Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal student signs up just prior to  their freshman year in high school . Starting early ensures students are well prepared, organized and confident throughout high school and the entire college bound process. 

During the freshman and sophomore years Pathfinder Counseling focuses on exploring interests, personality and abilities. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Francine has the credentials to administer professional tests and interpret the results. Time is also spent learning about  potential majors, career choices and the wide range of post-secondary options. Pathfinder Counseling helps students make high school a successful endeavor by reviewing course selections and providing guidance with tune management and study skills.  Advising students about extra curricular activities, volunteer and summer options ensures students utilize their time wisely and can fully enjoy the high school experience.

Many students and families start the college process in earnest the summer prior to the junior year in high school. During this phase Pathfinder Counseling offer a full range of services  to cover the entire college search, application, selection and financial aid and scholarship process. Students have 24-7 access to an online college planning and application management tool. Support continues beyond high school with the Senior Seminar - "Transition to College" and the Pathfinder Maintenance Plan - "check up" for students during their freshman year of college.

Today college  represents a significant family investment. An educational consultant can provide valuable assistance to optimize your college investment dollars. Selecting a college that is the right fit ensures that students will thrive and be successful, increasing their chances of graduating on time without additional costs. 

Educational consultants are knowledgeable about the myriad of scholarship and financial aid sources available and can point families in the right direction. These reasons  alone can easily offset the costs of consulting services. Pathfinder Counseling LLC offers a variety of service plans to fit your time and budget.

Francine Schwartz, Founder and President of Pathfinder Counseling has extensive experience helping families simplify the complex financial aid and scholarship process and paperwork. As a former Co-Director of Financial Aid at the college level and the college consultant at a large independent high school, she has assisted  numerous families to navigate this process and access opportunities. 

You may be interested to learn that even in today's economy families are turning to educational consultants more than ever to help with college placements. According to a recently released independent survey by Lipman Hearne, conducted in cooperation with the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), 26% of high achieving seniors used an independent educational consultant in their college search and application process!

A professional college consultant works one-on-one with each student and family serving as a guide and interpreter, helping to identify colleges and universities that offer the best matches for the student's unique needs, and keeping the student on track through every phase of the college application process.

It is very important to choose a consultant who has met the rigorous requirements to be accepted as a member of internationally recognized organizations such as the Independent Educational Consultants Association, the Higher Education Consultants Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.   Families can rest assured that these consultants have extensive experience, hold at least a Master's Degree, remain on the cutting edge of their profession and adhere to strict ethical standards. Pathfinder Counseling LLC holds membership in IECA, HECA and NACAC.