ABOUT ME
I balance personal exploration, activity involvement, and experience creation with task-oriented plans to reduce stress, confusion and anxiety for everyone involved.
My name is Judy Desbans and I am passionate about changing the complex, and often intimidating, college preparation and application process into a journey that is easy, straightforward, and rewarding for high school students and their parents. I work to buffer potential tension between students and parents by preserving open, two-way communication and enforcing accountability. By following a step-by-step, practical approach, I emphasize that students need to explore interests, get involved in leadership activities and generate new experiences, while following task-oriented action plans which reduce stress, confusion and anxiety for everyone involved.
With a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, active involvement in local and national counseling associations, a B.S. in Computer Science Engineering from University of Illinois, and 25 years’ experience in high-tech consulting, training, management and sales (and not to mention being a mother of two teenagers!), I have a keen ability to establish a rapport with students, helping them to uncover their interests, explore new options and find their voice. As every individual and family has unique circumstances and requirements, I listen and observe first, then fully analyze, research and devise the best personalized plan to guide your student and family through each step, working toward building a comprehensive profile of the student for a solid application to schools that match the student’s objectives.
Contact Judy for a complimentary consultation
SERVICES
ADAPTABLE PLANS TO MATCH YOUR NEEDS
The college exploration, preparation and application process is an introspective time and most successful when approached as a marathon, not a sprint. It is advisable to start exploring as early as middle-school or freshman year. Although the general approach to college planning is structured, each student is unique and requires a personalized assessment and strategic plan, including a financial need analysis. Below are activities, tasks and deliverables that generally fall into each of the academic years, so it’s all completed at a comfortable pace. But it’s never too late to start, although the timelines will then be condensed. I provide a complimentary consultation with the student and family to share my approach, confirm a match of objectives and goals, and formulate the plan. I offer an hourly rate, annual plans or a comprehensive package, based on needs.
FRESHMAN
9th grade is the time for exploration and toe-dipping to uncover interests & aptitudes. During 2-3 meetings, we’ll review and plan for:
• an understanding of college application components (Common, Coalition, UC and individual applications)
• College Planner Pro software student account
• discovering yourself through AchieveWORKS Personality, Intelligences, Learning & Productivity, and Skills assessments
• an academic roadmap, planning for an appropriately rigorous course load
• extracurricular activities, existing and new (clubs/athletics/service/work)
• current grades & transcripts
• relationship development with teachers and advisors
• review financial aid options
• summer activities
Homework: college research and visits
SOPHOMORE
10th grade starts the application of discoveries and deeper involvement in high school and extracurricular activites. During 2-3 meetings, we’ll continue review and plan for:
• exploration of leadership opportunites and engagement
• PSAT/PACT/SAT SUBJECT preparation and scheduling
• Exploration of academic/interest-based competitions
for awards & honors opportunities
• review of the academic roadmap, planning for an appropriately rigorous course load (AP/IB/Honors)
• extracurricular activities, existing and new
(clubs/athletics/service/work)
• development of personal resume
• current grades and transcripts
• continued relationship development with teachers coaches and advisors
• summer activities
Homework: college research and visits
JUNIOR
11th grade is the heavy lifting in maximizing grades & activity involvement. The summer before is an excellent time for ACT/SAT preparation. Second semester requires full focus on preparation activities. Starting monthly, then weekly, we’ll work on:
• development of detailed task plan and timeline
• review of college preferences and financial aid needs
• assistance with college visit planning
• balanced college list compilation and refinement
• review of college list application requirements for best match and academic major selection
• ACT/SAT/SAT Subject test preparation and taking
• continued extracurricular involvement and leadership activity
• update of personal resume
• current grades and transcripts
• continued relationship development with teachers, coaches and advisors
• summer activities including personal statement and essay writing workshops
Homework: college research and visits
SENIOR
12th grade is the last mile of the marathon. Ownership of documented tasks by the student and commitment to the timeline promote a more stress-free application period. Students are required to personally complete all essay writing assignments. Weekly meetings will cover:
•young adult legal protection recommendations
•finalization of college list including Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Action plans
•revisit financial requirements and aid options, including scholarship search
• review of Common App, Coalition App, UC App and individual school applications writing prompts
• brainstorming on essay topics
• update of personal resume
• assistance with letter of recommendation requests
• ACT/SAT/SAT Subject test final activity
• proofreading and editing of all essays (common and a supplemental)
• proofreading and editing of activities
• recommendations and preparation for college interviews
• final pre-submission application review
• assistance with appeals and final choice upon receipt of decision letters
TESTIMONIALS
My Awesome Clients
Don’t take my word for it – here’s what my clients say:
Judy is the absolute best! I’m so thankful for all of her help and support throughout my entire college application process. She gave structure and an organized approach to my college list, tasks, and time management. She is so knowledgeable and was always kind and respectful of my time. She patiently worked through my essays by helping me brainstorm and by bringing out my strongest aspects. I would highly recommend her for anyone applying college!”
Sabrina, class of 2019
I am infinitely grateful for all of Judy’s support, patience and advice! Although I was initially intimidated by the college application process, Judy expertly helped me navigate the entire way, breaking up the daunting task into manageable steps. She readily provided knowledgeable answers to my questions and found solutions to any obstacles I encountered. Her kind, reassuring and thoughtful attitude made it easy to open up and creatively brainstorm essay topics together. Needless to say, I would 100% recommend Judy to anyone seeking guidance and a “stress-free” experience with college apps!”
Francesca, Sabrina’s sister, class of 2021
We worked with Judy to help our oldest child plan and execute a college application strategy. As this was our first time through the process, we had many questions about identifying schools with appropriate programs of study, understanding their admission criteria, knowing what aspects of her candidacy to emphasize, and determining how to seek out financial aid. Judy worked tirelessly to provide well-researched answers to all of our questions and she was a constant source of inspiration and support for our daughter as she kept her on track with all deadlines throughout the process. We would not hesitate to recommend Judy as a college coach and we plan to work with her again when our other two children approach college age.”
Elisabetta & Dennis, Sabrina’s parents
Dear Mrs. Desbans,
There aren’t words to express how grateful I am for all of the help you have given me this year. Before meeting you, I was terrified of the college application process and I had no clue where to start. You made me feel not only relaxed, but capable of creating an accurate representation of myself to present to colleges. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and for being patient with me as I took some time to get to know myself.”
Alice, class of 2019
Judy immediately developed a close rapport with my daughter which enabled them to work incredibly well together. In essay writing, she helped my daughter express herself using her own voice in a powerful and effective way. Judy also helped us strategize at many different points in the college admissions process. Her insight was invaluable at every step of the way and she helped make what would have normally been a difficult and stressful time much easier to manage.”
Sandy, Alice’s mom
We are so grateful for Judy’s help with our daughter. Having gone through the college application process with our oldest son and using another service, there was no comparison to the level of service and personal touch we received from Judy. She genuinely cares about having the best outcome for her students and her efforts are reflected throughout the process. From evaluating school options and providing valuable feedback and research – to the final applications, she made the process so easy for an otherwise stressful time. One of the greatest areas of support was in the essay writing; Judy had such a beautiful way of bringing out experiences or ideas to help guide our daughter’s writing to be the best reflection of her. Our daughter genuinely loved working with her. We highly recommend Judy!”
Brittany, mother of student from class of 2021
Acceptances
Just a few of the amazing universities and colleges that have offered admission to JD College Counseling students
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
I am anxious to hear from you and guide you or your high school student through a
strategic, comprehensive and STRESS-FREE
college exploration and application journey.
You can reach me directly at (949) 422-3414 or send me an email below