before the end of the day and the same goes for emails. The best thing about him is that he helped my family and I accomplish what we wanted. I got into my first choice college and now I am enjoying a stress-free senior year.
-- Student in CT

Your in-depth knowledge of colleges around the country never ceased to amaze me, and it was hugely instrumental in crafting my list of prospective colleges. -- Remote service student, LA

I was clueless on how to write a college essay, but Mr. Berman was able to help me dig deep and bring out the best of me and translate it on paper.
-- Student in MA

Keith’s critical analysis of each essay perfected not just the grammar and usage aspects of my writing, but the authenticity of expression. He never told me what to write, but he taught me how to convey my accomplishments in the most effective way possible. -- Remote service student, MA

My counselor's essay writing skills were very helpful not only for the college essays but for any essay writing situation in high school or, I guess, college. This also applies to computer skills. I'm definitely not ignorant about computers, but still, I learned more about computers with him than any other school computer teacher!
-- Student in CT

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Professionals

While soliciting [Options for College] services was based on impeccable academic and professional background, the actual training experience superseded our initial expectations. What was most useful about the workshops was learning how to address each of the processes with our clients (study abroad applicants) in a scientific way. Keith equipped us with tangible tools (thought triggering questions designed to facilitate a client's self analysis, bases which need to be covered in each critical consultation with clients, etc. ) to be used by our advisors. We believe it has brought in the romance of US higher education into our standard operating procedure. . . The training not only improved our understanding of study abroad, it has also served as an HR exercise - motivating our staff, helping them see a greater future in this (unconventional) industry.
-- Manya Education Private Limited/The Princeton Review India

You are a wonderful speaker, so knowledgeable about every aspect of your subject: its history, components, purpose, the various controversies, studies, and inside stories. Obviously you met our audience right on their level, as they seemed to have given the matter much thought and had many probing questions for you – which you answered thoroughly and patiently.
-- Conference planner in MA

Mr. Berman was able to step in on a consulting basis at the most critical time of the year and serve our students with great insight and perception to meet their needs in finding the right colleges for them. Further, he encouraged many of our seniors to apply to colleges that had not been on their lists—schools that were more challenging in their acceptance criteria. The results of Mr. Berman’s work with our students have been excellent in every way. Our seniors have an impressive list of acceptances so far, which have been strongly supported by his guidance and advocacy for each of them. Students, parents and faculty members appreciate all of Mr. Berman’s efforts on behalf of our students. His congenial and warm manner with all of us brings a deeper dimension to his work. I recommend him with the highest enthusiasm for his professional expertise, his insightful observations, and his effectiveness in meeting deadlines.
-- The Rudolf Steiner School

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