Testimonials

"I have to tell you this is the happiest day in [our] family in a very long time!  [My daughter] is just floating.  I don't remember seeing her this overjoyed.  Being accepted to Michigan is amazing.  For her, it is a dream come true and I know you hear it a lot, but we couldn't have done it without you! 

With your help, [my daughter's] 'perfect' school became a reality.  What more could a mom want?  You have been a great college counselor, but a whole lot more.  I wouldn't hesitate to call you a mentor of dreams and a friend.  Who else would talk to my kid at 12:30 at night?

Thanks again."
- Mom of University of Michigan Student, Class of 2011

"Dear Bari,

Now that we've come down from Cloud Nine -- let me thank you for directing [my daughter] (and her parents) through the admissions process.

Thanks for making the overwhelming seem doable and reachable, for your patience and for your upbeat, positive attitude.  I know this is a business, but I also know that you love what you do -- and believe me, the kids and parents feel your sincerity.

I know we'll stay in touch.  In the meantime, I'm exhaling!"

"We are so thrilled and soooooooooo appreciative of all of the input and
support you've given [our daughter]. You have pointed
her in the right direction while she has been composing her essays and
applications. In addition, your helpful strategies have truly eased her
stress during this difficult process.  [My husband] and I are so excited for MICHIGAN!"
- Mom of University of Michigan Student, Class of 2012

"Thank you so much. We've seen a marked improvement in [our son's] grades since meeting with you, and look forward to working together."

- Dad of Tenth Grade Student

"With 9 out of 10 students being rejected from Columbia Business School, I can honestly say I wouldn't have been admitted without your help.  When I compare the essay drafts that I brought to our first appointment and the finished products, I can't believe the difference. 

I am so grateful for all of your time and for your helpful comments and editing.  I really can't thank you enough for all your help."

"We are so thrilled about [our son's] acceptance, and you are very much a part of our celebration.  You have been with our family through the entire process, and I just want to thank you for that personally.  Everything was so much easier because of you."
- Dad of NYU Tisch Student, Class of 2011

"Talking to Bari is like being a fly on the wall at an elite college's admissions committee meeting. She's straightforward and honest about how the people around those admissions tables read the applications we parents think are so brilliant. More important, she gave us practical ideas for shaping the last two years of high school so my daughter will be attractive to the colleges she really wants. "
- Mom of Washington University - St. Louis Student, Class of 2011

"You were great, Bari.  You took all the burdens associated with college off our shoulders.  I know you have other clients, but I always felt as if (my daughter) got your undivided attention in so many ways.  Thanks for everything."

- Mom of University of Michigan Student, Class of 2010

"Dr. Norman,
I want to thank you for everything that you've done for me all this time.  I honestly could not have done any of this without you.  I learned a lot from you in these past months, and I'm glad you were always there to help.  Thanks again." 

"If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be where we are.  You're worth your weight in gold! [My daughter's] merit scholarships more than made up for your fee."
- Mom of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Student, Class of 2011

"I wanted to thank you very much for helping me take on the
challenge that is the medical school application process. I can honestly
say that you helped greatly and made the process significantly easier for me.
Now that I have been accepted to medical school I wanted you to know how big a role you played in the process. You are a great counselor for all types of
admissions, not just college and I am happy that my parents found you."
- Tufts University Medical School Student, Class of 2012

"When we first talked, it sounded like a lot of money to have you counsel [my son] and, more importantly, us through this process and [I] wondered whether it was going to be worthwhile. I can say at this point, (regardless of the Michigan admission) that the money was well spent.

[My son']'s college application process would have been a real challenge without your help.  So once again, I want to say thanks."

"I would like you to know that I greatly thank you for, and appreciate, all of your help during my college application/admission process (and I am sure I speak for all of your students when I say this). I want to thank you, especially, for giving me the confidence to apply where I did and, more importantly, for keeping my feet on the ground -- for helping me keep my expectations in line with reality.

Thank you for everything! "
- Columbia University Student, Class of 2010

"The college search and application process is  very daunting and overwhelming . Hiring Dr. Bari Norman to manage the entire process was the BEST decision we made.  Not only did she always provide her expertise, guidance and support though every single step, Dr. Norman took the burden off of us, which kept peace in the family. My son is absolutely thrilled to be attending Northwestern. It is a perfect fit for him! "
- Mom of Northwestern University Student, Class of 2010

"Thank you so much for all your efforts in helping me get into Barnard.  I am truly grateful for everything.  I do not know how I would have done it without you.  I am so glad we had the opportunity to meet each other.  Keep in touch. "

"You are an absolute treasure!  Even this early on in the process, I am so grateful that we hired you and that we have you leading our team."
- Dad of Transfer Student, Columbia University, Class of 2009

"I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me.  Thanks to your guidance, you have led me to the perfect college for me and you opened up the door to many important scholarships.  I am very excited for RPI and I know that I have a bright future ahead of me thanks to all your help."
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Student, Class of 2011 

"You have been such a tremendous help to me this past year and have helped me to make what I hope will be the best decision of my life.  Thank you for all that you have done for me!"
- Tufts University Student, Class of 2011

"You've helped so much throughout the process, I can't thank you enough. You'll soon have [the admitted student's] sister in your hands!"
- Mom of NYU Tisch Student, Class of 2012

"I'd just like to thank you for all of your help this year when it came down to the application process.  I am so happy that you were my counselor and I appreciate everything you have done for me this year.  Thank you! "
- University of Pennsylvania Student, Class of 2010

"[My son] made the decision this past weekend to attend Penn State.  I want to reiterate the fact that we couldn't have done it without you, especially starting so late in the game.  Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.  It's rare to find someone that cares about the kids themselves as much as you do." 
- Dad of Penn State Student, Class of 2011

"Dear Bari,
I would just like to drop you a few lines to thank you for your assistance in helping my son get accepted to his first-choice college, American University of Richmond. [He] had always wanted to go to college overseas, especially London. Both [he] and I feel that the guidance and help you provided us was one of the major reasons he was accepted at four out of his five choices, including his number one, Richmond.

