Testimonials

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

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for everything. You should have seen [my son's] face!! I have never seen him outwardly sooo excited!!! He and [my husband]were crying-- quite a sight.   I can't tell you how thrilled we are. We so appreciate your guidance and millions of late night emails with [my son] -- your emails keeping me calm -- and keeping him focused -- at the same time.
- Mom of University of Pennsylvania Student, Class of 2013

"We want to thank you for all your help and advice that helped us navigate the college admission process. The whole family is thrilled that he got into his first choice of college and we really appreciate you making a stressful situation much easier to cope with."

"Thank you so much ... congratulations to you too! We really appreciate your insight, thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and organizational brilliance in this daunting process. And perhaps most of all, I am so grateful for your personal advice and relationship to [my daughter]. College searching and planning was so much more enjoyable for her with you alongside ... you related to her on every level.

I am sure she'll always remember your meetings in person and phone, as well as your many Facebook chats, including a defining one when you spoke to her about applying to Northwestern ED. She shared that chat with me and I found your wisdom encouraging and balanced at the same time. Please know that I think you are a tremendous gift to your field!"
- Mom of Northwestern University Student, Class of 2014

"Thank you Bari for all your help.  [My son] has truly enjoyed working with you!  You have given him excellent advice and guidance.

I left Bowdoin with the same feeling you did, more so than any of the other schools we visited.  I have come full circle and realize that finding a place where our children are happy and excited about attending is by far the most important thing in this process." 

"It is wonderful to see [my daughter] so happy and excited about getting into Hampshire. Thank you so much for all of your help and reducing multi-fold the stress level of this process. Coming to you has been one of the best decisions I've made so far in [my daughter]'s young life."

"Thanks Dr. Norman. I do not know what I should say...your help was tremendous!"
- Brown University Combined Medical Program Student, Class of 2014 (Brown University) and Class of 2018 (Brown Medical School)

"I wanted to thank you for all of your help - you made the process unbelievably less stressful and were so incredibly helpful. Aside from helping me with the actual applications, you were always so encouraging and supportive, which helped me much more than you might realize! I know your job was made much more difficult by the fact that I'm in London, and wanted to thank you for being so patient with me all the way through. I really cannot thank you enough!"

I'm so excited!! It's official! I REALLY enjoyed working with you. It was a great experience. Let's do it again in a few years for graduate school! Of course, I'll update you in the meantime.  Thank you, Bari.

"I wanted to let you know how much [my daughter] enjoys her meetings with you. If I had sent this email over the weekend as I hoped to, I would've remembered her exact words.  They were something like" I always feel so much better after I talk to Bari", "She reasssures me and gets me excited about colleges", "I love the way she explains things".......

Your guidance and sage advice always makes her feel that despite the stress of junior year, everything will be "okay". You reassured her and when she came out of her last meeting with you she was a different person - relaxed, confident and excited about the college selection process.  Thank you thank you!"

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.
- Columbia Graduate School of Business Sudent, Class of 2009

"'Congratulations you have been accepted!':  The words every family wants to hear from their kid's first choice university.

Getting into Penn Early Decision is obviously a dream come true and your support and guidance throughout the entire process was invaluable. You made sure every aspect of the application brought out the absolute best in [my daughter], while keeping her focused, calm and on track.

Your response time for questions and revisions was remarkable. I am not sure when you sleep!

Discovering Expert Admissions late in the college process, we were amazed how you were immediately able to help [my daughter] re-target her efforts. You become so instrumental in helping  our entire family get through a process we all know is very stressful.

Thank you so very, very much."

"Thank you very much for your insights, which was exactly the on the spot advice that helped put [my son] over the top. [My son] couldn't be happier."
- Mom of NYU Student, Class of 2013

"I really wanted to thank you for all your help.  [My daughter] is thrilled and it is such a relief that this whole process is over and she's happy with the outcome. Thank you so much for all the great support over the past year. You really took all the stress out of the process."
- Mom of University of Pennsylvania Student, Class of 2013

"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

"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

"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

"I cannot tell you how important your participation was in this process....I could almost tell you that I as a parent needed more "coaching" than my son.  It would not have been as easy and fluid and complete without you."
- Mom of George Washington University Student, Class of 2013

"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,

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!
- Mom of Sarah Lawrence 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

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

"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