About

Francine Schwartz, M.A., LPC, NCC, CEP Founder and President of Pathfinder Counseling LLC 

 "As a counselor, educator and parent of three grown children, I understand that at times the transition to college can feel equally rewarding and overwhelming. With over 4000 colleges to choose from in the U.S. alone, your busy schedule, the desire to find the right school,  not to mention today's college costs, where do you begin?  I founded Pathfinder Counseling to serve as your guide and mentor, helping you navigate the entire college process from exploring potential careers and majors to applying  for financial aid and scholarships.  My goal is to ensure that each student finds the best possible college match, where they can fulfill their potential."



Francine Schwartz, M.A., LPC, NCC, CEP  Founder and President of Pathfinder Counseling LLC is a caring, highly respected and knowledgeable expert, with 40 years experience in education and counseling. Francine has guided students and families worldwide, through the sometimes stressful and confusing college search, application and selection process. She is a former Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Financial Aid at the college level and has assisted families with the complex steps involved in obtaining financial aid and scholarships. Her professional experience also includes advocating and providing services for individuals with special needs. 

Her passion for helping young people achieve their highest aspirations led her to form Pathfinder Counseling. 


Francine developed and ran the college consulting program for a large and diverse independent high school in Connecticut. She personally visited schools and established excellent working relationships with hundreds of representatives from a wide range of colleges and post-secondary programs. “Francine Schwartz combines, intelligence, a warm personality and great enthusiasm for helping young people. She is rare, special and worthy of your serious consideration.” (Mark Cohan, PhD, Former Superintendent/Head of School The Norwich Free Academy).


Utilizing a systematic approach focused on the individual student’s interests, abilities, personality and goals, Francine facilitates sound choices leading to a smooth college transition, personal growth and future success.


 Education and Professional Credentials


Francine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. Graduating with highest honors she is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She holds a Master of Arts in Education and Counseling from the University of Kentucky. Francine completed her Sixth Year Diploma in Educational Psychology at The University of Connecticut and was inducted into the Chi Sigma Iota honor society. She has completed additional graduate course work in Educational Consulting through the University of California Irvine.


A lifelong learner, Francine continually strives to keep her professional knowledge up-to-date by visiting colleges nationwide and by staying on the cutting edge of changes in her profession. This includes many hours of virtual training and webinars with admissions personnel and experts worldwide.


Francine is a member of The Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and a professional member of The Independent Educational Consultants Association. (IECA). Since 1997, HECA has been dedicated to advancing professional standards for the higher education consulting field, while supporting members as they expertly guide students through the transition from high school to college. IECA was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, professional association of established educational consultants. As the nation’s respected voice of the profession, IECA membership assures families that the consultant they have chosen is experienced, highly trained and committed to honest and ethical practices. Francine is a Certified Educational Planner through the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners.


Francine has also met the rigorous academic, training, and professional standards required to maintain the following licenses, certifications and memberships. 

  • Certified Educational Planner - American Institute of Certified Educational Planners
  • Certified School Counselor - Connecticut State Board of Education
  • Licensed Professional Counselor - Connecticut Department of Public Health
  • National Certified Counselor – National Board for Certified Counselors
  • Member of Higher Education Consultants Association
  • Professional Member - Independent Educational Consultants Association
  • Member - National Association for College Admission Counseling
  • Member – American Counseling Association
  • Member – American School Counselor Association
  • Former Member - CT State ACT Council


Listen to "Everyday People" Talk Radio Interview with Francine

Francine provides insight into how she guides students and families along the college bound path on "Everyday People"


Read about Pathfinder Counseling in the Southeast CT Women's Spotlight Newsletter on P. 2


Francine and Pathfinder Counseling - featured in an article about women entrepreneurs


Francine was also listed as an Educational Expert on Unigo.com and a Most Valuable Consultant on Go See Campus.com


Francine personally visits many colleges around the country and the world


As an independent educational consultant, Francine spends significant time on the road, meeting with admissions officers, touring campuses, and exploring the campus environment. This gives her extensive, first hand knowledge of the myriad of post-secondary options big and small, around the country. This personal insight provides clients with a much deeper understanding than any catalog or website can convey. Because independent consultants are familiar with a multitude of institutions, they can present applicants with a much wider selection of possibilities and provide help in weighing factors such as cost, location and curriculum. Click on the link above for a list of colleges and post-secondary programs visited by Francine.



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