Kim provides remarkable mentorship, calm, focus and critical diligence to what has become a bizarrely complex and intimidating experience for High School students and their parents. Her calm demeanor and welcoming smile immediately put the anxious gathering of family members (mostly mom and dad) at ease during initial discussions on how to view the ominous college search and application process. She is skilled at coaching preparation of individually unique essays and short response submissions, helping students feel confident in their writing and their college selection decisions. Kim is great at providing structure to the student’s schedule planning and is gentle with time management cues needed to meet commitments. Her ability to navigate the application process architecture and her experiential knowledge of how to account for the many requirements and steps in the process far exceeded anything I could strive to offer even after having gone through the process once on my own with an older daughter. I always felt comfortable with reaching out to Kim independently to assess how my daughter was communicating and following through with the plan that was devised, and Kim was great about providing informative feedback on performance and reassuring me that she would ask for assistance if needed (that never happened). We intended for our daughter to work directly with Kim throughout the entire journey, and that is exactly what happened. Our experience was a measured success across the board; numerous college acceptances were received [with laudatory praise], denials were met with empathy, renewed vigor, and determination – and our daughter managed life well around this daunting (yet fundamental) step to bridge our daughters desired next chapter of life. No question, and no hesitation – I would reach out to Kim again for any of her professional offerings; her value is unmatched. Thank you Kim! – Jim and Becky Miller
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Our son is a great student, but he was overwhelmed with the college application process. He had all the necessary pieces, but it took Kim’s help to put them together. Different colleges have different application guidelines and deadlines and with Kim’s guidance, he submitted very thorough applications on time. She also worked with him on comprehensive essay review, and he was extremely proud of the final drafts he submitted with applications. He, his father, and I felt comfortable reaching out to Kim at any time with questions, and she always responded quickly and professionally with the patience and kindness we needed to help us navigate this tech savvy world we were unfamiliar with. He went from being overwhelmed with the process in October to receiving college acceptance notifications in January. Thank you, Kim! ~Jana Rae Sternfeld
Kim has worked extensively with our sons over the years. She began working with our oldest during 11th grade as he faced difficulties in his educational journey. He was having challenges in two crucial classes and lacked the organizational skills necessary to pull his studies together to successfully complete the year and prepare for his approaching senior year. Kim began working with him twice a week on content tutoring as well as organizational and study skills. We saw an excitement for learning we hadn’t seen in a long time after he started working with her, and his confidence returned. Not only did he successfully graduate on time, he is now a proud college graduate! Kim also worked with our other son who was a great student, but having difficulty in his high school English course. He worked with Kim in lieu of going to summer school, and she helped him meet all school requirements for grammar, required reading, and writing. She also helped him with crucial planning and organizational strategies. ~Julie Cunkle
I worked with Kim in our professional career, so knew firsthand what guidance and support she could provide my son Matthew on his college application essay. She provided him with many suggestions and ideas that transformed his essay into what he wanted colleges to know about him. A professional review was what he needed. He is a strong writer but said it was hard to talk so much about himself and know what colleges were looking for. Her expertise was spot on! He even used the outline and major talking points to apply for some additional scholarships without having to rewrite so many different essays! Thank you Kim! ~ Rhonda Jumber
The thought of getting my twins through the college application process was daunting. It was July before their senior year and time for them to start the process. Thankfully, I set an appointment for them to meet with Kim and from that point forward the process ran smoothly. Kim reviewed their grades and test scores, talked to them about their list of target schools and promptly put together a portfolio of information that was impressive. It included admission requirements, essay prompts, scholarship and financial aid info and most importantly a realistic timeline of getting it all done before the deadlines! In addition to walking them through the application process, she also provided extensive essay review to help them present themselves in the best way possible in this competitive arena. I can’t say enough how wonderful and accessible she was every step of the way. My kids were accepted to almost every school they applied to and are excited to attend their first choice university this fall! Thanks to Kim and her personal and professional manner of encouraging my kids. Mission accomplished! ~ Renee Grandy
I asked Kim to help my son and I navigate the stages of our college application journey and I couldn’t be happier with the results. He got into his first choice of schools, and we’re beyond excited. Kim jumped in immediately and helped my son focus on getting multiple applications finished quickly and even coached him through writing his application essays. Not only did Kim help streamline the process for my son, but her guidance added value where I least expected it! By allowing Kim to be the coach, I could play a more supportive role (i.e., no nagging!) Kim made this simple and convenient. ~Bill Wendell
