How to get a personalized college plan that keeps you ahead of schedule, reduces stress, and actually works
“Mission: Admission” Strategy Session
Two high-school seniors, good friends from a competitive college-prep high school outside of Chicago, came to me for help a year apart. They were very much alike, these two young people. Both had stellar grades and top test scores, both were deeply involved in extracurricular activities, and both — as high-achieving seniors are — were filled with ambitious dreams for their futures as they applied to top-tier schools.
But there was a difference. One of the students received $30K in merit awards, acceptance letters from 4 of the 12 schools he applied to, and was left with a short list of safety schools to choose from. The other received over $250K in financial aid offers and an acceptance letter to her #1 choice school in Boston.
What made the difference?
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in college application outcomes? It isn’t native intelligence or test scores or the length of their activity list. It isn’t that one student is more driven and hardworking. It isn’t even how early you start preparing or how many test prep classes you take - although all of these things can be factors.
The difference? One student did my Complete Your Essay in a Weekend Workshop and then went at it on his own from there, tapping in a few times to his high school’s college admissions counselor — who was supporting 316 other seniors as well. He submitted his application to his #1 choice school in the final 5 minutes before the Early Action deadline closed. Whew.
The other student and her parents worked with me to create a complete game plan for all 5 areas of the college application process. She too completed the essay weekend workshop. Then she partnered with me to write each of her 20+ supplemental and honors college essays. Every application was submitted weeks ahead of the Early Action deadlines.
It’s the difference between just “getting in” to a college…
and moving through each phase with clarity, confidence, and a plan that fits..
This session is for you if:
You want to get a head start on the application process for you and your family
You want to get the “lay of the land” and get a better sense of what your teen needs to **** the application process (and if getting support is the right decision for your family).
You want insider secrets and a custom plan and timeline personalized for your family
You’ve got a busy teen (or a procrastinating one) and love the idea of a smooth, no-stress application season that ends with acceptance letters!
Hi! I’m Christy Sharafinski.
I’m a college admissions coach with more than a decade of experience.
I learned the ropes working with one of the most renowned admissions specialists in the US. I helped my six (6!) children find, apply for, and finance their ideal college experiences. I’ve supported over 200 teens from other families as they walk their unique paths to college. Plus, I’ve held over 600 1-on-1 coaching strategy conversations along the way.
Over the years, I’ve developed, tested, and refined a way to help families navigate the application process with more confidence and ease — and with much, much less stress.
My students and their families get results like…
Erin, in our first conversation, I immediately realized she had no idea she was just one point away from the “magic number” with her ACT scores. One point! We built a simple plan to raise her score—and she did it, securing four years of college, paid in full.
Darragh, Royaa, and Mahimah each applied to “just right” colleges they never would’ve found on their own. After hearing their priorities and wish lists, I made targeted suggestions—schools that truly fit who they are and what they want. Those new additions became some of their top choices.
With a clear timeline and personalized plan, Sophia, Aiden, and Bayley (among others) submitted their applications weeks ahead of the deadlines—with no last-minute scrambling.
Because when it comes to applying for college, it’s not like it used to be.
3 things you might not know about the college admissions process:
College admissions have changed—big time.
From how many times to take the SAT to the role of essays to how applications are actually evaluated—nothing is like it was 20 or 30 years ago. There’s more strategy, more pressure, and more moving parts than most families realize. It’s not just “write an essay and hit submit.” It’s about building the right college list, using the Activities List strategically, and avoiding costly mistakes you don’t even know you’re making.
The competition is tougher than ever.
Top schools are receiving record-breaking numbers of applications. One elite college-prep high school I work closely with just had their first year EVER of zero students getting accepted to an Ivy. Just meeting the basic requirements isn’t enough anymore—your teen’s application has to highlight their unique strengths in their clear voice.
You’re not competing against everyone, just the 25% who have locked in professional help.
The competition is tougher than ever.
Starting early is what makes the college process calm, clear, and effective. Fall of senior year is exponentially busier than most parents or teens expect—and waiting until then often means stress, rushed decisions, and missed opportunities.
