This is just a sample of what our clients say:

Well, when you say: “no stress, “you mean it. I almost feel guilty about how easy this process was for me. But I feel totally proud about the way Sophie handled it. Under your guidance, she really took total responsibility for this project, and I know she could not have done so without your help (and you can quote me on that)! The whole issue of college MEANS something to her now. If I had pushed, prodded, cajoled, yelled, and done half of it for her, it NEVER would have turned out this way. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll get (student) over to you next.

• BR, Montvale, NJ

He got into Colby, Bates, Oberlin, UVM Honors College, Skidmore, Franklin & Marshall, Binghamton, and Clark. In other words: everywhere he applied! He’s going to Bates. We are all thrilled. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you so much!

• AA and GC business owners, Northern, NJ

I wanted to let you know that working with you has been a delight!

You made the experience feel seamless and I really feel like it helped reduce stress for our entire family. We will definitely be back with V (who graduates in 2024, and I bet she’ll be a much tougher customer! ;).

• ES, Montclair, NJ

I’ve heard back from all of my schools, and I got into Yale, Dartmouth, Pomona, Amherst, Vanderbilt, Rice, Emory, Middlebury, Wesleyan, William and Mary, and Rutgers. I was waitlisted at Colby and Harvard. And I was only rejected from Brown. I never thought that I would be so successful in the college admissions process. Thank you so much for all of your help! I couldn’t have done this without you. And I’m truly grateful for all of the advice you gave me.

• MQ, Montclair, NJ

I just wanted to let you know that I committed to the Pre-Vet program at U of South Carolina after receiving acceptances to many Pre-Vet programs from around the country. Thank you so much for all your help. You made this process so much easier and more successful for me!

• RF, Montclair, NJ

From Triplets!

I just wanted to thank you for all of the help, guidance, and encouragement you provided me over these last couple of months. This process felt so much smoother and easier with you there to answer my constant emails and address my several concerns. You don’t know how much I appreciate the phone calls, email correspondences, visits, and paper editing. I am so grateful and excited for this coming fall.

• MT, on behalf of myself and siblings, Montclair, NJ

Happy New Year…wanted to let you know that A was accepted to the majority of the schools that she applied to. She was deferred at Emerson and Marist. But after we visited UMass Amherst in November, she decided it would be her first choice if she was offered a place. She was, she accepted, and now is all set!

• CF, Fairfield, NJ

We owe you a huge thank you. You made the whole process very simple for us and you kept A moving forward in a way that we couldn’t have. And just think of all the fights that were avoided between she and I. Seriously, though, if you ever need to provide a prospective client with a recommendation, just give me a call. And again, sincere thanks.

• A Happy Mom, Glen Ridge, NJ

I want to thank you so much for all of your help with D. It is very clear you have mastered your craft and D felt so much support from you! I could not have handled this process on my own, and because of you she has been led down a road of much success. I have given your name to several people coming your way. It has been a pleasure to work with you. You will be meeting T next summer. I will let you know as her many acceptances come in. Wishing you the best!

• SR, Glen Ridge, NJ

I don’t know if my husband has given you a recent update about N’s colleges, but if not, here is the news: N’s gotten into Northwestern, UNC, Michigan (with an academic scholarship) and Wisconsin. He’s thrilled! And particularly excited about Michigan. We’re still waiting to hear from Penn, Harvard, Wesleyan and Georgetown. Thanks again for all of your help!!! We could not have done this without you.

• KR, Montclair, NJ

Thank you for EVERYTHING you have done — for both kids — and for us!

If you ever need a testimonial — please know you can count on us — YOU are tremendous!

• M&F, Montclair, NJ

I don’t know if N already told you this…my guess is that he didn’t because he’s still on cloud nine. He found out yesterday at 5 pm that he got into Brown, and you have never seen such a happy kid. I just wanted to take this time to thank you for all you’ve done, and I don’t mean just the meetings with him. Early on the three of us had a conversation about what it would take to get into Columbia. You were very straight with him, telling him he needed excellent this and outstanding that and STILL it may not be enough. He took that to heart (unbeknownst to me) and set out to make all the things he COULD control, a reality. He wanted to be able to get into an Ivy and I feel like meeting with you early on like that was the best thing we could have done. Also, your confidence in him throughout this whole process (far exceeding mine) has been invaluable. Your belief in him and the way you communicated that was a seed you planted that grew and grew. Again, this would not have played out that way without that seed. Also, your careful and thoughtful feedback on his essays. I don’t know how much they play into a decision, but I have to think they count for something at a school where the administrators are just seeing the cream of the crop. He and I were both crestfallen when you summarily rejected his first essay. And you were so right to do it. He came back with something so much more interesting and whether or not that made a difference, I think the process of it was really important for him. He needs someone to raise the bar for him. The interview prep, the help with the common app, the school selection…I could go on and on. Words fail me in conveying our gratitude. You totally took a lump of clay and shaped it! (Nice metaphor, huh?) I wanted to share our good news with you and hope you feel proud of your accomplishments in this work. It can’t be easy spending day after day with stressed out kids and parents. But you’re really good at it and I’m glad you decided to go into this kind of service.

