Ms Susan Zinanti
About
I am passionate about students and families and committed to helping students reach their personal educational goals. Whether you don't know where to begin or already have specific goals in mind, I strive to bring clarity, reduce the stress surrounding college admissions, support parents, and empower students to confidently and wisely navigate the college admission planning and application process…step by step.
In my work as an admission counselor and Assistant Director of Admission at the University of Denver, I guided hundreds of students and parents through college admission and financial aid. Having seen college admissions from the “inside” through interviewing students, reading and evaluating applications and making admission decisions, I understand how colleges look at applicants and I bring this knowledge to the students and families I serve. As a featured speaker at area high schools and community public service events, I present regularly on college planning and financial aid topics.
It is important to me to stay abreast of current college admission trends. Because of this, I continually visit new colleges, pursue professional development and conferences, and network with college representatives and other college admission professionals. I am committed to personalized and ethical college admission guidance and am a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling (RMACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and College Consultants of Colorado, where I serve on the Advisory board and as 2022-23 President. I hold a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College Santa Fe and a Certificate in College Counseling with Distinction from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Additional Info
Description of Services : StepWise College Consulting offers a full suite of college planning and application support services, including:
• High School Course Planning and Extracurricular Guidance
• Self-Assessment Surveys
• Career and Major Exploration
• Standardized Test Planning
• College List Development
• College Visit and College Fair Guidance
• Mock Interviews
• Resume Writing
• Application Timeline and Strategy
• Essay Brainstorming and Guidance
• Application Support
• Financial Aid Counseling and Package Review
• Transition to College Support
Description of Experience : I come from a background in college admissions. After graduating with my degree from St. John's College, Santa Fe, I worked as an Admission Counselor and Assistant Director of Admission for 5 years at the University of Denver, where I managed an admission territory, planned visit events for prospective students, parents, and high school counselors, interviewed students, read applications, and made admission decisions. After my daughter was born, I took time off to raise a family. During these years, I began working part time for Kaplan Test Prep as a classroom teacher and tutor (SAT/ACT/SSAT/MCAT Verbal) and Teacher Trainer (3 years). Starting in 2015, I worked with a Denver-area educational company which provides test prep, academic tutoring and college admissions consulting, where I began advising on college essays and working as an independent educational consultant. I launched my own business, StepWise College Consulting, in January of 2019. Outside of my professional experience, I have been an alumni admission volunteer for my alma mater, hosting prospective student receptions and representing the college at college fairs. I earned a certificate in college counseling with distinction from UCLA in June of 2019. I volunteer for Denver Public Schools Application Days, helping underserved students gain college access.
Contacts
StepWise College Consulting
Founder, Independent Educational Consultant
