Hilary Sullivan, Affirm Educational Planning

College Spotlight 💡 Student research starts on the first day of class at William & Mary. It doesn't matter if that class is organic chemistry or Greek tragedy. They believe that high-performing students learn best through guided, hands-on inquiry and experimentation. A mission they take very seriously — to incorporate projects of real scientific, scholarly, and creative merit into every undergraduate and graduate course offered. By senior year, more than 80% of undergraduates have participated in mentored research with faculty. They offer many different ways for both undergraduate and graduate students to conduct fully funded, faculty-mentored research projects.

To learn more, visit https://www.wm.edu/research/studentresearch/

Student Research Student research starts on the first day of class at William & Mary. It doesn't matter if that class is organic chemistry or Greek tragedy. We believe that high-performing students learn best through guided, hands-on inquiry and experimentation. And it's our mission — one we take very seriously .....

Application Tip ➡ Selecting the right Common App essay topic can seem daunting early in the college application process, so it’s common to need some guidance and assistance. The right college essay topic ideas can be discovered with some effort. I share with my students that most often the right college essay topic will be interesting and/or exciting to them. It can demonstrate a quality, value, or perspective that can’t be found elsewhere on your application.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

Application Tip 💡 Often students focus on the Common App essay and fail to dedicate time to the Activities section. It’s an important and impactful part of a college application. I spend considerable time with students to address common questions associated with the Activities section:

• What activities should I include in my Common App activities section?

• Which activities should go at the top of the Common App activities section?

• How do I write a description of an activity?

• What should I do if I run out of space describing an activity?

• Does a Common App activities list have to be well-written?
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

August presents a favorable time for rising seniors to get a jump start on their applications, and rising juniors and sophomores may also be grappling with important college search and resume-building questions.

Affirm offers students and families exceptional personal service starting as early as the 9th grade. Affirm begins with in-depth student and parent interviews and assessments of the student’s academic profile, interests, extracurricular activities, and personal goals.

I enjoy partnering with students through their high school years, assisting with course selection, extracurricular choices, summer plans, and the college application process starting in the junior year. It's not too early to begin, it's an advantage that offers lots of potential and great reward.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

Important Announcement regarding the ACT! 📢

Spring 2025 Changes - the ACT will be shorter and the Science section will be OPTIONAL.

Three sections will comprise the core score: Math, English, and Reading. The core test has fewer questions, and shorter reading passages, and will now take just TWO (2) hours to complete.

More info here ➡ https://mailchi.mp/applerouth/introducing-our-new-ap-workshops-773580?e=a31ad2a5fd

Take the first step toward your future!

The Common App 2024-25 opened on August 1. It's an exciting time but can also be a stressful time for students. How can I help you? I am passionate about working with my clients, informing parents, and empowering my students.
www.affirmedu.com

Let’s go rising seniors! Put forth you best!!

📣 We're LIVE! The 2024-2025 application season is now open! 🎉 Whether you're a first-time applicant or transferring, our platform makes it easy to apply to multiple colleges and universities. Get started today and make your college dreams a reality!

One of AEP’s goals is empowering students during the college planning process. I believe this is crucial in helping students take ownership of their future and make informed decisions. Here are some strategies I utilize to empower students:

1. Provide Knowledge and Resources:
• Educate about Options: Inform students about various colleges, majors, and career paths.

2. Encourage Self-Discovery:
• Strengths and Interests Assessments: Use assessment tools to help students understand their strengths, interests, and values.
• Goal Setting: Help students set short-term and long-term goals, encouraging them to think about what they want to achieve in college and beyond.

3. Develop Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills:
• Pros and Cons Lists: Teach students to weigh the pros and cons of different colleges and majors.
• Mock Interviews and Essays: Provide opportunities for students to practice interviews and essay writing, offering constructive feedback to improve their skills.

4. Foster Independence:
• Ownership of the Process: Encourage students to lead their college search, applications, and communication with college representatives.
• Time Management Skills: Teach students to manage deadlines, prioritize tasks, and balance academics and extracurricular activities.

5. Create a Supportive Environment:
• Mentorship: Work with students to provide guidance, support, and real-world insights.
• Peer Support Groups: Inspire students to find groups where they can share experiences and encouragement.

