Focused, individualized help when you need it—without the cost or commitment of a large admissions package.
Clients typically use Northstar Scholars intermittently, focusing on whatever part of the process would benefit most from outside guidance.
Northstar Scholars begins with essay and application review, then expands naturally into the questions that surround a strong application.
The application is ultimately the student’s story. We help make sure that story is communicated as effectively as possible.
Personal statements · Supplements · Application structure · Activities & honors · Résumés · Revised drafts
Start here →Holistic college-search planning, balanced reach/target/likely lists, academic and program fit, application strategy, ED/EA decisions, and offer comparisons.
Coursework, testing, extracurriculars, summer plans, recommendations, early college research, and the decisions that shape the eventual application.
Identify opportunities, review scholarship applications, evaluate merit and financial-aid offers, and develop reconsideration or appeal strategies.
Most families do not need a consultant hovering over every decision for two years. Often, they need an experienced outside perspective at exactly the moment a decision matters.
Northstar works hourly. You bring the question, draft, decision, or problem. We bring focused analysis and practical guidance.
Northstar Scholars was built from a career spent solving complex problems, evaluating technical work, and helping people communicate clearly.
Independent consulting
Career experience in science and industry, including work with Fortune 500 companies.
Oberlin + Cornell — Graduate
Graduate of both Oberlin College and Cornell University.
Senior scientific editing
Reviewing written work produced by senior scientific staff, including PhD-level professionals.
Firsthand admissions experience
Guiding a student through high school, selective admissions, scholarships, and financial aid.
Northstar does not claim to be a former admissions officer—and does not need to. The practice is grounded in consulting judgment, writing expertise, and direct experience with the process.
Northstar’s experience comes from navigating applications directly, advising families through the process, and participating in parent discussions about strategy, applications, and outcomes.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo · Caltech · Colby · Colorado School of Mines · Cornell · Dartmouth · Georgia Tech · Harvard · Lehigh · MIT · Oberlin · Princeton · Stanford · Swarthmore · University of Alabama · University of Tennessee · University of the South · University of Washington · Vanderbilt · Williams
Experience navigating the full range of selective-admissions processes and outcomes, including ED, EA, deferral, waitlist, and regular decision.
Experience navigating competitive scholarship programs and applications, including Coca-Cola Scholars, GE-Reagan Foundation, National Merit, Alger, and other national and regional scholarship programs.
Experience with rural and geographically rare applicants, including the particular considerations that can affect how students from less-represented geographic areas approach college selection and application strategy.
Experience extends beyond a single student's application through parent-group consultations and discussions involving applicants who were ultimately admitted to institutions including Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Bowdoin, Williams, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Lehigh, in addition to schools listed above.
The breadth of this experience includes both successful and unsuccessful outcomes—reflecting the reality of highly selective admissions rather than a selection of acceptances alone.
No complicated package selection. Start with a conversation and go from there.
Complete a short intake form first. We’ll review it, then follow up to arrange a complimentary 15-minute Zoom Fit Call.
We’ll use the introductory conversation to learn more about you and how we can help.
Work happens through Zoom, email, or offline document review, depending on the assignment.
Return for another hour when you need it—or stop when the problem is solved.
New clients who begin working with Northstar Scholars by September 30, 2026 lock in the $100/hour introductory rate through March 31, 2027—covering the entire application season through Ivy Day and the major regular-decision notification period.
No package or minimum number of hours required. Use Northstar Scholars when you need it.
Complete a short intake form. We’ll use the introductory conversation to learn more about you and how we can help.
Complete the short Northstar Scholars intake form. We’ll review your information and follow up about a complimentary 15-minute Zoom Fit Call.
START WITH A FIT CALL →Prefer email? northstarscholars@northstarscholars.co