Pave the Way College Consulting
Helping you shine!
Personalized guidance for your college admissions journey.
College Admissions 2026: ShinY Success Story!
I Got In!
When high school senior Caroline Liu logged into her USC portal, the email was so unremarkable she thought she'd been denied. Reading more carefully, she realized she'd been admitted for Spring 2027. She jumped for joy. A few weeks later, a new email arrived: she was invited to start Fall 2026.
Situation: Caroline's path to that moment was anything but easy. In 7th grade, she was diagnosed with a bone infection that kept her hospitalized for two months and in a wheelchair for two years. Physical therapy slowly moved her from wheelchair to walker to cane, and it wasn't until 10th grade that she walked unassisted. Through all of it, she kept up with her schoolwork, applied to private high schools, pursued scholarships and financial aid, and helped her single mother with housing and food costs.
Her motivation to reach a top university in biology was deeply personal: to give back the kind of care she received while sick, and to build the financial stability she never had growing up.
Nudge: Quiet by nature, Caroline was bold about using every resource available to her. She built strong relationships with teachers and counselors, participated in the Johns Hopkins Pre-College Genetic Laboratory Research program, created and hosted a podcast called Coral Talks, and volunteered at a local hospital and mental health crisis line. She also earned progressive scuba diving certifications, determined to prove to herself that her health history would not define her limits.
Tying together her illness and her love for scuba, Caroline’s college personal statement opened with a line that said it all: "Oxygen and I have a complicated relationship. Pressurized oxygen tanks saved my life twice."
College Applications: Through the Matchlighters Scholars Program, Caroline was paired with an experienced college counselor. I had the privilege of being that person, meeting with her every two weeks for six months to build applications that reflected everything she had overcome.
Outcome: She was accepted to USC, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Pepperdine, UC Davis, Northeastern, and USD. She plans to major in biology and pursue the pre-med track to become a pediatric physician.
How I Find That Spark In Students
Everyone has a spark...
But sometimes it takes time to build a relationship with a student to uncover what makes them come alive, what excites them, what troubles them. How have they approached challenges, disappointments and wins?
It's my job as an experienced writer, interviewer and educator to tap into all the wonders of teenagers and young adults to help them connect stories and ideas that will make them shine on college applications.
I am here to champion your student!
My Full Life As A College Coach
When not helping students shine, I'm...
Visiting campuses is essential in college admissions advising to ensure the perfect fit for students! Meeting with admission officers provides valuable updates and tips regarding the college application process. Staying informed about industry changes helps us understand where the jobs are and what training is required. Attending counselor conferences is crucial as the college application process evolves nearly daily! Conducting research tailored to each student is a priority for me, as I think about my students A LOT! Engaging in professional discussions with colleagues is important because there’s SO much information to stay on top of in the realm of high school college counseling!
We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding support Katheryn provided during our daughter’s college planning and application journey. Thanks to her expert advice, our daughter felt confident every step of the way and got into the school she wanted! We highly recommend Katheryn’s services!
Kristina D.
Associations
