Meet Stephanie!

Our newest essay coach, Stephanie, is guest blogging with an introduction today!

She started a while back, so many of you have already met her in essay coaching meetings. We hope this post helps you get to know her a little better.

Greetings! I'm Stephanie Leow, a new essay coach at DC College Counseling. 

College essays have fascinated me since high school. As a Northern Virginia native with huge college dreams, I felt the admissions process looming over my head. Dedicated mentors guided me through drafting an essay about goofing multiple piano recitals, but still maintaining my love for playing when no one was watching. That essay is still one of my favorite pieces I've ever written--a feeling that I hope to foster in other writers.

With that essay, I applied to three schools--Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Virginia--and was grateful to be accepted to all of them. I chose Georgetown because of the community I had found at the admitted students weekend. Although I entered college undecided, leaving the remnants of my pre-med ambitions in high school, I ended up studying a trifecta of language: a double major in Linguistics and English and a minor in Spanish. 

I've always aspired to be a professor, but was unsure of my area of study until I began working at the writing center as a sophomore. I felt an affinity to the center, even becoming the Teaching Assistant for the training course. As much as I loved learning about literature or second language acquisition, I had a stronger passion. At my core, I geek out for writing.

I graduated from Georgetown in the top 5% of my class, and now I am pursuing a PhD in English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies) and teaching first year writing at Arizona State University. I have researched students' cognitive processes while writing essays and their representations of identity in personal essays, as I strive to incorporate my takeaways into my coaching practices.

Beneath all of my work is my love for storytelling. I engage with creative writing communities and literacy magazines, as well as cook, garden, and travel. But any interest is even better when I can share it, so I hope I can share my passion for storytelling with you! I'm looking forward to learning about your adventures, adorations, awkward moments, and aspirations. For these reasons, I'm thrilled to be working with DC College Counseling.

Want to meet with Stephanie?

You can book a session right here!

Wondering who our other essay coaches are?

• Here’s Alan, with Top Tips for Success as a College Freshman (a.k.a. Read the Syllabus)

• Here’s McClain, with Maximizing the High School Experience: A Teacher’s Perspective

• Here’s Staci, our student success coach!

What We're Loving Lately...

 As college counselors, we’re often asked about our favorite books, schools, and strategies. We undoubtedly have a passion for college admissions and education, but our interests don’t end there.  Since love is in the air this week, we want to share the things we’re loving lately, from podcasts to food to binge worthy shows.

Anything from Cookie & Kate! Kate's site is my favorite for vegetarian recipes, and I love her cookbook as well. 

Yoga with Adriene. Adriene's classes really blew up during the pandemic - I've been doing yoga with her daily for almost five years! I really recommend it for beginner classes or people who want to get started with yoga. 

Gastropod. I recently discovered this podcast, and I'm loving binging the back catalog! If you are interested in the science and history of food, it's a must-listen. 

Wheel of Time on Amazon. I enjoyed this fantasy show so much that I've also started reading the (14-book) series it is based on!

Daily Harvest. I cook at home most of the time, so I wasn't sure about trying these frozen meals, but they have been a life saver in a pinch or with no time to cook. I like to keep one or two of their bowls in the office freezer too. 

Bloom Planners. I particularly love their daily to-do books to keep track of everything in my day, and I love that they're undated so I can only use them when I need to.  (P.S. they have some great winter sales right now).

Kate McLeod's "Daily Stone.” It's a no-mess way to keep your skin hydrated during the winter. I read about it online and added it to my Christmas list, and it ended up being my favorite gift of the season!

One Medical. With inflation skyrocketing, everything seems to cost more than it should - except for One Medical! This is a subscription-based primary care model that provides members with many aspects of what one would expect from a concierge medical practice. They have an office in Tysons as well as 24/7 immediate care available through their app. These people have come to my rescue a million times and I honestly have no idea how it costs $200/year - it's worth multiples of that!