6. Involve Families:
• Parent Meetings: Educate parents about the college planning process and how they can support their children without taking over.
• Regular Communication: Keep families informed and involved, ensuring they understand their role in supporting their child’s independence.

7. Celebrate Milestones:
• Acknowledge Achievements: Celebrate small victories and milestones in the college planning process to keep students motivated.
• Positive Reinforcement: Provide regular positive feedback to build students' confidence and self-esteem.

8. Utilize Technology:
• College Planning Software: Assist students using college planning software that can help them organize their college search, track deadlines, etc.
• Virtual Tours and Webinars: Encourage online resources to explore colleges and attend informational sessions when campus visits are not an opportunity.

9. Promote Real-World Experiences:
• Internships and Volunteering: Encourage students to gain experience in fields of interest through internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs.
• College Visits: Encourage visits to college campuses to give students a firsthand look at potential schools.

10. Personalize the Process:
• Individual Counseling: Offer one-on-one counseling sessions to address each student’s unique needs and concerns and keep the client roster to a maximum of 10 students per grade to ensure personalized service.
• Customized Plans: Create personalized college planning plans that reflect each student's aspirations, strengths, and circumstances.

By implementing these strategies, I help students feel empowered, confident, and prepared to take on the college planning process with enthusiasm and self-assurance.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

For students navigating the college application process, it's essential to understand that many colleges use a holistic review process. This means they consider a variety of factors beyond grades and test scores.

College Application Tip! 💡 Strong Letters of Recommendation:

• Choose Wisely: Select recommenders who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential. Teachers, coaches, and mentors are good options.

• Provide Context: Give your recommenders a summary of your achievements and goals so they can write more informed and personalized letters.

When creating a well-rounded application that highlights your strengths, experiences, and potential, don’t overlook the opportunity to secure strong letters of recommendation, which can help your application with a competitive edge in the holistic review process.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

Are you a Freshman or Sophomore in high school looking to launch your college journey? Our expert college consulting services are available to help you navigate the path to college success.

AEP Services Include:

• Initial consultation
• Academic evaluation
• Social media review and building a LinkedIn profile
• Course selection advice
• Activity resume suggestions
• Athletic recruitment advice
• Summer activity planning
• Standardized test planning

Why Start Early? Starting early allows you to build a strong academic and extracurricular profile, make informed decisions about course selections, and develop a strategic plan tailored to your unique strengths and interests.

Let's connect! Contact me to schedule a complimentary consultation and take the first step towards achieving your college goals. ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

Prompted by a colleague and friend's inquiry, I wanted to take a moment to share my history and AEP's mission in helping students navigate their college journey.

Affirm Educational Planning and Hilary Sullivan, Founder and Principal, understands the nuances of the college admissions processes after navigating it with numerous families as well as her own two daughters. She follows all industry best practices, stays current on industry trends and education, and conducts numerous college visits each year. Additionally, Hilary offers select boarding school, college transfer, and graduate school application support on a case-by-case basis.

Hilary earned a Distinction in the Graduate Certificate in College Counseling at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2017 and conducted her Practicum for the Certificate at The American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Florida. In March of 2023, Hilary completed the Fundamentals of Graduate School Admissions Counseling at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

She is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC), each requiring the highest of ethical standards in educational consulting. Hilary also earned an MBA from The London Business School (LBS) in London, England, and gained admissions experience as an LBS Alumni Interviewer for the South Florida Region.

Affirm's full-service packages guide students through all aspects of the increasingly complex and competitive college admission process. Affirm works with students across the US and abroad and is currently onboarding students in the Classes of '26, '27, and '28.

How can I help your student and family? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

Did you know that on this day in 1776, America declared independence from Britain, marking the birth of a new nation?

“I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” ~ Wendell L. Wilkie

Enjoy the celebrations, fireworks, and freedom!💥
www.affirmedu.com

Love field research! ✈️ Last week, I met with admissions officers and toured Case Western Reserve University, Oberlin College, Kenyon College, Denison University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and The Ohio State University. Despite the heat, it proved a busy, productive, and extremely informative week! 👍
www.affirmedu.com

💡 Make a to-do list for the fall!