We both do appreciate the hard work, effort and time you put in trying to get him a place in Richmond. It was Christmas Eve when we heard the good news. That was the best Christmas present I could ever have. And all this thanks to you, Bari. "
- Mom of Richmond University - London Student, Class of 2010

"I am very thankful that I trusted my instincts [and hired you]. [My daughter] does not accept help readily, yet admitted to us that you have been an enormous help to her. I can’t thank you enough."
- Mom of Pharm.D. Student, University of Maryland

"In today's highly competitive world and to make my son's college applications stand out among all the thousands every college receives, it was most helpful to have Dr. Bari Norman's expertise not only with the application process but with the essays, the resume and all the other details that go into the daunting task of applying and getting into college.

My son was interested in specific areas of study and Dr. Norman was also most helpful in finding and recommending additional schools that offered the specific programs we were interested in in addition to the ones my son and I had found.

As a result of her help and guidance, my son was admitted to all the colleges he applied to and received generous academic scholarships from several of these schools.  We are thrilled that he’ll be attending USC in the fall.

I would recommend her services highly to any parent." 

"Needless to say, visiting and applying to colleges was overwhelming. Bari Norman guided my daughter through the application process, suggesting how to best promote herself in the essay section as well as personal interviews. She made our lives so much easier with her insight and professionalism. My daughter was accepted into her first-choice school and we could not have been more thankful to Bari. When our son begins the college process, Bari is definitely one of our first calls. "
- Dad of Towson University Student, Class of 2009

"I know we still have a few more to go, but [my daughter] has gotten into every school she applied to so far!  She's doing so well, and I believe you have a great deal to do with that." 

- Mom of University of Wisconsin - Madison Student, Class of 2012

"It was truly a pleasure working with you, Bari.  All my questions were answered in such a prompt fashion that I really never had any!  We would just like to thank you for taking Nicole under your wing and making the process stress-free.  We'll see you in five years with our son! "
- Mom of University of Florida Student, Class of 2010

"Thanks for everything.  You are, and have been since day one, a pleasure to deal with. I just want you to know I will highly recommend you to anyone who asks."
- Mom of University of Michigan Student, Class of 2011

"I started working with Bari the summer before my senior year in high school.  Bari assisted me in the admissions process by reviewing and editing my application essay, as well as answering various other questions. Her comments, critiques, and guidance strengthened my application and I was admitted early decision to my first-choice college. "
- Barnard College Student, Class of 2007

"I enjoyed haviing you as my college counselor, and greatly appreciated your constant support and guidance throughout the year.  Your thoughtful words made such a difference."

"I really just want to tell you how much I appreciated you this year. You truly helped in every way you could and was there for me whenever I needed a push or a talk.  Thank you so much for everything! "
- University of Tampa Student, Class of 2010

"Just a note of appreciation for your obvious dedication and enthusiasm (judging from the college prep for parents program we so enjoyed!).  We look forward to working with you during the coming years. "
- Mom of Columbia University Student, Class of 2009 and Tenth Grade Student

"I loved working with you.  I know you did the best possible for my son and it was a wonderful experience."

- Mom of Florida State University Student, Class of 2010

"I just got my letter from the University of Arizona [my first choice] and I got accepted. Thank you so much for everything you did for me. Without you, I definitely would not have gotten in. They also gave me a partial scholarship for four years. Thank you so much! "
- University of Arizona Student, Class of 2011

"Bari, again, thank you sooo much!  You kept me going!  You sat with me, very patiently, creating a resume (an outstanding resume!) and completing applications. 

You were there for me when I was literally freaking out with stress from school and I am so thankful for that!  Most of all, you made me feel comfortable writing, which used to be my least favorite thing to do.  When we first met, essays were so difficult . . . . You made me confident when I wrote from my heart and my writing now shows it!  [Even though I chose not to go], getting into the University of Michigan was my reward, thanks to you.  You relieved the stress of applying to college. 

I can't thank you enough for everything.  Thank you for giving me confidence and thank you for making senior year a little less stressful!  I will miss you so much! "
- University of Tennesse -- Knoxville Student, Class of 2010

"Thank you so much.  I thought applying to college was going to be easy, but I don't know how I would have done it on my own.  I can't believe all my applications are done and it's just September! "
- Twelfth Grade Student

"Bari gave me a very thorough critique of my personal statement; she looked at both grammar and style. Also, her perspective as someone who has been admitted to a prestigious graduate program is valuable. I think that is part of what makes her comments so important. She really knows what someone needs to get into the competitive schools. "
- University of Pittsburgh Student, Class of 2010