Most families plan to knock everything out over the summer—but the reality? Summer fills up fast. Between family trips, part-time jobs, and wanting to enjoy one last “normal” summer before senior year, much less gets done than expected. Or they mistakenly believe the school counselors will provide all the application support needed. That leaves families scrambling in the fall.
From writing standout essays to prepping for the ACT or SAT to applying for scholarships (some with deadlines as early as July), starting early with a strategic plan gives your student the breathing room to do their best work—without the last-minute panic.
P.S. A note for some families…
If you were educated outside the U.S., you may be surprised by how different the American system is. Many of your own experiences won’t apply—and might even send your student in the wrong direction.
And if your student will be the first in your family to attend college, they’re likely missing key pieces of knowledge that other students take for granted. That gap can cost them opportunities they truly deserve. Like Ayub—whose parents had fled genocide and weren’t able to attend university. Together, we created a strong, focused application that earned him admission to a highly competitive state school and a grant that covered his tuition.
But don’t just take my word for it…
Introducing…
A 2-hour strategy session for parents of juniors and rising seniors designed to create a personalized game plan for a calm, efficient, and successful college application process.
Mission: Admission
At the end of 120 minutes, you’ll walk away with:
Personalized guidance—no generic advice here, only what fits your student, your family
A clear breakdown of the 5 key areas of the application process:
• School selection that aligns with your student’s strengths and aspirations
• Essays—what matters, what to expect, and how to approach them with intention
• Testing strategy that supports your student’s timeline and target schools
• Scholarship and funding opportunities you can actually plan for
• Activities List guidance—how to elevate what they’ve already doneA sense of calm confidence that nothing important is slipping through the cracks
And you’ll also have peace of mind that you’re doing the right things at the right time over the coming months!
Here’s how it works:
You’ll complete a brief pre-session questionnaire so I can understand your student’s background, priorities, and where you might be feeling stuck—or unsure.
We’ll meet one-on-one (or two- or three-on-one, if your student joins!) for a focused, 120-minute strategy session designed to meet your family’s specific needs and goals.
I’ll answer your questions in real time and provide thoughtful, experience-based guidance you can’t get from blog posts written for the masses.
We’ll walk through the 5 key areas of the college application process—not as a checklist, but as a personalized plan based on your teen’s goals, timeline, and strengths.
You’ll receive a customized, multi-page admissions roadmap so you know exactly what’s next and when to tackle it—with space to breathe and time to do things well.
You’ll receive a customized, multi-page admissions roadmap so you know exactly what’s next and when to tackle it—with space to breathe and time to do things well.
And yes—you can bring your student, or keep this as a parent-only planning space. Either way, you’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a smart, actionable plan.
What you get
📝
So we don’t waste a minute—your answers will help us get straight to what matters most to you.
Pre-Session Questionnaire
🎯
No surface-level advice—this is real talk, real strategy, and real momentum.
2-Hour Deep-Dive Session
🧠
Strategic insights, real talk (insider secrets?), and smart, experience-backed guidance you can’t Google.
My Brain
🧭
Your Family’s Admissions Roadmap
Custom. Clear. No fluff. Just a strategy built around your student, your timeline, and your goals.
📚
Recording +
Transcript
You don’t have to remember it all—I’ve got you covered with a full replay and notes.
👨👩👧
Join as a family—or keep the conversation parent-only. Your choice.
Bring Your Teen
(or Don’t)
Plus…
Bonus: The “Just-One-More-Thing” Pass
Because let’s be honest—sometimes the real questions show up a day or two after the session ends. That’s why you’ll get a full week of follow-up access via email after our conversation.
So if something wakes you up in the middle of the night…
If you think of that one thing you should have asked…
Or if a new question pops up when you’re talking with your bestie…
You’ve got a direct line to me.
No overthinking. No second-guessing. Just clarity, calm, and support—right when you need it.
So... how much is it?
Your Price: $400
For a 2-hour private session, a custom admissions roadmap, session recording and transcript, one week of follow-up support, and peace of mind for the months ahead.
💥 Early Access Rate: $250
Available to the first 5 families who book.
(If you no longer see this price on the checkout page, you’ll know the offer’s been claimed.)
My Guarantee
(because I want
this to feel easy)
If you don’t walk away with new insights, a sharper plan, and clear, personalized direction for your family’s college journey—I’ll refund your payment.
