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Meet Kate

Hi, I’m Kate Sonnenberg (she/her/hers), the founder of KS College Success and a college admissions expert who has seen the application process from numerous vantage points. As the mother of two young adults whom I assisted on their own college admissions journeys (Amherst College ’19 and Wesleyan University ’21), I know where you are now. And as a former application reader in the Princeton University Admissions Office, where I read thousands of applications each year, I know what it takes to have an application that stands out. I bring this experience, as well as my background teaching English and my lawyerly eye for detail, to help guide families and empower students on their journey to college admissions success.

 

I am a graduate of Princeton University and the Columbia University School of Law. In addition to practicing law and teaching English composition and legal writing, I have been an active volunteer for years. Prior to launching KS College Success, I provided essay coaching for students who could not afford private counseling, tutored students in Newark, NJ, and, as chair of the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee in Essex (NJ) and Hudson (NJ) counties, I coordinated the alumni interviewing program in northern New Jersey for over a decade. My commitment to volunteer work continues today. I devote 30% of my time to pro bono work, either directly advising students or supporting guidance counselors at high schools where they can have as many as 400 students in their caseload.

 

As a student of colleges, over the years I have visited hundreds of colleges where I often meet directly with admissions representatives to get the inside story about college admissions trends. To further my professional development, I regularly attend conferences, seminars, and webinars, including the IECA Summer Training Institute, and I have completed a Certificate in College Counseling from UC-Irvine. I am a member of IECA, NACAC, NJACAC, HECA and NCAG.

 

When I am not helping students apply to college, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our children. I also train my two German Shepherd dogs, Millie and Jaspers, read, and watch movies.

Hi, I’m Kate Sonnenberg (she/her/hers), the founder of KS College Success and a college admissions expert who has seen the application process from numerous vantage points. As the mother of two young adults whom I assisted on their own college admissions journeys (Amherst College ’19 and Wesleyan University ’21), I know where you are now. And as a former application reader in the Princeton University Admissions Office, where I read thousands of applications each year, I know what is takes to have an application that stands out. I bring this experience, as well as my background teaching English and my lawyerly eye for detail, to help guide families and empower students on their journey to college admissions success.

 

I am a graduate of Princeton University and the Columbia University School of Law. In addition to practicing law and teaching English composition and legal writing, I have been an active volunteer for years. Prior to launching KS College Success, I provided essay coaching for students who could not afford private counseling, tutored students in Newark, NJ, and, as chair of the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee in Essex (NJ) and Hudson (NJ) counties, I coordinated the alumni interviewing program in northern New Jersey for over a decade. My commitment to volunteer work continues today. I devoted portion of my time to pro bono work, either directly advising students or supporting guidance counselors at high schools where they can have as many as 400 students in their caseload.

 

As a student of colleges, over the years I have visited hundreds of colleges where I often meet directly with admissions representatives to get the inside story about college admissions trends. To further my professional development, I regularly attends conferences, seminars, and webinars, including the IECA Summer Training Institute, and I have completed a Certificate in College Counseling from UC-Irvine. I am a member of IECA, NACAC, NJACAC, HECA and NCAG.

 

When I am not helping students apply to college, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our children. I also train my two German Shepherd dogs, Millie and Jaspers, read, and watch movies.

What I do…

I’m an independent college consultant, but my clients call me a college concierge.

 

I believe deeply in the transformative power of college. That’s why I love helping students and their families cut through all the chatter so students can navigate the college admissions process with a clear head and focused purpose. Students like working with me because they find colleges that are great fits for them, and they avoid common mistakes in their applications.

 

Students are empowered to apply wisely, build their confidence, and get it right.

What Others Say…

  • "I was able to rely on Kate to guide my student and lead him through the process, which i didn't have time or knowledge to do. Even if I do, my child may choose not to follow. But he happily followed Kate's guidance."

  • "Kate was instrumental in helping my daughter win a full-ride scholarship by helping her prepare for the scholarship interview."

  • "Kate is resourceful, knowledgable, caring, pleasant, fun, and she made my life and my child's life so much easier going through the hectic college application process. She is a must-have coach."

  • "Going into each interview, I know exactly how to start and how to respond to questions that I may have not been prepared for. I know I will use these skills for the rest of my life and I will always remember how Kate has taught me these little secrets."

  • "Kate provided us with calm insight – helping our daughter think broadly and carefully about which colleges she should apply to, and about what to include, and not include, in her application. She even added some humor to an otherwise stressful experience."

  • "At the hardest point of the college application process, Kate lifted my daughter’s spirits up like no one else and helped her believe that opportunities are infinite. She helped my daughter turn her essays into engaging stories by asking thought-provoking questions, and magically motivated her not to give up on editing and improving the application until my daughter was truly happy about it."

  • "Kate advised my son on how to be efficient in filling out his applications and made sure that his voice came through in his essays and short answers."

  • "I would say that there are so many different layers and aspects to college applications, and the situation is ever changing. And that it is best to have an expert like Kate, guide you through the steps so that you are not completely overwhelmed by the process."

  • "Highly recommend working with Kate as she is a wealth of knowledge as well as provides supportive yet honest guidance."

  • "From the first meeting, Kate became my daughter’s trusted advisor and powerful motivator. Kate was instrumental in helping my daughter win a full-ride scholarship by helping her prepare for the scholarship interview."

I have been featured in…

Join My College Admissions Private Facebook Group!

 

I have worked as an application reader in the Princeton Admissions Office and coordinated and conducted alumni interviews for students applying to Princeton for over ten years. I invite you to join my private Facebook Group where students, parents, and local independent college consultants in Montclair and surrounding communities can discuss and share information about preparing for the college admissions process. Go here to join today! Montclair High Schools College Admissions Facebook Group