“A year ago, we entered the admissions process anxious and skeptical that we could end up at a top school. We gained so much knowledge from Carolyn, but also confidence and calm. We genuinely enjoyed the time and effort spent together, and our son acknowledges the fun he had and comfort he felt with you. We are so grateful to have found you.”
Parent - Harvard Westlake Student
“After zeroing in, Carolyn helped open doors swiftly to admissions offices that can, at times, feel like knocking on the doors of Oz! We found ourselves welcomed warmly and with great understanding for our late admissions situation. Her word is golden, not only for us, but for the school admissions officers as well.”
Parent - Willows Community School & Crossroads School
Carolyn and her team
Meet Carolyn
Carolyn White's extensive experience in independent school admissions and education makes her a valuable resource for parents and students navigating the admissions process. With over 25 years of experience, including 16 years as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Crossroads School, she has a deep understanding of how admissions teams select students and build entering classes. Additionally, her 10 years of teaching in both public and private schools gives her insight into curriculum and teaching styles, which helps families choose the best fit for their child. Understanding the culture and environment of each school is also crucial, and Carolyn's experience allows her to provide valuable guidance in this area. With her expertise, families can make informed decisions and find schools that provide the richest experiences for their children.
The process of filling out school applications can be daunting, as it's difficult to know exactly what information schools are looking for and how to best present yourself and your child. Admissions directors are interested in learning about the student's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, interests, and personal qualities, as well as the family's values, goals, and community involvement. It's important to be strategic in your application responses, as poorly-worded or insensitive answers could harm your chances of being offered a space.
Expert Guidance
This is where Carolyn comes in. With her extensive experience evaluating thousands of applications, she knows exactly what admissions directors are looking for and how to present your family in the best possible light. Carolyn shows you how to showcase strengths and address any potential weaknesses in a thoughtful and strategic way. With her help, you can feel confident that your applications will be compelling and increase your chances of being accepted into the schools that are the best fit for your child.
Carolyn offers a wide range of services to support families through the admissions process, ensuring that they feel prepared and confident at every step. In addition to providing guidance on writing applications and essays, Carolyn also helps families prepare for personal interviews, which are a crucial component of the admissions process.
Whether your child is applying to preschool or high school, Carolyn puts them at ease and makes them feel confident during their interviews. With her experience and expertise, Carolyn provides valuable insights into what admissions professionals are looking for, as well as tips on how to make a positive impression.
In addition to interview preparation, Carolyn arranges school visits for families, providing them with an opportunity to get a firsthand look at schools they are considering and identifying those that most align with their child's needs and interests. Those visits, along with Carolyn’s perspective, allow families to better understand the school’s culture and how to navigate the competitive world of independent school admissions.
Services
School selection: I help families identify private schools that are a good match for their child's needs and interests. In this process, we explore everything from a family’s values to the student’s academic and extracurricular interests.
Admissions strategy: I develop a customized plan for each family that includes timelines, deadlines, and advice on how to approach the application process throughout.
Application assistance: I assist families with the completion of application forms – including the writing essays and preparing for interviews. I work closely with students and advise them about what to include in their student essays so they can best represent their perspectives and talents. They discover how to weave their interests, passions and goals into an application that helps admissions directors know them. I keep parents and students organized through the process and give them the tools to tell their unique stories with eloquence and efficiency. Then I make sure that it all gets in on time and with as little stress as possible.
Preparation for Testing & Assessments: Few private schools require standardized tests such as the SSAT or ISEE, but when they do and/or if a family is interested in submitting scores, I provide advice and support for test preparation. In addition, I am partnered with my daughter, Alexis’ company, The A-List Tutoring Services, which provides comprehensive standardized test prep.
With less emphasis on standardized tests, an applicant’s grades, essays, recommendations, and interviews now carry more weight. Many schools now administer their own writing evaluations either online or on campus to make sure that students’ written work is authentic. And while AI and Chat GPT are in our lives to stay and can be helpful in creating application responses, this is only a tool and can’t provide the warmth and emotion of your voice or your student’s. I work with students to ensure that they are comfortable with timed writing assessments, which are fast becoming a standard part of the admissions process.
Student and Family Interviews: Whether you are applying your child to preschool or your child is applying to high school, personal interviews are essential for schools to get to know their applicants. I prepare you and/or your child for those interactions with admissions professionals.
School visits: I arrange for families to visit schools, meet with admissions officers, and observe classes. I create spreadsheets and calendars to keep track of open houses, tours, and special events.
Why I Do This
The private school application process can feel overwhelming, and there’s a lot of conflicting information that can make it hard to stay focused on what is most important. Working with students and families through their admissions journey allows me to quiet the noise so they can decide on a sensible path. I usually check back with parents and students after they have been in their chosen schools for a few months. When I find that they love their new schools and are blossoming, it’s the greatest reward I can have.
Preschool Admissions
Elementary School Admissions
Middle + High School Admissions
Relocation Assistance
Testimonials
Each year, Carolyn assists students in gaining admittance to the leading independent, private and parochial schools throughout Southern California.
