This fish hung on the wall of my childhood home. My great-grandfather had carved it out of wood but it was so incredibly detailed and life-like to me, I thought it was real. Every summer, we would visit him in upstate New York, where we would boat on the lake in the birch bark canoe he built, watch with glee as he feed chipmunks out of his hand, and listen to stories featuring talking animals that he had written and illustrated. One summer, I caught my first fish. I was so excited to bring it home with me, nail it on a piece of wood and hang it in my room. When my parents were packing up the car, they broke the bad news that I could not transport the smelly perch six hours in the back of our station wagon. I was devastated. My plan in my mind was so clear to me but I could not really find the words to explain my vision to them.

By now, you have caught some fish yourself…academically, emotionally, or socially. But you are more than your high school achievements. You’re not bringing that smelly fish to campus with you. You’re bringing your own unique set of personality attributes, goals, and your vision. Colleges want to know who you are beyond your transcript and the special things you will bring to their campus community. You may not be sure how to express that. You may not even really know yourself. Maybe you are undecided on a major or have some ideas that aren’t fully formed. Maybe you’ll change your mind. Maybe your parents are worried. I’m here to help you identify your vision and put it onto (electronic) paper. To provide up-to-date information about the reality of college admissions and financial aid to ease your family’s mind. To nail that fish onto wood.