Meet Allison…
I received my undergraduate degree in Art History from Skidmore College and a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire. Over the course of my career, I have worked with students in a variety of unconventional educational settings. I worked as an instructor for Outward Bound, led wilderness trips for high school students, and facilitated team-building experiences for corporate clients.
I have also worked for many years as a freelance writer, and my work has been published in the Ventura County Reporter, Edible Ojai Magazine, and Ventana Monthly Magazine. Additionally, I am the founder of Ventura Food Tours, a culinary walking tour company established in 2011.
I have gone through the college search process with one of my children, and I’m in the midst of it with another, so I am aware of how daunting it can be for both students and their parents. I am currently enrolled in the Certificate in College Counseling program at UCLA and I am a member of the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC).
I live in Ventura, California with my family. When I don’t have my nose buried in college prep books, and I’m not traveling around on college visits, you can usually find me cooking, hiking, or hanging with my family.
Why work with me…
I loved college as a student, and I still love everything related to college now (don’t get me started!). When a student lands at a school that is the right fit for them, it can be a truly transformative experience. And I want this for each and every student that I work with.
I’ve been there as a parent. I know that anxious feeling - “I have no idea what I’m doing,” and “What if we do this wrong?” I know how overwhelming it is to try and sift through all the resources out there, and how the books and Facebook groups can be more anxiety-provoking than helpful.
I want to help ease the stress and simplify the process for you. And I do this by tailoring my guidance to each student, and by providing monthly timelines and checklists to make the whole process more manageable.
I see a need for college admissions guidance that is not fear-mongering or pushing students (who are already juggling a lot) to overextend themselves. I aim to bring a calm and reassuring presence to this process.
My goal is to empower students and their families with the knowledge, tools, and guidance necessary to navigate the college admissions process with confidence and ease.