What does it take to be a great counselor?
We know that advising students at such a pivotal time is an incredible privilege. What’s more, the role of a truly great college counselor requires a unique blend of deep knowledge and a special touch to advise high schoolers during one of their most high-stakes decisions to date.
And while we can demonstrate that our team’s depth of experience is immense, we also recognize the deeply personal nature of the counseling process. That’s why we make it a priority in our selection process to establish a strong family relationship and a meaningful connection between the student and their counselor.
To help you get to know more of our amazing team and look beyond the surface, let’s have a casual chat with a few of these incredible people!
Why a counselor chat?
A counselor spotlight session offers a unique window into the philosophies that drive the Empowerly team. In our discussions, we’ll cover some of the most popular questions for our counselors as well as a few surprises. Each of these counselors brings their own unique personality to the table, as well as a shared understanding of the student journey.
Along the way, you’ll learn some of what makes college counseling valuable, including:
- The importance of a personalized approach.
- What it means to support a student holistically.
- Why “success” is different for each student.
There’s nothing quite like the human touch in such a personal process. So let’s meet some of the team, in their own words. qualities help students unlock their superpowers. So let’s meet some of the team, in their own words.
About Saaron:
Saaron was born and raised in Los Angeles, but later made the move to California’s High Desert region (on the way to Las Vegas), where she found “more mountains and wide-open desert views.” Of the move, she said, “It’s been great to swap city vibes for a more natural backdrop.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Occidental College and a master’s degree in Higher Education from Claremont Graduate University. Saaron works with students across a range of academic levels, helping them identify colleges that truly align with their interests and goals, while guiding them in presenting their strengths, passions, and values authentically in their applications.
How did you get started as a counselor?
“I first heard about Empowerly while looking for a way to continue my counseling experience virtually—something that would let me enjoy my move to the High Desert while still doing what I love.
I became a college counselor because, as a first-generation college graduate and the oldest of five, I had to navigate the college application process on my own. Being the first in my family to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree showed me how challenging and confusing the process can be without guidance. Now, I love helping students explore their passions, find their voice, and share their stories authentically—making the application journey a little clearer and a lot more exciting.”
What experiences do you have that make you a great counselor?
“What makes me a great counselor comes from a combination of personal experience and professional insight. As a first-generation college graduate, I’ve navigated the application process on my own, which helps me relate to students and families and anticipate the questions or concerns they may have. It also shapes the way I approach conversations and strategies with students, helping me guide them thoughtfully through a process that can feel confusing or overwhelming.
Professionally, I’ve had the opportunity to work with selective institutions, including Pomona College, where I connected with students, families, and counselors, supported them with questions about the admissions process, and reviewed applications to make recommendations. I’ve also read applications for Boston University, gaining insight into what institutions look for and how they evaluate applicants. Through these experiences, I’ve worked with students from across the country—and even internationally—across all majors, particularly in STEM, and learned how to advocate for students and understand their unique journeys.
In addition, I’ve counseled students through a nonprofit focused on increasing access for underrepresented students. These experiences help me combine empathy, strategy, and firsthand knowledge to support students in finding their voice and presenting their passions authentically.”
How would you describe your approach to counseling?
“My counseling approach is rooted in understanding, empathy, and action. I take the time to get to know each student and their family—their concerns, personality, values, and interests—so I can connect them with the right opportunities and help them develop skills in areas that matter to them.
I also like to create clear action plans with goals to stay organized and on top of deadlines, while making sure we celebrate the wins along the way. For me, the college journey is about more than just meeting requirements—it’s about growth, exploration, and enjoying the process. I strive to help students experience all of that while feeling supported and confident in their choices.”
Do you have a particular student success story to share?
“While I’ve had the privilege of working with many students, one experience that stands out is working with a student in ninth grade who faced significant barriers, including housing insecurity, family loss, mental health challenges, and the responsibility of working to support her family financially. Initially, she didn’t think college was an option and lacked the support to navigate the process.
I worked with her to build trust, connect her with community resources, and develop a personalized success plan. Together, we made sure she stayed on track with her grades, coursework, and opportunities to explore her interests—all while balancing a busy schedule. Through conversations and experiences, she discovered a passion for biology and pre-med. I guided her through the application process, including preparation for highly selective schools, and she was ultimately accepted to Stanford University as a STEM undergraduate. She is now continuing her journey in their MD program.