The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max. You will find me staring in horror at the screen during at least half of each episode - while entertaining, this is not an easy watch for a parent of a girl! But in all seriousness, I do think it could spark some important (albeit awkward) conversations for parents and their college-bound seniors. 

Jeni's ice cream. My son and I love going to their Boro location in Tysons and recently tried the Maple Soaked Pancakes flavor on National Ice Cream for Breakfast day. He was a big fan; I love their new Pineapple Upside Down Cake flavor. Fun fact, Jeni's is originally from Ohio and I first tried it while visiting Ohio State back in 2017!

Flowkey. I played the piano from age 3 through college, and then never played once for about fifteen years. I am sad to report that it is not like riding a bike, at least for me, because I can't even read music anymore. But after my daughter got a piano for her birthday (thanks, grandma!), I started teaching myself how to play again on Flowkey and am really enjoying it! 

Rains Tote Bag.  This is the perfect bag for college students and commuters! It keeps all of your belongings safe and dry with its unique raincoat material. I first bought the small tote when I was living overseas and had to walk to work everyday. It’s become my go-to, especially for travel, because I can easily wipe off and disinfect the bag. If you’re not a tote person, there are plenty of other designs. I like the new backpacks and gym bag! 

Everywhere Oil –the name says it all. This clean beauty product is meant for all ages and skin types and can help with everything from eczema to split ends. But what I love most is the story behind this product. It was formulated by a stay-at-home mom who couldn’t find anything gentle enough for her skin during cancer treatments. Now she has an online shop, Paris Laundry, where she sells all- things clean and organic. To me, there’s nothing better than supporting a small business and one woman’s dream. 

Young Space. Despite being an English major in college, I ended up interning at an architecture museum in England. My work inspired me to write a book on British Georgian architecture (geeky, I know!), and I’ve loved following art ever since. One of my favorite ways to keep up with the latest artists is by following Young Space. This online community promotes emerging contemporary artists and their work while creating a space for art-enthusiasts to connect. 

Desktop wallpaper organizer. I was always one of those people with a messy desktop full of stray files and pictures. Not anymore, though! This desktop wallpaper organizer streamlines your files AND makes your desktop look impressively clean and stylist. And it’s only $5! 

Making sweet potato waffles for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I’ve conjured up my own paleo-friendly recipe based on some of my favorite Instagram health accounts. Blend two cooked sweet potatoes and about 6-7 eggs in a food processor or blender.  Then sir in 2 cups of almond flour, ⅔ cup of tapioca flour, ⅓ cup of water, and teaspoon of baking soda baking powder. Sprinkle the batter with as much cinnamon as you’d like. Each batch makes about 12 waffles, which you can easily freeze. Add bacon and a fried egg for a hearty breakfast sandwich or top with chicken and spinach for a quick dinner. 

WHAT ARE YOU LOVING?

Share your current loves with us via Facebook or Instagram

A Day in the Life, Part III

For those who have followed our blog for a while, you might remember Colleen and Shannon sharing a behind-the-scenes perspective of life at DC College Counseling. Now Staci is joining us for the third installment in our ‘day in the life’ series.

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There are just a few days left in 2021, and it’s no surprise to me that this year has gone by so quickly! Taking on a new full-time role at DC College Counseling has kept me very busy. As Colleen once said, there’s truly never a dull moment here, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Here’s a glimpse into one of my typical days.

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5:27AM: There are still a few minutes until my alarm is supposed to go off, but I’m already awake. As my coffee brews, I check my email and notice that a former client (now a sophomore in college) has scheduled an appointment later this week. I’m so excited to catch up and help him with a business program application essay. It’s always so much fun to see all of the great things our students continue to do after high school! 

6:30AM: Even though it’s just a few blocks, I’m regretting my decision to walk to the gym. It’s freezing! But I’m sure an hour of hot yoga will thaw me out. Then it’s time to teach Zumba in the dance studio next door. In my spare time, I’m a group fitness instructor, and with this being a holiday week, there are plenty of classes for me to sub. For all of the students who ask me about the secret to my enthusiasm, this is it. Early morning workouts help me stay energized all day.

