About College Planning Services, Inc.

Marilyn began working as an educational consultant in 1996 and founded College Planning Services in 2001. Prior to that time, she counseled children and families of children who had chronic or terminal illnesses. Her background in family-oriented social work, and her expertise and knowledge of family dynamics has led her to understand two critical factors in the college decision process: 1) the importance of the family working together as an advocacy team, and 2) the importance of the student and the family taking responsibility and ownership of the decision making process. This is the philosophy on which College Planning Services, Inc. is based. "We do not make decisions for students. We help structure the college admission process so that students and parents can make the best decisions. Equally important is our belief that this time can be rewarding for all, without some of the needless stress and anxiety often associated with the process."

Marilyn is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP). She is an active member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC).

Marilyn currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Membership Chairperson of IECA. She has served as a Mentor to new educational consultants and as Chairperson of the Outreach Committee. As a member of the Mentoring Sub-Committee, Marilyn helped write the Mentoring Handbook. She attends a number of conferences each year. Her recent workshop presentations include: January Admits: New Trends in Midyear Admits, You Want My Child to Apply Where?, The Application Process, Let's Talk, College Admissions 101 and Intake of New Clients for Consultants. Marilyn has given numerous workshops for parents, including at Chappaqua's Continuing Education Program and at Credit Suisse Bank. She instituted the "College Night Program" for Horace Greeley High School Juniors.

As an independent educational consultant, Marilyn has visited many colleges and universities and continues to visit approximately forty campuses each year.

Marilyn is an instructor for UCLA Extension online, where she taught Special Issues in College Counseling for the Certificate Program in College Counseling. She is planning to team teach with Dr. Steven Antonoff the Educational Consulting Advanced Practices class and she will again teach Special Issues in College Counseling.

Marilyn has taken the college admissions journey twice with her own two daughters.

About Marilyn Emerson