Valerie Mitchell
she/her
Valerie Mitchell

About

Counselor. Coach. Health & Wellness Enthusiast. Diversity Ally. Change Agent who, for 20 years, has assisted athletes and students of all ages and from diverse cultural backgrounds with activating their potential and reaching their goals. I am incredibly passionate about uplifting and celebrating young scholars as they prepare to take on new adventures and decipher how they can apply their talents, experiences, and interests to their future plans!

Valerie helped students get into:
Columbia UniversitySpelman College
The State University of New York at AlbanyBinghamton University
Pennsylvania State UniversityHunter College
Baruch CollegeCUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Columbia University
Spelman College
The State University of New York at Albany
Binghamton University
Pennsylvania State University
Hunter College
Baruch College
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Valerie helps with…
College Applications & Essays
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Majors & Careers
Extracurriculars
Building a School List
High School Course Selection
College Interviews
Waitlist & Deferral Assistance
Highly Selective College Admissions
Common App
School-Specific Supplemental Essays
Trade School & Vocational Pathways
FAFSA
Brooklyn
2 years of experience
Spelman College – BS
Columbia University – MEd | School Counseling
Columbia University – MA | Psychological Counseling
Columbia University – Cert | Advanced Certification in College Advising
ASCA | NYSACAC | NCAN | NYSSCA
Psychology
Education
Chemistry
Neuroscience
Special Education
Students with Learning Differences
Gifted and Talented Students
Fun Facts
🖐
Describe yourself in five words
warm, bubbly, energetic, compassionate, diligent

🙏
Best piece of advice
Apply early. There is a place for every student.

💼
First job
gymnastics coach

💭
Dream job
college admissions consultant

📚
Favorite book
The Joy of Movement and Body Keeps the Score

📓
Favorite subject in school
Science

Favorite after-school activities
gymnastics

🎵
Favorite artist
PINK

📺
Favorite TV show
Game of Thrones

🍴
Favorite food
gaucamole

🪄
Hobbies
cycling, movies, travel, good conversations

My process

I operationalize a student-centered approach (identifying strengths and promoting self-initiation) to tackle key elements of the college process. I assist them with exploring interests, balancing college lists, crafting personal statements, sprucing up activity lists, brainstorming and editing supplemental essays, and reviewing all other application materials. I believe differentiation across all realms of learning is vital to student success. Simply put, what works for one student may not work for another. I also have experience working with students seeking robust academic, social, and emotional support at the college level. With a broad database and personal knowledge of comprehensive learning support programs, I can support students with IEPs as they search and evaluate college-level programming. I design organizational tools that simplify aspects of the college process for students' individual needs. Therefore, a specialty of mine is providing built-in executive functioning support related to goal setting, strategizing, time management, organization, decision-making, problem-solving, and distress management.
Brooklyn
2 years of experience
Spelman College – BS
Columbia University – MEd | School Counseling
Columbia University – MA | Psychological Counseling
Columbia University – Cert | Advanced Certification in College Advising
ASCA | NYSACAC | NCAN | NYSSCA
Psychology
Education
Chemistry
Neuroscience
Special Education
Students with Learning Differences
Gifted and Talented Students
Fun Facts
🖐
Describe yourself in five words
warm, bubbly, energetic, compassionate, diligent

🙏
Best piece of advice
Apply early. There is a place for every student.

💼
First job
gymnastics coach

💭
Dream job
college admissions consultant

📚
Favorite book
The Joy of Movement and Body Keeps the Score

📓
Favorite subject in school
Science

Favorite after-school activities
gymnastics

🎵
Favorite artist
PINK

📺
Favorite TV show
Game of Thrones

🍴
Favorite food
gaucamole

🪄
Hobbies
cycling, movies, travel, good conversations
Tips for success
1. Prepare for your first session
Plan out the questions and topics you'd like to discuss. If you'd like to work together in the long term, discuss expectations for each other.