About Me
I was a high school teacher for fifteen years…
Back in 2002, a student of mine wanted to visit Indiana University. The school where I taught didn’t have a college tours program, and the student’s parents didn’t have the resources to get her there. I took it upon myself to take her and another interested student to visit. The convent next to the school said we could use their Ford Taurus and off we went. It was on this trip that I realized the need to expose students to the myriad possibilities available to them when it comes to researching and choosing a college.
My quest to open students’ eyes to schools that are the best match for them hasn’t stopped. As a teacher at a selective Chicago public high school, I was the proud coordinator and lead chaperone for multi-day trips to visit schools all over the Midwest: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, as well as schools in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The initiative then grew. Rented buses turned into crowded flights to large cities, as we visited a variety of schools in Boston, Washington D.C. Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Los Angeles.
Working with high school students on the college process and being on the campuses with students when they have the “Ah ha” moment is rewarding. I have, in turn, gained a wealth of first-hand knowledge and experience from these trips. Having attended countless admissions meetings, I know what schools are looking for in an applicant, the intricacies of each school’s financial aid options and the state of college admissions in general. I have toured campuses all over the country – rain or shine, and even snow on occasion. I have listened to student guides talk about what brought them to the school. I have eaten with enrolled students in the dining halls, read the school newspapers and walked through the residence halls. After every campus visit, I come away with new knowledge: the realization that private schools are often more affordable than public institutions; the importance of the college essay, the role of extracurricular activities in the admissions process; or the importance of demonstrating interest. And now I want to share my knowledge and guide students and families through what can be an exciting, enjoyable experience. In the fall of 2015, I accepted a job as the sole college counselor at an arts high school in the city. Not only do I now have more time for my private practice but, I have also gained a new perspective on the visual and performing arts programs at various colleges.
When I decided to become an Independent Educational Consultant, I took additional steps to learn all I could about the profession and the college application and selection process. I successfully completed the University of California-Irvine’s Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program. I completed the highly regarded Independent Educational Consulting Association’s Summer Training Institute at Claremont McKenna College. I am now a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultant Association and a member of NACAC. Mastering how a global pandemic has profoundly changed the landscape of college admissions is the most recent skill I have added to my skills set.
I want to make the college process easier for your family. I will be a neutral voice and do my utmost to find the best fit. Parents want their children to be happy with this life-changing decision. They want them to thrive. They want the transition to be an easy one. I’m here to help.
Sarah E. Langford, M.Ed.
I’m here to help.
