College Admission Success Stories
"When we started the college search and application process for our son, we
were overwhelmed with the complexity of the entire project.
After just two comprehensive meetings with Christel, we were able to focus on
a clear plan, with scheduled steps and checkpoints. She helped our son shorten
his list of schools to those that best embodied his aspirations. And she
provided expert guidance that inspired our son to write more effective,
personal essays.
In addition, Christel contacted college admission staff directly to provide us
and our son with ideas to tailor applications to his major interest. We
couldn't have been more pleased with her involvement."
Douglas O. Zeigler , Parent
Douglas Freeman High School, Class of 2005
"I am the parent of a high school senior at Midlothian High School. The fall of senior year is an extremely busy time with college applications and graduation plans. For my family, it was even more stressful than usual because of an aging grandparent�s needs. I didn�t see how I could possibly guide my son through the college application process with all the demands that were placed upon me by my mother�s illness. I called College Connections for help, and it was the best money ever spent.
The first consult helped tremendously by breaking down the application process into a series of steps. My son now knew what he should do first and why. Christel first guided him through the creation of a college resume. After that, he spent each week writing a college essay which she would edit, suggesting areas of improvement. Finally, she supervised the completion of the actual college application on-line.
I am happy to report that he was accepted into two colleges, and we are waiting to hear from the third. Christel is extremely knowledgeable about the various requirements of the different schools. Her knowledge and experience were invaluable to us at a very difficult time."
Linda Smith, Parent
Midlothian High School, Class of 2005
"Christel Milak-Parker of College Connections takes the burden off the parents in applying to colleges. She helps the student select his essays and then in a decisive but nurturing way makes suggestions and editorial comments. Knowing when the applications are due, Ms. Milak-Parker schedules her visits so that the student is prepared ahead of schedule. I didn't have to nag my son about completing his applications. He had them done well in advance of the deadlines. Ms. Milak-Parker's attentiveness helped us avoid what could have become an adversarial experience. I highly recommend her to any family who is preparing their child for college. "
Linda Chenoweth Kranz, Parent
Trinity Episcopal School, Class of 2005
"Christel helped me so much through the college application process that,
looking back on it, without her help, I doubt that I could have completed my applications as successfully as I did. On every essay, I sent my drafts
to Christel for editing, and she would always have a better choice of
words for certain phrases, which would aid me so much, because my essays,
with her corrections inserted, would always then flow better and say what
I wanted them to say without being confusing. I called her house frequently for advice on what I should change in my essays, and she would
always have an innovative approach that I hadn't thought about yet. She
also called the universities that I applied with questions about what
was needed on certain parts of the application, which was such a relief,
because I didn't have time during the day to call all of the schools for every question I had, but Christel did.
As a senior in high school, I already had such a
ridiculously busy schedule that I didn't need the extra pressure of
calling schools and re-editing my essays. Christel's assistance
saved me hours of time on each college application; she helped me strategize essays and other components of the applications so I could use them for numerous schools versus creating new materials when it was unebccessay. By reviewing my application materials with a critical eye and providing me wtih time saving techniques, Christel took so much pressure off my shoulders."
Student
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Class of 2005
"College Connections took the burden for the college application process
and placed it squarely on the shoulders of our daughter - where it
rightfully belonged, although many parents want to assume this task. We
knew that with College Connections working in concert with our daughter
all filing deadlines would be met and the monkey would not be on our
backs. Our experience was great - College Connections, working in a
team effort with our daughter, shielded us from the "deadlines" and
numerous revisions. I don't mean to imply that we weren't involved, but
our involvement was as we desired throughout the process and for final
review. We knew that with College Connections working with our daughter,
not only would the deadlines be met, but also a critical eye had
reviewed and provided guidance on the essays where necessary - a task
that our children often think we don't know anything about."
Parents
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Class of 2005
"We used College Connections to help my daughter with all facets of applying to and choosing the right college for her. Christel helped her explore the right colleges to apply to given her interests and grades and test scores. Then she helped with essays and follow up. We now plan to use her advice to help Ruth with her final decision. What made this so wonderful is the fact that the whole application process was my daughter's responsibility and did not create any friction in our relationship. She has felt empowered and in charge of her destiny which is worth its weight in gold."
Mary Ruth Burton
Parent of Student at Douglas Freeman, Class of 2005
"I was very fortunate to work with Christel Parker on my college applications. It is a very intimidating process, and she helped me to prioritize where I wanted to go and what I needed to do to get there. Having her give me pointers on essays pushed me to get the essays done
early. Otherwise, I would have probably procrastinated until school started when I was busy with activities and AP classes at James River High School. I was so excited to find out early that I have been accepted to UVA. Thanks, Mrs. Parker!"
Chandler
James River High School, Class of 2005
"We were thrilled to have Christel work with our daughter. Teenagers and parents don't always agree, and it was great to have an independent third party who had actual data to help us plan. I wish I had known about her when my son was applying for colleges--it would have been much easier!�Christel began working with Chandler in the summer, particularly on the essays. Starting early enabled Chandler to avoid the crunch of having to write essays during the busy senior year and to apply by early decision to UVA. Even better, Christel's guidance with the essays was
helpful in Chandler's being accepted by early decision!"
Chandler's Parents
"When a friend of mine gave me Christel's brochure, I initially thought, 'Why would my son need a college coach? He's a bright, motivated boy with a great resume and SAT scores.' As we began the process, we soon realized how complicated the process is, in spite of using the Common Application. Christel's expertise was invaluable, especially since our high school counselors are responsible for hundreds of students and do not have the luxury of giving significant amounts of individualized advice and direction. We soon realized that the application process is a many-fold task. It's not as simple as sitting down for a weekend and 'punching' out the essays and the applications. We came to depend on Christel for proofing the essays and giving advice that our son would hear from her and not his parents. He felt comfortable enough with Christel to call on her whenever he had a question or wanted a meeting to discuss a certain issue.
I have since recommended Christel to many friends and acquaintances. Those who have used her services have been more than pleased and have gone on to recommend her to other people."
Anne Moseley
Parent of Student in Freeman High School Leadership Program
Class of 2005
"Christel Milak-Parker was not only able to help me find a college that suited me best but she also saved me thousands of dollars. Before I
received her help, I was only applying to out-of-state colleges; at her encouragement, I went to look at a small in-state public university that I had previously not heard of, Christopher Newport University. She encouraged me to apply and I followed her advice. I have now just
graduated from CNU and I have to say that Christel's advice was invaluable to me. She prevented me from wasting thousands of dollars in out-of-state tuition and she found a school that suited me. I would recommend Christel's services to all high school juniors and seniors."
Emily Scarborough
Midlothian High School, Class of 2001
Christopher Newport University, Class of 2005
"I have shared clients with Christel Milak-Parker of College Connections and found her to be very professional and thorough in her approach to the college application process. College Connections is a wonderful complement to the work of school guidance counselors. I recommend her highly to those who would like to structure their college application process to make the process proceed as smoothly as possible. As the owner of an SAT Preparation Service (e-mail csstutoring@aol.com for a schedule of classes) I have had many opportunities to see College Connections at work."
Carolyn Scaniello, M.Ed.