Interesting fact: I’ve danced since I was three years old, and this was the subject for my college admissions essay.

9:30AM: After a quick shower, I grab my work bag and head to the neighborhood coffee shop. Luckily, my favorite corner table is open. As I sip on coffee #2 of the day and wait for my oatmeal to cool down, I take a look at my tasks for the day on Asana (the greatest project management app, in my opinion!). With six essay coaching meetings scheduled (mostly back-to-back), I start writing ‘to do’ lists for each student in my old- fashioned notebook. I also check in on the progress of their homework assignments and set up a few documents and templates.

Once I’ve organized all of my meetings, I log into our DC College Counseling social media accounts. This is part of my daily morning routine, so I can respond to messages and engage with the latest college admissions news and discussions. Today there’s a lot of talk about declining enrollment at local community colleges, as well as tips for high school seniors to maximize the winter months. We wrote a similar blog post a few weeks back on how to make the most of your winter break. Check it out! 

With my 12pm meeting approaching fast, I finish formatting a resume for one of our clients- a college junior who’s getting ready to apply for summer internships. Then I turn my attention to a similar project–the DC College Counseling Summer Internship Database. Every week, I research and share opportunities for high school students to intern, volunteer, or take enrichment courses. There aren’t many new postings this week, but I expect to see a lot of exciting announcements in the new year. Keep checking our website for the latest updates!

12:00-3:00PM: After trading the coffee shop for the office, it’s time for my favorite part of the day-working with students! Not only do I enjoy getting to know all of our clients, but I also love the chance to be creative and collaborative. Every session is different, and I’m never bored! Today, for example, I’m helping students with business school application essays; script writing and video editing; and a digital artistic portfolio. 

3:00PM: After meeting with three students, I have a short break in my schedule. For the next thirty minutes, I write recap emails and grab a third cup of coffee. Don’t worry, it’s decaf this time! 

3:30-5:30PM: I put on my blue light glasses and kick off a two-hour session with one of our seniors. We work on a letter of continued interest and prepare for an upcoming admissions interview. Students usually look at me like I’m crazy when I suddenly adopt a persona and ask them to tell me about themselves. Today is no exception! There are a lot of laughs and a superior mock interview session.

5:30-6:00PM: I’m supposed to have one more small break before my next meeting, but there are some time -sensitive emails that have just come in. I need to answer them before writing the latest recap email.

6:00-7:00PM: It’s the last meeting of the day, and we’re revising the four- count em’, four- supplemental essays this student has diligently drafted over the winter break. With three minutes to spare at the end of our session, we submit them for final review and discuss homework assignments: one more essay to write and his college application will be complete. 

7:00-7:30PM: I can finally slow down and close out my tasks for the day. I send one last recap email and double check that I’ve answered all time-sensitive messages. It looks like I don’t have as many student meetings scheduled for tomorrow, so I can work on some other projects involving social media and outreach.

8:00PM: I’m craving fresh air, so I take advantage of one of the many outdoor holiday events in northern Virginia. I’ll be in bed soon, though. Tomorrow is another early morning.

Town Hall, Old Town Alexandria (sorry but the carolers aren’t pictured)

Meet Sarah!

Our newest essay coach, Sarah, is guest blogging with an introduction today!

Many of you have already met her in essay coaching meetings, and we hope this post helps you get to know her a little better.

Hi, everyone! My name is Sarah Zentner and I am so excited to be joining the DC College Counseling team as a new essay coach.  

My own common app essay consisted of the life lessons I’d learned from the scraps that I was always appalled to find under the lunch tables in first grade -- and while it has yet to be required reading for any college philosophy class (I’m still holding out hope!), it was a blast to write. 

With that essay, I applied to a number of small (primarily West Coast) liberal arts colleges and ultimately decided on the University of San Diego. Only a six hour drive down I-15 from my childhood home in Las Vegas, and decked out in gorgeous Spanish-Renaissance-style architecture, the setting was ideal. But the small class sizes, strong sense of campus community, and proximity to the Pacific (with ocean views from campus!) sealed the deal.