Being part of her journey was an honor. It reinforced for me how critical it is for students—especially those facing challenges—to have someone who sees them, believes in them, and guides them step by step toward their goals.”
What is something you’ve learned from your students?
“I’ve learned from my students that every college journey is different, and that curiosity, resilience, and discovering your passions are just as important as grades or test scores. For example, I’ve seen students explore new subjects they never thought they’d enjoy or overcome obstacles that seemed daunting at first, and the growth they experience along the way is inspiring. These experiences remind me to listen closely, personalize my guidance to each student’s needs, and celebrate every milestone—big or small.”
One piece of advice you would tell students now?
“I would tell students to take time for self-reflection throughout this journey. The college process isn’t just about exploring academic interests—it’s also about discovering who they are as a person: what they enjoy, what challenges them, and how they grow. I encourage students to reflect on their experiences and opportunities—how they felt, what they learned about themselves, what skills they developed, and what they’ll carry forward. The more students understand themselves, the better they can build a strong narrative and share their authentic story in their applications.”
What is a piece of life advice that impacted you?
“Always remember to celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small. It’s easy to get caught up in the details, focus only on the goals, or be hard on ourselves when things don’t go exactly as planned. Taking the time to acknowledge your growth and accomplishments helps you keep moving forward and ensures that, when you look back, you can appreciate everything you did to get there.”
Do you have a favorite college experience?
“One of my favorite college experiences was being invited to my professor’s home with my classmates to discuss our senior thesis topics and ideas. It was a special experience because it took us off campus and created a more intimate, supportive setting during what can be a stressful time. Our professor cooked some of her favorite dishes, and we had the chance to connect with each other outside of class, learn more about one another, and enjoy a sense of community.”
About Cheryl:
Cheryl M. is located in New York City, New York. She holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business from SUNY Albany and an MS in Education, Guidance and Counseling from CUNY Hunter College.
In addition to her 6+ years of college counseling experience, Cheryl also serves as the Senior Assistant Director/Career Coach at NYU.
How did you get started as a counselor?
“In addition to my full time role as a Career Coach at NYU, I was working as a College Consultant for a local test prep company in NYC. Empowerly noticed my LinkedIn profile and reached out.”
What experiences do you have that make you a great counselor?
“I have over 20 years experience working in career development at NYU. In this role, I help college students navigate and make the best of their time as a college student in order to prepare for successful and meaningful work post college.
As a college counselor for Empowerly, I am able to pull from that experience to better prepare high school students for what comes next. I also have a Master’s Degree in Counseling and I am licensed as a K-12 School Counselor. Since I have a daughter who is currently a Junior at Binghamton University, I have the perspective of having gone through all of it as a parent.”
How would you describe your approach to counseling?
“I adapt to my students’ needs. After the first couple of sessions, I will have a good idea of your level of independence vs potentially needing more hand holding. I will meet you wherever you are in that regard. However, my goal is always to ultimately get you thinking deeply about your own personal circumstances, so that I can help you make the best possible decisions that will lead to happiness and success in college and beyond. I see myself as an educator, advisor, motivator, cheerleader, and advocate.”
Do you have a particular student success story to share?
“I had a student who grew up in rural Puerto Rico with no exposure to standardized testing and very little knowledge of college opportunities on the mainland. She attended a tiny school hours from home, necessitating a long commute and leaving little time for any activities outside of school.This student wants to be a doctor. I helped her get SAT tutoring, find innovative ways to get experience in medicine and then helped her to write some super compelling essays. She applied ED to NYU and was accepted as a Biology/pre-health student. She plans to attend med school after college and then go back to her hometown to care for her community upon graduating.”
What is something you’ve learned from your students?
“I have learned that perseverance really does pay off!”
One piece of advice you would tell students now?
“Start planning early! This includes getting organized (make lists, spreadsheets, etc). It is never too soon to research and even visit colleges to begin to get an idea of what will make the most sense for you.”
What is a piece of life advice that impacted you?
“The things we fear the most almost never happen.”
