Navigating College Admissions with Clarity and Confidence

Expert, stress-free college admissions consulting for families in Davidson, Lake Norman, and the greater Charlotte area.

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Tailored College List

We work together to find the right fit for you academically, socially, and financially.

Comprehensive Approach

Expert guidance from the first stages of exploring your options to completed applications.

Empowering Your Journey to College

Along the way, you will build college readiness skills so you’ll be confident for the next stage.

Turning the complexities of college admissions into a journey of growth and achievement.

By providing personalized guidance, resources, and strategies, Dr. Söderlund expertly navigates students through the application process, ensuring they effectively emphasize their strengths and distinctive qualities. Her goal is to empower students to approach college admissions not as an overwhelming challenge but as an opportunity for growth and success.

Dr. Söderlund works with local students in Davidson, Lake Norman, and the surrounding areas.

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Ashley Söderlund, Ph.D.

With a lifelong love of learning, empathy, and practical knowledge, Dr. Söderlund provides a personalized approach for each student. She utilizes her background in developmental psychology, experience advising students at the college level, CEE certification in essay coaching, and a certificate in independent educational consulting from the University of California, Irvine, to guide students in understanding their strengths, interests, and passions and how to let those qualities shine through on their applications.

Dr. Söderlund follows the best practices and ethics established by the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA).

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Not sure where to start?

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During our conversation, we’ll address your initial questions and outline potential next steps to help you achieve your college admissions goals. The college admission process can be overwhelming, but I am here to help. I am excited to hear about where your student is on their journey and their dreams and goals!

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Thank you SO much for the support you’ve given my daughter. She seems so relaxed and confident about moving forward with applications/ college in general/ her future because of her conversations with you. I can totally tell a difference. So exciting!!

Kate N.

Your Questions About College Consulting Answered

We’re here to provide clarity and guidance on your journey.

College consulting is all about helping high school students navigate the complex college admissions journey. I’ll be your expert guide along the way, helping you find schools that align well with your criteria and where you can truly thrive.

An independent educational consultant (IEC), also known as a college counselor or college consultant, helps students and families navigate the process of researching, applying to, and selecting a school. They offer tailored advice to help students find the best options aligning with their goals and well-being.
Your school counselor is a valuable resource and works diligently to assist you with this process. However, school counselors often work with an average of 400 students per counselor. IECs are independent and can offer personalized and unbiased assistance based on each student’s strengths and goals.

I’m here to support families right where you are, whether you’re just beginning to think about college or you are heading into your senior year. It’s a great idea for students in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade to start exploring their options and setting educational goals for high school and beyond. Our most comprehensive roadmap package is designed for 11th graders and is customized to your needs as you navigate the admissions process through Senior year. I also offer a more targeted package for rising seniors.

I spent several years studying executive function skills, and I will intentionally weave these skills into the college application process to ensure your student is better prepared for the next step. Students will learn essential skills, such as communicating clearly and writing effectively. They’ll also learn time management, decision-making, and stress management skills. These skills are so helpful as they prepare to take their exciting next steps toward independence in college!

I partner with parents by helping them focus on researching specific aspects of colleges that matter to them, exploring affordability and return on investment (ROI), and offering tips to help them support and empower their student to take the lead on their college applications.

My goal is to create a college list tailored to your academic, social, emotional, and financial fit factors, which we will explore together. Everyone’s list is unique. Did you know that the United States is home to nearly 2,400 colleges (not to mention international options)! Most students will already have some dream schools in mind when they meet with me (awesome!), but I’m here to broaden your horizons. Together, we will explore additional colleges that you might connect with and build a personalized and balanced college list. My goal is to ensure you have choices as you search for a college that feels like home, where you can truly thrive.

As kids grow into their teen years and seek more independence, it’s entirely normal for them to experience some back-and-forth with their parents. I’m here to support families in organizing tasks so that students can confidently take the reins of their applications. This way, they acquire valuable life skills that will help them be prepared for college, such as staying organized, making informed decisions, setting priorities, and managing tasks effectively.

As a trained IEC who has dedicated time to earning a certificate in this field, I follow the principles of good practice and ethical guidelines outlined by IECA and HECA, the professional organizations for this field. Here are the top 5 questions you should ask before hiring an IEC (adapted from IECA Read More):

Do you guarantee admission to a school? (The answer should always be NO. Do not trust any offer of guarantees.)
How do you stay current with college admissions knowledge? (Answers should include college visits, continuing education, and professional memberships).
Are you a member of a professional organization guided by ethics and best practices (Yes!)
Do you ever accept any form of compensation from a school, program, or company in exchange for placement or a referral? (They absolutely should not — this would be a clear violation of ethical practices.)
Will you complete the application for admission, re-write my essays, or fill out the financial aid forms on my behalf? (The answer must be NO; it is crucial that students be in charge of the process and that applications and essays are in their voice. This is an ethical consideration, but it also ensures that students will be a good fit at that college when they are a student there.)

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