Welcome - I'm Marie!

If you are looking for someone to help you and your teen through the college journey, you’re in the right place. My name’s Marie, and I help students find the college paths where they’ll genuinely thrive.

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My Journey

My path to this work started long before I called myself a college consultant. I spent over 15 years as a speech-language pathologist, supporting students with communication, executive function, and self-advocacy. Over time, I saw the same pattern: bright, quirky, neurodivergent students doing “okay” in high school, then really struggling with the jump to college. That gap is what I became interested in helping families bridge.

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At the same time, I started volunteering for a local non-profit, supporting first-generation students through the process. It gave me a different perspective on the same journey and helped me hone my skills and build my knowledge about college options, financial aid, and, not least, how to truly work with a student's strengths.

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I then made the switch to college consulting and founded College Success for All. Now I walk beside students and families through the entire process, from early high school planning through freshman year in college, so students don’t just get into college, they’re ready to stay and succeed there.

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Mission & Values

My mission is simple: empower every student to thrive in college and beyond, on their own terms. That means centering each student’s strengths, needs, and lived experience, and building a path that actually fits who they are, not whom they’re “supposed” to be.

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A few core values guide everything here:

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• Whole-person support: Applications and essays matter, but so do executive functioning, self-advocacy, and mental health.

• Neurodiversity-affirming practice: Differences in learning and thinking are respected, not “fixed,” and supports are framed as tools, not crutches.

• Partnership with families: Parents and caregivers are collaborators, and the process is designed to reduce stress and confusion, not add to it.

• Equity and access: Families who didn’t grow up in the U.S. system, first-gen students, and those from nontraditional school settings are welcomed and guided with extra clarity and context.

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How I Can Help

Every student’s plan starts with getting the full picture: academic records, testing, IEPs or 504 plans, and the student’s own goals and concerns. From there, we build a tailored list of right-fit colleges and programs, along with a step-by-step plan that feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

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Support can begin as early as 9th grade, with coaching around executive functioning, social skills, and self-advocacy, or later in high school when the college process ramps up. I also help families understand disability accommodations, evaluate campus support services, and, when it’s the right move, explore gap years or transition programs that build independence, confidence, and real-world experience. When helpful, I collaborate with tutors, therapists, and other professionals so students get cohesive, coordinated support.

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Certifications & Memberships

I’m a licensed speech-language pathologist in NY and CT, and an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). I’m also a certified WOW Writing Workshop essay coach, certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), New York State’s Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD), Columbia Teachers College Bilingual Certification, and a UCLA PEERS® Adolescent provider.

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Beyond Work

Outside of meetings and essay drafts, you’ll usually find me adding yet another book to my already teetering stack, running or walking by the lake, or hanging out with my dogs and recharging so I can show up fully for my students. I grew up in Sweden, spent 30 years in New York, and now live on a lake in Connecticut, so I like to say I have three places that feel like home.

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Let’s Connect

If any of this sounds like you or your teen, you’re in the right place. And if we share any interests, quirks, or favorite books, even better—reach out and tell me a bit about you and what you’re hoping college can look like for your student!​​​