About

I have worked with students and parents on college admissions and financial aid for the past four years. I have helped students to reflect on their interests and goals; plan for standardized tests; learn about financial aid and merit aid; develop robust, thoughtful college lists; work on their essays; get organized and stay on track with their applications; prepare for college interviews and visits; and prepare for the transition to college.

In addition to college consulting services offered to individuals, I teach small-group workshops for rising seniors on the college search and application process. My goal is to make independent college advising available to a wide range of students.

I am currently serving as a freshman application reader for UC Berkeley. I also enjoy working with community organizations that promote college access, including the Glow Foundation, Foundation for a College Education, and Peninsula College Fund.

I offer free presentations on college affordability, the college search, and other college topics to libraries, schools, parent groups, and community organizations. Please contact me if you would like to arrange a presentation for your group.

I belong to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA).

I have a BA in math from Mills College, an MS in computer science from UC Berkeley, and an MA in cultural anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. I am a graduate of UCLA's college counseling certificate program.

I am the parent of a college junior and a high school senior.

Feedback

"Vicki helped me with the entire scholarship process. She did her research, recommended that I apply to Gates, advised me on how to select a Recommender and Nominator, and patiently and meticulously read and worked with me through the revision process of over 8 essays for the Gates Millennium Scholarship application."

"Vicki—I really appreciate the incredible amount of work you have done to help Summit families understand the process of applying for financial aid for college. I thought your presentations were fabulous—thorough and knowledgeable. It gave us a clear understanding of the steps and timing of applying for aid. What seemed like a bureaucratic nightmare now seems much more manageable, and I'm feeling confident in what we need to do, if not in how much aid we'll get!"