I declared an English major during my sophomore year, thanks to an incredible Intro to Shakespeare class and my new job in the campus writing center. Both of these experiences showed me how much I love working with words and writers, and that’s a passion that has energized me to this day! After graduating from USD, I went on to pursue my M.A. in English at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and now I’m here in D.C., earning my Ph.D. in English at Catholic University. When I’m not studying, you can find me scoping out the best chai latte in D.C., wandering in a bookstore or museum, or indulging in all things “hygge.” 

I connected with DC College Counseling earlier this spring, and I am so grateful to be a part of a team that’s committed to de-mystifying the college applications process and making it as stress-free as possible. Essay writing can be an intimidating part of that process, but I want you to feel encouraged and supported every step of the way.

There’s something deeply fulfilling to me about helping others write clear and engaging content -- especially when it’s serving a goal as important and defining as helping you attend the college of your dreams! As we work together in the coming months, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and interests, your college plans, and your long-term hopes for the future. I’m excited to meet you!

Want to meet with Sarah?

You can book a session right here!

Wondering who our other essay coaches are?

• Here’s Alan, with Top Tips for Success as a College Freshman (a.k.a. Read the Syllabus)

• Here’s McClain, with Maximizing the High School Experience: A Teacher’s Perspective

• Here’s Staci, our student success coach!

A Day in the Life, Part II

Shannon is joining us again today to share her perspective from a day in the life here at DC College Counseling - truly, there is never a dull moment!

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If you have been following us for a while, you may recall Colleen’s blog post a couple of years ago giving a glimpse into a day in the life of our office! Today, I wanted to share my version of a behind-the-scenes look at how we do things here at DC College Counseling.

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7:00 am -

My alarm goes off. The first thing I do is check my email, to make sure there is nothing urgent to address. Thankfully, no crisis today! One of my favorite things about working at DC College Counseling is the later start time, because I am able to get through my morning routine. Every morning, I meditate, do some yoga, and get my workout in - this is really such important time for me. 

As I have breakfast, I check some email and send off a couple of quick responses. I also log into our project management system, Asana, to see my tasks for the day and start to create a plan of action. While I try to keep some balance in my work life, I usually can’t resist getting a head start by completing a couple of quick tasks in the morning. It makes me feel that much more prepared for my day.

10:00 am -

11:30 am -

Head to the office. We need to be available after school to meet with students, so my day in the office doesn’t start until noon on Mondays and Tuesdays. I’m a podcast junkie, so my 15-minute commute is the perfect time to catch up on the news with The Daily or get a glimpse into the world of owning a small business (considering that I work at one!) with Stacking Your Team - check out this episode featuring Colleen!  

11:45 am -

Arrive at the office. Honestly, no matter how hectic my day is about to be, I always get a little wave of calm from walking into our office - it’s just so beautiful! The first time I came in, I was thrilled to see William & Mary represented on our wall. Colleen is already busy meeting with a client, so I’ll have to check in with her later. On days like today, both of us have so many meetings it is hard to find a spare minute!

12:00 pm -

I’m starting the day by adding content to our monthly newsletters, so that our current clients can get some important information from us and our prospective clients can learn more about our process. I am especially excited to spotlight some of our college profiles for our Class of 2022 and 2023 students. I’ve been working hard to build up our profiles library for our clients. Get a sneak peek of this month’s featured school, the University of Richmond.

12:30 pm -

In my first meeting of the day, I’m working with one of our clients who is applying for an MBA program. I really enjoy working with our graduate school and transfer applicants, so I’m excited to get into another MBA application.

Colleen and I are both vaccinated, so we don’t have to wear masks in the office anymore when it’s just the two of us here! The rest of our team has not been vaccinated yet and are still fully remote.

1:30 pm -

Jumping out of Meeting #1 and straight into Meeting #2! Another current college student looking at graduate programs.

