About Teri Thompson
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As a professional college consultant, Teri Thompson is affiliated with: She regularly attends national conferences and visits numerous schools each year in order to stay abreast of the rapid changes in the college admissions world.
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I have been assisting families with the college search process since 2008. From the beginning, my focus has been on helping families to identify appropriate schools, with the goal of having a successful college experience (hopefully in four years or less!), culminating with good career options and minimal debt.
My journey into college consulting began with my own college-bound daughter. Looking ahead, I knew that she would go to college, and most likely on to graduate school, but I had no idea where to begin. As someone who is never happier than when I have something to research, I quickly dived into the complex world of college admissions. But the more research I did, the more confusing it all became. Private School or public state school? Research university or liberal arts college? Merit aid or needs-based aid? Which schools would be realistic? As I researched, I discovered that most students put together their own college lists without having all the information they need. Sometimes they would stumble into the perfect school, but that was not the norm. More often than not, I would talk to families who said “If only I had known... then I would have put different schools on the list, or would have applied early, or would have gotten that scholarship, etc.” Hungry to learn more, I began taking courses in UCLA’s graduate level College Counseling program and eventually began working with students. One student led to another and my business grew on a referral basis. Earlier in my career, I spent 12 years as a recruiter in the high tech industry. In that capacity I interviewed hundreds of candidates and saw first-hand what companies are looking for along with the importance of a college education. I clearly remember the disappointment on one candidate's face when she learned that being two quarters shy of having enough credits to graduate with her B.A. meant that she couldn't even apply for a position which suited her perfectly. College is about getting an education, but it is also about career preparation and I incorporate both aspects into my consulting practice. Each student has a different situation and putting together a college list is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. It all depends upon that particular student’s goals and objectives. Some students are aiming for top tier or Ivy League schools. Some are looking for that little gem of a school that they never would have considered, but is a perfect match for them. Still more want to maximize their scholarship opportunities. And a few are athletes, wondering how the athletic recruitment process works. No matter what type of school a student is seeking, from Ivy League to community college, they are all looking for the “right fit” from an academic, social and financial perspective. My job is to help students navigate through the myriad of options, helping to put together an appropriate college list and to make life less stressful along the way. |
My Education
- UCLA College Counseling Courses
- B.A. Business Administration, University of Washington
- Certified Educational Planner, AICEP
Associations
As a professional college consultant, Teri Thompson is affiliated with: She regularly attends national conferences and visits numerous schools each year in order to stay abreast of the rapid changes in the college admissions world.
Meet the team!
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Sarah is an essay specialist who has been with Thompson College Consulting since 2019. They excel at connecting with students from all backgrounds and all levels of writing experience. Their favorite part of working with clients is getting into the weeds: guiding students through their first brainstorm to the last letter of their essay. Sarah graduated with honors from Mount Holyoke College, earning a B.A. in English and Music. They are a reader for the Thanatos Review, an up-and-coming literary magazine, and enjoy writing short- and long-form fiction. In their free time, Sarah loves cooking new foods, composing music with friends, and going treasure hunting in antique stores.
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Sofia is an application specialist and project manager. She attended Muhlenberg College and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.A. in English. Sofia has been with Thompson College Consulting for over six years, and her favorite college application to work on is the Common App! She loves finding interesting new books to read at the library, taking her dog on walks in Seattle’s many parks, and knitting sweaters.
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Toby is the team dog. He is a rescue from Mexico, and is settling well into his life in Seattle. He is a recent graduate of a dog training course. Toby’s main interests include playing fetch, going on walks, and eating carrots. He is learning not to bark at the mailman.
