Our Mission
We inspire college-bound students to thrive in their current and future educational endeavors. We connect students with opportunities, advise students regarding best collegiate choices for themselves and their families, and help students find their voice. We believe in the value of establishing partnerships with students and parents, and we stress the contribution and accountability of the individual student in our collaboration. We maintain a strong and frequent collaboration with each other to bring our strengths and experience to each family.
Services
We tailor services to fit the needs of each student and their families. Our clients typically begin their relationship with us in their freshman or sophomore year of high school.
Academic Coaching
As students move through their high school years, we guide students in their academic progress, connecting them with resources as needed.
Course Advising
Each year or semester, we discuss with students and families how students can best perform at their potential while still engaging their interests and talents.
Extracurricular Participation
We advise students and families to invest in what matters most to them outside of the academic day—volunteering, sports, the arts, and community involvement.
College Search and Scholarships/Financial Aid
We counsel students and families to find the best collegiate fits academically, socially, financially, emotionally. We teach students how to find their voice and frame their story in their application essays. As students and families apply to their chosen colleges and universities, we guide financial discussions and applications for aid and scholarship opportunities.
College Selection and Financial Packages
We discuss with students and families the colleges in their acceptance list and the financial aid packages they have received to help inform their selection.
We advise beginning the consulting relationship in the first or second year of high school.
We can often accommodate juniors as well.
Our Team’s Experience & Qualifications
Dr. Paul N. Orser, Ph.D.
President
Dr. Orser is truly unique among high school academic and college counselors because he has experienced the university side of admissions and student success for over two decades. For over 26 years, Dr. Orser has worked with high school and college students, families, and faculty. From 1989 until July of 2012, he served Wake Forest University in the Offices of Admissions and Student Life, as Associate Dean of the Undergraduate College, and as the academic Dean of Freshmen for 16 years.
Emily Richardson, M.A.Ed.
Senior College Consultant
Ms. Richardson, Dr. Orser’s daughter, taught high school English and composition for 15 years, most of her career at The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, teaching honors and AP students. More recently, she chaired the Humanities department at the Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science in Princeton, New Jersey. Over the course of her career, she has consulted with many of her own high school students on their college planning and decisions and has guided over 500 students on their college essays. She lives with her husband and young son in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.