guidance to Help make

the best decision, your decision.

EXPLORING “RIGHT FIT” SCHOOLS

NAVIGATING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

CONSTRUCTING EFFECTIVE ACTIVITIES LISTS

CRAFTING COMPELLING ESSAYS

MANAGING FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS

SHOWCASING YOUR STRENGTHS AND PASSIONS

WORK WITH ME

Listening is at the heart of my counseling approach. Let me coach you to navigate your college choices confidently and achieve the future you deserve.

Meet your Counselor

Kim ilvento
Founder

wORK WITH ME

Welcome to Decision Day College Counseling, where personalized guidance meets professional expertise. I am passionate about the power of a college education and specialize in providing comprehensive support to students embarking on their college application journey. With a wealth of experience in college counseling, I offer tailored services ranging from academic and extracurricular assessments to essay and application support, alongside expert advice on financial aid.

With over two decades of experience in education and a deep passion for guiding students toward fulfilling academic and career paths, I am dedicated to helping each individual find a college experience that aligns perfectly with their aspirations. My journey began with a degree in History from UC San Diego, followed by a rewarding teaching career where I inspired and mentored students for over 20 years.

The transition to College and Career Counseling was a natural progression fueled by personal experience navigating the complex college application process with my own children, who successfully matriculated to San Diego State University and UCLA. Over the years, I have had the privilege of supporting over 100 students in achieving their dreams of attending top universities.

My mission is simple: to empower students to make informed decisions, leverage their strengths, and highlight their unique qualities to colleges and universities. Through individualized attention and unwavering support, I am committed to helping students achieve their academic and college aspirations.

Join me on your college journey, and let's work together to make your Decision Day a resounding success..

MY COACHING METHOD

FOCUS

It all starts by honing in on your academic and personal aspirations. At Decision Day College Counseling, you will be guided to identify what you truly want in your college experience, from selecting the right schools to defining your career goals. By focusing on what matters most to you, I help you create a clear and targeted path towards your ideal college journey.
REFLECT

Next, I will help you reflect on potential challenges in your college application journey. Whether it's uncertainty about your strengths, worries about meeting admission criteria, or managing deadlines, I work with you to recognize and address these barriers. Through guided reflection, you will be empowered to overcome obstacles and move forward with confidence towards your college goals.
Refine

The final step is all about refining your approach to college preparation. At Decision Day College Counseling, you will be guided in continuously improving your application materials, essays, and personal insights. I empower you to take charge of your college journey, identifying what sets you apart and showcasing your strengths. I’m here to ensure each step reflects your unique qualities and aspirations.

Packages

"Essential Explorer" Package

Time: 6 hours of one-on-one support

Description: Designed for students starting their college planning journey, this package provides foundational guidance to kickstart the process. Includes assistance with initial college list creation, basic application overview, and brainstorming for personal statements and activities.

"Advanced Navigator" Package

Time: 10 hours of one-on-one support

Description: Tailored for students ready to delve deeper into their college applications. Includes comprehensive assistance with refining college lists, detailed application strategy, in-depth personal statement and UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) development, and guidance on extracurricular activities.

"Elite Pathfinder" Package

Time: 18 hours of one-on-one support

Description: The ultimate package for students aiming for top-tier college admissions. Includes extensive personalized coaching on every aspect of the college application process. Features intensive support for finalizing college lists, in-depth application review, comprehensive essay editing and polishing, and strategic advice for maximizing financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

upcoming workshop

Summer College Application Jumpstart
July 29th-August 8th

Monday-Thursday 9am-11am
VIRTUAL

Workshop Itinerary:

Session 1: Introduction to College Application Process

Goals: Understand the workshop objectives and expectations.
Activities:
- Introduction to the college application timeline.
- Setting personal goals for the workshop.

Session 2: Exploring "Best Fit" Colleges

Goals: Identify and research potential colleges that match your academic and personal preferences.
Activities:
- Guided exercises to assess academic programs and campus culture.
- Introduction to resources for researching colleges.

Session 3: Crafting Your Activities List

Goals: Create a comprehensive list of extracurricular activities and achievements.
Activities:
- Brainstorming sessions to identify impactful activities.
- Strategies for highlighting achievements in applications.

Session 4: Brainstorming Personal Statement Topics

Goals: Generate ideas for compelling personal statements.
Activities:
- Techniques for brainstorming and organizing personal experiences.
- Discussing effective storytelling in personal statements.

Session 5: UC Personal Insight Questions

Goals: Understand the UC application’s Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and begin drafting responses.
Activities:
- Analyzing UC PIQ prompts and brainstorming responses.
- Peer review and feedback sessions.

Session 6: Introduction to the Common App

Goals: Familiarize yourself with the Common Application and its components.
Activities:
- Walkthrough of Common App sections and requirements.
- Starting to fill out basic information sections.

Session 7: UC Application Overview

Goals: Navigate the UC application process and its specific requirements.
Activities:
- Understanding UC application sections and submission guidelines.
- Starting to fill out basic information sections.

Session 8: Application Review and Q&A

Goals: Review progress made, address lingering questions, and plan next steps.
Activities:
- Peer feedback on application components.
- Q&A session with counselors to clarify doubts.

Join our intensive Summer College Application Jumpstart Virtual Workshop, spanning eight sessions from July 29th to August 8th. Designed for high school students aiming to navigate the college application process with confidence, this workshop offers personalized guidance and expert support.

What You'll Gain:

Clarify Your Goals: Identify your academic and personal preferences to create a list of "best fit" colleges.
Craft Your Activities List: Develop a comprehensive list of extracurricular activities and achievements to showcase your strengths.
Brainstorm Personal Statements: Generate compelling topics and learn effective storytelling techniques for your personal statements.
UC Personal Insight Questions: Understand UC application prompts and begin drafting thoughtful responses.
Navigate the Common App: Familiarize yourself with the Common Application and start filling out key sections.
Master the UC Application: Learn about UC-specific requirements and confidently complete your application.
Receive Expert Guidance: Benefit from interactive sessions with peers and led by an experienced counselor who provide feedback and support.
Prepare for Success: Gain insights, strategies, and tools to submit strong, well-prepared college applications.