I knew I needed someone that could help stir and direct our very independent, absent-minded professor in this process as our work schedules are hectic, and trying to understand this complicated process caused stress and tensions that I wished to avoid. A good friend highly recommended Kim to me to help my son apply to colleges. Kim’s expertise and guidance during this process was a tremendous help and blessing. Our son also had strong test scores but his academic average represented a strong B student and I sought Kim’s expertise to highlight our son and make him stand out in the application pool. Kim set clear, manageable objectives each month and helped our son stay on track and complete this challenging process. Her feedback with his essay strengthened his belief in himself and allowed him to feel confident expressing his values. Kim polished our son’s package and I have no doubt that her editing made the definitive difference in the number of acceptance letters he has received; he currently is 3 for 3 in acceptances as he awaits the decision of two others. I cannot recommend Kim enough for any parent that is considering having someone help them with this very challenging process. ~Jennifer Bohnart
A friend recommended Kim Connolly Spencer to help navigate the college application process. Kim worked with both of her boys who were accepted to UF. UF was also my son’s first choice. Kim was an absolute pleasure to work with – knowledgable and helpful with guiding my son through the process, offering suggestions to improve his essays, etc. We were so excited to share with Kim that he was accepted at UF last week. We highly recommend her! ~Michele Moore
My daughter had all of the pieces of the puzzle nicely laid out – the excellent academic history, active involvement in clubs, honor societies, volunteer hours, competitive dance, a job, and a social life. What she lacked was the time management needed to pick up the pieces and complete the puzzle. It was when she told me one night that all I ever talked to her about were deadlines, essays, and applications. I knew I had to call Kim! Kim worked in a short amount of time in a very personal way with Morgan. Immediately she had a detailed timeline with completion dates – and she was happy. She met each one without delay or complaint. Morgan loves Kim! And I am forever thankful to Kim for giving me back the precious time I have left with my daughter. ~Pam McCauley
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Thank you for working with my son to prepare for college entrance applications. Your in-depth advice and attention to time-line was invaluable. I honestly don’t think we would have been able to do it without you. Not only did you assist with the actual applications and essay proof-reading, but you helped him focus on what schools would be the best fit for him. He was able to get into the University of Florida and that was his top choice! Your professionalism and response time were way above what we expected and I would highly recommend that every student thinking of going to college hire you. There are so many ways that you helped us navigate through the process, it was a huge stress relief during a very stressful time. Grateful for you! ~Melissa S Gann
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Kim has been wonderful! She is very knowledgeable of the college application process and has helped navigate us through each step with ease. She is always available to ask questions and works well with your child to help keep them on track. So thankful to have had someone recommend her to us. ~Alisa Johnson
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Kim has been tremendous in helping us navigate through the college application process. Her knowledge on deadlines, scholarship opportunities, and more are extremely prompt and she’s very up to speed with the ever changing entrance requirements. She has made the process painless for us, and has saved us the time and frustration of trying to figure it out on our own and hope that we’re right. We are beyond grateful for her services. ~Lisa Dilworth
I had no idea how to start my college essays and Mrs. Spencer guided me through the whole process. Now I’m attending UF (my dream school) in the fall. I’m so grateful for her help! ~Grace Moffett
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With everything else I have going on with my family it was so nice to count on Kim to take over the daunting task of helping my 17 year old navigate the college application process. I loved the fact that she still held my son accountable for his own future, while at the same time making sure application deadlines were met and keeping me informed every step of the way. She was always available and had answers to all my questions. I am so thankful to Kim for all her guidance and help! ~Jennifer Crow
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Kim Spencer was unbelievable in her knowledge of all the college application processes for all colleges in which our son applied. She was especially exceptional in helping our son with his college essays. She worked directly with him 1:1 to help him excel in his writing and the entire application process. We are very grateful for her help and highly recommend her for any student. ~Selina Beenan
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I first met Kim in January of 2018 – A friend suggested I give her a call because my husband and I were having a hard time motivating our son to get his college applications done. He was a Senior at Fletcher, he knew he wanted to go to college but didn’t have the grades or test scores that his 2 older sisters had to get into the University of Florida. He knew he wanted to stay in the state of Florida and that was about it. My husband is from Texas and I am from California so we weren’t very much help at guiding him in the right direction. Kim was awesome with him from day one! She got to know him and what he liked to do and study and they went from there – Kim is incredibly organized and gave our son deadlines that he had to meet. She was great at following up with him and encouraging him in a super positive but stern way to get his rear in gear! I am happy to report that he was accepted to all 4 universities that he applied to and he got to choose the one that was the best fit for him. He currently is a happy and productive sophomore at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and he loves it.
Thank you so much Kim!! We couldn’t have done it without you! ~Joie Horton
Kim always answers all your questions and walks you through the writing process. She helped me with my essays this year and I got into UF with her help this year. 100% would recommend if you’re struggling with your essays for college! ~ Ashley Barrios
*full testimonial list available upon request
