Independent Educational Consulting
I manage the roadmap, so you can enjoy the journey.
Today’s parents learn quickly that college admissions looks nothing like it did in our day. Students apply much earlier to a greater number of schools, after navigating a maze of consequential decisions: Which is better for me - ACT or SAT? Will submitting my test scores help or hurt my chances? What about Early Decision vs. Early Action? What can I possibly write about to make my essay compelling? How can I boost my chances in a holistic review? How will my choice of a major impact my file review? Does it matter how many and which teachers write my rec letters?
The ever-changing admissions criteria and mixed messages only add to the stress. Keeping track of varying requirements and deadlines can feel overwhelming.
That’s where I come in. As an Independent Educational Consultant, I invest significant time in visiting campuses, meeting with admissions officers & students, and attending professional conferences to stay ahead of the curve and bring that intel back to my students. Book a complimentary Discovery Session to learn more about how personalized coaching can help your family.
College Compass: Finding Your Path
Article featured in Smyrna Vinings Lifestyle
At College Rangefinder, we help students design & execute a personalized college readiness and admissions plan with the student at the center.
What does that mean?
The student is empowered to take an active role in collaborating on identifying best fit colleges for them based on assessments and self-reflection on talents, aptitudes, and interests - beginning with developmentally appropriate steps as early as 8th grade.
With coaching, they learn to leverage each aspect of the application to tell their own compelling story, making them stand out from talented competition.
You have a guide and an ally on the college journey, so that your student and your family can spend more time enjoying the high school years.
Meet Aletta
Ph.D. in Psychology, research expert, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner – here to join your personal college planning team
Services
College Rangefinder, LLC helps students and their families navigate the complex and ever-changing college search and application process by offering a portfolio of services customized for each unique student. Services encompass a wide range to meet students where they are, whether it’s a single session to finalize an application or a comprehensive plan:
Comprehensive plan covers the entire journey from initial search through applications and the final selection decision
Mini-packages designed around a specific goal, for example, student assessment or personal statement essay
Online Booking
Discovery Meeting
Complimentary Zoom session with you and your student to discover the right service package for your family.
Senior Streamline
Our condensed program provides a personalized plan with key insights and regular checkpoints just in time for the application season. It includes coaching for the Common App essay and support for up to eight supplemental essays. Engagements begin on or after May 1 of the rising senior year, pending consultant availability and scheduling.
Hourly sessions & bundles for flexible, targeted support
Comprehensive Curriculum
A La Carte Services
Hourly Consultation*
Personalized, one-on-one work sessions and advisement to support students and families wherever you are in the process. (e.g., course selection, extracurricular & summer planning, college criteria/list building, affordability, test optional strategy, Early Decision consideration, application proofread).
Offered in bundles of four one-hour work sessions dedicated to your priorities, pending consultant time & availability. Pricing may increase during the “Senior Surge” period of August - November.
Personal Assessment & Balanced College List
A personalized start to the college process including academic profile review, aptitude & career discovery, college criteria building, and personal character trait assessment, culminating in a balanced college list designed around academic, personal/social and financial fit characteristics.
Personal Statement Essay Program
The Common App Personal Statement process guides students from a blank page to a refined and impactful personal statement, offering unlimited revisions until both the student and consultant feel it is complete. Standalone package, or add supplemental essays at a flat rate.
For more information, email me or book a Discovery Meeting.
Let’s talk college.
Want to learn more? Contact me for a free 30-minute discovery meeting and learn how we can work together.
FAQs
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No, and neither can any other educational consultant with an ethical practice. College admissions decisions are based on many complex factors that can change from year-to-year. Holistic admissions reviews make it difficult to understand sometimes why so-and-so got in, and so-and-so didn’t. What I can do is work with your student to help them assess their talents, strengths, goals, and dreams and present their Best Self to their Best Fit schools, helping them stand out from talented competition.