☑ List the 5 most important tasks you need to accomplish the first week of school.

☑ Keep it handy to review it when you return from summer break.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

College Application Tip ✍️ Deciding ... Big College or Small College?

When collaborating with students, we work together to understand the college experience desired, dictated by their academic and educational goals.

What are some general differences?

The BIG College Experience!

Do you picture yourself at a Big Ten university that offers everything from televised sporting events to countless degree programs?

Here are some of the benefits associated with big colleges:

• Wide variety of majors and courses
• Well-stocked libraries
• Variety of housing opportunities
• Well-funded sports programs
• Wide range of academic choices and student activities
• Distinguished or famous faculty
• State-of-the-art research facilities

The SMALL College Experience!

Do you enjoy personal attention from teachers and advisors? Some students find that a smaller setting is a better fit. There may be fewer facilities, but also fewer students using those facilities.

Here are some of the benefits associated with small colleges:

• Small class sizes
• Hands-on learning opportunities
• Individually designed majors
• Strong advising system; advisors know students well
• Strong sense of community
• Professors, not teaching assistants, teach most courses
• Opportunity to get to know professors well
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

Planning to take advantage of a superscore? Test this July!

Don’t forget to opt-in to ACT’s Educational Opportunity Service when you register to connect you with colleges, universities, and financial aid institutions based on your plans and interests. https://bit.ly/4e6NqJE

It's been wonderful hearing from my Class of 2023 students, after completing their first year of college! 🎉 Transitioning from an active and rigorous college application process last year, it's now time to navigate scholarly professional opportunities to enhance their college experience and goals. One strategy is to use professional social media networks such as LinkedIn. Below are some tips for college students looking to utilize LinkedIn as a resource:

💻 Complete Your Profile: Fill out all sections of your LinkedIn profile, including a professional photo, a compelling headline, a detailed summary, education, and work experiences.

📸 Use a Professional Photo: A clear, professional-looking photo can make a strong first impression.

✍ Write a Strong Headline and Summary: Your headline should reflect your current role or career aspirations. The summary should highlight your skills, experiences, and career goals.

📰 List Relevant Skills: Add skills relevant to your career interests and get endorsements from peers and mentors.

🤝 Connect Strategically: Connect with classmates, professors, alumni, and professionals in your desired field. Personalize connection requests to make a good impression.

📲 Engage with Content: Share and comment on industry-relevant articles, post updates about your own projects, and engage with content from others in your network.

☑ Join Groups: Participate in groups related to your field of study or career interests. This can provide networking opportunities and industry insights.

📞 Seek Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from professors, internship supervisors, and colleagues. These can add credibility to your profile.

By leveraging LinkedIn effectively, college students can gain a competitive edge, build a professional network, and open doors to career opportunities.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

College Spotlight 💡 Syracuse University announced its plans to launch the Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, an interdisciplinary center that will bring together expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, manufacturing processes, optimization and robotics to advance the science of semiconductor manufacturing.

The new Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing will drive progress in manufacturing processes across the semiconductor supply chain. As a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility, it will replicate an autonomous-advanced manufacturing floor enabling research and design that will make Syracuse and the United States globally competitive in semiconductor manufacturing technologies.

Over the next five years, the University will hire more than 10 new faculty with expertise in manufacturing process engineering and automation, optimization and artificial intelligence, materials science engineering and other related fields. Students will be trained in the manufacturing technologies of today and create the new ideas that will drive the industry tomorrow.

To learn more, visit ➡️https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/05/16/syracuse-university-onondaga-county-make-combined-20m-investment-to-launch-the-syracuse-university-center-for-advanced-semiconductor-manufacturing/?_gl=1*1c0w2mv*_ga*MjEyNDQxNTg0MS4xNzE3NDMyMTAw*_ga_JYZJL3F4BE*MTcxNzQzMjA5OS4xLjEuMTcxNzQzMjIxNi4xOC4wLjA.*_ga_QT13NN6N9S*MTcxNzQzMjA5OS4xLjEuMTcxNzQzMjIxOS4xNS4wLjA.*_gcl_au*MTE2NzI1ODM0Mi4xNzE3NDMyMTAw
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? --> www.affirmedu.com

Syracuse University, Onondaga County Make Combined $20M Investment to Launch the Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing — Syracuse University News Rendering of the Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Syracuse University today announced its plans to launch the Syracuse Un ...