2:30 pm

Quick break for lunch. On a nice day, I love to order from Zoe’s Kitchen - so close to our office, and it is great to get outside for a little walk in the middle of the afternoon :)

2:45 pm -

Fire off some more emails and reminders to current clients.

3:00 pm -

Back to my meetings - a couple of brainstorming sessions with Class of 2022 students. I prep for each meeting by looking at their college preferences, so I can come prepared with some good matches to add to the list. I love this part of the process, and it really helps me get to know all of our clients as we start to build their college lists. 

6:00 pm -

Wrap up meetings for the day - phew! Double-check that all of my detailed recap emails have gone out to each student, and they have all the information they need to complete their action items. Reward myself by raiding the candy jar - one of the best DC College Counseling perks!

I swear there’s some chocolate at the bottom somewhere!

6:05 pm -

Update our Summer Opportunities Database with some new opportunities that have come in throughout the day, and add in some others that I found interesting.

Colleen finishing up some last emails before heading out - we try to stagger our schedules to offer more availability to our clients!

6:15 pm -

Record some instructional videos that we can add to the website to help our clients with systems like the Wow Writing Workshop - now that Common App essay topics have been released, we want our students to be able to hit the ground running!

7:00 pm -

I like the opportunity to turn my attention to some longer-term projects and ideas once things quiet down a bit and I have the time. We have some great stuff coming your way, including my drop-in hours pilot and academic coaching sessions. We are also working hard to launch our new and improved Membership Vault this spring!

A lot of really great information is coming your way!

8:00 pm -

Finish up any emails that have come in later in the evening and head home!

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Meet Staci!

Our newest essay coach, Staci, is guest blogging with an introduction today! It is hard to believe she has only been with us for two months as she is such an integral part of the team already; she has been my right-hand man with our “late start seniors” this year and has worked a schedule so crazy it rivals mine!

Parents and students love her approachable style and the way she can help even the most reluctant writer craft an outstanding essay!

Thanks to the power of LinkedIn, I was fortunate enough to ‘link’ with DC College Counseling in August--just in time for the busy college application season. You may have seen me in the office, probably sipping on my venti iced coffee, or have spent sessions with me as we’ve brainstormed your essay prompts. I’ve had the opportunity to learn a great deal about all of you, so it’s only fair that you now get to learn a bit about me. 

I entered Franklin and Marshall College with every intention of becoming a lawyer. However, a year abroad changed my life (that’s a story for another time) and left me wanting to pursue a Ph.D. in English instead.  When I delved into my graduate work, first at Lehigh University and then University of Delaware, I began to realize that I enjoyed teaching English classes much more than conducting my own research. So after several years of graduate school, I abandoned my Ph.D. and started doing the thing I swore I would never do--teaching high school English. 

Fast forward over a decade, and I’ve literally been around the world teaching, traveling, and growing my career. I’ve settled in Northern Virginia, where I now train international teachers; develop courses and curriculum frameworks; work individually with students who have special needs or those who need extra reading/writing support; and teach dance and fitness classes for fun. 

I know I’ve worked with many of you as you’ve filled out these supplemental short answers, so I’ll practice what I preach and fill them out as well. Trust me when I say, I know how hard these questions can be! 

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS (25 CHARACTERS):

Gregarious; driven; creative

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?

Hummus and veggies

FAVORITE APP/WEBSITE:

Canva and Marco Polo

BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME:

The Goonies

HASHTAG TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF:

#doesntsleep

DREAM JOB:

What I am doing now...but it’s my dream to add ‘published author’ to my resume. 

WHAT IS YOUR THEME SONG?

Three Little Birds- Bob Marley 

DREAM TRIP:

Hiking the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain

WHAT TV SHOW WILL YOU BINGE WATCH NEXT?

The Great British Baking Show, Season 7

PLACE YOU ARE MOST CONTENT?

The Swiss Alps

I can’t promise the Swiss Alps, but if you’re a current client hoping to spend some time with Staci in the editing office, you can book one of her essay coaching or interview prep sessions here :)