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It all starts with the student: grades, course selection, scores and activities, combined with an interest, and aptitude assessments to help students define who they are and what’s important for them to thrive in college. Drawing on research and experience, I create a personalized college list based on academic, social, and financial fit for students to explore – usually with a few hidden gems or unexpected choices to broaden the discussion. Together, we home in on a balanced list of good fit schools across the probability range of admission – including high probability, medium probability, and wild cards – then we get to work showcasing why the student is a great fit for each school.
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If you’re reading this, probably now. Students in 8th to 10th grades can get a head start with advice on course selection, extracurriculars, summer planning, and even exploring colleges. Junior year is the optimal time to develop the best fit college list and exploration to be in position for applying wisely. And Seniors, it’s Go Time! We can help organize your application process or provide extra support in reviewing before you hit send.
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I tend to fit well with families open to thinking outside the box to find a range of great fit schools for their student. Have a dream school in mind? That’s great! I’ll encourage you to pursue it. But as your personal consultant, I’ll also encourage you to apply wisely to a range of great fit schools. Fit is important, and the best way to find out is to get to know each other. Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about how we can work together.
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Check out this advice from the experts at IECA.
Testimonials
“Aletta is thorough! She listens to you, and more importantly she listens to your child. She has researched campuses near and far and understands that there is a PLACE for each and every child no matter what their background entails. She is trustworthy and honest and those are the qualities you need when looking for your child's home away from home.”
- Saralee
Parent, Class of 2023
"My coach is amazing, I truly love having her helping in my college application process."
- Lorendie
Student, Class of 2025
“Aletta helped me focus my vision and articulate the high-level roles I should be pursuing. I credit her with helping me shape a clear, authentic narrative that ran through my résumé, LinkedIn, and every cover letter we worked on together. Whether you’re a student trying to find the right school or a seasoned professional reimagining your future, Aletta has an extraordinary gift for helping people understand who they are, where they’re going, and how to get there.
I cannot recommend her highly enough—for career coaching, college planning, market intelligence, or simply gaining a deeper understanding of your own path. Aletta changed my life, and I know she can do the same for others.”
- Uri
Professional Client
“Aletta has a deep consultative background coupled with extensive knowledge of the college space. She is thoughtful and recognizes the unique position of each individual going through the college process. She genuinely takes the time to understand the requisite needs and connects fully with the student and family.”
- Carla
Parent, Class of 2024 & 2026
"I would like to thank ScholarMatch and my coach for all the support throughout the college application process. I was able to successfully submit my applications on time with help of my coach. She helped me answer so many questions and her feedback was most valuable for me. Thanks once again!"
- Tanzeela
Student, Class of 2025
Let’s talk college.
Aletta Merz, Ph.D.
Founder & Principal Consultant
College Rangefinder, LLC
aletta@collegerangefinder.com
(404) 436-0697
Rangefinder Insights
Hey Seniors - It's Go Time!
Application season is here and it's time to select admissions plans from your Best Fit College List. Each school sets its own plans and deadlines, so be sure to check their admissions websites for specifics. Here's a brief overview of typical options and considerations as you finalize your plans.
Don't have a Best Fit College List? Not sure which admissions plan to choose? Contact Aletta for help presenting your best self to your best fit schools so you can stand out from talented competition.
The Common Data Set
The landscape of college admissions is complex and dynamic – with seemingly endless changes in policies, criteria, and standards each admissions cycle, it can become difficult to know what really matters and how to maximize your chances of admission at your Best Fit College List. One source makes a concerted effort to define and collect data from every school using a consistent set of definitions and criteria: The Common Data Set. Read on to find out the Top Five things you can learn about a school from the Common Data Set.
Don't have a Best Fit College List? Need help determining how to use the CDS to your advantage? Contact Aletta for help presenting your best self to your best fit schools so you can stand out from talented competition.
Demonstrated Interest
Perhaps you've heard that colleges care about Demonstrated Interest . . . But what is it? And why does it matter? Check out this quick overview of all you need to know.
Don't have a Best Fit College List? Have more questions? Contact Aletta for help presenting your best self to your best fit schools so you can stand out from talented competition.