MacPhee College Consulting

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MacPhee College Consulting The college search process can be overwhelming. I help students find the right college fit and present themselves at their best on admissions applications.

I offer college search services that are student-centered and individually tailored, depending on your needs and wishes. Whether you want help finding the right schools to apply to, guidance on essays, insights into taking advantage of extracurriclar and summer activities, and/or someone to manage your deadlines and keep your student on track, I am here to offer guidance and encouragement to help your student find a rewarding college experience. I can help you strategically sift through the thousands of possible colleges to create a target list, and then help your student put his/her best foot forward in the application process. I will help them find their story, their voice for their applications, and help them tell it to colleges in a way that leverages their interests, experiences and accomplishments to present themselves at their best for college admissions. I am genuinely interested in college-bound kids, and having loved my own college years at Stanford, I thoroughly enjoy helping students find their way to their own joyful and rewarding college experience, wherever that may be. Let's find the best college fit for your student, and put together a plan to get there. I look forward to helping you!

10/11/2026

It’s October, which means it’s time for senior families to submit FAFSA applications so students can qualify for both need-based aid and merit-based scholarships.

Students register for a FAFSA ID and then parents can complete the application. I strongly suggest filing them by the end of this month!

09/08/2026

With the school year beginning, it is time now for juniors to start planning for college admissions, and seniors to get cranking on those essays and applications!

Seniors should be finalizing their college lists, collecting teacher recommendations, brainstorming/writing/editing/polishing primary and supplementary essays, and completing applications for submission for early application in October and November.

Juniors should be preparing a timeline for application, including signing up for SAT and ACT tests if appropriate, creating preliminary college lists, engaging in meaningful activities, and making plans for college visit tours.

I’m happy to help if you’d like any guidance:) Have fun with it!

wishing you the best,

Pam

08/09/2026

The Common App is open for this season’s college applications and school is about to start!

That means it’s time to focus time and energy to finalizing college lists and writing application essays. If incoming seniors have not started essays yet, it’s important to start brainstorming ideas for essay prompts and beginning to draft responses.

The Common App requires you to choose one prompt of the seven available, and write up to 650 words about a topic with a message that will reveal who you are and what is meaningful to you. This requires students to dig deep and reflect on why certain activities, or character traits, or life events are important to them and how they tie to their approach to life and their future. They should choose the prompt and the topic that allows them to present that in the most thoughtful, unique, and impactful way possible.

In their own voice. Their own words. Their own style.

I have very few rules other than the story should have a beginning (that draws people in), a middle (that includes all the most important ideas and insights), and an ending (that hammers home a strong message).

Depending on their college list, they will also need to write a number of shorter supplemental essays and responses with different prompts for different colleges that use the Common App. And the UC application requires four (out of eight) different 350 word essays that together will reveal a student’s story. In order to give themselves enough time to complete thoughtful and polished essays, it’s important to start soon if they have not already.

Seniors should choose personal topics and ideas that they have a lot to say about and are excited to write! And of course feel to reach out if you think my personal guidance on college lists or essays would be helpful.

Great!
Pam

Summer is here!The school year is at its end and students can thankfully catch a breather from all the studying and test...
06/01/2026

Summer is here!

The school year is at its end and students can thankfully catch a breather from all the studying and testing and running around from one thing to another. Phew!

Summer is a fantastic time for a bit of stillness and reflection, as well as exploration and preparation.

Rising seniors will be well-served to set aside time to brainstorm and start college application essays, completing as much writing as possible before the whirlwind of senior year begins. Researching colleges and scheduling visits/tours will also help them create a list of possible colleges that feel like a good fit with an environment where they will thrive.

Rising juniors will be well-served by engaging with opportunities to pursue activities related to their academic interests and activities that allow for the development of leadership skills and personal growth. And preparing for the all-important junior year by planning out extracurriculars, testing, class schedules and college exploration will make for a productive but less stressful academic year.

Please reach out to me with any questions and to schedule a call with me if you would like to find out how I can be helpful in your student’s preparation for their college admissions journey.

You can visit my renewed website to learn more about me, as well as my services and approach. I look forward to the opportunity to be of service in guiding your high school student to find their best college fit!

01/21/2026

Applications are in!!

Congrats to SENIORS for surviving the college application journey:))
Some of you already have fantastic options, but I know it can be hard to wait a couple months more for the rest of your admissions results. For now, just take a deep breath and appreciate all your hard work🌟🤩🌟
And go and enjoy your last semester of high school🙃

While you seniors all get ready to make a decision about where you will step foot on campus in the fall, it is time for JUNIORS who have not started already, to begin to create a preliminary college list based on your interests, hopes, and expectations. Exciting!
Also be sure to choose senior year classes that will serve your academic exploration, challenge you in a positive way, and benefit your college applications. Make a plan for testing and sign up if you’re considering that, and brainstorm ideas for how you’re going to spend your summer (and spring) in a way that allows you to explore interests and gain skills that you find fulfilling.

FRESHMEN and SOPHOMORES, even if you’re not ready to think much about college yet, you will also benefit from thoughtfully considering class schedules, activities, and summer opportunities that allow you to explore your interests, challenge yourself, and find meaningful experiences.

I know all of this can sometimes feel overwhelming for students (and parents), but I encourage you to stay focused on the fun and excitement of the amazing opportunities and experiences ahead of you in college!

Feel free to reach out if you would like any guidance, and I wish all of you the very best in your college journeys:)
Great!
Pam

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Sonoma, CA
95476

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