• JR, Montclair, NJ

I wanted to let you know at the end of our long journey (I know this is really just the beginning for M), we are committing to Emerson—her dream school. She got into Ithaca (Honors College), Pace, Hampshire, Sarah Lawrence, and was offered significant money from all of them. And we just heard yesterday she was declined by Vassar (no surprise). Thank you again for all your guidance and coaching throughout this process—we couldn’t have done it without you! I will be in touch with you in about 2 more years for my other daughter E, which will be a completely different experience

• SF, North Caldwell, NJ

Thank you so much for your guidance in my college process. I can’t thank you enough for how smooth it was and all of your suggestions for what I should write. And I got into my first choice!

• S, Fairfield, NJ

We spoke a while back about my daughter M and her college applications/essay. Thank you so much for your insight and expertise! M was accepted Early Decision to Cornell. Thanks again.

• SL, Tenafly, NJ

Anyone who can successfully work with both of my girls is a genius-but we knew that about you (smiley face) D and C are such different students and personalities! -with very different needs for assistance. Your ability to tailor your approach and “meet each kid exactly where they’re at” is a real gift. And, as parents, we are once again so grateful for your candor, flexibility, good humor and unflappable approach. You have once again turned this crazy process into 100% NO STRESS! We are ALWAYS glad to be a reference.

• B and R, West Caldwell, NJ

Thank you so much for your guidance with my college applications. I really appreciate your help with essays and the interview prep. I wanted to let you know that I was accepted to Princeton early and will most likely go there next fall.

• IR, Montclair, NJ

Thank you for helping all 4 of our kids. The twins loved working with you this season.

• K and JG, Essex Fells, NJ

In this holiday season, I reflect upon feeling thankful A is settled at Skidmore. She could not have gotten to this place in her life without your patience and support. Many times she was emotional and anxious. She was dramatic and draining with us. You gave her support, focus and set up a good plan for her. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

• W&J, Essex Fells, NJ

Thank you for all your advice and help for C. You are invaluable!

• DJ, Ridgewood, NJ

You helped avoid many family arguments over the past few months. S is off to Fairfield U which we are all excited about.

• SS Montclair, NJ

I absolutely do feel less stressed after our first meeting. We will certainly be in touch!

• D, North Caldwell, NJ

You’re the best! You’re everything one could hope for in a college counselor and more. Thank you for knowing when to lift us up or letting us know not to sweat the small stuff. We could not have done all this without you and would have been bonkers by now without your wise counsel. Thank you for everything, you are a gem.

• L, Seattle, WA

Now for our 2^nd son…you were so helpful with the first we had no doubt you would be our first call again for this raucous college process. We’re in!

• The S Family, Pittsburgh, Pa

What can I say? Everything we applied for we got in. The stress relief is amazing. Your ease of handling this whole college mess was wonderful and therapeutic (especially after that junior year) Anyway, 5 for 5. You Rock!

• C, Glen Ridge, NJ

Thanks so much for all your help. This process would be impossible without you!

• RG, Upper Montclair, NJ

Barbara Gottesman
Montclair, New Jersey
973-746-0698
barbara@nostresscollegehelp.com

Eve Gottesman
New York, New York
973-568-4581
eve@nostresscollegehelp.com

Life is too short to be stressed by the prospect of college. COLLEGE HELP! Organization and Advising Services can bring laughter rather than tears to your household.

We meet with parents or students or both and can get you organized, set your expectations, and give you a bird’s eye view of the college process in a very short period of time. After that, we can help you as much or as little as you like or need to complete the college process. Life as a teenager and life as a parent of a teenager can have inherent stress and challenges. Why not opt for as little stress as possible during the high school years? One or two meetings with us and you’ll be properly prepped to fill out those apps late summer and early fall of Senior year.

The college process can be stress free – Just come and spend an hour with me.