This isn’t just information. It’s strategy, clarity, and decisions made easier—specific to you.
And yes—you’ll still get to keep your customized admissions roadmap.
Because this session is designed to lighten your load, not add to it.
If it doesn’t deliver that? I’ll make it right.
No fine print. Just a promise.
FAQs
1. We’re not aiming for Ivy League schools—do we really need this?
Absolutely. Whether your student is applying to highly selective schools, state universities, or smaller colleges, the admissions process today is more complex than most families expect.
This session isn’t just for Ivy-bound students—it’s designed for your family’s goals, whatever they are. We’ll create a strategy that helps your teen stand out, stay organized, and put their best foot forward—whether they’re aiming for scholarships, competitive majors, or just finding the right-fit school where they’ll thrive.
Because no matter where your teen applies, clarity and confidence make all the difference.
2. My teen has a school counselor. Why would we need this?
That’s great—this session doesn’t replace your school counselor, it enhances what they can offer. Most school counselors are incredible but stretched way too thin. The national average is 430 students per counselor, and many seniors get less than 30 minutes of 1-on-1 time each year. Your counselor’s job is to help your teen graduate—not to make sure their essays shine or their school list makes sense.
That’s where I come in—with strategy, personalization, and real breathing room.
3. Is this too early for us? My student is a junior.
Not at all—this is actually the perfect time. Starting now gives your family space to make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of deadlines piling up.
Families who start early more often:
✅ Write better, less-rushed essays
✅ Discover (and actually apply to) great-fit schools
✅ Qualify for scholarships with early deadlines
You’re not behind. You’re ahead—and that makes all the difference.
4. Is this too late for us? My teen’s a rising senior and we haven’t started yet.
Not at all—and honestly, this is exactly when you need clarity the most.
When time is short, sharpening the axe matters even more. As Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
This session is your sharpening time. We’ll get focused, cut through the overwhelm, and make a clear, doable plan—fast.
So even if you're getting a late start, you’re not stuck.
You’re just one sharp strategy session away from feeling back on track.
5. Should my student come to the session too?
Totally up to you. About 80% of these conversations happen parent-to-parent—and that works beautifully.
Some parents want to lay the groundwork first, others prefer to include their teen from the start. Either way, the session is designed around your family’s goals, not just generic advice.
You’ll walk away with a plan that works for your timeline, your student, and your home dynamic—whether or not they’re on the Zoom.
6. The stakes feel really high. Can this really make a difference?
Every family’s situation is different—and so are the pressures they’re facing. I’ve worked with families counting on scholarships, first-generation students navigating this for the first time, and parents who simply want to get it right from the start.
And while college admissions can be unpredictable, a strategic plan changes everything.
Families I’ve worked with have:
✅ Discovered unexpected scholarship money
✅ Found better-fit schools they never knew about
✅ Avoided costly last-minute mistakes
This session is built to save time, reduce stress, and unlock opportunities.
And for many families? It more than pays for itself.
9. I’m not totally sure if this is the right fit for us—what should I do?
Totally fair. This session isn’t for everyone—but it is perfect for families who want clarity, a custom plan, and a smoother application season ahead.
If you still have a quick question before booking, feel free to email me at christy@easiercollegeessays.com. I’ll always be honest about whether this is the right next step for your family.
10. Is there a guarantee?
If you don’t walk away with sharper insights, a clearer plan, and personalized direction, then you’ll get a full refund—no hoops, no hassle. And yes, you can still keep the custom-to-your-family admissions roadmap because my goal is to lighten your load, not add to it.
Imagine this...
You hang up the call and realize…
You’re not overwhelmed anymore.
You’re not confused, scrambling, or second-guessing.
You know exactly what needs to happen—and when.
You and your teen are finally on the same page.
Not just with the timeline, but with what matters most.
You have a roadmap that fits your family, not a generic checklist from the internet.
You understand what to say yes to—and just as importantly, what you can let go of.
And maybe for the first time in this process…
You feel relief.
You feel clarity.
You feel like you can breathe (and will sleep well tonight).
This is the power of a focused, honest, and expert-led conversation.
It’s not just about getting in—
It’s about getting through it together, with less stress and more confidence and ease.
Let’s build your plan.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