Do you have a favorite college experience?
“There are so many! One thing that comes to mind is my semester abroad in London. It was a time of immense personal growth. Living in and experiencing other cultures and parts of the world took me out of my comfort zone.”
About Ariel:
Ariel S. is currently located in St. Louis (but spends a lot of time in New York, San Diego, and Los Angeles). Having lived in 6 cities, traveled extensively, and been an actor, event producer, non-profit manager, language tutor, softball coach, and youth mentor, Ariel brings a breadth of experience to her students. She loves to help people showcase every aspect of their personality in their applications and find the best college environment for their needs.
Ariel graduated from WashU, where she was then an Admissions Officer for two years and an interviewer/representative for another four years.
How did you get started as a counselor?
“The toughest part about being an Admissions Officer at a selective school is saying ‘no’ to extremely deserving and talented applicants. When I got the opportunity to rejoin the admissions world as a college counselor, I was excited to advocate for students, spend time with them, and help guide them, rather than only getting to spend ten minutes reading their applications. A year and a half into my counseling journey, someone reached out to me on LinkedIn about Empowerly, and I applied immediately!”
What experiences do you have that make you a great counselor?
“The most important experience is having worked as an Admissions Officer, and later an interviewer for WashU. Having participated in the process has been essential to my ability to support my students with their college prep and applications. Secondary to that, I love to visit college campuses whenever I get the chance so that I can accurately represent them to my students, read articles, and watch webinars that help me stay on top of the latest trends in the higher education world.”
How would you describe your approach to counseling?
“Students can expect me to meet them where they’re at. If a student needs attentive project management and handholding, I’ll give them that, if they prefer occasional check-ins, I’ll give them that, if they need frequent reminders, I’ll give them that, if they need firm guidance, I’ll give them that. Lots of edits on work? Yep. Brainstorming and outline help? Got it. Notes for structure, but not content? No problem. The thread that weaves it all together is that I enjoy getting to know my students, and making sure we have a good relationship, because I care about their success. Building personal connections ensures that I can help them share the details of their story in a successful way come application time.”
Do you have a particular student success story to share?
“One of my students was going through a shift in interests in his senior year. His whole profile screamed music, but he wanted to expand his academic horizons beyond that. His team and I helped him apply to the appropriate program at NYU that would allow him to explore various interests, including a newfound passion for engineering, and he was admitted in Early Decision. It took lots of conversations and edits, but he made it to his dream school!”
What is something you’ve learned from your students?
“I’m constantly learning new vocabulary, how different schools function, and which classes and summer programs offer good and lackluster experiences from my incredibly brilliant students and their diverse perspectives. There is so much new information I encounter every day, and through my students, I’m able to absorb it all and use it to become a better advisor.”
One piece of advice you would tell students now?
“Fit is King. Make sure that you apply to places you could actually see yourself living for 4 years, and perhaps beyond. There are many great schools with unique personalities, and identifying how you’ll fit in at them is paramount to your happiness in college.”
What is a piece of life advice that impacted you?
“Play the cards you’re dealt. You may wish for a different outcome or that you were working under different circumstances, but living in that feeling only creates anxiety, sadness, and doubt. Leaning into your actual life’s hand will make you a happier person.”
Do you have a favorite college experience?
“Day of Shame! Every fall, WashU’s experimental theater group, Thyrsus, hosts a 24-hour playwriting slam. Writers, actors, and directors converge on a Friday night, and by Saturday night they fully produce six short world premieres. Writers, actors, directors, and designers are assigned to each other in a pick-out-of-a-hat event, and the magic that occurs over the following day is beautiful.”
Supported students are successful students
For many high school students, the path after graduation can feel overwhelming and unclear. They may not yet know whether they’re drawn to humanities, STEM, or something entirely new. This is precisely why having a generally skilled counselor is invaluable. These experts can help students explore a wide range of academic and career options, bridging the gap between uncertainty and a clear direction. No matter your intended direction, these counselors can help you develop your story. From humanities to STEM subjects, they are at the forefront and ready to help you level up.
The phenomenal counselor community at Empowerly understands the importance of each unique student’s journey. All you have to do is ask. Book a free consultation below to receive a customized recommendation for your college application plan.
