Publications

What You Need to Know About College Aid

Your College Advisors, October 3, 2017

This article explains different options for financial aid, including both need- and merit-based aid.

Gear Teens Up Early for Summer Programs

U.S News & World Report, January 23, 2017

Sara Zessar was interviewed for this article about what students and parents should do to plan and prepare for summer programs.

How to Write an Outstanding College Essay

Yellow Scene, September 2016

This article offers tips on how to write a college essay that will make you stand out from other applicants.

What to Do if You Don’t Qualify for Need-Based Financial Aid

Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, April 2016

This article provides information on merit scholarships and tips for obtaining them.

How to Get the Most Out of College Fairs

Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, October 2014

This article provides information about upcoming college fairs in the Denver area and describes how students can maximize their time at such fairs.

How to Make the Most of College Fairs and Other Advice on the College Search

Interview with Weekend Wakeup on 710 KNUS, August 2014

A podcast of the interview is available on the station’s website. To access the podcast, click on August 2014 on the right under “Archives.” Click on “Older episodes” at the bottom of the page and then go to August 9, 2014, hour 1. The segment starts around 4:15 (4 minutes, 15 seconds).

Should You Hire a Private College Counselor?

Road2College, August 2014

This article offers reasons for hiring a private college counselor as well as factors to consider should you choose to hire one.

Help Your High School Senior With College Applications While Maintaining Your (And Their) Sanity

The Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, July 2014

This article offers advice to parents on helping their children with college applications.

7 College Prep Myths – Busted!

Road2College, May 2014

This article examines seven common myths about the college preparation process and explains why they’re not true.

Independent College Consultants Can Help Teens Apply to College

ExpertBeacon, Fall 2013

This article explains the role of an independent college consultant, offers advice for working with a consultant, and suggests things to consider when hiring one.

Helping Your Teen Navigate the College Admissions Process

ExpertBeacon, Fall 2013

This article provides advice on how parents can offer their kids assistance and guidance with the complicated college search and admissions process.

Approaching the College Search and Admissions Process with Ease

ExpertBeacon, Fall 2013

This article offers advice to help students approach the college process in a way that will reduce stress and result in better outcomes.

Get In! The High-Success, Low-Stress Guide to College Planning

Lisa L. Ransdell, Ph.D.; 1st edition (January 1, 2013)

Sara Zessar wrote about the University of Rochester in the “Secret College Gems” chapter of this book.

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The most important part, to me, of hiring Sara was my relationship with [my daughter] Clare. We don’t always see eye to eye on how to accomplish things. It tends to cause a lot of stress between us and it was really important, this last year of her being with us, that it be a positive year for us . . . hiring Sara took all that pressure away . . . it was a very positive experience as a parent.

Margaret, Denver, Colorado