What Should I Study In College?
Our Finding Your Fit essay series explores popular and perennial fields of study, as well as emerging areas of research. Read on for our…
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Our Core Services
College Counseling & Essay Coaching
- Traditional Students
- Students with Learning Differences
- Students in Therapeutic Programs
From traditional college-bound students to students with learning differences or specific circumstances, we specialize in finding each student’s best-fit college, school, or program. We love getting to know each student as a unique individual, listening to their excitement, apprehension, needs, and desires. From a place of empathy and trust, we partner with them to submit the strongest application possible that showcases their character, strengths, and potential. Learn more about our services.
Applying to college is a multi-step process that involves many decisions, both emotional and logistical.
With backgrounds in journalism, publishing, teaching, and more, Plan the Path experts help your application to tell your story as strongly as possible.
College Admissions Insights
As educational consultants, we have a unique perspective on the college admissions landscape and how the field continues to evolve. Read on for important news, insights, and opinions on topics central to the application process.
Arts & Humanities
The arts are about creative expression – through visual art, music, theater, dance, and design – while the humanities focus more on ideas: history,…
Read moreSTEM Majors
These days, STEM is all around us. From new, high-profile projects within universities to cutting-edge breakthroughs in medicine and technology, we increasingly see the…
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At Plan the Path, our educational consultants provide strategic advice for your college admissions and postsecondary search. When considering schools, we are concerned with “best fit” rather than the notion of “the best.”
Through our work, we teach students self-advocacy, autonomy, and responsibility. In turn, they rely on our depth of knowledge and experience to guide them through this difficult but exciting process.
“Plan the Path has been absolutely crucial to our kid’s success throughout the college application process. Marcia’s extensive knowledge about admissions and help in crafting a good mix of schools was invaluable, and Brook’s guidance on the essays was thoughtful and thorough. Having other adults help keep our kid on track throughout the process, with its confusing mix of deadlines, paperwork, and decisions, was a huge load off our minds and certainly helped avoid conflict during a stressful time.”
– M.S.
“Marcia is an expert in the educational consulting field. Her wealth of knowledge regarding hundreds of colleges across the country is invaluable and makes the entire college application process less daunting. Using a holistic approach in assessing each student individually, she is able to successfully recommend the best-fit college for each and every student. I can wholeheartedly say I trust her 100%. Her very first suggestion turned out to be the college our daughter will be attending in the fall… and she was right!”
– S.G.
“My son just graduated from college, and I still remember our first conversation. You were so direct with me: “If he says he is drinking X amount, he is doing more.” I connected with your frank and clear manner. It was what was needed, it is what I understand best, and I knew that my son would find it grounding. This is all to say, again, thank you so much. You scooped us up and told us it would be okay. We will always be grateful.”
– L.M.
“I’m sending you this email with immense gratitude. Without your guidance, I would’ve never even considered anything other than New Jersey Institute of Technology. Not long after our meeting, I went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a campus visit, and I absolutely fell in love. I’ve just received my acceptance letter, and I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to go to RPI, and I owe it all to you. Thank you.”
– K.S.
“Marcia has now helped each of our three children find their ‘just right’ college. Her ongoing encouragement and direction during the high school years smoothed the way for the application process, and she effectively shepherded the college-essay writing.
Her focus on each child’s specific needs, interests, and passions resulted in spectacular college choices—we are deeply grateful to her, and appreciative of her persistence!”
– L.W.
“Marcia is the bomb! She is just the right mix of personal and professional, as both are required when it comes to planning for your child’s education and future. Her intuitiveness allowed us to consider higher learning options we may have otherwise been unaware of. Thank you, Marcia, for being an instrumental part of a life-impacting journey!”
– O.M.
“As a fellow college counselor, I can confidently say that Marcia Kramer is one of the most thoughtful, knowledgeable, and student-centered professionals in the field. Her team’s ability to connect with students, understand their unique strengths, and guide them with clarity and care is truly exceptional. I’ve seen firsthand how their expertise opens doors and empowers students to approach the process with confidence. It’s a privilege to collaborate with a team so deeply committed to ethical, impactful counseling.”
– Shelley Levine, College Bound
“I have to say thank you for helping my child pursue his dreams. He is extremely happy and proud of himself. You dealt with a special situation and gave him the opportunity to succeed. Without you, this would not have been possible, as we didn’t have a clue how to navigate what his path was going to be. People like you help kids like my son to feel empowered and to believe in themselves. I can’t thank you enough!”
– M.R.
“Marcia has that special something that enables her to really get to know your child. She maximized our son’s admission chances with her advice on which schools to visit given the limited time we had, and about how to present his “mixed” record in his application. Marcia went far above and beyond what we expected. She is one of a kind. Truly exceptional!!”
– C.F.
“Thank you for everything you have done for the past six months. You have been an incredible support system for me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without your advice, care, generosity, and assistance.”
– S.M.