It's summer and time for students to enjoy downtime, rest, and relaxation! While breaking from an academic schedule, my students and I continue working on productive summer ideas supporting their college planning. 😎 ☀ 🌴

Some of those include:

1. Pursue an internship or job. Summer internships/jobs can help students explore prospective careers and college majors while gaining real-world experience and skills, build their resume, and develop a professional network.

2. Pursue a passion project. I have shared this before, but I encourage a passion project that allows students to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and gain confidence.

3. Take a summer class. Local colleges and Coursera offer several programs for high school students during the summer. This coursework is a wonderful addition to college applications, and may provide an opportunity to earn high school or perhaps college credit.

4. Enroll in a pre-college program. These programs are often rigorous and offer a great way to explore potential passions.

5. Read books! Books help you learn about interesting subjects, boost your creativity and imagination, improve your vocabulary for the SAT/ACT exams, and help prepare you for college interview questions.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

I am currently onboarding students in the Class of '27 and as of June 1, will begin onboarding Affirm's Class of '28.

My work with these younger students involves preparing them for starting the college process in their junior year. We plan their classes, explore activities, and outline their standardized test calendar.

One of our summer planning initiatives involves evaluating community service opportunities by focusing on quality over quantity and seeking out leadership opportunities. A thoughtful community service project, combined with strong grades and test scores, can show college admissions officers that you are a caring, and motivated applicant, capable of thriving within a rigorous academic community.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

➡ Thank you Kimberly for sharing your feedback with me. I enjoyed working with your student! 👍

"Hilary Sullivan is thorough, detailed, and real. She provided our family with top-notch assistance!” ~ Kimberly, parent of a high school senior Class of '24 accepted Regular Decision to Ringling College of Art and Design
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? --> www.affirmedu.com

"Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run, it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

One of the topics recently discussed at the Conference was the fact that numerous colleges that went test-optional during COVID are now returning to requiring the SAT or ACT for college admissions.

In the current environment of rampant grade inflation, advocates argue they provide a standardized measure of academic readiness, while critics argue they continue inequities and don't fully capture a student's potential.

As the landscape continues to shift, I advise most of my students to prepare and participate in standardized testing as part of their application strategy. I remind them that unless they're only applying to test-blind colleges, a strong test score is another data point to support their applications.
I am passionate about working with my clients to guide the process, which includes informing parents and empowering students. How can I help you? ➡ www.affirmedu.com

Last week, I joined colleagues and mentors at the IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association Conference 2024 in Connecticut. We heard updates from numerous college admissions reps, discussed application strategies and touchpoints, and highlighted current trends in the industry. I enjoy this time collaborating with fellow independent college consultants as we partake in this professional development opportunity together. I left the conference with new ideas for my students and am very excited to dive into essay-writing season with my rising seniors! I have a few spots remaining in my Class of '27 and as of June 1, will start on-boarding Affirm's Class of '28.

Looking forward to a great week!

Wishing safe travels to everyone joining us in Connecticut for the 2024 Annual Conference. We can't wait to see you there!

An often overlooked path:

The Trade School Option: Practical Skills for High-Demand Careers Explore trade schools, benefits vs. traditional colleges, high-paying jobs for graduates, and choosing the right one. Also, costs, financial aid, and applying.

Students taking the May 4 Digital SAT:

🚨 Make sure to complete exam setup in the Bluebook app ahead of test day. This is how you receive your admission ticket.

Download Bluebook: http://spr.ly/6186jBAHi

Congratulations to my graduating seniors! 🎉🎓 It has been a pleasure and privilege to be your college counselor and advocate. I enjoyed our time together and know that you will continue your journey to achieving great things! I look forward to hearing from you after you settle in for your fall semester. Best of luck to you, I have no doubt you will thrive! 😍

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." ~ Zig Ziglar